Would This Offend You?

[crisi]

Functionally we've come up with a lot of reasons Grandma said no, or someone wouldn't be thrilled with their kid getting a balloon.

- Kids aren't supposed to accept things from strangers.
- Adult doesn't want to "track" the balloon during the park day
- Adult doesn't want to deal with the tears when the balloon is lost
- It isn't about the budget, its about the waste.
- It isn't really about the budget, its about value - and $10 for a balloon is not value.
- The balloon isn't permitted at the hotel (or they are hopping to AK shortly, where the balloon isn't allowed).
- The family has eco concerns about the balloon.
- There are more kids involved than you see, and when Mom and Dad show up with the other three kids and their sister is holding a balloon, Mom and Dad are going to have to deal with the "I wants" "she gots" and "its not fairs" (or buy $30 in balloons).

Its a generous gesture, but I think you are projecting budget concerns where there were none.

If you'd asked me if you could buy my kids a balloon, I'd say "oh, thank you....how generous. But no, they don't need a balloon." If you gave them a balloon without asking, I wouldn't be OFFENDED, but I would be annoyed. However, you wouldn't know because I'd be gracious enough (and my kids would be saying thank you) to accept the gift in the spirit it was given.

 

[Metsfan520]

Sometimes, you can spread pixie dust without spending a dime. On our last trip in '09, I had picked up a small container of green glitter and kept it in my pocket. My original intent was to sprinkle my 2 daughters when they began arguing. But I saw an opportunity to spread the pixie dust while taking a break outside of RNR. We were sitting in the shade and had gotten some drinks. While we were sitting there, a small girl (about 4) and her dad had gotten in line, and the little girl was not very happy. So, I approached, asked dad if it were okay if I talked to her, and stooped down. I told her I had just talked to my friend, Tinkerbell, and she asked me to keep an eye out for little princesses. I gave her a brief little story, and said Tinkerbell gave me a gift to share with her, and sprinkled "Tinkerbell's Pixie Dust" on her. As I walked away, dad thanked me, and the little girl was smiling! It really warmed my heart! We are planning a trip next year, and I think I will take my glitter with me again.

As a parent, I wouldn't have had a problem with your gift. But I would just ask the adult first. It saves any hard feelings, on either side. You have a huge, generous heart. You are truly a fairy!

Sorry, but I wouldn't be thrilled if someone sprinkled glitter on my child. Telling them a story, great. Telling them that Tinkerbell wants them to be happy, fine. But glitter on my kid? not so great. Again, I'm sure your heart was in the right place, but I wouldn't be happy with you.

 

[ADKSPiette]

I think your gesture was sweet and sincere. I don't think anyone knocks you for that. Personally I would be a little annoyed, but appreciative.

I agree with the no giving food to children, and it all depends on the age. But I think we try to teach our kids the lessons in life, which you can't get what you want, when you want because you want it.

I would say no to the balloon because 1) it's a crazy price to pay, 2) you have to mind it and hope it doesn't get lost, stolen or blown away - then you have to deal with the upset child afterwards, and 3) I really dislike latex balloons (I heard a story in 3rd grade about a girl choking and dying on a balloon that got lodged in her throat - it's scared me for life).

I like the pin idea because it's something that would be a long-term souvenier. A balloon has a short life span and then you have nothing to remember, unless you keep the balloon as a souvenier.

 

[declansdad]

I think most people would be very appreciative and thankful if someone did this for them. Several years ago we took our DS to an amusement park and we were watching some teenagers shoot basketballs to win prizes. My DS was really into this and enjoyed watching them. I could tell he wanted me to try but I am probably the worlds worst basketball player and just didn't want to throw our money away shooting basketballs when I new the chances of me winning was slim to none. Without saying anything one of the teenagers walked over to my son and gave him a basketball that he had just won while playing the game. I will never forget my DS expression and my DW and I were very thankful and made sure we told the teenager how nice that was of him to do that for DS.

There is a difference, you son wasn't asking for it and was told no. This was a random act of kindness.

 

[Adipoo]

While probably well-intentioned, I think this was a case of MYOB and had I been the (grand)parent, I would have been annoyed. There is nothing wrong with telling a child no, you can't have that. I'm not sure when simply being at WDW or DL became not magical enough that it constantly has to supplemented with "things."

 

[GinnyEmma]

I also think that if the grandmother was going to be offended/annoyed, she wouldn't have let the girl participate in your helping to pick out the balloon.

When we were at HS this last trip there was this parent swinging at his 9 year old daughter. I'm not exaggerating. I didn't see what she did, but she ran away after she did it and the dad kept yelling at her to come back. She was scared. And when she finally did come back, the dad acted like he was going to hit her in the head with the toy gun he was holding. She flinched and ran away. When she returned after more yelling, he acted like he was going to punch her in the head. After one more repeat, they left the line we were in. I was ready to call 9-1-1 if he actually punched her, but I worry about what happened after they were out of public eye. The other parents in the line felt the same way that I did (they were chatting about it) but someone said, "Its none of your business how people discipline their children." I thought it was, because I care about the kids. I mention this because I see a slight parallel...I care about the kids...would've bought a balloon, "that person" would've said No way.

Huh? Wth? So if someone didn't buy the balloon that the grandparent didn't want they don't care about kids? And equating it with child abuse????

 

[Dorisk3]

Like other posters have said, you had good intentions. But the main thing is not really the balloon, it's something you did that went against the initial decision by the girl's grandmother. There may have been a reason that she didn't want her to have a balloon (I can think of a handful off the top of my head). I try to limit my kid's souvenirs and junk purchases as well, and I would be offended if I had told my kid no on something and then a stranger went and bought that item for the kid.
Next time, better focus on your own family and not worry about what other kids aren't getting.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Huh? Wth? So if someone didn't buy the balloon that the grandparent didn't want they don't care about kids? And equating it with child abuse????

I'm glad I wasn't the only one confused.

 

[mom2princesss]

I would not be annoyed at all. We've actually done the same thing several times. It DOES annoy me to no end when I hear parents say no to a balloon. I mean seriously, it's a balloon. Yes, it's an expensive balloon, but buy the balloon. It's easy to do and Disney will even replace it for free if it pops. We build balloon money into our budget. We always tell our girls that we will get balloons on the way out of the park. That way we are not keeping up with it all day and they enjoy walking out with their balloon.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I would not be annoyed at all. We've actually done the same thing several times. It DOES annoy me to no end when I hear parents say no to a balloon. I mean seriously, it's a balloon. Yes, it's an expensive balloon, but buy the balloon. It's easy to do and Disney will even replace it for free if it pops. We build balloon money into our budget. We always tell our girls that we will get balloons on the way out of the park. That way we are not keeping up with it all day and they enjoy walking out with their balloon.

Really? You get annoyed when a stranger says no to buying a balloon?

That has got to be the most absurd thing I have ever heard.

 

[kamik86]

For a baloon there is only one way I may have been annoyed. If I was staying at AKL and knew that my child would throw a fit when they couldn't keep "their" balloon. If I knew my child was the kind of kid that would be find with "Now someone really made your day by giving you that balloon so why don't you make another kids day by giving it to them as we leave the park" I would not mind at all.

Now be careful what else you do this with though. Stay away from stuff that makes noise

 

[GinnyEmma]

I would not be annoyed at all. We've actually done the same thing several times. It DOES annoy me to no end when I hear parents say no to a balloon. I mean seriously, it's a balloon. Yes, it's an expensive balloon, but buy the balloon. It's easy to do and Disney will even replace it for free if it pops. We build balloon money into our budget. We always tell our girls that we will get balloons on the way out of the park. That way we are not keeping up with it all day and they enjoy walking out with their balloon.

You've obviously never driven 700 miles with 3 balloons in the car.

There are a lot of reasons not to want one. Who are you to say that they are wrong? Talk about arrogance!

 

[locolala]

Sometimes, you can spread pixie dust without spending a dime. On our last trip in '09, I had picked up a small container of green glitter and kept it in my pocket. My original intent was to sprinkle my 2 daughters when they began arguing. But I saw an opportunity to spread the pixie dust while taking a break outside of RNR. We were sitting in the shade and had gotten some drinks. While we were sitting there, a small girl (about 4) and her dad had gotten in line, and the little girl was not very happy. So, I approached, asked dad if it were okay if I talked to her, and stooped down. I told her I had just talked to my friend, Tinkerbell, and she asked me to keep an eye out for little princesses. I gave her a brief little story, and said Tinkerbell gave me a gift to share with her, and sprinkled "Tinkerbell's Pixie Dust" on her. As I walked away, dad thanked me, and the little girl was smiling! It really warmed my heart! We are planning a trip next year, and I think I will take my glitter with me again.

As a parent, I wouldn't have had a problem with your gift. But I would just ask the adult first. It saves any hard feelings, on either side. You have a huge, generous heart. You are truly a fairy!

Like another poster said, I don't like glitter. I don't like it around my kid because it makes a huge mess and takes forever to get rid of. If you had sprinkled glitter on my child without asking me I don't think I would have thanked you...

 

[GinnyEmma]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one confused.

I am amazed so many people think it is their job to help these poor children who only get a trip to wDW and no balloon. The monster parents!

 

[Becky2005]

Without saying anything one of the teenagers walked over to my son and gave him a basketball that he had just won while playing the game. I will never forget my DS expression and my DW and I were very thankful and made sure we told the teenager how nice that was of him to do that for DS.

We had something similar happen when we went to Disney in 2005.

We were at the arcade in the Contemporary and my DD LOVES CareBears. They basically had one at the prize area and of course, we didn't have enough tickets. We were just discussing it & counting, blah, blah, blah.....and all of a sudden a couple of teenaged girls came up and gave DD their tickets. We didn't ask them or anything, they told her she could have them...we were still a few tickets short (only about 3 or 4) but the CM "magically" made our ticket count come out to exactly the number needed for that CareBear.

I could so see the opposite now that DD is a teen -- more than likely she would be the one handing over the tickets to a little one. She loves the little ones.

I wouldn't be offended considering you knew the context behind not getting the balloon, etc... I know if they had been staying at AKL I don't think they could have taken it back to the hotel but then the conversation would have geared itself towards that "You can't have a balloon because we can't have it in our hotel".

 

[tlbwriter]

I would not be annoyed at all. We've actually done the same thing several times. It DOES annoy me to no end when I hear parents say no to a balloon. I mean seriously, it's a balloon. Yes, it's an expensive balloon, but buy the balloon. It's easy to do and Disney will even replace it for free if it pops. We build balloon money into our budget. We always tell our girls that we will get balloons on the way out of the park. That way we are not keeping up with it all day and they enjoy walking out with their balloon.

Maybe you've never had to listen to a broken-hearted child wail as they watch their balloon fly away. I couldn't care less if you love balloons or not, and you shouldn't care how I feel about them. I can't believe you're arrogant enough to be annoyed that other parents refuse to buy something so easily lost or broken.

Functionally we've come up with a lot of reasons Grandma said no, or someone wouldn't be thrilled with their kid getting a balloon.

- Kids aren't supposed to accept things from strangers.
- Adult doesn't want to "track" the balloon during the park day
- Adult doesn't want to deal with the tears when the balloon is lost
- It isn't about the budget, its about the waste.
- It isn't really about the budget, its about value - and $10 for a balloon is not value.
- The balloon isn't permitted at the hotel (or they are hopping to AK shortly, where the balloon isn't allowed).
- The family has eco concerns about the balloon.
- There are more kids involved than you see, and when Mom and Dad show up with the other three kids and their sister is holding a balloon, Mom and Dad are going to have to deal with the "I wants" "she gots" and "its not fairs" (or buy $30 in balloons).

Its a generous gesture, but I think you are projecting budget concerns where there were none.

If you'd asked me if you could buy my kids a balloon, I'd say "oh, thank you....how generous. But no, they don't need a balloon." If you gave them a balloon without asking, I wouldn't be OFFENDED, but I would be annoyed. However, you wouldn't know because I'd be gracious enough (and my kids would be saying thank you) to accept the gift in the spirit it was given.

This. All of it. I wouldn't be offended, but I would be annoyed that you had just "graciously" handed me the very problem I was trying to avoid. And you would never know.

 

[Scurvy]

I agree with several other posters. While I wouldn't have been offended, I would have been annoyed. If I tell my child "No", I mean no. I don't want some random stranger overruling me and giving my child whatever it is. I always said no to balloons unless we were on our way back to the room, because it's a pain to keep up with them when you're going on rides. I've said no when we were staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and if you had given my child a balloon on one of those trips he would have ended up miserable that he had to give it away because they aren't allowed at the resort. I've said no because I was trying to teach my child the value of money and I had given him his spending money for the trip and if he wanted a balloon he had to use his own money, which he didn't want to do. I've said no to balloons many times, and not one time was because we couldn't afford one. I would not appreciate a stranger deciding they knew better than I did and giving my son something I said no about, even if their intentions were good.

I would not be annoyed at all. We've actually done the same thing several times. It DOES annoy me to no end when I hear parents say no to a balloon. I mean seriously, it's a balloon. Yes, it's an expensive balloon, but buy the balloon. It's easy to do and Disney will even replace it for free if it pops. We build balloon money into our budget. We always tell our girls that we will get balloons on the way out of the park. That way we are not keeping up with it all day and they enjoy walking out with their balloon.

Seriously? You get annoyed when you hear strangers tell their children no? I think that's ridiculous. It isn't any of your business, and you have no idea which one of a hundred good reasons they might be basing that "no" on.

 

[Dorisk3]

Sometimes the word "no" is the best thing a child can hear. I think many times now-a-days there is way too much yes, and we've all seen the snowflake factory that parenting style creates. I'm not going to believe because I say no to my kid getting a balloon after I've paid 4000 for a vacation that they are going to be in therapy talking about what a bad parent I was.

 

[princessmorgan]

I think it was very sweet of you. You know, in this world, it's nice to see and hear of people wanting to do kind things for someone else. If I had said no for whatever reason to my child and a nice stranger offered them a balloon, of course I'd take it. There are worse things in life. There's always an opportunity to teach them or talk about something. If it undermined my parenting a little bit, well there will always be another opportunity to put my parenting skills in use.

 

[Sheaboys]

Neither dh or I would be offended at all.

But, you would be required to buy for all 5 of our kids. Just kidding.