Has anyone else had anxiety attacks taking their kids on their first cruise?

[txponycruiser]

I'm seriously freaking out inside my head right now. DS is ADHD/ODD and is much better behaved now than 2 years ago when we went on an adult only cruise. He really is a good boy. But for some reason I'm having all of these horrible situations that could happen on the ship run through my head. Is this normal or am I losing it? I'm more stressed out right now with the thought of him going with us than I was when we left him for the first time 2 years ago.

[barbatkins]

I'm seriously freaking out inside my head right now. DS is ADHD/ODD and is much better behaved now than 2 years ago when we went on an adult only cruise. He really is a good boy. But for some reason I'm having all of these horrible situations that could happen on the ship run through my head. Is this normal or am I losing it? I'm more stressed out right now with the thought of him going with us than I was when we left him for the first time 2 years ago.

 

Why do you even ask this?

[jbhcw]

How old is he? We took our 10 year old grandson with us a few years ago on a 7 day...I was so thrilled to be taking him...until I got on the ship and realized I was responsible for him for 7 days:eek: It worked out fine..we travelled with others with kids...he was never by himself...Grandma was too paranoid for that...

 

He is 13 now...and I would worry more because he would want to take off on his own!! All will be well...just be sure his days are filled and structured..and he has down time as well...

[imnance]

Why do you even ask this?

 

Why does she even ask what? Why did you ask that question? :rolleyes:

 

Txponycruiser..........What's the worst that can happen? Your child will have a meltdown? Big deal. All kids have meltdowns from time to time.

 

You might find some useful information and people who can relate to your worries on the Family Board.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

 

Good luck!

[Steamboat Holly]

I think the worst that can happen is the child falling off/jumping off the ship. I have only recently gotten off my first cruise, and it was just DH and my ss18, and myself. I would like to take our three younger kids but I was afraid the younger ones would fall off the ship. People thought I was crazy. While I was on the ship I was looking for ways my "high spirited" 3 year old could jump or fall off the ship. The space between the railings is pretty big, and I scared myself by wondering how long it would take her to slip between the rails. I found several other ways too. My solution is to wait until she has a bit more common sense before we take her on a cruise. So, if you don't think that will be an issue I would just try to maintain some sort of schedule, and get plenty of rest. I think sleep makes most things better.

 

Sorry this was so long!

[Mrs CruisinCritter]

I stressed myself out before DS first cruise. We took him on a 5 day when he was 14 months so we could see how he would tolerate cruising. He did great. Sure he got grumpy a few times and we had a meltdown on the Lido deck at lunch one day, but it was nothing like I was imagining it to be before we went. It's hard to give you better advice or reassurance without knowing how old your DS is, but as long as you keep an eye on him and do things at his pace you shouldn't have any problems. There are plenty of places to go to on the ship to get away from others.

 

Our son will be 2 at the end of September and we are taking him on a 7 day cruise right after his birthday and have another booked for Thanksgiving 2014 so that shows you how comfortable we are taking him again. There's also Camp Carnival to give him a chance to interact with other kids and play time to get some of his energy out. My son goes non-stop and refuses to sit down for more than 5 min max and we are going through the terrible 2s with some loud and sometimes violent temper tantrums so I know what it's like to have to be on your toes at all times because you never know what effects a situation will have. The cruise actually calmed my son down and relaxed him because he was constantly getting attention and the gentle rocking of the ship is soothing to all of us so it was definitely a great experience. :)

 

 

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[larkz]

I can't tell you how many times I checked on my daughter when she was a child, sleeping at night, to make sure she was still breathing! I'm one who keeps an eye on young kids to make sure they don't fall or otherwise harm themselves, ready to leap to the rescue if needed. My only big save so far was a catching a toddler who was falling off the top of a washing machine in a laundromat while the mother yapped her head off with another woman. Concrete floor 34 inches down could have been deadly. I have a big imagination, and anything that can happen plays itself out in my mind.

 

So I can see how, especially in your situation, it might be a little stressful.

 

Even so, I'm not over-protective and always strived not to be. It just took a lot of work.

 

I can report that, having worked many decades ago with ADHD kids -- some with extreme behavior disorders -- one thing that may help you is the gentle rocking of the ship. Rocking is a way that we handled some of the kids who were having total meltdowns (spinning was another occasional tool, and the kids loved it even if we got a little nauseated!)

 

One specific tip is that you may want to skip the MDR, or go for your time dining just to have some flexibility.

 

And don't let any jerks shame you for your child's disability. There are still idiots out there who believe a severe beating is all it takes to handle ADHD. You'll always have to deal with that, unfortunately.

[poison7fl]

Take advantage of Camp Carnival, and relax.

[serene56]

I off the ship. The space between the railings is pretty big, and I scared myself by wondering how long it would take her to slip between the rails.

Sorry this was so long!

 

took my gd on her first cruise at 18 months old. i measured those rails they are not that big. i measured her head and there was no way she was going anywhere. she stayed with us and again she wasnt going anywhere. she is going on her 4th cruise and at 7 she knows the dos and donts on a ship...or any vacation for that matter. she knows if she screws up there wont be a next time you can not just fall off a ship.

[sunshine252]

I'm seriously freaking out inside my head right now. DS is ADHD/ODD and is much better behaved now than 2 years ago when we went on an adult only cruise. He really is a good boy. But for some reason I'm having all of these horrible situations that could happen on the ship run through my head. Is this normal or am I losing it? I'm more stressed out right now with the thought of him going with us than I was when we left him for the first time 2 years ago.

 

You're not the only one - I'm freaking about about taking my 3 & 5 year olds and they're not ADHD! LOL Reading most of these comments makes me feel a little better though... :-)

 

 

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[IMKTDQT810]

My Ds (8) has ADHD and we are planning his first cruise next year. DH has only been on one cruise himself and he keeps telling DS how he LOVED the rocking of the ship putting him to sleep each night. I have never travelled onboard with ppl who utilized the children's activities but I always went in and looked around to see what they were like. I have a feeling DS will have a blast there. I am a tad bit weary about the video arcade in which I think you buy token for with the seapass. That worries me a bit not knowing how much that might cost us or how that works. We only allow DS one soda per day to help keep his hyperactivity down a bit but I am considering getting a soda card since it IS his vacation also. I think you have every right to have this concern about your DS's first cruise. I have crazy thoughts go through my head and then realize that when the time comes it is still better to be on a boat then home.

[LadySam1968]

My son is on the autism spectrum. I took him on his first cruise at 13. I was concerned with how he would do. That first cruise he was bullied a bit in Camp C. We went back at 14 and his experience was night and day he made friends and didn't feel ostracized. This next year he bumps up to club o2 and again I worry given how naive he is. As to the arcades you can control the amount they can spend on their sign and sail card.

[Smiling Cruiser]

Carnival has caffeine free diet Coke. Is this helpful as a soda choice for someone on the spectrum?

[LadySam1968]

I don't allow my son caffeine. He's allowed to drink sprite. It doesn't seem to get him riled up. Then again his issues are more of the social ones associated with the spectrum. But he is a teenager and when out of sight he might drink something else. :)

[Noel182002]

My 6 year old daughter is ADHD and ODD....she takes concerta 18mg to help control her symptoms but here is the thing we only thing is we only use this medicine while she is at school.....so during vacation we don't use this as I don't think she needs to pay attention as much with us as she does at school....AT CC she loved it! I went through the schedule with her and chose activities I knew she would enjoy and ones that she liked as well...we spoke to the counselers and explain her condition and that at anytime we would be willing to come and get her and that she knows she has to follow rules....We would also take her to swim and do some walking around the ship before we left her...we took her sometimes for an hour...the max we left her was like 4 hours at a time which was usually at the parties at night....The counslers loved her! they said she behaved like a NORMAL child (I cried when they told me this because it's hard sometimes having a child with ADHD and everyone just assumes your child is out of control) At dinner we brought things to keep her occupied and we had a window seat which was a great help! I think your vacation can be amazing....I didn't think she was ever going to jump overboard...we have a balcony but she knows she is not allowed on it without a parent and there is no climbing...also when we are on deck we hold hands...this is just like a small city....she is very aware of the risks of walking away from us...on a boat or even at a store....I think as long as you are willing to make the most of it you will be fine....my family is crusing on the breeze in September with our two girls...6 and 3....we will be doing a b2b for 15 days....and they can't wait!!!

[Steamboat Holly]

took my gd on her first cruise at 18 months old. i measured those rails they are not that big. i measured her head and there was no way she was going anywhere. she stayed with us and again she wasnt going anywhere. she is going on her 4th cruise and at 7 she knows the dos and donts on a ship...or any vacation for that matter. she knows if she screws up there wont be a next time you can not just fall off a ship.

 

I'll admit, I didn't take a measuring tape and measure the size of the railings, I am pretty sure my daughter would be able to slip between the railings. Maybe my kids have small heads? I know my other two kids would be perfectly fine on a cruise, they are well behaved on our other vacations. But I know my 3 year olds limitations, and I would find a cruise difficult with her right now. Hopefully this issue isn't a concern for the OP.

 

ETA: I was specifically referring to the railings outside of the buffet on the Lido, on the Inspiration. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[serene56]

i did take a measuring tap that'cruise. and a leash too. i measured the rails because she needed to run a bit . sitting for dinner for twomhours she needed'to run off some energy. we measured she ran and we had a good time . . .kathy- you can turn off your kids cards for'spending

[txponycruiser]

Thank you for the replies. DS is 10. He also happens to be adopted and he joined our family at the age of 6. He's come along way but I worry about the stimulation overload he can sometimes go into. I debated about letting him bring his DS, but I think it might help us get through dinner.

 

I'm sure I'm just over reacting but watching the Triumph leave Coz this afternoon suddenly made all of this very real!! He still doesn't know about the cruise because excitement/anticipation cause a great deal of anxiety for him. I plan to tell him after breakfast Saturday right before we get into the truck. 3 hours of a million questions sounded better than year and a half of questions.

[Blk_Amish]

took my gd on her first cruise at 18 months old. i measured those rails they are not that big. i measured her head and there was no way she was going anywhere. she stayed with us and again she wasnt going anywhere. she is going on her 4th cruise and at 7 she knows the dos and donts on a ship...or any vacation for that matter. she knows if she screws up there wont be a next time you can not just fall off a ship.

 

My kids are now 15 and 18 but have been on vacations starting at the age of 2. Before going on our first cruise I discussed expectations and practiced formal dining. Yes, I pulled out the good china, got dressed up, and ate in the formal dining room. At their age, I knew they could not accidentally fall over the rails, it would take a bit of climbing and effort. I told them if for any reason I heard kid over board, I was not moving, because my kids know better. If it's one of them, they would have better luck with the fish than with me, after I am done. The same goes for other vacations, if they cause me stress I will take pleasure in making your life miserable when we get back home. Now that I can leave them with friends and family, they still want to come along.

 

I am very careful not to put them in situation I know they might not be able to handle. We waited a bit to do our first cruise because they needed to get through formal dining. We do many kinds of vacation to maximize their tolerance and possible interest.

[krogers2063]

I would be anxious to hear how the cruise went with your son. We just book this week and my son is 7 and is also ADHD and that is why we have not taken him in the past when we went. This will be his first cruise in May. I am very excited but very nervous. He is a great kid but very impulsive but am sure he will be just fine. He will be supervised at all times but still anxious as accidents do happen but they can happen anywhere.

[txponycruiser]

Kroger,

Things went fairly well overall. We did have a major melt down waiting to get off the ship in Progresso in a very crowded stairwell. After that, we went to guest services and the following day had an escort off the ship Cozumel. We had some issues in our ports of call as well that just has to do with his anxiety in new surroundings. For example, he was very excited when I told him we'd be swimming with dolphins but when we got there for our orientation he started to melt down due to the wait. It went from pouting to crying that he didn't want to do it all the way to the steps to get into the water. I forced him to do it. I told him that I paid for it, that he was excited 2 hours ago, and that once he got in the water he'd have fun. He was hesitant once in the water but I just made him do some of the activities and in the end, I was right he had fun.

 

If given the option to try something new or not, he'll always chose no. Hopefully, after this vacation, he's learned that there's a lot to be gained in new experiences.

 

You just have to know your kid. We shouldn't have rushed to get off the ship in Progresso. That was my fault. Cozumel was more enjoyable. And once we got off the ship, things were good. He's ready to go again too.

[IMKTDQT810]

We just did a ship inspection earlier this month (on the Pride) and got to talk to a wonderful lady in Camp Carnival. I asked her how do they "notify parents" if their child wants to leave or if there is a problem. She said that parents of toddlers get pagers/phone and all other parents will get a phone call to their cabin. If no answer they leave a message with the time and the problem. Etc 'Mrs. & Mr. X, this is Misty from Camp Carnival. It is 11 am and Johnny would like to leave. Please stop by to sign him out or call us back to let us know you are on your way." She said if they don't hear back they will then page on the ship or send someone to go look for you to notify you that your child wants to leave. If it IS an emergency (panic attacks etc) they WILL page immediately for you. SO that put my mind at ease.

[txponycruiser]

Good info to know. The funny thing is DS only has anxiety attacks with us. He's always fine at school, church, any where else. Therapist says its attention seeking behavior and I agree. For the most part, we ignore it and tell him to get a grip. We do not allow ADHD or ODD to be a crutch for him. We're hopefully teaching him to take control of it and control his life.

[krogers2063]

Thanks for the quick reply. The melt downs sound very familar. I may talk to guest services when we board if it would be possible to have an escort off. We chose a 5 day because we knew a 7 day would just be to much overload. We are going to try camp carnival. Did you do camp carnival? I am very hesitant to leave my child with someone that does not know him or that I don't know. He does attend daycare and does well most of the time. We will spend plenty of family time together but he wants to go and enjoy the activities and the other kids his age. His brother is 14 and he is 7.

[awhcruiser]

Why not?

Why do you even ask this?