2 weeks with a 6 year old?

[kmkp]

I am considering spending 2 weeks in Guanajuato with my daughter, who will be almost 6 at the time. I am trying to get a sense of the place health-wise. I have found a language school that could accommodate us both, but I am still trying to get a handle on what I should expect. Is it difficult to keep the kids from getting stomach issues? How are the hotels and restaurants regarding bottled/filtered water? What do you think my main concerns might be?
Thanks!

[Jzmackenzie]

I'm Dr. Jacqueline Z. Mackenzie. My family, husband Don and Sister Jolene, run a nonprofit program about 35 minutes outside of GTO. We offer equine therapy and water therapy to disabled kids and adults. We offer free swim to indigenous neighbors. You are a wise parent to consider the ramification of bringing your child to Mexico, but you are an amazingly insightful parent for understanding the life-changing effect of such a visit.

I was 5 years old when I first visited Mexico with my parents. Like most kids who visit another culture, I have been "color blind" all of my life. DO it! Give that priceless gift to your child.

A stomach ache takes away from the joy of the visit, so be wise. Do not EVER "eat off the street." There are many very inexpensive restaurants that have highly sanitary conditions. We are a tourist town. The authorities do NOT want you or your child sick. ALWAYS order bottled water for both of you. If you eat fruit or veggies, peal it. Eating yogurt and fruit is wise.

We see children all the time who come here and have a best of experiences. Tomorrow night I am attending a play. The star of the play will be here today for equine therapy. She has lived in Mexico for 2 years and 4 months. The USA labeled her a drug baby, 70 IQ, and cognitively impaired in other ways. Her USA case worker came here to decide if this was a good place. This young black female is nearly bilingual now and just passed tests - she attends a mainstream 2nd grade.

Bring your child - give her the gift of acceptance through understanding. When she is 13 years old, HALF of the USA will speak Spanish. She will not have any "adjustment" to make at a time when she will need little else to be confusing.

Questions? Write to me at jzm@empoweringspanishspeakers.com.

Jacquie

[doncoulter]

Once again Jacqueline Z. Mackenzie, Ph.D., would have us believe that "HALF of the USA will speak Spanish" soon. In this case, the milestone will supposedly be reached within the next seven years. In view of current estimates of 45 million Spanish speakers among a total population of 313 million, that would be quite an achievement.

Can you cite a source for your statement, Dr. Mackenzie?

Don