To ask if you did a long (up to a year) trip travelling after children how did you do it?

[AbeSimpsonsWhiskeySour]

I've always wanted to do a road trip across North America; spending a lot of time in each place so I can really get a feeling for the place. Perhaps six months?
I've been trying to work out how I can do it. I have two children, no partner and a pretty poorly paid full time job. I own a house I can rent out.
I would like to do it when they're around 11 and 12 so in three/ fours time. But then that's when they're starting secondary school? I think they'd enjoy it. We've done lots of travelling in Europe on a budget.
What sort of things can I start planning now? I think my work would allow me a sabbatical so I would have a job to return to.
Just trying to work out how I can do it financially.
How did you support yourself? Did you do some remote work.
Obviously I won't do it if kids aren't on board.

So much negativity from people here, have you actually even travelling with kids, in which case it’s probably more helpful for OP to share actual experiences rather than fire judgy questions.

Further to earlier post... schooling is a very valid concern. The children have the right to decent education. Not to be fitted around mum's lifestyle choices

@Kosenrufugirl not really. It's the same as if I came on here asking about people's experiences of reed diffusers and someone started asking about why I lived in a two bed and not a three bed house.

I think the biggest barriers here are going to be money and your son's education. Although if on return you're home schooling your daughter how will you also work?

@Kosenrufugirl and you assume children gain nothing from travel?

@fiddlemeg and you're not the MN police so chill out.
Going through my previous posts and commenting on them this morning shows you have too much time on your hands.
I wanted a simple break down on how others have done this. How much they saved, how they travelled, how they navigated travelling between climates in terms of clothing etc. That sort of thing.
Not judgements on my parenting or cross examination of my intentions for my DD's schooling. Just chill out.

Bear in mind you need to be living at a UK address to apply for secondaries (so during y6 for your son).

I am not sure what happens if he is away for the first two terms of y7 but suspect his place may be given away, unless you send him to a less popular school with no waiting list.

Why are people focusing on school arrangements rather than sharing their experiences of doing this? - because school is a big reason why people DON’T do this. I doubt you’ll find many people who have done this with secondary age kids. Primary age yes, a few.

Your children could end up being bullied for the rest of the secondary school as the first few months are important for settling in. Then they will hate school even more. Education isn't everything but it's a pretty good insurance if and when your life begins to unravel. It could happen to anyone for any reason being their control. Education and school friends are invaluable in my opinion. Travel for 6 weeks in school holiday. Travelling during school year is selfish and irresponsible in my opinion

I have no experience myself, a 4 night jaunt is enough for me with the little ones.

It might be worth looking at Travel mad mum insta account. She is very seasoned at doing it

If you want experiences I would suggest you look up travel blogs - there are a few about long travels with kids (as I say, mostly younger kids).

You sound like a very unpleasant person. I worry you don't have people who are brave enough to share their concerns face to face. It's right that fellow mumsneters care about children's future life chances

Some bizarre responses on this thread re your children's education. I'm sure they will be absolutely fine and have the trip of a lifetime. Home education is easily doable while you travel, some prefer to do no formal learning at all and others like to use some of the abundant online lessons (some free some paid for). If you wanted to do the latter obviously you'd need to factor in acces to devices and connections to WiFi. There are some Facebook groups about travelling while home educating, I expect you'll get more useful responses on those.

I would also love to do what you are planning and have similar circumstances, but in my case my kids are older and in exam years so I can't do it yet. I will probably end up doing it when they're adults and they can come with me if they choose.

I think I’d register them for a year of online schooling at inter high or similar, that you could do while travelling and factor in the cost of that, missing a year going into secondary wouldn’t be great for them.

@Kosenrufugirl 'won't someone think of the children?!' Yes well, very mumsnet. I'm sure you're all deeply concerned with someone you've never met and their children. And it's definitely not about point scoring. Go find something else to do.

For what it's worth I was nearly expelled due to poor behaviour in year eight, spent all of year seven and eight in detention and trying to impress mates and boys. My friend had attendance of 23% until year nine due to an eating disorder. Guess what we both got good degrees and have always found work. So is year 7 really that important? My kids will be fine.

Have you ever been to America OP. I have never been for more than a month as that was the longest time I could take without it affecting my job and children’s schooling. But have spent the equivalent of about a year there in total.

What are you planning, a campervan kind of experience or a route with accommodation booked. I will say one thing whilst in UK cities some areas are less salubrious some areas of some American cities are genuinely dangerous.

I rented a car and booked accommodation on the way.

I would maybe try and do it in the six week holidays. You would be able to see quite a lot during that time and it might be more feasible. I’m planning on doing something similar once I’ve sorted work out.

Actually, the OP is right. She's come on here with a specific set of questions, and demanding to know about other details - which are her private parenting choices - is unacceptable.

The thread shouldn't get derailed, as it usually does on here

I love travelling, here are my thoughts

It would be easier for you to travel for only the 6 weeks of the school holidays, rather than a whole year, for the time off school. But prices are more expensive during school holidays.

How much are visas to USA/other countries ?
Cost of travel insurance for 3 ?
Cost of vaccinations for 3 ?

Your employer may offer a sabbatical, but they probably cannot guarantee that you will have a job to return to

There are Facebook groups for free home swaps Internationally. But this would stop you renting out your property for an income.

If you rent out your property, you will need to complete a self assessment tax return for the income generated to HMRC. You will need gas & electric safety certificates & landlord insurance. You will need money for repairs etc. What will you do with your possessions ? Who will manage the property while you are away ? If the property is empty for any time, you will still be liable for council tax & other bills. There is a responsibility, if you become a landlord.

The cheapest cost of travel would probably be via bus + accommodation or camper van in USA ?

It would probably be cheaper for you to go somewhere like Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Cambodia, Indonesia where you can get a room for less than £10 per night which includes breakfast for 3 people. Food & public transport can be bought cheaply too. Look on Agoda or Booking.com. You would need to check visa length. I have travelled to Asia a few times, but not longer than 6 weeks. You need to have your return flights booked at point of entry to the country.

You could look at teaching English in another country as a job for a longer duration idea

How much does it cost to live for a month now ?

How much would it cost to live in X,Y,Z country ?

Lots of planning & investigation to do

Most people do not do it, because it costs time & money. Plus you will be paying for 3 people

Goodluck

I’d advise waiting until the children are much older and going alone?
Or as suggested, scaling down your plans quite considerably- travelling during the summer holidays as above.

I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a single parent of pre teens in a poorly paid job who has done this and can tell you how it’s possible.

Sorry, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice all your dreams but it doesn’t sound viable for you at this stage.