We are having depression issues with our daughter (14) and to make us feel bad she posted on facebook she wishes she can go back to Florida (We went in 2006).
Anyway, although the likely hood is still nil, is there a way you can make it cheaper, for us it's not the cost of being there but the flight costs that made it expensive. Is going last minute any cheaper or in reality doesn't it work out like that.
Can't help really, but she was 8 years old last time ?
Her outlook on what was "fun" back then, will be loads different to her going back as a 4 year old though?
She says she can't remember that time and to be honest she asked to go home, lol. She said she is older now and wants to go on all the bigger rides and soak up the sun.
So do I but there's nothing like a teenager making you feel guilty, especially with her problems.
It may be better to address the reasons for her depression and problems as they will still be here when she comes home.
Having had problems in the past with one of my daughters (was bullied severly and ended up self harming), it is easy to take her away and give in but it may be even more depressing to come home back to it all and face it all.
If you need a holiday and can afford Florida then that's great, but if you are skinning yourselves for it, it may be better to have a holiday a bit nearer (England, Europe - Spain ect?) where you can all enjoy yourselves and have some time together as a family and the cost will be lower for you.
Sorry getting to florida aint cheap anymore flights alone are over £500 each and thats indirect, dont forget as shes 14 its adult fair aswell, We went 3 years ago and the park tickets were £1500 alone, cheapest way to do it is go with freinds and stay in a villa with one hire car
Quote: Originally posted by the wanderers on 26/6/2012
It may be better to address the reasons for her depression and problems as they will still be here when she comes home.
Having had problems in the past with one of my daughters (was bullied severly and ended up self harming), it is easy to take her away and give in but it may be even more depressing to come home back to it all and face it all.
If you need a holiday and can afford Florida then that's great, but if you are skinning yourselves for it, it may be better to have a holiday a bit nearer (England, Europe - Spain ect?) where you can all enjoy yourselves and have some time together as a family and the cost will be lower for you.
Hope she is ok
Thanks all, I thought it was a long shot so no worries really.
My daughter is being 'treated' as she is also self harming, she had her first counseling session tonight. It's been a long winding road but we are getting there. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for her depression, which is worrying as genetically our family line are crippled with depression of some sort, including clinical depression in my MIL, which was the route cause of her death 2 years ago, but we are hoping this is not one of those cases.
I can't ad to anything, just wanted to say, it's not an easy road to travel depression, but she'll get there, thinking of you x
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
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The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
Quote: Originally posted by murano on 26/6/2012
I can't ad to anything, just wanted to say, it's not an easy road to travel depression, but she'll get there, thinking of you x
Thank you, most appreciated x
She's come back from her session very low, it seems it was not what she thought it would be, she may be looking for answers that the counselor couldn't give her. Next session same time next week.
Sounds as if she wants to see Disney - not Florida. If you do go , there is a lot more to see than Mickey Mouse - the Florida Keys, The Everglades, Cape Canaveral etc...
Perhaps you could find somewhere that would fit the bill (and the budget) without going to the USA.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
We have been several times and always book our flights with Virgin, then book our villa ( same all the time) private. With Virgin you get std car hire included, we then upgrade. The park tickets we get from Travel Republic. Saying all the going to Florida is never cheap. My son was 14 nearly 15 the last time we went, and he had a fab time. It changes so much and what she found good in 2006 will be all different now.
Maybe you need to sit down and have a chat with her, expalin what the cost are, also she will be an adult for everything, which adds extra costs on.
Maybe a beach holiday, Pool, sun, chance to make friends, a different kind of holiday, she might even like it.
------------- 2012
June - Queens Jubilee week -
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Quote: Originally posted by murano on 26/6/2012I can't ad to anything, just wanted to say, it's not an easy road to travel depression, but she'll get there, thinking of you x
Thank you, most appreciated x
She's come back from her session very low, it seems it was not what she thought it would be, she may be looking for answers that the counselor couldn't give her. Next session same time next week.
Give her time, counselling can trow up all kind of internal turmoil , she wants the couceller to wave a magic wand and itll all be sorted out,it doesn't happen overnight tell her to keep going and she will get there xxx
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
How about a short break to disneyland paris.We were in florida in april last year, just myself and 2 kids (2 & 12) we couldnt do any big rides because of the baby. Both myself and 12 yr old found ourselves home and thinking about what we missed out on so we booked a trip to dlp in november past with my partner this time and got to do all the big rides in magic kingdom and holywood studios. We had a ball and it put florida to bed.......... welll for a little while, hopefully we will get back soon
Quote: Originally posted by murano on 26/6/2012I can't ad to anything, just wanted to say, it's not an easy road to travel depression, but she'll get there, thinking of you x
Thank you, most appreciated x
She's come back from her session very low, it seems it was not what she thought it would be, she may be looking for answers that the counselor couldn't give her. Next session same time next week.
It's not really about the counsellor supplying answers, but about her being encouraged to explore her feelings so that she works out her own answers. That can be a bit challenging, and a lot of the work takes place between sessions, when she reflects on what she said, or didn't say, each week.
Yes I had a friend that went for counselling and said she ended up feeling worse than she had before as it forced her to (as you said) explore why she felt the way she did which dragged up long buried memories.
I was going to suggest Disneyland Paris too as a 'cheaper' option to Florida but also suggestions of a beach/villa holiday somewhere like Spain may be an option too.
Good luck to your daughter and to you and the rest of your family.
There are cheaper ways to do Florida but its still not cheap but that said 2 weeks in Spain for a family of 4 onm a package these days is getting on for £2500/3000.
You could look at Kayak for indirect flights. Avoid flying 14 days - mix it uo a bit. It varies airline to airline but Tues and Thursday flights can sometimes work out cheaper as long as you dont do Tues to Tues or Thurs to Thurs. You need to spend some playing with days/dates etc to see how it effects the fares. But would recommend starting to search flying out on a Tues and flying back n a Thurs. This is not set in stone though - it will vary.
Use a site like Trivago (use several to compare) for accommodationm. Condos will be cheaper than villas as you avoid pool heating charges usually (if you need to heat a pool).
Sometimes packages can work out cheaper - but rarely. You need to search daily and book instantly when a good deal comes up.
Disney tickets are a fortune though. Kids stop being kids at age 9 at Disney so a family of 4 - 14 day hopper tickets will be a £1000 before you even start.
A cheaper alternative if its sun and big rides she wants is to look at the Costa Dorada in Spain as this is where The Post Aventura Theme Park is.
Have a google and a look. The Costa Dorada is a cheap area of Spain to visit. Dont stay in the theme park hotels as they are mega expensive but look at accommodation in Salou.
Hope this helps and your daughter is feeling better soon.
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Topic: Cheaper Florida?
