Age Appropriate?

[BarryandCaron]

My boss had asked me if we want to take DS2 (15) on the Santa Boat Trip he is running. Boss knows that DS2 would love it but I know it will be full of young kids. Do you think it a good idea that we take DS2 to see Santa when he will be surrounded by young kids? This is so difficult :cry:

We always used to take DS2 on a Steam Train Santa Special but stopped when we thought it wasn't 'age appropriate'.

Caron

[loadsapixiedust]

I know exactly what you mean. DS also enjoys lots of things which are not 'age appropriate'. My feeling is if he'd enjoy the experience let him take part and never mind what anyone else thinks. It is so hard to find things disabled young people can join in with when they are this age that I feel they miss out on a lot.

[spenners]

We have an autistic daughter, age 13, and I would take her. She still, like all of us, believes in Santa. :Santa1:

[BevS97]

If you son would love it, and get something out of it, then surely that's got to be a good thing?

[Claire44]

I would take him Caron. If you think Josh would enjoy it then that is all that matters. Hope you have a lovely time.

[BarryandCaron]

Thanks for all your positive responses, Josh will enjoy it I'm sure.

I think my Boss will let us take Josh on board just to see Santa and not have to endure all the other noise going on.

I'll post some photos to show how much Josh enjoys it.

Caron

[mainecoon lover]

Hi Caron :wavey:

I would take my DD. I know what you mean by age appropriate but if they enjoy it let them as there is so much they miss out on day to day.
I hope he has fun.

[jlw34]

Don't worry about everyone else, let him enjoy it :)

[shelly]

i work on a santa train this time of year at longleat. and i would say go for it, no matter how old. if josh is gonna enjoy it, don't think twice.

[Andre]

I find the term 'Age Appropriate' can be rather judgemental. When it comes down to it, it's a personal choice thing - if an individual would like to do something, who are the rest of society to judge them for it? For example, I had my 40th Birthday meal at WDW with Mickey Mouse - hardly age-appropriate, but that's what I wanted to do. And if anyone had suggested that I shouldn't, their input would not have been appreciated.

So if you know your son would enjoy it, and would choose to do it were he able to make the choice, then I say go for it whatever the P.C. crowd say.

Andre

[welshwiz]

If you think Josh would enjoy the experience then I'd definately take him Caron. :o:

It broke me heart to tell my eldest the 'truth' this year as I always promised myself I would by the time Christmas came near in his first year in High School. I really wish I had just let him discover by accident or whatever now as he was devastated, he really still believed 100% in the magic of Santa. However, I'm sure he would still love to go along on a Christmas trip too.

[Mickiengland]

For the last couple of years I've been santa at the party my firm puts on for the kids. This year I'm chuffed to have been asked to take a slot in the santa stall at our local town event.

I think I understand what you mean by "age appropriate". But there are 4 year olds who are, unfortunately, old beyond their years and for whom any mystique surrounding Father Christmas has long gone. They snatch presents away without a thank you!

So if your 15 year old DS still loves it then you shouldn't feel that there is a decision to be made. Of course you should bring him along. You might though want to bring along a little pressie so that santa has something that is "age appropriate" to give back.

[mazz]

i would say yes caron if he's going to love it then who's to judge

my two still believe in santa they are 14 and 11yrs and i would still take them and ignore what others want to think

i hope you all have a lovely time :)

must mention my rather wacky older sis went to see santa in the town centre last yr and asked for her little dog as a prezzie, she's 42 and still believes santa will deliver if she's been a good girl :omg:

[whambar]

Go for it - I think if it is enjoyable for your ds who cares if its age appropriate :)

[TinkTatoo]

I think Josh would enjoy it Caron, go and enjoy yourselves :)

[BarryandCaron]

Thanks everyone, I will book the trip today :d:

Caron

[Scotty]

I would go with my Sister - she is 37, and loves that sort of thing. Her carers went through an "age appropriate" stage and threw out all the Disney t shirts and sweat shirts we had bought her over the years.
Now that Really annoyed me.

[Tiggernut]

I'm a learning disability nurse and I too hate the old 'age appropriate' thing. One of the care homes I worked in when I first qualified wouldn't let the service users have anything THEY considered 'inappropriate'. We had the throw out any cuddly toys, t-shirts etc with animals or cartoons on and weren't even allowed to take the clients to see the Panto at Christmas. Needless to say, with my Tigger watch, purse and disney t-shirts I didn't last very long! :confused2

Thankfully they got their comuppance when one clinets sister sued them for throwing out a Steiff bear that her sister had had from childhood! :d:

Caron I agree with everyone else - If Josh will enjoy it then go for it! :thumbs-up

[Mickiengland]

I'm 47 and still insist on hanging football scarves out of the car window when we go to see Arsenal play. I also still enjoy the football banter with work colleagues on a Monday morning - in much the same way as I did as a spotty teenager :) . They do no-one any harm! And a 15 year old going to see santa does no-one any harm - and if it gives pleasure to the kid then how sad if anyone would feel that he should be denied this small pleasure.

If they want to pick on someone then they should come on this website and try to prevent adults, who really should know better, spending £000's going to see a talking mouse each year.... :d: ! How very "age inappropriate" that is :D !

[tink_magic]

I would take him if I were you. At the end of the day if it is something he will like and enjoy that is all that matters, it is his day just as much as anyone elses

Book it and have fun

[shelly]

just to say, if josh is going to get a pressie of the santa, make sure you say what age group you want the pressie to be suitable for.

we have disable children come on our train, and we ask for their real ages and present age. we wraped some today for kids aged 14 to 16 all who wanted presents for 2 to 3 year olds. so they will get teddies and dollies instead of books and magic kits.

its better he gets something he will enjoy, rather than someting he can't use/get fun from.

we also do it the other way round. if a 4 to 5 year old is 'more mature' they can ask for an older pressie.

[Big_Mark]

If he would like to go along why not.

[TinkTatoo]

......we ask for their real ages and present age. we wraped some today for kids aged 14 to 16 all who wanted presents for 2 to 3 year olds. so they will get teddies and dollies instead of books and magic kits.....

That's a great idea :thumbs-up

[melspice]

Hiya Caron! Our Ben will be 18 on Christmas Eve, and i gave up caring what anyone thinks about it being'age inappropriate' long ago! He once had a teacher who was a real stickler for it, and in the end I just said to her she had no right denying Ben his enjoyment of life, and if it makes him happy, that's what counts. He still goes to see Bear in the Big Blue House, but I do make him stand at the back! :d: And if he wants to give his Mum a kiss on the cheek in public, I ain't gonna stop him! How many teenage boys do that? I'm privileged! Enjoy every moment!

xxMel

ps. HAVE YOU SEEN MY COUNTDOWN???? SCREEEEEEEAM!! :d:

[Britmummybites]

:grin: at Mel,

that be me next week