Are we mad to go travelling with 3 kids ???

[susanmt]

For a long time (as those of you who know me will know) my dh and I have been talking about working in the developing world, specifically in Guatemala.
He's a GP and therefore self employed, He and his work partner had a discussion last week about taking sabatticals from work and have agreed a scheme where for every year you work you are allowed 5 weeks unpaid leave. That means dh is allowed 15 weeks come next spring. We're now tossing around the idea of taking that time to go to Guate and do 8 weeks of language school and then have some time to travel with the kids and have meetings with the church (as we would go through the Episcopal (Anglican) Church who do a lot od development work out there) about possible projects, as well as visiting friends in Costa Rica and family in Canada on our way home.

We are so lucky that dh earns enough to allow us to afford 3 months off, doing what we like, and we want to make the most of it. My parents are going to go SPARE!, though Jurgen's mum is all in favour.

What do you think? Are we mad?? Has anyone else done anything like this, and does anyone have any tips?

I've thought about it a bit - will keep on bf dd2 while we are away (she's 6 months now), will need to get the kids vaccinations (typhoid, hepA, BCG, ours are up to date)) and passport for me and dd2 (mine runs out this year). Also have to think abotu medications for me as I could be ill while we are away, and will have to find out about medical insurance for dh, as he will want to be covered for any work he does (eg in an emergency).

EEEE! It's very exciting but I cant help the tiny little feeling that we are totally off our heads!!!!

they will learn more than any school can teach them-go for it!I travelled extensively before ds came along and always planned to continue but ill health put paid to that idea.Whilst travelling I saw many families and it looked fine

Absolutely go for it! You will all have a fantastic time and it will be great experience for the kids. My best friend and her dh are just about to return from almost 2 years spent travelling around Europe in a knackered old VW van! They have 2 kids who were 9 months and 3 years when they left. They have had the time of their lives and the children have loved every minute. Go for it!

I think it sounds incredibly exciting. As you said, you are fortunate enough to be in a situation to be able to take a trip like that and it will be an awesome opportunity for your kids. As long as you think everything through carefully (which you are already doing), I think it's a great idea.

Why do you think your parents will be unhappy about it?

we heard back from our friends out there yesterday and it looks like it will be possible, and quite easy to arrange.

My dad wont like it cos he will see it as irresponsible - what if the kids get sick? what if it is dangerous? isn't it very dirty? etc - lots of old fashioned notions about developinjg countries. he likes to be in total control of things that are going on. he also thinks we should be earning lots of money, he doesnt ewven understand about me wanting to be a sahm. he just doesnt get it.

Oh do it do it do it!

It will be hugely educational for your children and you will have a marvellous time I'm sure.

Where would you be going exactly? I lived in Guatemala for a while, mostly in Guatemala city. I'd live there with small children.

It's not a particularly sickly place, I wouldn't worry about diseases too much. I'd say crime is the main problem there, you have to be incredibly security conscious in the main towns and cities, though not in the little untouristy villages so much.

What a fantasic opportunity, you lucky thing. I do hope you go, and report back to us all of course.

Fennel! Someone else who knows Guatemala!

We'd hope to do language school in Xela, as our long term plan is to work somewhere in the Highlands.

I was there first in 1993, still during the civil war, on a stydy tour looking at human rights and I loved it. I have a friend from Uni who lives there now - she went out as a volunteer, got married to a Guatemalan and stayed - they live in Estanzuela. We went on holiday for a month in 1999 just before I got pregnant with dd1 and both of us loved it. Its always been a long term plan to work abroad but we knew then we had found the place we wanted to go.

Like you have said, it's security that is the biggest issue, health should be OK with the right vaccinations and anyway dh is a doctor so he'll spot anything ghastly! Since the elections at Christmas the security situation is supposed to be a little better (what with Montt not getting in and stuff!!)

We just love it there. I'm getting very excited about the whole concept! What were you doing when you were there?

Azure - we're hoping to set up a family website before we go this time so we can have a weblog, photos etc, and people can keep up with what we are doing - we'll certainly have that when we go back for a longer spell. So I shall be Mumsnet's Guatemala branch and report back!

Susanmt - I was there in 1996, for about 6 months. after the civil war but still very unstable at the time. I think it would be quite different now. I taught English in Guatemala City, in a private language school and also for a charity with street children.

Would love to go back to central america but not to live in one of the major cities - just too much crime and pollution for children. but it's so fascinating a country!

I know, its an amazing place. Like you, we don't want to live in the city, but out in the country somewhere, up high hopefully (not so hot!) DO you know anything about language schools at all? I was looking at websites for schools in Xela last night and there are so many to choose from! Wondered if you knew anything with having been in the country yourself? We have friends there who are going to try and set something up for us, we also need to find a school that does medical spanish as dh is a doctor and thats why we would like to go.

Did you go anywhere else in Central America (I'm finding this fascinating as there aren't many other people I know who have ever been). I also went to Nicaragua in 1993 and dh and I went to Honduras in 1999. I'd love to go to Costa Rica and we'd hopr to do it this time! I have terribly itchy feet!

susanmt
I don't know if you have ever come across this site thorntree on the lonely planet website.
but I used it when travelling across SE Asia, there must be other families travelling, and lots of info about South America there too

err my geography isn't that great ... Central America.....

Central America = the thin bit! Everything South of Mexico and north of Columbia.

In North- South order :

Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama

Fabulous place! Take my word for it!

Gingerbear thanks for that link I'll have a look this evening.

Susanmt, I didn't go to Xela but did study a bit at one of the language schools in Antigua, which are very similar, and then at the American-Guatemalan institute (or similar name) - a big language school in guatemala city. Personally I didn't really go for the style of language teaching out there, it was quite basic - I'd been to A-level classes in the Uk beforehand and guess I tend to prefer a rigorous academic approach, the Guatemalan language schools tend to have teachers who aren't very educated, but they suit other people, it depends on your preferences I think. But obviously you can learn well if you have lots of contact with guatemalans day-to-day.

I did travel around Mexico and a bit of Honduras, and have been to Peru and Bolivia too. would like to go back and live in any of these places! no current plans though.

An update!!

We've probably found a locum for dh's work! We've definitely found the language school we want to go to, it looks fab, and we can't beleive how cheap it is. It even caters for children's spanish classes and allows us to volunteer in local social programs, including a clinic for dh!

We really think its going to happen!!

good for you, sounds great