To take DC out of school for a year and travel

[ShillyShallySherbet]

Having a moment of madness I think after watching race across the world but interested to hear whether anyone has done similar to this and the pros and cons.

Both myself and DH’s work contracts are coming to an end in September. DC will be going into year 3 and year 5. We are currently looking for new contacts but if nothing comes up we have enough saved up to get by for a while. Or we could take advantage of the fact there’s nothing tying us down and just throw caution to the wind, take the girls out of school for a year and travel. AIBU?

But this isn’t a holiday is it, it’s a different way of living for 12 months. They are too very different things IMO.

My DD would’ve hated this at that age. She loved school and socializing so would’ve been bored unless there were things planned sun up til sun down. Six weeks would be pushing it but she would’ve managed it. And I’m really introverted and I’m not sure I would’ve loved spending 24/7 with the family around me for a whole year, I would’ve gone mental 😂

Life is to short to play it safe all the time, if you can afford it just do it. Have an amazing adventure and show your children other cultures, views and ways of life. It's ok to take risks even when you have children.

I would head to see Asia and see how it goes in your position ... why not, life is too short to play it safe all the time but that said get the right comprehensive travel insurance and get your vaccinations topped up /hep a&b / typhoid from your gp asap as they take a while for the full course. Just had mine, sore arm

Thanks everyone this is what I need, bring me back down to Earth. I’ve been bouncing around the place explaining it all to my bewildered DH who has also suggested we do a six week summer holiday travel around UK and Europe next year (can’t do it this year as we’re working and have two week summer holiday booked) and see how that goes, if well then we’ll go further afield maybe when they’re a bit older and will get more out of it.

DC hate school, it’s a struggle getting them in. They’re always begging me to home school them but we persevere. I’m bored living where we are seeing the same people all the time it’s like Groundhog Day. I think part of me wants to escape that and saw an opportunity with our work contracts coming to an end. Thought year 3 & 5 not too important, their school has plenty of space so they could just slot back into year 4 & 6 and then apply for secondary then. I’m worried that this is a sweet spot for taking them out of school when it won’t matter too much.

Sounds like this is really for you, and anything from your DC's perspective is about mitigating the fallout. Do it when you retire.

You’re absolutely right and trust me we are putting a lot of energy into this.

We’ve done similar ish, we took the kids travelling for 6 months around Asia, then did a stretch in Southern Africa where DH worked & we travelled again. All in all we were away 2+ years. DC1 missed Y4,5 and first two terms of Y6 - returned to school just in time for SATs (her choice!)

with a caveat that my kids are academically able, missing school has made no difference to them, DC1 got the best marks in her (small) school in her SATs FWIW.

As someone who backpacked long term and saw the most incredible places I say absolutely go for it! Seems perfect ages for the kids too. Try to do a bit of homeschooling along the way so they don’t fall behind, but they’ll also learn so much from all the travel.

I do think you’re in a sweet spot age wise btw. If it were me I would make sure they read lots (kindles are good) and would follow the national curriculum for maths. The rest would happen organically.

I would totally do it. And I do think it will change your lives. Not quite the same thing, but we moved from England to Scotland and home educated our kids for two years while establishing our small country business. It was brilliant, and showed the kids how to deal with plans going awry. If I were to do it now, I’d probably do Asia, and experience as many different cultures as possible. Good luck.

Yes and they probably live with unimaginative parents too. 😂

My DS isn't sporty, loves teaching himself new languages (Russian & Japanese) and would love to travel and experience new cultures.

I think you should try it during the summer hols and then go from there.

I’d say go for it! They’ll come back richer in thought, perspective, experience and maturity.

What an adventure; you only get one life.

Our neighbours did this. Sold their house and are travelling the world with their 3 primary age children.

she is a qualified teacher and is home schooling them. He works remotely from wherever they go. They seem to be spending a month or so in each city.

im watching it all on facebook and it looks amazing.

I would say it actually does sounds like a good time to do it. They will remember it and get enough out of it and enjoy living in close proximity to you. Teenagers less so and harder with exams.

I would expect you have a lot of things tying you down. Jobs are only one aspect of family life. Your kids presumably have friends and are settled at school.

Will you be homeschooling them?
What happens when you return and the school no longer have spaces?
What social life will they have whilst travelling?

I think it's one of those situations that sounds great when discussing it over a beer at dinner but in reality, isn't condusive to family life and for children already in school.

Social media isn't a great gauge on reality. Everything looks great when looking at people's photos, I'm sure the reality is very mixed for all involved.

Sounds an amazing experience for all of you

Why don't you find some World Schooling groups (home educating families who travel the world while doing so) and see if it is for you?

It can be an incredibly enriching experience for children and parents to see the world that way as long as you are organised with the educational aspect.

It's possibly the last opportunity you will get without missing a massive amount of content.
If you can keep up the English and maths, and learn about the counties and cultures and food as you go, it sounds amazing.
If it doesn't work out, you can always come home earlier than planned.
You say the school is under subscribed, but there is no guarantee there will be places on your return. You also say the kids hate school, so it might be an opportunity to return to a different school? However, what happens if on returning they refuse point blank to attend, having just had a year off?

It's amazing how much kids can learn by being somewhere different.

I would definitely do this! I know a few people who did this - 2 (separate) people whose parents did this when they and their siblings were children (so many years ago as they are adults) and a few who did this with their children over the last 10 years (most recent was last year). All had very positive experiences- both the parents and the children.

Yes you will have to do some teaching, but at that age it doesn’t necessarily mean doing full days Mon-Fri. The core work to ensure they aren’t behind can be done in much shorter hours. Also, at that age, the work itself is pretty easy so that’s handy as it’s relatively straightforward for you to teach (as long as you are reasonably educated and bright) and relatively straightforward for them to learn (again assuming they are reasonably bright and focused.)

There is so much to gain from living abroad and travel. They are at a good age to pick up a language, and will experience and learn so much. This might be your and your children’s only chance to do it. I think you should go for it. And I am very jealous!

Year 6 a much better choice than year 5 as it's a largely wasted year due to SATs