What Would You Do? - Albuquerque, NM

Hi D.,
I can't tell you how many times I have given up things for my family. Good luck with you decision. I do like the idea of putting them on Craig's List or Ebay if you can't go..... or give them to me??!! haha I would have as hard a choice as you have being a stay at home mom so I probably couldn't go either!
Let us know what happens!

Wow that kind of sucks! If I couldn't go and i didn't have family or friends who didn't want to go, I would sell them on craigslist or Ebay! Good luck!

Go! this is an experience of a lifetime for the 9 yr old. The 6 year old must have playmates and school friends that you've gotten to know or his teacher, the aide..? or a friend of your daughter's..where he won't even miss you. otherwise, take all three. I use to do it all the time. The 2 older ones must be responsible for their own backpacks (with a sweater, water bottle, granola bar, a deck of cards or diary or something to do..) and each must hold on to either side of the stroller at all times. Make sure you explain the rules beforehand and if they agree, go for it. Your son will love it too!
Also, if you keep things like packets of oatmeal (hot water is usually in the hotel room or around) or granola bars you have instant energy if someone didn't eat when everyone else did.

My first response would be to give the tickets to me. But, that said...you may not have another opportunity to take your daughter. Those concerts are expensive. But, the other children are a concern. Do you know any of the childrens classmates parents that you trust that can spend the night while your husband works? Or any friends the kids have they they can do a sleep over at their house for the two days?
I hope that you find a way... sounds like you could use the break and have some one on one time with your daughter! I went to a concert that I won when my daughter was 9 months old, and my son was 7. they stayed with my best friend. It was hard on her, (and me) cuz I was breast feeding at the time. But, I had two relaxing days away, and the kids did well. It was a great break for me.

I would go!
Farm out your kids! Do you know of anyone one who could come and help? a teachers aid from school? Do your kids have friends that would keep your son? and another that would take your baby? Who babysits for you?

If there is a will, there is a way!

If you are not a peace with in, then sell the tickets and buy yourself something for the stress of it all!

either way you win!
T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

I would DEFINITELY go! Your daughter will remember it for the rest of her life, and you won for a reason ;)

You can get a sitter to come stay with your kids during the day, since your husband will be home at night I assume. There are sitter services like www.sittercity.com and you can look online www.dexonline.com using babysitter or nanny keywords.

Have a blast! My 9yo wishes SHE could go :)

D.,

Go! This will be a great bonding time with your daughter. With two younger children she would love a special time with mom.

Does your son have a friend he could sleep over with for the time? You may have to take the 21 old month if you don't find someone who can watch him/her...but that could be doable.

You didn't say how much time you have before the festival to find helpers/solutions.

Worse case you accept it and then "sell" it for taxes if you can't pull it off, but you are not out anything.

Life is about experiences and memories and you and your daughter deserve to have this opportunity.

Good luck.

D

I would not go.... The door isn't open for this, so it seems... Good luck!

D.,

I believe I had responded to you about your 9 year old daughter a few weeks back. So, my advice will be in conection with the concern you had then.

I would really try to work out going - BUT only if your 9 year old has earned it. Maybe you can get your hubby on board for that if her behavior has improved - and something like this would surely show her that special time with her is important too.

As for coverage for the other kids - maybe you can go to your church to see what they can help with. They might even have someone whom you know be willing to baby sit just to help.

If you can't get your hubby on board, or you can't find someone locally to help out with the sitting for the other 2 or if your daughter hasn't 'earned' the trip, I would see if where you won it from has a 2nd place prize that you could switch with. There is some advise on selling the tickets on ebay or craigslist - but you'll need to find out from where you won them if you can do that.

Good luck and let us know!

This could very well be one of those things that you'll regret not doing later. The only things we take with us when we pass on are the memories and experiences we've created here, so make every one count, I say! I agree with many of the other recommendations - find a school friend who would take your son & baby - or even just your son, and take the baby with you. My littlest is about that age and he goes everywhere with me. You won't even have to pay for her admission to most things, or to eat etc. Plus, if you take snacks like someone else suggested, that would help, too. Just let go, and have a fantastic time with your daughter and take lots of pictures so that she (and you) will have many memories to cherish.

Definitly go and take your 9 year old daughter, how fun! Think of the great mother/daughter bonding time you will have and memories to last a lifetime. Is there anyone from your church that can help take care of the other 2 kids? Maybe you can send your 2 kids to 2 different friends or neighbors to help you out? Offer to repay the favor by watching your friend or neighbors childern sometime for free. Or how about is there any friend or family between here and LA that can watch the other 2 kids? Surely if you put your mind to it you can find someone to help with the kids while you are gone, whether you find someone to watch them just while your husband is at work or for the whole 2 days.

Not likely to have to pay taxes on a prize that is not monetary first of all. It's a trip. That being said. If your husband doesn't feel good about you going you don't go. It may seem unreasonable, but the health of your marriage always needs to come before Hannah Montana. I would suggest that if money is tight for your family that maybe it's best not to do this trip but focus your energy on something that is enjoyable for your husband and son as well. You will not regret finding the resources for a small vacation for your whole family. You will regret doing something against your husbands express concerns because when we do not respect how our husbands try to lead our families we end up emasculating them and causing rifts that are hard to cross over. I am saying this all with the deepest respect for your family. It comes from 16 years of marriage and climbing some fairly high hurdles to get here. Best of wishes for all five of you and I hope that you find a wonderful memory that works for all of you.

My husband works nights too and I have no family close by so I know how hard it is to do anything during that time. Let me know when you are going I could probably watch your other two kids. I am a teacher and have two kids of my own. I live in Avondale. Maybe we could work something out to take turns babysitting. Sounds like a great opportunity for you and your daughter.

I would sell them on Ebay or give them away:( The timing just doesn't sound right and unfortunately you live in a different state, because if you didn't, I would have offered to watch your children for you. Good luck in your decision.

I would do my best to go! Could a friend help watch the other two kids for you? There may be no way to go ( do to how young your other children are) in that case I probably would just deal with it, but what an opportunity for some fun with your daughter! Good Luck.

Oh, D., what a hard decision! Do you have any friends who could go with you? If so, I'd go and take all three kids and the friend could help me look after them. Well, as long as he/she was the right type of friend... But I bet your littlies would love it, too. I hope you can go!

You absolutely should go. Your husband needs to man up and realize it is his responsibility, as well as yours, to care for your children. I agree that you can likely find school friends, etc, to help care for the other children. This is a fantasit chance to make memories with your daughter and you will regret it if you don't go. If this causes trouble with your marriage, as one onther responder indicates, then your marriage has other problemes that need to be addressed. Go and have fun. Good luck.

Tell your husband to stop being selfish and to take 2 nights off to spend with HIS OWN CHILDREN :-) I am sure if some old friend came into town he'd take a night or two off to go out and spend time with the friend... priorities should be family. For you and your daughter to take off for 2 whole days isn't asking a lot. Nothing like you having to make plans outside of HIM to "help watch the other two" is insane.