Tyler Place - worth the $$ for a 15-month old

[Anonymous]

I've heard rave review about Tyler Place on this board and from friends. Now, if we can even get a spot this summer, is it worth the money for two adults and a 15-month old? Since my DS is only 7.5 months old now, I'm having a hard time projecting his level of activity at 15 months.

[Anonymous]

We went when first DS was 15 months, and it was absolutely worth the money - for us. DS would have been just as happy staying home and playing with blocks (probably more so, if home with mommy and daddy). The trip was not about him, it was about our being able to rest and relax without having to worry whether DS was being well-cared for, - which he was - supremely well-cared for. He loved being out in nature, seeing the lake, etc. Now, at 5, he can't wait to go back.

That said, I would go on the cusp season (Memorial Day to Mid-June or Labor Day) since you are not tethered to school schedule, and the cusp season is much cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is absolutely worth it!!! As the PP said above, this vacation is about you, not your child. (Your son will love it when he gets older too, but now it's all about you.) You will have time to rest, relax and actually spend time with other adults. Book your stay now!

[Anonymous]

We have been for past 2 years at the very last week of the season - 30% cheaper and completely geared to kids under 6. Programs for kids are great, counselors are great, no worries about quality, but this is NOT for kids, as PPs have said. Your kid will NOT like being dropped off TWICE each day; you will NOT like having to disentangle yourself from screaming kid TWICE each day. We have 3 kids and while they all liked their counselors in general, it was hard on them and by the 4th/5th day they were dreading it. We ended up keeping different kids out of different sessions so we could do one-on-one time with them (we have 3). There are great adult programs and eating with only adults is a wonderful luxury, especially in the evenings. BUT, now that our youngest are 3 and therefore old enough to do some "kids camp" places, we will not be going back. We'll do Skytop, which is all-inclusive, lovely, much closer, but only for "older" kids, and then a weekend by ourselves, which I actually think will be easier on kids b/c just one leave-taking.

[Anonymous]

We went for the first time when our oldest was 3 and returned for 6 years after that until our youngest was 3. I agree with PPs who said the kids program is great, allowing parents to relax and really enjoy themselves. Unlike the PP whose kids didn't want to go to their programs, our kids had no problem at all -- though they were older than your child, and, I will say, they are both pretty adventurous types (much more so than I; they take after DH in this regard). In any case, we always had breakfast with the kids, then dropped them at their programs and picked them up after lunch (though once each summer we had a canoe picnic with them). Then we all hung out in the afternoon until the kids went off to their dinner and we to ours. Our kids are now teens and tweens, and we've done many more adventurous vacations as they've gotten older, but they still recall the Tyler Place fondly.

[Anonymous]

A word of caution before you invest all the money in a place like this. We went to a similiar place with my 20 month old thinking it would be the ideal vacation for us. She went to the activity once and proclaimed, "me no go to Wigwam Club." We tried again but she would not participate. We had a nice time but we did not take advantage of the child care that was included in the package.

[Anonymous]

To 3:12. I am curious why you would do back a second year if your kids were dreading going by the 4th of 5th day. Also if this was the case, why you wouldn't utilize the option to have a one on one helper. Were your kids in daycare before you went?

To the OP: We are going for the first time in the end of May and we are really excited. PP is right that is is way cheaper then and a great time to try it out. Our son will be almost 3.5 and our daughter will be 19 months. Just in case things get rocky for one or both of them, we have also committed to the one on one helper who can take one of your kids home/give them special attention. Our son might a little finicky about a new set of people so that is why we got that. I am not expecting lots of issues since they have both done to daycare their whole lives. Good luck OP! Hope you find a vacation for your family.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of this place until today... but I guess I don't get it. You go on vacation with your kids then spend most of your time away from them? Especially if both parents work and especially with toddler age kids, why would you do this?? I guess it is better than leaving the kids behind all together. To each his own, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of this place until today... but I guess I don't get it. You go on vacation with your kids then spend most of your time away from them? Especially if both parents work and especially with toddler age kids, why would you do this?? I guess it is better than leaving the kids behind all together. To each his own, I guess.

Um, with a toddler and two very tired parents - yes, you both get to unwind and relax. Is that SO bad? You wake up with your child, you breakfast with your child, you drop off child at playgroup and do your own thing (i.e. relax and have fun) for 3 or 4 hours, then you pick up said child and put him down for a nap, and again, rest and relax, and then go around and play with him for a couple hours until he goes for dinner with group, and you get to have a grown-up dinner with spouse (remember those?) Then, you put the child down for bed, and get to go back out for dancing, drinks, what have you with your spouse and other adults (remember that?)

Your to each his own smacks of judgment - Judge Away - at least I am rested and relaxed coming back from vacation and going back to work - and the SAHM's who do it are THRILLED that they get a REAL vacation vs. working 10x harder in a different locale. I guess I just don't love my kids as much as you do. Obviously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A word of caution before you invest all the money in a place like this. We went to a similiar place with my 20 month old thinking it would be the ideal vacation for us. She went to the activity once and proclaimed, "me no go to Wigwam Club." We tried again but she would not participate. We had a nice time but we did not take advantage of the child care that was included in the package.

Kids want to be with their parents, they just do.

Like the PP, I don't really get going to a place like Tyler Place and then spending most of the time away from the kids. I just don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never heard of this place until today... but I guess I don't get it. You go on vacation with your kids then spend most of your time away from them? Especially if both parents work and especially with toddler age kids, why would you do this?? I guess it is better than leaving the kids behind all together. To each his own, I guess.

Um, with a toddler and two very tired parents - yes, you both get to unwind and relax. Is that SO bad? You wake up with your child, you breakfast with your child, you drop off child at playgroup and do your own thing (i.e. relax and have fun) for 3 or 4 hours, then you pick up said child and put him down for a nap, and again, rest and relax, and then go around and play with him for a couple hours until he goes for dinner with group, and you get to have a grown-up dinner with spouse (remember those?) Then, you put the child down for bed, and get to go back out for dancing, drinks, what have you with your spouse and other adults (remember that?)

Your to each his own smacks of judgment - Judge Away - at least I am rested and relaxed coming back from vacation and going back to work - and the SAHM's who do it are THRILLED that they get a REAL vacation vs. working 10x harder in a different locale. I guess I just don't love my kids as much as you do. Obviously.

You get to unwind and relax. Your child, not so much. It is a rare child who will happily settle into a foreign childcare situation and "unwind and relax" there.

The meals part is a huge turnoff for me. Why would I want to have *every* meal away from my children?

[Anonymous]

You actually don't have every meal away from children. You have breakfast with children (at least many people do and we do - it's also kind of fun, as they have such good breakfasts, and you get to put together parents with their kids) then the kids get a 2nd breakfast with group. You can have lunch with children in the dining room - and they will make you picnic basket to take if you want to go on a picnic with the kids. Timing doesn't make lunch with kids the best option if your kids are early nappers. They eat around noon with their group, and you pick up at 1, so you could take them to eat after you pick up, but, at least our kids were tired and needed naptime by that time. The only meal you are "required" to have without children is the dinner - because many parents like the idea of a nice dinner without having to deal with young children and their needs and wants - or dealing with other people's young children and their needs. But I do understand that there are parents who just don't get it or won't like it, and there are definitely children who can't handle the separation and that's fine. Our older 5 1/2 year old is SO excited about going back this year, as is, believe it or not, our soon to be 3 year old. When our 3 year old was two - he ADORED his parent's helper. But both of our kids have been in full-day daycare since they were 4 months old so that may have alot to do with their comfort level. Only you know your child and whether they will acclimate to the changes. Some kids roll, and some don't. And the ones that don't, REALLY don't, and parents end up feeling bad and feeling like they spent too much money for services they aren't using. So, as always, YMMV. I can only say that we have always highly enjoyed our time there, and the family owners and place are just very, very special to us.

[Anonymous]

Gosh, when I was a kid, I would have loved this kind of place instead of some of the boring vacations my parents dragged me on. Activities tailored for kids? On a lake? Other kids? Sign me up!

So, I'm introducing the place to my son this year. Maybe he'll be exactly opposite of how I was as a child and hate it. But, what's wrong with trying?