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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just up and leave and go travelling with dh and dc for a few years?

49 replies

Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 18:57

How hard would it be? What would we need to do? Or in theory can we just “go”! Dc are 4 and 6!?? Anyone here done it??

OP posts:
Kashali · 03/07/2019 19:01

Where will you live?
Where will you stay overnight.
You can just go, but you'll need to do your homework first. But absolutely nothing stopping you.
A great opportunity for your children. We did similar but quite a while back now.
Just me and dh now and we're off again.
A great life but not really all fun and games.
Camp sites are usually well equipped and the showers are lovely.

Kashali · 03/07/2019 19:02

Aw, we should have a vote on this one. Sad

Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:04

Kashali I’m thinking campervan for Europe and then hotel/family friendly hostels while in other countries?? Hiring a campervan again in oz etc?
Where did you guys go??What routes did you take?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 03/07/2019 19:06

Of course you can go - if you can afford it. Don't forget comprehensive health insurance. Your children will lose their school places but you can sort that put when you get back. Personally, I'd have a bit of a think about how I could keep reading, writing and arithmetic going whilst away so they could slot back in s minimal probs.

MyOpinionIsValid · 03/07/2019 19:08

Can you afford insurance etc? Flights home in need?

Youth Hostels have places all over Europe. may years ago a work colleague did campervan tour of both Oz and NZ, but its so long ago I cant remember the details

VivienneHolt · 03/07/2019 19:10

There are lots of blogs that would help you OP - here’s one to start: worldtravelfamily.com/travel-with-children-family-world-travel-blog/

Obviously you will need to know how you’re going to fund it, but if you can then I say go for it! It would be an amazing experience for your kids.

Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:12

@BarbarianMum the chance of loosing their school place is extremely slim they are in a very small village school (ds is 4 and isn’t actually in school yet anyway) so I wouldn’t be worried about that. I am a teacher so I could do the basics with them but I think the experience would be amazing for sure!!

I would have to look into the insurance side but I’m sure it’s doable!! @MyOpinionIsValid yes well that would have to be a part of the funding imo

OP posts:
SkinThing · 03/07/2019 19:14

Full time travel is hard work - you still have to sort out laundry, eating healthily, getting a good sleep, as well as having energy for sightseeing, planning, and money goes through your fingers very easily. and quickly

Also;

-finding a Doctor/hospital when you need one can be frightening (I had sepsis in Asia)
-ensuring internet connection for booking as you go (always fails when you need it)
-missing friends and family (don't underestimate this!)
-insurance (costs a lot)

It has great moments too of course, but personally I wouldn't do it with DC.

PleaseGoogleIt · 03/07/2019 19:15

Although we won't be taking off indefinitely, we have just bought a campervan (well, it's a van we'll convert - we've done it before) and we'll be taking DD off for 3/4 weeks of the summer around Europe, she's only 1 now so we've got a while before thinking about school etc.

We figured it's the cheapest way to show her the most wonderful places of the UK and Europe.

BarbarianMum · 03/07/2019 19:18

They will definitely lose their school place (school won't be able to keep it for them) but from what you say, you'll be able to reapply and get new places when you return. And yes, it'd be an amazing experience.

Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:22

@SkinThing well all those things are obvious, my dh is very hands on so I wouldn’t be a housewife on the road.
I agree on the medical side... that will be important to us!

Planning would mostly happen before we leave essentially (a basic plan of routes and a bucket list so to speak)

The missing family part is...meh... we have lived abroad before so it wouldn’t be new to us tbh.
I have family in oz so I know I would see them and they would possibly join us on that leg?

Money- well that’s the important part, we have savings and no mortgage so I’m figuring we could do it. At least SOME of what I’m thinking.😂😬

OP posts:
Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:24

@BarbarianMum of course, I don’t doubt they will be deregistered but unless there is a sudden growth in population then I know there will be a place. There are 8 in my DD’s class! 😂

OP posts:
SkinThing · 03/07/2019 19:25

Ah well if it's all obvious don't worry and just go - enjoy! Grin

user87382294757 · 03/07/2019 19:29

What about your home when you return, would you rent out your home while you are away?

Zebraaa · 03/07/2019 19:30

Sounds amazing and something you should definitely do if you’re in the position to be able to!

Butterbeeeen · 03/07/2019 19:33

OP this is my absolute dream. I would do it in a heartbeat. I work in education aswell and always say if I had the money I would travel around and home school to teach them about the world.

Way0ftheW0rld · 03/07/2019 19:34

Wouldn't it have been easier to do before having children or when they are older 20+

Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:35

@user87382294757 that is the clincher.😬 I was thinking of asking a very close family member if they would like to live there while we are gone?? Just bills to pay so they would be in control of that. And if not then there are some family close by who could keep an eye on the property.

OP posts:
Bloodybackpain · 03/07/2019 19:35

Look at the fb group Our Tribe Travels - about independent travel with kids, think I’ve seen some families doing this type of trip.
Sounds amazing, enjoy!

Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:36

@Way0ftheW0rld I have travelled but I would love to do it WITH the dc, it would be a great experience for them imo

OP posts:
Original poster
Youmadorwhat · 03/07/2019 19:37

@Bloodybackpain oooh will do thank you!!

OP posts:
user87382294757 · 03/07/2019 19:38

Well if you did rent it out or airbnb it could that not help fund your travels perhaps

DrDentyst · 03/07/2019 19:39

Wouldn't you be better off renting out your home so you have the rent as income to fund your travels?

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 03/07/2019 19:40

There's a good Facebook group called "our tribe travels" - might be good to join and ask for advice? Have fun! Grin

Way0ftheW0rld · 03/07/2019 19:40

You still have to pay council tax on an empty property. Some councils charge double council tax !
If you rent a property out, you need to complete a self assessment tax form

How much per day per person do you hope to spend