First haircuts are milestones Disney takes seriously. Today's toddler could be the clean cut cast member of tomorrow.

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In our county, they hold sib-shops, which are special days out for brothers and sisters of children who have special needs.  Respite may be offered to parents, and children with special needs may be able to participate in adapted activities, but what about the brother who can’t play hockey because practice falls during the time when a sibling has physical therapy? What happens when prescriptions and co-payments mean that a sister’s winter coat comes from an older cousin, instead of the department store?

Even in families that don’t have a child with a special need, there may be periods of time when one child requires more attention that the other(s).  Perhaps they are more vocal about what they need, or maybe it is a period of transition for them.  Whole families evolve over time, and the role of “the kid you worry about” can have several, well-utilized understudies in the back of the minivan.

We decided that for our first family trip to Walt Disney World, we needed to devote a day to our younger son.  He had some hearing problems that were on the mend. He didn’t speak much (THEN!!!) but loved music and movement.  He also had not yet had a hair cut. There were times when I wondered if he planned to audition for Hannah Montana’s Dad’s role.  I let it go, though, because Disney was in our sights.

It turns out that the land of advance dining reservations does NOT take reservations for the barbershop on Main Street, USA.  You just step up and wait, using good manners.  Part of our “Day of Little” included his first haircut here.  In addition to packing up his blonde curls in some tissue paper laden with Mickey stickers, my son was give mouse ears, and a certificate.  Even the receipt recorded the celebratory nature of the event.  We had a lunch at Crystal Palace planned, so we could share the news with Tigger and Pooh, but the guest of honor did not eat much. He had another first just before we boarded the plane-baby’s first stitches. They were in the mouth, due to a misstep on slide back home.  Quite a week for an 18-month old.

Some ways to try this in your own family include:

Caution was used after "the slide incident".

• Allow a child to choose where the family will eat at least once during the trip. If each child has their own day, it is more clear. Remember this could be just for a snack or counter service meal.
• Assign a special job or responsibility to the child of the day, like leading the line, holding the door, or collecting autograph books and pens.
• Give that child a say over the touring plan for a day, even if you spend most of the morning in line for Dumbo. Just monitor the choices for height requirements and safety.
• If you play games in line, like 20 questions, or “Name That Tune” let one child lead the game on their day, and offer it to someone else the next day. You don’t have to keep track of who went last, just what day it is.
• Allow the “Mickey of the Day” to make a rule for Mommy or Daddy (but protect the siblings from the wrath of new dictator). Maybe they pick which lanyard Mommy carries, or ask Daddy to get a crazy hair do at the barbershop, for the day.
• Dessert tax. The child being celebrated can demand a bite, taste or small nibble of other people’s goodies (but see above, re: dictator). Use sparingly, and never during flu season.

Many people debate how far back toddlers can remember, which would make putting a child under 2 on a pedestal for a day seem pretty silly, but the greater good was that his older brother, who made many choices and was tall enough to ride some things we didn’t expect he’d be ready to try, saw that his little brother’s needs are also important.  He was not “baby luggage” but a person with opinions, preferences, and a pretty cool set of ears.  Finally, a sense of personal style was added to the list.