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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think seriously about travelling with the DC for a couple of years?

194 replies

NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:15

I feel hemmed in. I hate suburbia. The DC are 7 and 3.

DC 1 isn't a fan of school...she's ok but it's not her ideal situation. I KNOW she needs an education...but I just keep dreaming about taking them both off on a massive trip...in a swishy van with DH and not coming back until DC1 is old enough to start secondary.

We could do it in about a years time. My Mum would go spare...she's very traditional and would worry sick about us running all over Europe with the DC...but imagine what they would see! The places and the people...amazing.

I could H.E. them both....I could stick to the UK curriculum and keep them up to scratch.

Is it totally silly? I work from home...via a laptop. I don't need anything other than a broadband connection and my fingers to earn my living. We have savings...enough to live on and to have a cusion in case of emergency.

It's this...or buy a house. I don't want to buy a house. I want to see the world. DH feels the same.

OP posts:
Hoopsadazy · 19/02/2012 21:16

I am watching with interest as I often feel like this!

Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:19

Do you Hoops? I have been wondering if it is a symptom of the current uneasey finacial situation worldwide....maybe it's an attempt at escape??? Confused

OP posts:
LaBoccaDellaVerita · 19/02/2012 21:20

I'll be lying on my bloody deathbed wishing I had done this! YANBU

iluvkids · 19/02/2012 21:20

DO IT!! :D

I've done a lot of travelling, taken a lot of time out.... so much so, that my 'itchy feet' have now 'nearly' gone..... and I wouldn't change things

Life is short

greenplastictrees · 19/02/2012 21:20

I don't yet have children but something like that would be my dream! There is so much to learn in life that doesn't involve sitting in a classroom. But, it's important that your children do still get their education and learn what they would be learning in mainstream traditional school.

Could you try HE first to see how you get on to make sure it works for you? If it works and you re confident that you can teach your children the skills they need then I'd go for it.

Also consider how they would socialise with other children? Being able to socialise with children their own age will be an important skill and an important part of childhood.

This is all of course if the children feel comfortable with this, especially the older one.

troisgarcons · 19/02/2012 21:21

I echo the DO IT

countessbabycham · 19/02/2012 21:22

NotWell if I could afford to do that I'd be off like a shot.I think so long as you don't expose them to unnecessary dangers,then why not?

Did you see that series of programmes on a while ago about the 'gap years' families had taken?It was inspiring.

Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:28

I think I would check the countries/areas to avoid in advance and plan a good itinerary...I have numerous friends across Europe that we could visit.

As for socialising...well I can only think that we wold stay put now and then for weeks at a time and then I could take the children along to groups/events/workshops where there would be other children.

I also have a romantic idea of them making friends with beautiful little Euro kids on beaches...where despite the language barrier, they would forge long lasting connections. Grin Blush

I know the reality could be grim....tummy bugs, scary people/places...running out of fuel in weird areas....but it's all a risk I want to take I think.

As someone said...life is very short...I have not stayed frends with anyone from primary school....I had the WORST schooling and was not well prepared for any kind of career. I still managed to make one.

I just think I would regret not going....when the DC are 12 and 16 and it would be harder...

OP posts:
Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:30

At the moment...we live in a picture perfect English village...picture perfect OFSTED rated perfect village school...it's all I wanted...or thought I did...it's so freaking SMALL minded!

The things that made me leave my home town for London when I was 18 are not gone...they're still biting me on the arse.

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Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:31

countess I didn't see that docu no...but I did read that Emma Thompson was wanting to travel last year and to take her 10 year old out of school.

OP posts:
defineme · 19/02/2012 21:32

You sound ideally placed to do this.
Owning a house is not really vital, but make sure you have a hefty cushion of cash to return with.
Good luck Smile

greenplastictrees · 19/02/2012 21:32

Oh yes, I hope you didn't think of being negative. In my head I was feeling very positive but was trying to think of the things that might be realistic concerns.

This is something I would absolutely love to do! It would be my dream to do it and go mainly overland visiting Europe and beyond. Go for it!

squeakytoy · 19/02/2012 21:33

I would do it.. at that age you can teach them all they need to know, and they will get a far richer education if you are taking them to historical places in Europe..

poinsetta · 19/02/2012 21:34

My concern would be that a lot of Europe is very samey so would they really be getting a lot of different experiences? Also, some of Europe can be mega expensive. I hate to be the one to put the dampner on it..probably just jealousy as I wouldn't have the guts!

Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:36

Europe is not samey! It's the most wonderfully diverse place ever and I don't even know it well yet!

squeaky Yes I want them to see all of the amazing architecture and the museums...the countryside and the unspoilt places....

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Annunziata · 19/02/2012 21:38

Sounds wonderful but I would be worried about their education- how could they possibly adjust to starting school when they were teenagers?

Summer holidays not an option?

Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:38

I do worry about costs Poinsetta but we're not really interested in living the high life...we already eat simply...dress pretty basically. I think we would have to look closely at places to camp...so have lots of options so we weren't ever stuck without a pitch.

OP posts:
rumngingerbeer · 19/02/2012 21:38

Do it. That's all.

travailtotravel · 19/02/2012 21:39

Do it, please do it. Otherwise you would always regret it. The kids would love it.

But why not somewhere other than Europe (expensive) and somewhere like central or South America, Africa or South East Asia where you could spend some time on some volunteer projects so the kids get to be a bit settled and so you have a base to travel around and as you're in one place you'd save money. There are lots of organisations who can help with this - start with VSO maybe - they do do shorter projects than 2 years in a mud hut type stuff I think.

If you are seriously thinking about this check out Wanderlust magazine (has an online site) for info about travel health and the like.

Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:39

Annunzata I think the education system here is hugely flawed. I am not saying I am a better teacher than a qualified teacher...but I do think the dea of shoving 28 kids of similar ages into one classroom every day for blah de blah years is not really ideal.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotWell · 19/02/2012 21:41

travail I want to get to know Europe...so does DH. He's Australian and we thought about spending a year of the time in Oz working with some of the indigenous tribes out there on an art project.

We would possibly get a little funding for that....

OP posts:
Annunziata · 19/02/2012 21:42

So you would homeschool when you came back too? I read your post as you would come back and put them in an ordinary school, sorry if I got it wrong!

Gumby · 19/02/2012 21:42

What does dh think? Would he have to jack in his Job? Wound he get another one easily when you come home? Boring practical stuff

Learning2Knit · 19/02/2012 21:43

Go for it. In my opinion it is an amazing experience for children. I worked with HE children for several years, every family that took the plunge to go travelling never regretted it and the children had a fantastic time, I believe the children certainly gained from the experience and in the majority of cases came back way ahead of their peers. There are several blogs on the net of families travelling for a year or so, have a read through some of them.... Have a fantastic time. Would go like a shot but not possible.

poinsetta · 19/02/2012 21:44

I totally agree that the education system is flawed for exactly the reasons you state but I would worry that without the conventional education route their options for the future might be limited as conventional qualifications are necessary for some routes. My worry would be that they would be wonderfully well rounded individuals but not necessarily employable. however, I do sound boringly traditional there and almost hate the sound of my own point iyswim!