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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to buy a motorhome and travel the UK with DC

33 replies

Wheellygood · 29/10/2022 19:08

We're going to lose our home. I'm hoping we'll have some cash left over - enough to put some bits in storage and buy a motorhome, with some left to live on. Would it be mad to take DD(7) out of school for 6 months or so to travel the UK, maybe Europe before we come home to settle again? Has anyone done this?

I want to take a horrible situation and make it into something positive.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wheellygood · 29/10/2022 22:24

We live in an expensive area and I could buy something somewhere else which is an option. I've looked all over the country, so I know we could do that. But we have family and friends here and ties, and it's a nice place to live so it would be good to have a base here. I'd like DD to be able to grow up here in the long-term, if we can.

And yes, I'd home educate.

I'd have to calculate how much it would cost us day-to-day with overnight fees, gas, fuel etc and would have to be careful about sticking to that, with money aside for repairs etc.

Thank you for the positive stories as well as warnings!

OP posts:
Intru · 29/10/2022 22:26

Wheellygood · 29/10/2022 21:27

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm not worried about DD missing education. She has autism, hates school and I was a teacher. She would learn on the move and we'd come back here afterwards. Learning isn't only done in the classroom and she'd meet people in different places. It is unlikely that she could not get a place at her current school when we returned.

There's no default on our payments, it's a complex situation - If we did this, I'd ensure we had enough money to live off. Ideally, I'd buy a little flat here first as a base/ investment if funds allow but we have family & other options who would help us with somewhere to stay if needed. I have a job that I can come back to or could transfer elsewhere, so I'm not worried about that.

It's been a shitty few years and we want to get away. I'd have loved this as a child - time with people who loved me, exploring our little part of the world. I just don't know the practicalities of living in a motorhome. We're not going to do it yet - but sometime in the next 18 months perhaps.

This makes me change my mind. As a teacher you’ll always be able to earn a huge salary, so the foolishness on the financial side is reduced.

If your child has SEN then they will so easily catch up on missed education, and most experts agree that what children with autism really need is for their parents to throw away any sense of stability, certainty, or order.

So go for it, it can be nothing but positive for all concerned.

AwlAtSea · 29/10/2022 22:29

Do it - loads of people do, I think it's the best education there is. Just be prepared - you might never want to go back 😉
Lots of Facebook groups for tips on vanlife and worldschooling if you want a bit of reassurance from people who've done it.
Enjoy the adventure!

TheSausageKingofChicago · 29/10/2022 22:35

When you say she will meet lots of different people, how? Are you talking New Age traveller type lifestyle? Or just various people on campsites?
i can see the appeal but I wonder if the reality would match the dream. I suppose it’s what you make it though.

Huntswomanonthemove · 29/10/2022 22:44

Campsites have become much more expensive during the last couple of years, which is something to look into. Diesel is also very expensive and motorhomes are very thirsty. There are fewer and fewer places to wild camp both in the Uk and abroad. Basically the locals don’t care for a collection of motorhomers camping for free on their door step. There’s also toilet emptying and fresh water to consider. France has plenty of free parking, known as Aires but France has become very expensive recently. You can’t stay abroad for longer than 90 days in 180. It’s strikes me as the wrong time, given the all the facts.

IfCanCanICan · 29/10/2022 22:50

Not a mad idea at all! You'll find loads of YouTube channels of families on the road to inspire you. Books too. The experience would be amazing. And if you're a teacher, you'll be able to get a job on your return.

It's something I'd love to do with DS, but, sadly, I hate driving. 😂 I'm hoping we can take some time out in the next few years for a bit of an adventure though.

Plan well. Be brave. Live a life less ordinary. 💕

lurchermummy · 30/10/2022 08:49

Do it!! We took our kids out of school for 6 months when they were 4 and 7 to travel and it was a great experience for us as a family. Do think about the time of year though as it was more fun when the weather was good! And not always easy to keep children occupied. I also echo what PP said about money to live on - don't forget costs like campsite fees, mobile phones, food, petrol, coffees out, entertainment etc.

Crackof · 30/10/2022 08:55

Sounds potentially awesome and very enriching!

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