I just came home from a really incredible trip. I made my way through an entire half marathon without dying and have a medal to prove it. I met many beautiful, incredible new and old blogging friends. I stayed in a resort and ate and slept when I wanted to. I got a little sun. I visited Magic Kingdom.
When I was leaving for this trip to Walt Disney World with Team in Training Halifax to complete my first half marathon, I was excited. Of course, I would miss my children and my husband, that was a given. But, I was also really kind of looking forward to some alone time. When people asked if my family was coming with me, I would reply: “No, but that’s okay. It will be a nice little break.”
I can imagine that many parents, especially mothers, can understand that sentiment. Vacations with family are a little less relaxing and they were before children. Sure, they can be just as joyous, perhaps more so, but all those parenting duties don’t go away when you’re out of town. Children still need to eat and sleep and follow a schedule. They require discipline and their energy levels need to be monitored to avoid meltdowns. And yes, a trip to Magic Kingdom with a three- and a one-year-old would certainly provide just as many challenges as happy memories.
I remember the first real trip we took with my first baby. We drove to Toronto to visit my in-laws when Cameron was three months old, and still breastfeeding. It was a long drive, around 20 hours if you don’t include stops. I was looking forward to getting to our destination and relaxing for a bit, away from our daily routine, but the trip was not as I expected. It was lovely to see family and introduced them to Cameron, but it was really hard too. I was certainly not on “vacation”. Nothing changed for me except that I wasn’t in the environment that my baby or I were comfortable in. I spent hours away from everyone, alone in dark rooms, trying to silently feed him or rock him to sleep. I wanted so desperately to be back home where I controlled the noise level in every part of the house and where I didn’t feel like I was constantly missing out.
Travelling and motherhood got easier after that first trip. I learned how to integrate my children into activities and how to insist on the things I needed to make the experience better for all of us. But regardless, for better or for worse, the role of parenting doesn’t go on vacation when a family does. And so, for the first time in my motherhood life, I was looking forward to the break.
I didn’t expect to feel the way I actually felt when I arrived at The Happiest Place on Earth.
I’ve never been a Disney person. Disney just felt like another big brand that wanted its hands in my pocket. Even in childhood, I didn’t particularly feel like emulating any Disney princess. Mickey ear hats felt gimmicky and the cartoony resorts seemed tacky. Before this trip, my first and only visit to Disney World was when I was a teenager, and in the least magical phase of my life. It was a fun family trip, but I was expecting fast thrills and Disney just really didn’t deliver. Disney is obviously geared geared towards those who are willing to be whisked into the magic, and at 16, that wasn’t me.
This time however, Disney was different. I was different. As a Mom, I saw the entire Disney universe through the eyes of my children. I imagined them taking in the sights and the sounds and the characters and the magic. I could picture their joy. And I wanted them with me.
Everywhere I turned I saw children. Everything I looked at was geared towards creating a magical experience for kids. And now that I was there, I very much didn’t want to experience it alone.
That first day was especially hard. I had not slept more than 20 minutes the night before and I had spent most of the day on airplanes or in airports. I was tired and emotional and I missed my family desperately. Disney World could have been The Happiest Place On Earth, but it never would be for me, not without Cameron and Gavin and Dan. Not even with a medal around my neck and an accomplishment under my belt.
I feel it. That big, four-fingered, white-gloved hand is definitely in my pocket, waiting for me to plan another Disney trip, this time with my family. And yes, it will be exhausting and it will be stupidly expensive, but my family will be experiencing it together, and that will be magical.
But until then? I’m home with these guys, right where I should be.
Linking up with Greta and Robin for iPPP since three of these photos come from my mobile phone.
I’m still raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada through Team in Training and would love your support. You can donate directly here, or sign up for my DietBet.
Oh it will be magical. So proud of you – what a wonderful accomplishment!
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Breaking News – 45 The New 54!!
I’ve already gotten a quote on how much it’ll cost to go back in October. :) I hope you had a good time, even without your men!
I really did have a great time, Greta! Thursday really probably was the hardest day for me, as it was for you. Leaving the boys, being so tired, in a new place… I wasn’t sure how I felt about the whole experience yet. After that day though, things got better, and I definitely enjoyed my Mom-only time. :) And, I know that at least Gavin is probably still too young for Disney. It really wasn’t a good time for them to have been there with me, but I still missed them. :)
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..The Happiest Place On Earth
Never too young for Disney! I always counter the ‘they won’t remember’s with ‘it’s about the experience, not the memories!’.
We expose our young children to kindness, diversity, different foods, why not magic and wonder?
Yes, I love Disney :P
Heather, Mmm… is for Mommy recently posted..Augment Your Reality & Build Your Olympic Spirit
Why not? Because it is a little cost prohibitive. ;)
Disney will probably be a once or twice in a lifetime trip for our family. Better go when the kids can experience it as much of it as possible.
I was saying that I’d probably love to go with the family on a Disney cruise earlier than taking them to the parks. I think it would be a little less overwhelming for the youngest ones, but still full of magic. Plus, we love cruises. :)
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..The Happiest Place On Earth
How cute are YOU, in your purple tulle? And I am quietly fist-pumping with you in admiration of your accomplishment.
Disney is a magical place with children your guys’ ages, and they will love it when you go. It is ridiculously expensive. But fun, and they will remember it forever. I love your take on vacationing with children. It’s NOT quite a vacation, is it?
I’ve been to Disney 3x and love it, for the reasons you listed, it really is a magical place and so fun for kids. Even going as an adult I just love how happy people were. I also can’t wait to take my kiddo and experience it with her and my husband who’s also never been. congrats on the half, huge accomplishment!
Catherine recently posted..Oh How Things Have Changed…
Firstly, your pictures with your kids are gorgeous. They look like a shot take out of a movie.
I totally understand how you feel about Disney I am sort of in the same wagon. I visited Disney when I was young and single. It was fun but the long queue for each ride made me wonder why would any parent make their child go through that. But now that I have kids of my own, I would love it if I am able to take them to Disney. Somehow it doesn’t feel nice saying “Mummy has been to Magic Kingdom” so I have opted not to share my trip (experience) with them. Some day…
Jasbir @jasbeeray recently posted..Punjabi food is a luxury
Great post! We went to Orlando on our honeymoon and I liked Disney but found Universal Studio’s more interesting. I’m looking forward to going back when we have kids to experience the magic through their eyes. Hubby LOVED Disney b/c he went as a kid and for him he was reliving his youth but since it was my first time (and he gets sick on rollercoasters) we did the more gentle amusements…lol.
Heather recently posted..Welcome to 2014…on a budget
I love Disney with or without my kids :)
I’m so glad you got to have this experience, relax a little and meet such great new and online friends!
Kerstin @ Auer Life recently posted..The Mind of a Freelancer
congratulations on your run. Looks like a great trip, I would love to also take my family there one day.
Leighann recently posted..The Wheels on the Bus
Congratulations, Laura – YOU DID IT!
I can’t wait to hear about the trip with your sweet family someday. Glad you’re home safe. xo
Great post Laura. We took Cady to DW when she was about two and a half and I can honestly say that it was magical. I would love to go back one day with the kids. But maybe we should try to do it before they hit 16.
Jennifer recently posted..Potential
Things really change when we see them through the eyes of our children, yes?
So glad you had some alone time though. #envious
And yay for meeting bloggy friends! #jealous
Alison recently posted..What’s In It For Me?
Go you! I am so glad you did this! And I do see another Disney trip in your future :)
Natalie recently posted..Review Extravaganza Winners!
So happy for you and this magical accomplishment!
And your pictures! Holy swoon!
Galit Breen recently posted..Begin anywhere
I totally hear you. Although I am a Disney person, it’s 10000% better with Luke. After we left y’all (and it was SO SO fun meeting you too!) we went to see Mickey on Main Street. They just changed it so he now “talks” to you….I’ve never in all my years going to Disney seen this. So Luke walks up & Mickey says “well hiya pal!” and I was floored — Kelsey too. Luke was awestruck. So Mickey continues to sing and dance and pose with him and the whole time I’m fighting back tears because THAT is what it’s all about. Seeing the joy in Luke’s eyes, I will never, ever forget it. Yes, it’s expensive, tiring, challenging, but when you see the joy in your boys’ eyes, it will be all worth it.
Amanda Austin recently posted..First Haircut
I loved your photos and I feel transported there with you. I cannot imagine Disney without my kids, although I would take any excuse to have some alone time when I can eat and sleep and lay in the sun at my leisure! :-)
Lady Jennie recently posted..Epiphany
What an amazing experience! Im sure it was hard being there without the kiddos, but now that you’ve seen it thorough new eyes I’m sure you’ll go back!
You know, at first I was jealous of your trip. All that alone time and chance to sleep and all that. Divine. But I can totally see how that would be a really hard place to be without your kids and how you would want them there.
I’m glad you went and had a good time and got to experience all that though, and how amazing it will be to look forward to going with your boys.
Robin @ Farewell, Stranger recently posted..Missing: Inspiration
I really love everything about this. From your tutu to seeing you with your boys in the airport to your big ol’ generous heart. And of course that you and Greta hung out for a few days. You’re doing great things Laura. xx.
What an amazing experience! Congrats on your finish, and so glad you got to hang with Greta while you were there!
Leigh Ann recently posted..Yes, please, bring all the ailments
I was looking for informations about Disney and found your post…wow, it made me even more eager to bring the kids there, really look like a magical experience!