Chicken Pox Advice

Honestly, I think the more serious issue is whether or not you and your husband have had the chicken pox. It is usually much more serious for adults to contract it, especially men. If you guys haven't had it and haven't been vaccinated, then I would say postpone the visit. Also, if you guys get the virus and start carrying it then you will be putting many others at risk, like adults that you work with. Your kids have been vaccinated which is good, there is no reason for them to have to have this. I know it is hip nowadays to not vaccinate and let your kids "naturally" contract these diseases, but for some kids the complications can be serious. I myself had chicken pox in kindergarten and was hospitalized. I had a severe case that became infected and I had trouble breathing. I missed a month of school. (And my mother a month of work!) Why would you take this sort of risk with your kids? Stay home and enjoy your healthy children, there will be other visits and even other holidays.

If it was me I would intentionally expose them to it, I am waiting for someone I know to get it, we made sure not to vaxinate them for it. It is much worse to get it at an older age, and my ped agrees with me that it is less of an issue at a younger age.

I never had the chicken pox even though my best friend, little bro and older sister had it-at the same time. you can carry it without breaking out. It is better to get it when you are younger because it is worse when you get older. That said, I was told that when the dots break out it is not as contagious as when they first have the fever. I don't know how true that is. If I were in your shoes, with little ones as well, and feeling uncomfortablw with the virus I would go to a hotel and keep visits short. It is horrible to say that for a holiday but Christmas is right around the corner and you could make a visit then.

It IS challenging to have to deal with caring for your kids with chicken pox however my husband didnt get them until we were married & then got them TWICE. He was much more miserable than our children were.
I agree that the older they are the worse it is.