Help settle a debate

We got tickets to see Dinosaur Train Live this Saturday. Our boys (ages 5 and 3) are in love with the show and we know they're gonna be so excited. We haven't told them about it yet. My husband and I are disagreeing on how/when to tell them. One of us thinks we should tell them today so they will get excited about it and have something to look forward to and think about for the next few days. The other thinks kids live better in the moment and we should tell them that day that we are going somewhere special and let it be a surprise when we get there. What would you do?

Re: Help settle a debate

I always wait till the day of when we are doing something. The only reason is what if something happens & we can't go. I feel like if they didn't know then there would be no disappointment & if we can go then it's a nice surprise.

Re: Help settle a debate

I would wait until the day of. Just in case something happens and you can't go... Been there.. Not pretty!

Re: Help settle a debate

Re: Help settle a debate

Or u can tell them early and use it to ur advantage..."if u don't behave, we're not going" lol!!!!

Re: Help settle a debate

Help settle a debate

I would tell the day of. I have learned not to tell DD things in advance because then I never hear the end of it! For instance DH told her that he was going to go to the store this weekend to get her more play doh. Now not having any concept of time and days of the week, everytime he puts his jacket on she asks him if he's going to the store for more play doh. This has been going on for 3 days! LOL!

Help settle a debate

There is no right answer. I have done both and what works better for us is a few days notice. Not too long that they have to wait what seems like forever, but long enough for them to get excited and anticipate it. Plus we use the "If you don't listen we are going to ___!" Waiting and anticipating is part of life, and I enjoy having things to look forward to. I do love the instant gratification though of saying "we are going ____ now!" and seeing the kids get excited!

Re: Help settle a debate

For big trips I tell them in advance to prepare them... taking a flight or staying in a hotel for a few nights or a long drive (overnight trip). My boys need to know everything.
For a fun day trip I tell them the day of. In this instance you can't go wrong, but I have learned for a fun day trip or play date that plans change when it comes to kids.
I just cancelled our trip to Baltimore bc of the rain and DS knew about it for a while so now trying to plan other fun stuff to keep him busy and excited.

Re: Help settle a debate

Posted by wakemeup

Posted by apwmjc

I always wait till the day of when we are doing something. The only reason is what if something happens & we can't go. I feel like if they didn't know then there would be no disappointment & if we can go then it's a nice surprise.

This! Also I get annoyed when my kids ask me about an event every three seconds which is what would happen if I told them ahead of time

Help settle a debate

At that age, I would probably keep it a surprise.

Re: Help settle a debate

I read something a while ago that said that the anticipation of a trip/vacation brings more happiness (or something like that) than the actual trip. So based on that, I say tell them in advance. I think having things to look forward to makes like more fun.

Re: Help settle a debate

Posted by Sparrow

I read something a while ago that said that the anticipation of a trip/vacation brings more happiness (or something like that) than the actual trip. So based on that, I say tell them in advance. I think having things to look forward to makes like more fun.

Help settle a debate

If it were me I would wait till the actual day or the day before to tell my daughter. She gets really excited and if I tell her too early she ends up asking me every minute of every day "when are we going mommy?" "is it today?". But that's just me.

Help settle a debate

Day of.

But mine's 6.

I took her to her veggie garden (she goes every week to care for one at our botanical garden) but told her we had to leave early to go 'somewhere'. Got her to the Alamodome, got her out and all the way in line without a word. She kept asking. I said "Seriously you STILL have no idea why we are here??" seeing all the girls in frozen dresses didn't clue her in. Lady in front of us turned around and laughed said she couldn't believe I held out that long.

I got my tickets last YEAR!

Finally it clicked and she was over the moon. She loves Disney on Ice, regardless of what it is. When she clicked she said "You're taking me to a Frozen show? But I didn't do anything special to deserve this" oh yes darling you have.. by being sweet sweet you. LOL

Plenty of times I wanted to hold it over her as a threat but that's not fair either. On our calendar it said "Surprise" for that day. She's been wondering what it was for awhile but I refused to let up or even give clues. You could say the anticipation of 'something' was enough.

Next week has marked a theme park trip and Bday party sleep over.

We have so much going on, I print out her own calendar every month with Girl Scout events, family stuff, friend stuff, play dates etc. So she knows what to look forward to. So I guess you could say this one was a secret to keep SOME suspense in her life! I like tossing in surprises in her life!

Help settle a debate

For a show - we have told day of.

For a vacation - we tell in advance...