nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

SO, we really want to plan a WARM vacation. We would love to go to the caribbean (DH really wants to go to St Lucia - he has always wanted to go). Our DC are 4 and 6.

I am nervous about going out of the country with the kids. Especially to places where maybe the health care isn't like in the US? Or places that aren't that "safe.' II don't know! I am just not at ease about it. Am I being ridiculous?

If we coudl go to a place like Beaches in Turks and Caicos or Atlantis in the Bahamas - a place I NKOW so many kids/families go to, I would be more at ease I think. But those places are not in the budget right now. We are looking at Coconut Bay in St Lucia. Don't have any other specific places in mind, but looking for suggestions!

I have a crazy imaginatino. I always think the worst. For example, DS has a shellfish allergy. We have the epipen, etc. Never had to use it. What if he has a bad reaction while we are away?? He can get quite sick sometimes - nothing crazy. He gets strep a lot and can have breathing issues/bad coughs. We have an inhaler. What if he gets super sick while we are away?? Am I crazy???

Message edited 12/29/2014 12:12:22 PM.

nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

You are not crazy. I think the same way. That is why I would try to stick to kid friendly resorts or at least a place where you can research health care options if truly necessary. When it was just me and my DH it didnt even dawn on me to care so much but now with my DD I think the same way. Even when my DH and I were on vacation in Aruba we were trying to buy bug spray b/c there were so many mosquitos due to a nearby hurricane and they looked at us like they didnt know what bug spray was!

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

I think you are reallly over thinking it and your imagination is getting the best of you. You will mostly stay in the resort and the Caribbean are usually set up to keep tourist at the resort.

I've taken my DS to DR, Mexico, Jamiaca among others! I say go enjoy and have fun. I don't know too much about visiting St. Lucia, I just saw it for a day in a cruise. How about San Juan PR, since its part of the U.S.?

nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

I have been to Coconut Bay and it is def kid friendly and safe. They have waterslide for kids and I think a kids camp. IMO probably more kid friendly than Atlantis

I would take my DS anywhere though so I may not be the best judge.

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

You're not crazy - BUT you will cripple yourself and miss out on A LOT if you don't push through your worry.

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

I feel the exact same way.
I have no desire to take DD out of the country.
Those crazy shuttle and bus rides from the airports to the resorts in these places alone is enough to make me break out in hives.
Not to mention safety, health care, etc. in these places.

When it's just DH and I, it's one thing.
Now that I have my heart walking around outside my body, it's crippling.
No way.

we will stick to florida, etc for a while.
I wouldn't enjoy myself and to me that makes it not worth it.

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

I have traveled internationally with the kids...
BUT they are healthy & have no allergies.

If you are really scared, I'd do Florida.

nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

I've traveled to Europe with DS when he was a year and a half old. I wouldn't think twice to not travel bc my child MIGHT get sick or MIGHT get an allergic reaction.
I tend to be extremely laid back though.
If you go to an all inclusive resort that caters to families you should be fine.

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

We have been to a lot of Caribbean. I would avoid St. Lucia with kids. It's not very kid friendly, the roads/driving in St Lucia is scary. For kids I really like Aruba, Grand cayman, St Thomas

Re: nervous to travel to caribbean with kids... is this silly?

I don't think your crazy & had the same anxiety but we just took our boys 4&5 to DR for thanksgiving week. We made sure the hotel at medical facilities available & brought all the home Meds we could think of. Thankfully our trip was a success.