We are planning a trip to Beaches Negril in June. We are taking our 6yr old and 8 month old baby. How are the ultra-nannies and childrens programs? I understand the best restaurants are hard to get reservations for - any suggestions? Are the deluxe rooms big enough for the four of us?<BR>Thanks.<BR>Irissen

Just wondering why you would bother takig your kids if you're gonna shove them off on someone else to watch. I would be uncomfortable leaving my children, much less an infant in the care of strangers.

I just had to respond (even though I dont have the info for you about this particular resort) to that nasty message obviously designed to mar your vacation. I am sure you will have all have a wonderful time, the nannys at these resorts are well trained & supervised to provide our children with lots of fun and care. I have brought my children on these types of vacations many times. Again have a great time.

Thank you anne for the vote of support.<BR>I'm sure that "just wondering" is the "perfect" mother or father. Maybe their Children (if they really have any) are attached at all times, and they go nowhere without them,or they just enjoy writing nasty responses, but I have a life with and without my children. My six yr old is very well adjusted, and can actually be left for a few hours with someone, because she has been raised to know that mommy and daddy have time without her, as well as plenty of time with her (since I am a stay at home mom!)<BR>At least I won't have to worry about meeting the likes of "just wondering" at Beaches, only we "terrible, pawning off parents" will be having a great time WITH and without our little ones, and they will be having a great vacation with and without us!<BR>Thank you for the info anne, and Cheers! <BR>Irissen

I have to agreee with just wondering...I too would be afraid to leave my children with a stranger. No matter how well adjusted they are, it will still be entrusting your most precious packages to a unknown person. Would you hire a baby sitter at home that you didn't know or had never met before?

Anon......come on....you're talking apples and oranges here. When you go to a family resort part of what you are paying for is the peace of mind that the staff is experienced and can handle the situations. ( a good resort anyway)<BR>Now when you have the nanny come or you go to the kids club....by all means check it out...ask questions and quiz the staff....a savy parent will know when things are OK vs not. I've traveled all over the Caribbean with young children and have had nothing but great experiences... Did I drop them and forget? certainly not...did I check on them often? yes! But never have I had a problem....Irissen....GO! have a good time and be a responsible parent....You and your kids will do fine!<BR><BR>Paul

Hey Irissen, Go for it, I am a Travel Agent with 2 kids 8 and 6. My Hubby and I have used Kids Clubs in the past, the first time my youngest was 2 and I sat outside and listened, checked on them every 10 minutes, once I realized they were under great care I was fine. We always ensure we are in a 4star or 5 star resort as they have a lot to lose and security and screening are all a part of the program. After that all was fine. Now my children ask for kids clubs they so enjoy all the adventures we have been on, but they just love the clubs and meeting other kids from all over the world, at times the language barriers don't even matter. My son 7 at the time let me know he met a nice boy, they didn't understand each other but they enjoyed each others company. When we are together here and there they will stop and visit with kids and let us know they are their friends from camp....I love it my children are blessed to have parents who appreciate being a family and appreciating us having a bit of quiet romantic time as well. Beaches Negril sounds fantastic, Our family will be going to one of the Beaches this spring. Either Negril or Turks. A Deluxe Room is most likely a Hotel Style Room with 2 beds. Call 1-888-Beaches they will answer all your questions. They are a great company to deal with. Cheers to you, showing your children the world and giving them abit of Independance along with your love.

Must make a comment on this thread, I realize staff varies from place to place but I saw something on our last trip that was unsettling. They had planned childrens activities at our resort and one of the activities was to walk the children down the beach to snorkel. I didn't see the procession going to snorkel, but coming back the adults were in the lead, talking animatedly to EACH OTHER while all the children trailed along behind, unchecked and un accounted for along the edge of the ocean. Some of them were quite young. Any of them could have wandered off or into the ocean and the leaders would not have been aware of it.

you go irissen! I have been to Beaches Turks and Caicos before with my 1 yr old and 9 yr old. The kids programs were great and nannies very well-trained and proffessional. Our 9 year old did not want to leave, he had such a great time. Our 1 yr old was well looked after! The activities were very well organized.<BR>I understand as a stay-at-home mom, you and your mate deserve a break from your children every now and then, and not all of us are fortunate to have family, friends, and nannies who can vacation with us, or who can stay behind with our children.So you pay extra for a place you know your children will be cared for, as well as be diligent in questioning and checking on the people who you will be caring for them. people in the U.S. do this every day (it's called day care!)<BR>Go, be a loving,caring parent and have a great time as a couple as well.<BR>Have a wonderful vacation!

Go for it. I and my 6 year old stayed at Beaches Inn, a nearby sister resort, last year and we both had a great time. My daughter used the kids club when the activities interested her or she went with me to snorkel and such. I found the club staff very nice, organizing activities such as swimming races and such. Last month, she suddenly said she missed Hope, the Kids Club head staffer. Check in on your kids often and observe and nannies. and if you don't like what you see, you don't have to use them a lot or at all. either way, you can have a great vacation.

Beaches Negril has excellent childrens programs, nannies and different rooms for different aged children with a lot of equipment and a lot of activites! <BR>The rooms should be big enougg.<BR><BR>There is just one (elegant) restaurant where you need a reservation and you just have to plan a few days ahead, but you do not need reservations for all the other great restaurants! <BR><BR>Beaches Negril is one of the best resorts I have ever seen, especially for families. Beautiful! Enjoy your stay!<BR>

We took my family to beaches negril and had the best time.. the resort is unbelievable.. grounds are gorgous.. people very friendly.. great food.. what else can i say. The children's programs were great. My son was 2 and loved it.. we checked on him quite a bit to make sure he was fine and it enabled my husband and i to have a few hours alone to enjoy the resort. everyone we talked to in the resort spoke very highly of the kid's programs and if fact most kid's could not wait to go ( my son being only 2 at the time had fun and was well cared for) we had no problems getting reservations at any of the restaurants- food was really good. the deluxe room is big enough for the 4 of you- <BR>have fun.. please email me if you have any other questions<BR>michelle

Mrs. "Just Wondering" Cleaver is my new hero!! I think I read somewhere that Ted Bundy's mom NEVER used a sitter or nanny, as well. Have a great trip!!Dana

Observer--<BR>Adults were talking to each other while children followed behind? OH MY GOD! Somebody call the police. What is the world coming to. <BR>If you're seriously too paranoid about adults around your children put them in bubbles and don't allow them out until they're in the 40's. Then they'll be okay. <BR>Sssuuurrree. <BR>

There was a story last year about some abuse at beaches by a Child care attendant. Dont leave your kids with strangers, it only takes a moment for the animals to do thier thing!

Beachie, Not that I don't take your word for it, but I'd like to read the abuse article myself. It sounds to me like "a friend of a friend of a friend heard..." I've never heard anything negative about the child care at the Beaches resorts, but have heard tons of positive info. <BR><BR>As for the potential for abuse, unfortunately most children are abused by a trusted member or friend of the family. You can't go through the world looking at everyone as a potential hazard. My advice is to do as others have suggested. Drop in frequently and observe. Trust your instincts. If you feel something is "off", don't leave your kids. If you think everything looks great and the kids are having fun, leave them for a couple of hours.<BR>

Hi, we are going to beaches Negril this Saturday 5/11/02. We will be traveling with our 19 month old daughter. We have stayed at sandals mo bay before and the staff was great. I called beaches and they said the nannies are trained in the us and the same parent that does drop off has to pick up. I will let you know if we have any problems, will be back 5/16.

I have no kids; but my friends who do actually take their trusted sitter from home on vacation with them. They have told me the cost of an extra plane ticket and a 2nd adjoining room is worth the peace of mind of having a sitter they know they can trust. In addition, kids are more comfortable with what they know. A strange new sitter (however competant) may just cause a crying fit. Just another option for you parents out there to consider.

hi, we are back from vacation, we had a wonderful time. Our daughter wouldn't stay with the nannies, we didn't prepare her enough that we were leaving for a little while. other parents did and there children were fine. when we first got there we were checking things out and when we went in the nursery every baby was being held and rocked. no crying. another couple we met had the nanny go to their room after the baby was asleep. The nanny will come look for you if the child won't quit crying. I think my daughter had a hard time because i stay at home and it was new. We had a great, relaxing time anyway. There is plenty of shade to keep the baby in. just watch out that they don't get sunscreen in their eyes.