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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to go on a family gap year?

76 replies

LittleFrieda · 18/10/2012 17:07

I have 4 chldren. DS1 is at university, his course finishes in 2016. DS2 is in lower sixth and plans to go off to university in Sept 2014. My two youngest children are 6 and 5 (a big age gap). In Sept 2014 they will be 8 and 7.

I would like for us to rent out our house in Sept 2014 we would get a substantial sum of money for its rental then set off on a carefully planned adventure traversing the globe, DH, me and our two small children (who will be 7 and 8), once DS2 heads off for university.

I have costed it out and planned for flights for the older two to join us three times a year and stay/travel with us for the duration of their holidays. And I would of course be here to help DS2 with his application and move from home to wherever it is he may go for uni.

Are there pitfalls involved with taking children out of school for a year? We would obviously try and make sure they keep up to date with whichever level (tut) it is they are supposed to be working at.

Obviously we would sacrifice our jobs to go.

What are the pitfalls to this scenario?

I'm desperate to do it.

OP posts:
CrikeyOHare · 20/10/2012 13:10

How very, very wonderful. And an extraordinary experience for your DC.

Yes - your DDs friends will miss her, and she them. But she'll be back with amazing pictures & stories.

Are there other people who can care for your relatives? I bet they would want you to get out there and live your lives.

Do it :)

Mosman · 20/10/2012 13:11

Now isn't the time to be packing in jobs I wouldn't have thought.

schroedingersdodo · 20/10/2012 13:14

Can't you take the older DCs with you, if they want? I would feel "left out" if I wasn't given the option.

Ageing relatives: it depends hugely on how elderly they are, how much they depend on you, if there are other relatives around, etc. One year is not a long time if they don't depend heavily and exclusively on you and your DH.

HippieHop · 20/10/2012 13:31

It sounds wonderful and something I dream of doing in the future! My main concern would be a job on returning but this depends on your line of work. Apart from that, I wouldn't have any worried regarding school as you can't get the experiences your children will be having in the classroom! It will be fantastic for them, I am very jealous!

EnglishGirlApproximately · 20/10/2012 13:33

With the job issue you do need to have realistic expectations about what you will come home to. I earn about £12k less than before went travelling but have no regrets, for me it was a worthwhile sacrifice.

Acinonyx · 20/10/2012 13:37

Weeps with envy Envy

givemeaclue · 20/10/2012 13:40

Go for it. And tell us all about it. How much have you researched that you will need to save?< so I can follow your lead>

Athendof · 20/10/2012 13:44

I think is a great idea but don't forget to consider the effects in future career and income of having a year gap in your CV.

Hopefully, by the time you plan to be back, the recesion would be a thing of the past and getting a job won't be the hugely competitive race it is today.

issimma · 20/10/2012 13:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hhhhhhh · 20/10/2012 13:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

redwhiteandblueeyedsusan · 20/10/2012 13:58

Envy just Envy

EnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvyEnvy

RedGreenWhiteViolet · 20/10/2012 14:13

We did 10 months of travelling when dd1 was 2. We only stopped because dp got pregnant. It the best time of our lives.

We are so very tempted to do this soon - probably when dd2 should be in her reception year - so watching this thread carefully.

We tried to do something which would help a CV and explain the year off work. Volunteer work is always good - for your CV (especially if something related to your field of work) and the people you help.

schroedingersdodo · 20/10/2012 14:57

I don't think a one year gap will make that big a difference in a CV of a established professional. We take one year maternity leave for each child and it is hardly the ruin of our careers (well, in some cases it may be, but definitely not always).

Jusfloatingby · 20/10/2012 15:09

It sounds great and you know that old saying 'we only regret the things we didn't do.

RichardDawkinsAngel · 20/10/2012 21:21

Where are you planning to go?

Fluffy1234 · 20/10/2012 21:31

Earlier in the year I took my DC to Brazil and Argentina and 2 years ago. I would recommend putting those places on your list. A couple of years ago there was a series on t.v about families that did this. Perhaps you could get hold of them. They were really good and showed good points and pitfalls. The ones that did it on a budget seemed to have a much worse time.

McHappyPants2012 · 20/10/2012 21:38

It sound wonderful.

I would check out home schooling forums and get lots of advice about keeping up with the children education.

Also ask if you can keep your job open on unpaid leave, you never know your employer may just do that.

HipHopOpotomus · 20/10/2012 21:51

Go go go! You've thought it through and the timing is perfect. You have an amazing opportunity to do something incredible for you all.

Everything will all work out on your return.

OscarPistoriusGirlfriend · 20/10/2012 21:52

Amazing idea! Listen to me; do it. Will you and the kids regret it? No. So go, life's too
Short to be worrying about the boring stuff.

tilbatilba · 20/10/2012 21:52

We have now had three family gap years - it does get addictive ! Our dds are now 14 & 12 - the most recent was 18m ago we had a year on the road in Europe & Africa. homeschooling them was fun, keeping up with old friends easy with email, letters and later a blog. Elderly grandparents were very supportive and enthusiastic about the year.
Did not homeschool in any formal way - osmosis has certainly worked for our kids, both interested and curious about everything, avid readers and are able to make friends with all ages, cultures etc.
Have a look at Lonely Planet - they have a forum for long term family travel and a few blogs listed which will inspire you even more. I'm very happy to help if you need any practical advice... I'd say go for it - you will never regret it.

KateByChristmas · 20/10/2012 21:54

YANBU

socharlotte · 20/10/2012 22:28

I think it's a good idea.But things to think about

  1. Mortgage if any -usually you can only let out your home for 6m on a normal mortgage.Any longer and you would have to change to a buy to let mortgage which has diffent loan to value ratio etc.
  2. House Insurance- Much much much more expensive for LL
  3. If you need to come back to UK unexpectedly , you won't have anywhere to live! 4)Your university kids might find it hard especially if they are doing tough full-on courses.They will probably be looking forward to chilling a bit in their own home rather than having to travel
  4. Have you a relative in the Uk for your University kids if they need to get away, need help, hospitalised etc?
cosydave · 20/10/2012 22:38

Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.

Will give the kids a much wider view of life and humanity.

Cahoots · 20/10/2012 22:48

Missing a years schooling would not be a problem as long as your DC have no particular issues. Keep on top of their maths and make sure they do lots of reading.

loobydoopy · 21/10/2012 07:15

Wow, I vote you should go!!!

This thread has inspired me to want to travel for a few months with ds, currently 10mo. Does anyone have any tips on good ages to take babies/toddlers travelling? I was thinking Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, south pacific....