Do your kids prefer vacations to Mexico or Europe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have always hated the beach and love European cities. I bet they would like Mexico City though.

Are you and your partner beach people?

I’m always baffled by kids (and people in general) who don’t like the beach. Who doesn’t love swimming in the Caribbean?

People with sensory issues, people who burn easily, people who get migraines from bright sunlight..really it’s not difficult or baffling at all.

I burn easily and get wicked migraines but I still love the beach. Maybe it’s because I’ve been going to the beach since birth? I think parents definitely play a role in fostering such things.

I know a woman who was a big beach lover who married a guy who doesn’t like the beach. As the breadwinner, he dictated vacation locations. The kids rarely went to the beach as a result and they don’t enjoy the beach…or so they thought. One started traveling to the beach as a young adult and realizes she missed out on a lot by thinking she wasn’t a beach person.

We strive to expose our kids to everything: beaches, mountains, lakes, countryside, cities (big and small), etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mexico without a doubt

+100
All of elementary and middle school years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beach/outdoor activities > exploring cities with kids. Though Mexico City is amazing for kids and has fabulous kid-friendly museums, as long as your kids like museums and speak Spanish. But I’d save the major European cities until they’re teens. So much more fun stuff for kids in Mexico.

There are many outdoor, nature activities in Europe too. Even beaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids prefer beaches and water sports.

But they don’t like Mexico…because the Caribbean is far better in terms of beaches, water, vibe, etc. Plus, you can drink the water.

We are trying the Mediterranean and Adriatic next, but I’m worried they won’t enjoy as much as the Caribbean.

Caribbean is a vacation. Relaxing.

Europe is a trip. Sightseeing.

Anytime you go somewhere not for work or family is a vacation to me. I don’t see the difference.

My kids notice the difference between playing on the beach, swimming, fishing, chilling on a boat, etc. vs sightseeing, museum hopping, etc.

Vacation vs trip

They consider our Caribbean trips vacations and I think they worry that our upcoming trips to the Mediterranean won’t be as relaxing.

“The Mediterranean”? Is it a cruise?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mexico City, Cabo, Cozumel, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, etc

VS

Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, etc

Which did your family enjoy visiting the most? I know it’s a bit apples to oranges but for planning purposes, I’m just curious.

Oh boy. There’s a lot more to Mexico and Europe than those basic places, you do know that right? So to answer your questions: none of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have always hated the beach and love European cities. I bet they would like Mexico City though.

Are you and your partner beach people?

I’m always baffled by kids (and people in general) who don’t like the beach. Who doesn’t love swimming in the Caribbean?

People with sensory issues, people who burn easily, people who get migraines from bright sunlight..really it’s not difficult or baffling at all.

I burn easily and get wicked migraines but I still love the beach. Maybe it’s because I’ve been going to the beach since birth? I think parents definitely play a role in fostering such things.

I know a woman who was a big beach lover who married a guy who doesn’t like the beach. As the breadwinner, he dictated vacation locations. The kids rarely went to the beach as a result and they don’t enjoy the beach…or so they thought. One started traveling to the beach as a young adult and realizes she missed out on a lot by thinking she wasn’t a beach person.

We strive to expose our kids to everything: beaches, mountains, lakes, countryside, cities (big and small), etc.

As someone who gets wicked sunlight-induced migraines that sometimes require emergency room trips, I’m trying to understand your point. Whether or not I think the beach is beautiful, for obvious reasons, we don’t do beach-based vacations. Not everyone is able to pop an Rx and go back to functioning. For some of us it’s not about being “beach people” or not “beach people.” It’s about the environment making us physically ill. My kids go to the beach with cousins and love it. They don’t need me “instilling a love” in order to enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have always hated the beach and love European cities. I bet they would like Mexico City though.

Are you and your partner beach people?

I’m always baffled by kids (and people in general) who don’t like the beach. Who doesn’t love swimming in the Caribbean?

People with sensory issues, people who burn easily, people who get migraines from bright sunlight..really it’s not difficult or baffling at all.

I burn easily and get wicked migraines but I still love the beach. Maybe it’s because I’ve been going to the beach since birth? I think parents definitely play a role in fostering such things.

I know a woman who was a big beach lover who married a guy who doesn’t like the beach. As the breadwinner, he dictated vacation locations. The kids rarely went to the beach as a result and they don’t enjoy the beach…or so they thought. One started traveling to the beach as a young adult and realizes she missed out on a lot by thinking she wasn’t a beach person.

We strive to expose our kids to everything: beaches, mountains, lakes, countryside, cities (big and small), etc.

Kids rarely go to beach, therefore they don’t enjoy the beach. You are illogical. That’s like saying her kids don’t go to Europe often, therefore they didn’t like Europe. People are pretty good about liking/not liking a place with one exposure. If you think your kids need to hand hold them to enjoy a new experience, you have a parenting problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have always hated the beach and love European cities. I bet they would like Mexico City though.

Are you and your partner beach people?

I’m always baffled by kids (and people in general) who don’t like the beach. Who doesn’t love swimming in the Caribbean?

DH loves the beach, I like some beach time but love being near the ocean in general. The kids have always gotten bored at the beach and one has sensory issues and can’t stand the sand and too much sun. They have fun in the waves for maybe an hour and then that’s it. We can do a vacation incorporating 2-3 hours at the beach, but they find cities more entertaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids prefer beaches and water sports.

But they don’t like Mexico…because the Caribbean is far better in terms of beaches, water, vibe, etc. Plus, you can drink the water.

We are trying the Mediterranean and Adriatic next, but I’m worried they won’t enjoy as much as the Caribbean.

Caribbean is a vacation. Relaxing.

Europe is a trip. Sightseeing.

You don't have to sightsee in Europe. There's plenty of beaches for relaxation and water sports.

Sure, but their beaches aren’t as good. They are ridiculously small, crowded, and oftentimes littered with trash.

Once you’ve vacationed on an empty Caribbean beach, it’s really hard to sit on a crowded beach.

Agreed. Why fly twice as far and deal with time zone changes for worse beaches, if beaches are all you're looking for?

I would rather be on a beach in St. Tropez than a beach in Mexico.

[Anonymous]

We live near the beach so for 2 of my 3, the answer would be Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mexico for sure, but my dh won't let us travel to there anymore due to the travel advisories

Some of my favorite trips as a kid were in Mexico.

What? The State department says travel to Cancun is as safe as it gets and to exercise increased caution in Western Europe.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/france-travel-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html

The advisory for the state that Cancun is located in is “exercise increased caution due to crime.” “Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.”

The advisory for UK is “exercise increased caution due to terrorism”.

Make of that what you will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have always hated the beach and love European cities. I bet they would like Mexico City though.

Are you and your partner beach people?

I’m always baffled by kids (and people in general) who don’t like the beach. Who doesn’t love swimming in the Caribbean?

I almost hate the beach. It’s ok to go for a day or two and I can handle it, but I much prefer a high end resort with a pool and good weather somewhere that’s not the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids have always hated the beach and love European cities. I bet they would like Mexico City though.

Are you and your partner beach people?

I’m always baffled by kids (and people in general) who don’t like the beach. Who doesn’t love swimming in the Caribbean?

I almost hate the beach. It’s ok to go for a day or two and I can handle it, but I much prefer a high end resort with a pool and good weather somewhere that’s not the beach.

I’m so curious about why someone prefers sitting by a pool when you could lounge on the beach with a view of the ocean.

So, what is it about the pool?

Do you hate sand?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mexico for sure, but my dh won't let us travel to there anymore due to the travel advisories

Some of my favorite trips as a kid were in Mexico.

What? The State department says travel to Cancun is as safe as it gets and to exercise increased caution in Western Europe.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/france-travel-advisory.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/UnitedKingdom.html

Maybe you should re-read the Mexico advisory you posted.

[Anonymous]

We don’t go to Mexico.