Originally Posted by trueblu

I understand the conflicting situation you are in. And it may be appropriate to ask on an IBB whether Wuhan, in general, is a safe city or not. I've not been, but I believe it is safe from accounts of my students etc. from there.

But really, asking sanction from a bunch of internet strangers about to whom to entrust your child? And your anecdote might say your son is clever and resourceful, or just has a nasty streak -- not meaning to judge -- but it's impossible to say from your related anecdote, and since I will likely never meet him, that will always be the case.

It's ultimately your call. But I would say this: you have chosen to leave your son with his Chinese relatives, but repeatedly, you come on here complaining about them. This tells me some deep underlying issues that you have, which we can't solve. Legally speaking (I think, I'm no lawyer), when someone is in loco parentis, as your son's guardians are, their sayso should trump everything shouldn't it? They are ultimately responsible for your son whilst you are the absentee parent. If they don't feel comfortable, is it really ethical, just and fair to tell them to 'shove it' and entrust your son (and their beloved nephew) to what to them (justified or not) is a stranger??

By the way, the 'amazing China experience' you want your son to have is probably to learn about real Chinese culture -- and that will come far more by living with real Chinese people, not rock climbing or taking photos with a Nikon or some other branded digital camera. And since the guide will speak English, how will it improve your son's Chinese language skills?

I don't mean to have a go, but I really don't understand what you are trying to achieve by asking us, complete strangers, with regards to your son's safety.

tb