Taking daughter to Morocco

[USMA 0]

I want to take my daughter to Morocco with me in June or July. She will turn 7 in July. My ex-husband and my mom & step-dad are dead-set against it. They think that Khalid is going to try to keep me and her there once we get there.

Has anyone else taken their children to Morocco or know of anyone who has? My concern is NOT that we are going to be kept hostage but that she is safe health wise while she is there. When I went in December/January, I had horrible diarrhea during and for weeks after coming home. I am taking her to the Traveler's Clinic at the University that I work for to make sure she has all of the immunizations that she will need and to get advice about traveling with her to that area.

We will be in Khemisset (near Rabat) and will probably be finding a McDonald's a lot for her when we're there. I don't know how kindly she is going to take to the Moroccan food-my guess is not at all.

I plan on letting her drink only bottled drinks, eating well-cooked meats and no milk. Any other advice?

[frndly1 1]

USMA,

First you will need a passport for her and permission from your ex-husband to take her out of the country. Please don't try to take her out of the country until you have all of the proper paperwork. Once everything is in order I would talk to her doctor and get all of the shot she will need. I got Het A, Titnus(sp) and something else. I wanted to make sure I was convered.

Good luck.

Kathy

[jordanianprincess 0]

Make sure she gets the Typhoid shot. It will protect her from many kinds of bacteria in foods. Good Luck!

[MrsAmera 41]

I took my 16 month old son to Morocco last summer. He fared just fine and we lived there for about 7 weeks. It was hot so we had to be careful of dehydration but otherwise things were fine. He did have a passport and beryause he was so young they couldn't give him any additional shots and didn't feel it was neccesary. I have full custody of him it was not an issue. I know that in order to get a passport, if you do not have full custody you must have BOTH parents sign for the passport. We never were asked for a letter or anything from his father on entering the country but I know it is a possibility for them to ask.

Food/health wise you might be surprised - my son loved Moroccan food. I don't think it's a big issue to take your daughter and would even encourage you to do so - given you have the authorizations from her father ( i know it's a pain in the a$$). Best of luck - feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

[USMA 0]

I forgot to add that I have full legal and physical custody of her. I found out that her dad has filed a paper to be notified when/if I try to get a passport for her. I called the US Passport office and they said that he can't stop me from getting her passport, but that it will just be delayed for the time it takes for him to be notified.

Brenda

[noura 0]

Try to avoid cheese also... it gave me a tummy ache (except for laughing cow -la vache qui ri)...

Good luck w/ this - people are weird and have strange thought patterns based on movies they've seen

I had people worried sick I was going to be "sold into slavery" and many asking if I saw the movie "Not w/o My Daughter".... geez..... come on folks...

I've been twice and never felt more welcome and comfortable and at home anywhere (besides my real home). Also, the fact that my fiance' is a bodyguard for VIP's - well, I felt like I was his special VIP! Soooo well cared for. Moroccans are most gracious and hospitable to visitors. More than likely, you will be treated like a queen, and your daughter the princess

Trek salama....

Noura

[AngelK96 0]

Make sure all immunizations are current, since you are going to a third would country go to the us dept of state web site and see what vaccinations may be needed for the country. I took my son with me to Jordan we got him a influenza and started the Hep A series. Doesn't hurt to take anti diarrhea meds you can get them OTC. Also if your son doesn't have a passport you and your husband will both have to sign the application. I am not sure how it is in other states, but I only went for a few weeks and my lawyer told me it was ok that i took him out of the country for a vacation.. if we were planning on staying there indefintely that's where you will get into trouble.

[honeyblonde 0]

Another thing to be careful of feeding her is salad and fresh uncooked fruits and veggies. That's really terrible too because they are sooo good there, and so cheap. If you do feed them to her, be sure to rinse them with bottled water really good.

JP, I found that with the toilets in Morocco a little diarrhea wasn't so bad. Better than having to stay in there too long waiting in the squat position. Of course bad diarrhea with a child is not desirable.

[elizabeth&hisham 0]

More tips:

1. Get her into yogurt... start while you're here. The fruit-flavored drinkable variety would probably appeal; she could try strawberry or peach or something. Eating (or drinking) yogurt there at least once per day will help keep her digestive system happy. (And they have even more flavors there than we do here...!)

2. Come on... McDonalds? It doesn't even taste the same there anyway; she might taste the difference and be negative about it. (The last thing you want is to have to comfort her when the McNuggets aren't exactly like the ones here.)

3. I hope your daughter likes bread!

4. Take her to a pastry shop or two. The gorgeous displays of cookies and cakes will totally get her attention.

5. What about couscous? Any meat or veggie she likes, plus it would be very well-cooked, and also fun to eat.

6. Practice eating without silverware at home. Make it silly and fun, like special "practice" meals with the foods she likes best. Use fingers, bread, etc, so that she won't be shocked (or embarrassed to try) if she sees it happen there.

7. There are always nuts, seeds, popcorn, etc. Toasty and well-salted, a bag of almonds is like a mini-meal.

Best of luck!

E

[jordanianprincess 0]

Another thing to be careful of feeding her is salad and fresh uncooked fruits and veggies. That's really terrible too because they are sooo good there, and so cheap. If you do feed them to her, be sure to rinse them with bottled water really good.

JP, I found that with the toilets in Morocco a little diarrhea wasn't so bad. Better than having to stay in there too long waiting in the squat position. Of course bad diarrhea with a child is not desirable.

LOL Liz..you are so funny! Ohhhhh and stay away from parsley!!!!!

[myfellah 0]

It sounds like you have things very well covered and the ladies are giving you such good advice. I know many women have taken their children and had very good experiences. I wish you the best.

Doreen