Vacation in Mexico with 5 Year Old

Just my opinion, but I would not let my child go to another country with out me until they are in high school and maybe go for a supervised school trip. Plus, swine flu is so rampant in Mexico right now, I wouldn't reccomend anyone visit, let alone a young child.

Nope. I'd never let my young child go to another country without me. No way. I'm super way overprotective & just thinking about it gives me the ookies. I may be a victim of the hype with the swine flu, but seriously, have you seen the images of Mexico right now, with the soldiers handing out masks?

I honestly think that with this Swine flu going around and coming from mexico that it isnt a good idea to have you or your 5 year old going there until they got it under control. And also if you dont feel highly about a place to vacation and havent read anything go with the way you feel. I have always known Mexico more or adults and college kids not much for kids to do. In my opinion i would rethink it. Hope this helps.

I would also be very concerned. With the recent swine flu outbreak and the on-going gang problems (which seem to be centered mainly in the border towns), I would be reluctant to take my young children there. Find out where he is going, is it an all inclusive resort in a touristy area, etc. I would also encourage him to hold off on making any reservations until you see how the whole swine flu possible pandemic pans out. Or perhaps he could explore some other areas such as Florida or the American Virgin Islands if he is looking for a nice beach vacation.

any other time, i'd say enjoy your trip, but maybe leave your boy at home so you can have some adult fun. at this time, i wouldn't plan on going to Mexico till this thing completely clears up!

Is the dad from Mexico? Why out of all places Mexico??? I agree with the majority here and say NO! Theres plenty of beautiful places in the US he can travel with him to. Tell him to go to New Mexico. It's A GREAT vacation spot. Very spanish like atmosphere with mountains and lots of beautiful scenery. I'm scared to let my kids go to school with the outbreak of swine flu so I can't even imagine having them travel to Mexico!! No one knows how long this outbreak is going to last. Be safe with your son and keep being the over protective mom you are and say NO!

I wouls say, "Not only NO... but H$#@ NO!" Has he seen the news, we are on the edge of a full pandemic outbreak of swine flu that originated in Mexico! Can't he spend that quality time somewhere else?

Good Luck!
E.

I would so not even be thinking about Mexico right now...ya know? Good Luck!

Obviously, with the swine flu, that's not a good idea. But, it could be gone by July, so you might want to take a "wait and see" attitude.

Mexico is a great country to visit, whether you're visiting the beach or the mainland, touristy or rural. Lots of great culture, traditions, food, etc. However, I don't see why a 5-year old would enjoy going there. Has he mentioned anything about where he plans to go or what they plan on doing in Mexico? That would be my biggest question.

My next point - is he originally from Mexico? You should know that in Mexico, it is very common (practically acceptable) for fathers to kidnap their children from their mothers and the law is practically on their side. I'd hate for your son's dad to have very bad intentions with taking your child to a country where they can "disappear".

Also - children cannot cross international borders without notarized consent from any parent that is not traveling with them. So, your son's father cannot legally take him across the border without your permission.

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html - 24k
I think you should share your fears with his father and do your research. But if after all that if you disagree on him going you don't have to approve him getting a passport. It takes both parents signature. Good luck.

I would ask if he would consider taking a vacation somewhere else with your son this time. I took both of my boys to Mexico several years ago when they were 18 months and 7 years old, but that was a different time. Now, swine flu aside, Mexico is a different place. Drug trafficing (I think I spelled that wrong) has become a major problem, and because of that violent crime is up. Travel to Mexico is being discouraged by many people, even some travel agents are discouraging it. It's a beautiful place, but now is not the best time to visit. Would your son's dad consider a vacation at a different location?

Definitely talk about your concerns with the dad. Make sure you put it in a manner of what is best for your child, not that you don't want his dad to take him there.

Assuming that the swine flu scare is over, I would first check to see what kind of resort they are going to. Some cater specifically to families, some not so much. I've heard that the family sites are pretty safe.

I hope that the two of you can sit down and have an open conversation about what will be best for your son. Hopefully his dad will put his son's best interest first and foremost.

I wouldn't dare let my child leave the country without me.

Nope. I would never let anyone take my child out of this country. Not wise.
Best Regards,
C.

There has been a reported death of a 23 month old who returned from Mexico. NO NO NO!
http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/...

I am a little CRAZY when it comes to my children so I'd have to say NO!!! No way would someone (I don't care if it's the father) take my child to a foreign when they are too little to find their way....I am sure your ex is a nice guy, but it kinda makes me wonder...who WANTS to take their children to Mexico on vacation??? I can see if your child is older and the family goes for spring break, but who wants to take a 5 yr old on a vacation like that?? I'm paranoid, so I'd think he was going to kidnap him....but like I said, I'm totally overprotective about my babies! Use the Swine Flu as your excuse for now!! Good luck!

Not really enough information. We have taken our son with us numerous times. We love the island of cozumel, one of the safest places to travel in the world really. Huge diver following. We are hoping to go back with out our son and he is known to happy. He was five the first time we went and stayed a resort. At that time he did not really enjoy allot of touristee stuff. We have been a couple more times with the last time he 9. He loves cozumel so much. And it is so nice being able to travel and being comfortable with exploring the area on our without worry. They mainland is a little different, dealing with taxis and policia I have heard stories. Of course much of that comes being young and not taking the right precautions. I am not sure I would as interested taking my son to the mainland when Cozumel is such a family friendly and safe place.

I guess it would depend on what kind of vaca they are planning and wear. Are they going to a resort? Planning on staying just at the resort. Traveling outside the resort, what area in mexico. There are many places that are very safe and just make a wonderful family vaca.

If they have not yet made concrete plans you might want to suggest Cozumel. Also if you son does not have a passport, they may not have time to get one. My husband and I plan on going in July, but we are wanting to wait a bit and see how the flu thing pans out. I do not want to be stuckw ith paying for a vacation and then face travel restictions come the time. I am also keeping and eye on health news from the island to see if an out break happens. It is way to early to even know if this will still be a problem in a few months.

And just to point out most of the drug problems are in border towns. There are many area's that are primarly resort area's. If you ask were they want to go, Trip advisor has alot of good up to date information. Research is key.

Until this flu outbreak is over, there is no way I would let my 5 year old child go to Mexico (where it all started and where the deaths have occurred). There is no telling how long it is going to last. In addition, Mexico is full of violence. No way.