Jo Jo has had several return trips to Walt Disney World. We got our money's worth!

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Several years ago, one of the best teachers I ever knew, Ms. Lyons, became one of the best moms I ever knew.  While she would have blown away the competition, there was not much, because most of my friends were not mothers yet. The day she went into labor, I bought her a soda for her tummy ache, and thought it would solve the problem.  Her son arrived about 3 hours later. Luckily, I was not the only woman in the village/middle school where we taught.

I was able to watch her with her son and pick up some tips, but among the most memorable ones I picked up when her son was a toddler.  They came to visit the new panda at The National Zoo, near our house.  He was in a stroller, and brought with him a small stuffed panda of his very own.  Katie explained that it had been hers and was very special.  I was worried he’s lose it, and she whispered to me, “This way, when we see pandas for sale at $20 a pop, I can remind him how blessed he is that he already has one.”

The wink was implied. GENIUS!  This was even a better clue than when she told me to make the bullies “classroom leaders” and use the girls who wrote notes to keep track of who was late to class.

My parenthood journey didn’t start until her son was almost old enough to babysit, but I remembered to bring small, beanbag sized characters to theme parks, games, and parades.  The advantage is that I have control over the budget before the emotional roller coaster instinct of wanting to be “a part of it all” kicks in.  I check out offerings on e-bay, sales at The Disney Store, and our best resource, the depths of the toy bin in the basement, for stuffed animals, Pez dispensers, and action figures.  Since we have an idea of who we’ll run into, due to advanced dining reservations and touring plans, I can pass the word on to Santa or The Easter bunny to please fill the stocking, basket, or sand bucket with treasures (at $5 a piece) that will protect us from spending $25 in the heat (and the humidity) of the moment.

My tip: The more little stuffed friends you have in your hotel room, the more surprises you may find from the “mousekeeping” staff.  Be prepared to see mini-Mickey with the remote in hand or Stitch hanging from the windowsill.  It is a magical place, after all.