mco65
get busy living, or get busy dying!
- Joined
- May 2, 2012
- Messages
- 1,500
I agree completely! If they want to go - fine - otherwise leave them alone and let them come to terms with riding individual rides in their own time. The sky won't fall if your child doesn't want to ride a certain ride - what's the point in 'making' them - sort of a form of child abuse in my book for a parent's pleasure.
I know from experience how frightened some rides can look from a child's viewpoint. No, my parents didn't make me, and would never have even considered doing such a thing. It took me 'years' to ride a ferris wheel - was scared of them so bad - would probably have died of fright if made to ride one then. Also took me forever to ride a large coaster, so yes, I have very strong feelings on the subject.
I think that's the rub... honestly. As a parent, we should have a good idea how our kids are emotionally, especially when they get big enough to ride roller coaster, etc. My little one was anxious and nervous and yet his twin never hesitated. We didn't force him, we gave him an out the first time though, but eventually encouraged and nudged him enough to where he went and he was glad of it... I have an older daughter (30) and she has never rode a big roller coaster.. she likes Splash Mtn but you couldn't pay her enough to get on RnR or Space Mtn... I never forced her and like you said, the sky didn't fall on her. Ironically though, she has a daughter now 12 (my grandaughter) and we took her with us this summer. She went with us when she was 2 but has not been back with us since. She had never ridden the big coasters because he mom doesn't ride them.. My youngest twins (15) encouraged her enough to ride all the big coasters and she loved 'em.... (the Yeti is now her favorite ride at WDW). I think the peer pressure got to her a little.. i would have never forced her ride but wouldn't have ruled out a little bribe.. in the end she got over her fears and was glad for it.
I think it is important to encourage your kids to face their fears but as parents we have to know the difference between a little fear and anxiety vs real trauma type fears...