Taking a one-year sabbatical to travel with our child?

[Anonymous]

My best friend spent a year overseas while her parents were on sabbatical in 7th grade; her sister was in 4th. They both really loved it (a year living in London, but traveling other places too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We know a family who did this. They actually did it while their kid was in high school. I think they had some sort of asynchronous online school. They loved it. The kid really appreciated the whole experience. It may have even helped on college apps given that the kid got into a great school.

I have thought about this as well. We would like to do this when our DD is older. Like OP and PP's 8-10 seems like it makes the most sense, but due to a specific issue with DH's job, it would make more sense for us financially and professionally to do it when she is 13-15. I think if we do it then, we can't count on it happening -- if DD is in a sport or activity or simply does not want to miss a year of HS to do it, we would never make her. But if she is interested, I think it could be great because getting a chance to travel and do something off the beaten path at that age seems like it could be a great way to help her figure out what she'd like to do after HS and yes, potentially help with college admissions because that's a unique experience that could help her stand out. Would love to hear from anyone else who did something like this with a teenager, in terms of both upside and downside as I'm sure there are both.

[Anonymous]

I’d recommend having a sabbatical with a stable homebase and school so that your child can make friends and learn a language. For that 8-11 is great. Then you can travel out from there.

[Anonymous]

I haven't done what you're proposing, OP, but we do love to travel with our kids - even when they're young - and have four of 'em them currently ranging in age from 1 to 10.

Based on the experiences we've had with various ages traveling, I'd recommend going on the older end of the bracket. I recently got to go somewhere with just my 7 and 10 year old for the weekend, and it was a) so EASY and b) completely enjoyable for me as well as them.

I'd say 8 or 9 is probably the sweet spot. Agree with a PP that K and 1 are really foundational years that'd I'd want my kid in the classroom working on essential skills with a "real" teacher. I don't know how my 10 yo (5th grader) would feel about missing a whole year; they're really getting into friendships and activities by this age.

It's not that spending time and traveling with them when they're younger isn't also a wonderful experience - but logistically it can be more challenging (napping, limits on how far you can walk, meal schedules, etc). I think you should probably try to decide if the travel is more for *you* or *DC*. When they're little, you're traveling and they're along for the ride. When they get older, they start to really appreciate the things they see, pick activities, etc.

The trips we've taken with our kids before age 5ish they only have hazy memories of even now and of course the reinforced memories we have through stories, photos, siblings, etc. But we will always remember watching our 3 yo throw stones into the North Sea with the wind in his hair, even if he doesn't. Traveling while younger (we think) does help them be more adaptable and flexible. New places aren't scary; we explore them together. We sleep places beside home, and it's OK. People dress differently, and sometimes everyone may look very different than we do.

Good luck with your plan, it will be a wonderful experience, I'm sure. Wish I was a Fed (or academic) and could take a sabbatical!

[Anonymous]

We did this. It was amazing. I always say that whatever I screw up as a parent, at least this is one thing we got right.

8-10 works well in terms of schooling, being away from peers, and really enjoying the experience. I’d lean toward 10 if possible, because they’ll understand that much more of what they’re seeing and remember more later.

FYI, our kids enjoyed reading John Higham’s account of a family round-the-world trip with kids about the same age. There are more recent books along the same lines too, but this is what we all read before our trip.

[Anonymous]

I agree around 9yo would be a sweet spot.

This sounds amazing! Our kiddos are 3 and 6 months but we plan on spending summers in a different country every year (until they really express interest in doing camps etc with their friends- we will reevaluate then)

[Anonymous]

10-12 would be good.

[Anonymous]

Not until after 3rd grade and then ONLY if he’s a year ahead in both language arts and math. I’ve seen some families ( pre-Covid) try to homeschool for a year, and the kids learned nothing. Nothing. You never know for certain of homeschool will work for you until you try it.

-teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not going to have other children?

OP here - Hah, no more. We have our hands full with just the one. He's very high effort/high energy. And we are Feds, so after LWOP we'd resume our jobs.

I think you have a great idea. A sibling will also be a greater gift to him. Then you’ll have a bigger adventure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done what you're proposing, OP, but we do love to travel with our kids - even when they're young - and have four of 'em them currently ranging in age from 1 to 10.

Based on the experiences we've had with various ages traveling, I'd recommend going on the older end of the bracket. I recently got to go somewhere with just my 7 and 10 year old for the weekend, and it was a) so EASY and b) completely enjoyable for me as well as them.

I'd say 8 or 9 is probably the sweet spot. Agree with a PP that K and 1 are really foundational years that'd I'd want my kid in the classroom working on essential skills with a "real" teacher. I don't know how my 10 yo (5th grader) would feel about missing a whole year; they're really getting into friendships and activities by this age.

It's not that spending time and traveling with them when they're younger isn't also a wonderful experience - but logistically it can be more challenging (napping, limits on how far you can walk, meal schedules, etc). I think you should probably try to decide if the travel is more for *you* or *DC*. When they're little, you're traveling and they're along for the ride. When they get older, they start to really appreciate the things they see, pick activities, etc.

The trips we've taken with our kids before age 5ish they only have hazy memories of even now and of course the reinforced memories we have through stories, photos, siblings, etc. But we will always remember watching our 3 yo throw stones into the North Sea with the wind in his hair, even if he doesn't. Traveling while younger (we think) does help them be more adaptable and flexible. New places aren't scary; we explore them together. We sleep places beside home, and it's OK. People dress differently, and sometimes everyone may look very different than we do.

Good luck with your plan, it will be a wonderful experience, I'm sure. Wish I was a Fed (or academic) and could take a sabbatical!

I wish you would write a book about this! I find the logistics of planning international trips with my 3 kids a challenge. Especially finding lodging. Hotel rooms are much smaller than US rooms so that is out. What is the best source (least scam risk) to rent an apartment/house in another country through?

[Anonymous]

8-10 sounds about right, but it's also very kid-dependent and based on an individual kid's needs and personality..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not going to have other children?

OP here - Hah, no more. We have our hands full with just the one. He's very high effort/high energy. And we are Feds, so after LWOP we'd resume our jobs.

I think you have a great idea. A sibling will also be a greater gift to him. Then you’ll have a bigger adventure.

You don't get to decide the size of other people's families.

[Anonymous]

I'm a single mom of one (the best number of kids to have! ) and my daughter and I did this when she was 10. She remembers everything (she is 22 now). We spent time in Brazil (where I was exchange student in high school) and in Denmark and Mexico, where I have friends. We did an on-line school but mostly it was a year to absorb culture and language. My daughter, like me, did an exchange program and went to Brazil for a year in high school and perfected her Portuguese. She majored n Latin American studies and just got a position with an NGO in DC.

Travel travel travel. I myself learned 4 foreign languages well enough that I do not use any English when visiting those countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done what you're proposing, OP, but we do love to travel with our kids - even when they're young - and have four of 'em them currently ranging in age from 1 to 10.

Based on the experiences we've had with various ages traveling, I'd recommend going on the older end of the bracket. I recently got to go somewhere with just my 7 and 10 year old for the weekend, and it was a) so EASY and b) completely enjoyable for me as well as them.

I'd say 8 or 9 is probably the sweet spot. Agree with a PP that K and 1 are really foundational years that'd I'd want my kid in the classroom working on essential skills with a "real" teacher. I don't know how my 10 yo (5th grader) would feel about missing a whole year; they're really getting into friendships and activities by this age.

It's not that spending time and traveling with them when they're younger isn't also a wonderful experience - but logistically it can be more challenging (napping, limits on how far you can walk, meal schedules, etc). I think you should probably try to decide if the travel is more for *you* or *DC*. When they're little, you're traveling and they're along for the ride. When they get older, they start to really appreciate the things they see, pick activities, etc.

The trips we've taken with our kids before age 5ish they only have hazy memories of even now and of course the reinforced memories we have through stories, photos, siblings, etc. But we will always remember watching our 3 yo throw stones into the North Sea with the wind in his hair, even if he doesn't. Traveling while younger (we think) does help them be more adaptable and flexible. New places aren't scary; we explore them together. We sleep places beside home, and it's OK. People dress differently, and sometimes everyone may look very different than we do.

Good luck with your plan, it will be a wonderful experience, I'm sure. Wish I was a Fed (or academic) and could take a sabbatical!

I wish you would write a book about this! I find the logistics of planning international trips with my 3 kids a challenge. Especially finding lodging. Hotel rooms are much smaller than US rooms so that is out. What is the best source (least scam risk) to rent an apartment/house in another country through?

There are some amazing resources out there! I find lots of good info from a few bloggers - Local Passport Family, The Mom Trotter & Wanderlust Crew. LPF is probably my favorite as she has FIVE kids they travel with even as newborns!

We use AirBnB frequently, and I know it's not a perfect option. Not specific advice, but I just go with my gut when looking at the place we're considering. If it feels scammy or looks too god to be true, I avoid. I also always converse with the host before booking. They're flaky or non-responsive, it's a no-go. Maybe we've missed some great places that way, but I err on the side of caution. And we do hotels! Most places will accommodate 1 adult + 2 kids in a room. Not romantic for you and partner, but it works. If you get adjoining doors, great! A surprising number of Euro vacation destinations have family rooms that sleep 3 kids + adults (ie, Legoland, beaches, country stays). A lot of cities also have furnished corporate or vacation apartments you can book direct through their website. Start with google/tripadvisor.

Also we've often found better options places outside/away from major cities. We've had some great trips to smaller places!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you not going to have other children?

OP here - Hah, no more. We have our hands full with just the one. He's very high effort/high energy. And we are Feds, so after LWOP we'd resume our jobs.

I think you have a great idea. A sibling will also be a greater gift to him. Then you’ll have a bigger adventure.

You don't get to decide the size of other people's families.

You’re such an idiot!