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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take my children off school and travelling for a year?

155 replies

EliS667788 · 15/11/2019 18:57

Just the title really.

They'd have guaranteed school places for when they return.

Just looking for opinions and pros/cons while my husband and I consider.

OP posts:
Notcontent · 15/11/2019 23:10

Sorry to be a voice of dissent, but I feel tired and stressed just thinking about being on the move for a whole year! 6 weeks - yes - 52 weeks, no!!!

Also I would hate to have to home school and my dd would miss her friends, her sport, etc. I love travelling and do it regularly but it’s always nice to be back home.

Cherrysherbet · 15/11/2019 23:38

Ha! If you had asked if you should take your children out of state school for a week to go on holiday, you would have been flamed! It seems that because you are rich, and they go to a private school, it’s ok.

What a load of shit.

JusticeForSandra · 16/11/2019 00:06

It seems that because you are rich, and they go to a private school, it’s ok.

what a ridiculous comment
Apart from the fact that you have NO idea how the OP managed to organise their finance and work situation to be in this position, the comparison is not with taking the kids during school term and moaning that the school holidays are too long but with someone home-educating, from home or not.

No one is stopping you from doing the same Cherrysherbet

Dowser · 16/11/2019 00:28

Yes, do it
Amazing opportunity

AlexaShutUp · 16/11/2019 00:30

Yes, I wish I'd been brave enough to do this when dd was younger. I don't think you'll regret it.

AliceAforethought · 16/11/2019 00:32

Just do it already!

Laserbird16 · 16/11/2019 00:48

Absolutely do it!

CTRL · 16/11/2019 00:51

This is my DREAM !! if I had the money I would ! Have fun OP 😊

missperegrinespeculiar · 16/11/2019 01:17

We do it all the time, we intermittently home educate and school educate depending on where we are, and travel between a third and three thirds of each year.

The kids are perfectly fine academically, actually, quite ahead, and both have a very wide circle of friends both at home and around the world (they now keep in touch independently, too, via online gaming, they are not allowed social media yet, but I expect they will use that, too, when older).

I asked my 12 year old if you should go, his answer "Yes, of course, you only live once!"

Rtw2019 · 16/11/2019 01:22

We are doing this right now with our children! Best decision we ever made. I say go for it.

It’s amazing how quickly dc accept a new way of life. I quite often hear from the kids ‘when we go on our next year holiday’ and today they were planning their round the world trip they are taking when they are grown ups.

Having work from the school will be a massive advantage to you as long as you are not required to spend huge amounts of time on it. We have aimed for an hour a day when we are able including weekends and holidays so that when we are on the road or at places where we are too busy for such things it doesn’t matter. After some push back at the beginning the home schooling has actually been enjoyable!

There are lots of people doing this already worldschoolers on Facebook has been helpful, the best advice I have had is to travel slower with kids - spend more time at fewer places.

Have fun planning.

fargo123 · 16/11/2019 20:51

Do it!

It'll be the best gift you can ever give your kids.

Areyoufree · 16/11/2019 20:58

Ah, that's always been one of my goals! Definitely go for it!

underneaththeash · 16/11/2019 20:59

I personally think the 12year old is too old to be out of school for a year. Fine for the other two though.

JusticeForSandra · 16/11/2019 21:17

I personally think the 12year old is too old to be out of school for a year
He's 12! He's still just a child! Of course it's not too old! Shock

pontiouspilates · 16/11/2019 21:30

Absolutely do it, education is so much more than working towards exams. Even if your 12yr old needed to repeat a year I think it would be worth it.

CountTessa · 16/11/2019 21:31

Go for it. One of my neighbours did this last year. The only difficulty has been finding work on their return. Her kids saw a do side of life. Experienced different cultures. Lived in different places. A fantastic experience which will grow them throughout their life.

Plan for a job on return and don't look back. You could find yourself somewhere very very different and just love it.

Heartburn888 · 16/11/2019 21:32

Do it!

EmperorBallpitine · 16/11/2019 21:34

We also have friends who did this year out, much of it sailing. The children gained a lot from it and the whole family had a really life changing, thought provoking year. It's worth planning your "reentry" carefully regarding work etc from what I've seen.

Aridane · 16/11/2019 21:36

What do the children think?

user1497997754 · 16/11/2019 22:10

Without a doubt go for it a fantastic family opportunity to learn so much about each other and the world out there x

PerkingFaintly · 16/11/2019 22:21

OP's left already and is trekking the Antarctic with three children and no WiFi! Grin

Curious2468 · 16/11/2019 22:47

Go for it!!

Tangofandango · 16/11/2019 23:13

Someone I know did this, but she, her husband, and 3 children travelled around the world for 7 years in a horse drawn caravan. They had some wonderful adventures, some scary, most amazing. The kids we all young adults when their journey came to an end. They learnt more from their travels than they ever would've at a school desk.

Pottedtree · 16/11/2019 23:27

This might be the most disappointing OP disappearance ever.

EleanorShellstrop100 · 17/11/2019 05:12

Do it! It will be a fantastic experience, they’ll learn so much in ways that others who haven’t travelled won’t, they won’t miss much school and can easily catch up, it will be amazing and such a wonderful memory for you all as a family. Travel is educational and bonding and exciting... sorry I’m getting a bit hysterical about this idea. I just think it’s great you’re thinking about this! Good for you!