THinking of taking a year off and travelling with kids

[Anonymous]

My cousin pulled his kids for a year and they drove cross country. I think they hit all of the lower 48. It worked for them because both he and his wife are teachers. They are very outdoorsy too so it was pretty reasonable cost wide since they camped a lot.

[Anonymous]

I would do it in a heartbeat. How old are your kids? I would aim to do it when they're old enough to remember but not too old that it can hurt them socially. Here's why:

My sister and her family (two daughters who were pre-middle school - forgot exact ages) bought an RV and traveled around the US for two years. Her DH had a small tech company and worked from the RV. They had a wonderful experience, however, both girls had a hard time adjusting to school because they returned in middle school. Not academically, but socially. The older one was very mature and didn't make friends because she thought she was smarter than everyone else. The younger one was the opposite - very immature and tried to please everyone.

Things eventually got better but it was a tough adjustment. Of course, everyone is different - but this was one experience of one family.

I think one year would be better and again, a little bit younger kids.

Good luck! We travel a lot internationally with our DD who is now a teen and has very fond memories of our various travels.

[Anonymous]

That sounds so cool. We have talked about doing something similar. We've never jumped off the deep end but we've got our toes in the water.

I think the success of this endeavor will depend primarily on what type of parents you and your spouse already are. It isn't about being planners or spontaneous. It is about your comfort level to seek out different opportunities. So, for example, when you heard about the eclipse this summer, have you thought, 'hey, that sounds like fun, lets drive 10 hours rent a hotel room watch the 2-minute eclipse and then drive home'?

I am the planner in our family and I would be the one who would have to totally make it happen. My husband is a great marching band leader but I have to get him to the field, give him a little prep time and then it's on to the show and he has the kids totally rocking whatever it is we're doing.

Our kids know our dynamic. When Dad comes bursting in with his exciting idea that we are going to sail to Bermuda with our best friends, leaving next week, on a Cat then the kids blink and say 'wow, sounds like fun. Does Mom know?'. On the other hand, when we're sitting around looking at each other bored out of our skulls, the kids know to get Dad in to the picture.

Finally, what do your kids do when you go off on junkets? Are the dragging their feet or participating? If they aren't throwing themselves in whole mind and body then I wouldn't say it is off but I would start 'practicing'.

Good luck and have fun!