Mouse Ears and Meltdowns

We are en-route home after a week at Disney. My children sprawled at my feet on the airport floor, coloring a "Pirates of the Caribbean" activity set. I’m trying to decide if I had fun or if I’m just happy to be alive. After a week of corralling four children and many bags onto planes, boats, busses, elevators, monorails, rollercoasters, and escalators and through countless restaurants, bathrooms, turn-stiles, lines and crowds, I’m left wondering why in the world so many people do this to themselves. 

I studied the whole scene all week. I witnessed meltdowns, I watched kids fighting, I heard parents yelling -- at the end of their rope, losing their cool, saying "I’ve had enough!"

And then there were all the other families. 

In Epcot, I’m pretty sure Dave said, and I quote: “I’m seriously going to throw him in the river.” 

The lake looks nothing like a river. He was just that mad. 

My kids got into their first "not-ah," "yeah-hah," "not-ah," "yeah-HAH" argument this week. It was absolutely asinine and for a moment, I thought we all may be permanently ruined; destined for a life of constant short-tempered retorts and unpredictable emotional outbursts. 

“Who are these children…and why are there mouse ears everywhere.” 

Seriously. Everywhere. 

But back to the kids. The ones peacefully coloring at my feet. The ones that squealed at the sight of Goofy, the ones that danced the Macarena pool-side, the ones that held my hand on Space Mountain and ate Bratwurst and sauerkraut in Epcot-Germany with me. They really are just so darn cute. And all those meltdowns and moments, were just that. Moments. 

So I’m off to board our plane. Thankful to be heading home, thankful for a fun, sun-filled week in Florida and so thankful I didn’t get that Mickey Mouse tattoo on my ankle. 

Seriously.

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Parents:

Going on a vacation or doing anything out of your routine -- Expect meltdowns and moments -- from your kids and yourself! Expect them and get past them, as quickly as possible. Hopefully while laughing a little.  

Be flexible -- always and especially on vacation. When we get too rigid in how we want the day to go, we end up making matters worse.  

So maybe don't get Mickey Mouse tattoos but do have fun, live it up and show your kids that spending time with them is the most important thing to you.