Going travelling while kids are at uni?

[Wannabetraveller]

Has anyone gone away for an extended period whilst their kids are away at uni? DH and I are really keen to take a career break from work and travel for 3-4 months. Whilst the original plan was to wait for retirement at 60 we are now worried we may not be up to an active holiday at that age and are considering going in 3 years. DD will be in her third year and DS will either be working or in his first year at uni. We were thinking April - June. Has anyone done this?

I don’t see why not - as long as you can keep in touch (we are in the same position and do lots of short breaks - with the kids on what’s app/calls as and when needed) go and enjoy yourselves! IF you were needed back for some reason, you’d book a flight! Enjoy!!

Why not? Your child is a grown up and not living at home.

Would check on when they need to vacate accomodation, if they will need help. But yep, we went away for longer periods when they were both at uni.

The terms can be quite short, for example at Bristol they go back in April for 2 weeks of lectures then exams, finish mid May and need collecting at end of May. With the 3rd year you also need to be back for the graduation. Some halls at Warwick need clearing out of room for Easter and they don’t go back until late April. Other unis seem to not get going in Jan as it’s exams only.

Have you health issues? 60 isn’t that old. I’ve just come back from trekking in the mountains and jungle of Vietnam. It was fine. I’m 62.

Not really health issues but my knees struggled a lot on a recent 2 week trip with lots of walking. I’ve also had some friends and colleagues in their 50s get ill recently so it has just made us think.

Thanks that’s worth considering. There are a lot of unknowns as DS hasn’t even started his a levels yet but we really want something to look forward to.

Vietnam sound amazing!

Yes, I did it in my DD’s final term of a four year degree. She was settled living with long term boyfriend and by then support was mainly proof reading and financial! We had always been in daily contact by text and continued to be.

The only issue was financial, having to come back for her graduation ceremony.

Yes, why not, a lot of people never went back for holidays when they're at uni, and if they need to, just make sure they take the house keys and know about anything necessary for the house while it's shut up.

I sincerely hope I’m still up for an active holiday when I’m 60…..in 3 months

It would never cross my mind that this would be a problem - after all, lots of students attend uni overseas, so this is hardly any different. As long as you’re contactable in an emergency I would head off with a clear conscience.

Thanks that’s reassuring!

Exams are usually May/June and then there’s moving out of accommodation. It’s a great idea to go but may be go earlier and be back for May.

As someone who works with a lot of older clients (finance) I say do it now. You DC will be fine. Many clients have told me they wish they'd gone travelling while physically able as their bodies can no longer manage it. Not all, but enough to make me realise you do it while you know you can.

DH, at 50, was complaining about his knee while climbing the many steps up Mt Inari (Japan) last year, and I realised we needed to do it now, because by the time he's 60 I doubt the trips we dreamed of will happen. We love adventurous holidays though.

@MermaidMummy06agreed it’s not a given. DH has a (manageable) health condition as well - even though he is generally fitter with stronger knees! You just never know. My parents both had ill health when they retired so it just depends on your circumstances.

I think that's risky for your DS tbh.

Yes he's an adult but that's going to make the transition to uni much harder for him as he has no support network and no home to return to for an extended period.

In June, if at university DS will likely need to move rooms and bring stuff home by car. So if you can’t help with that would offer to pay for help if he wants it, eg storage unit.

March to May would be better IMO.

I don’t see why not but just think of timings. Late June can be graduation. My dd needed moving out in May this year (last exam was May 6th)

If you have the money and flexibility with your jobs, then do it. But, like other PP, I'm bemused that you're thinking you may be unable to travel past 60. My DH and I are 75 & 76 and we're going to Australia for 3 months at the end of the year, went to the US for an extended period last year and regularly go on short European city breaks. Hopefully we'll be able to continue doing this for a few more years at least. Most of our friends are the same, and apart from travel insurance costing more, and perhaps wanting more comfortable accommodation, it's very doable.

June is far too late in the year. Between Christmas and Easter would be better and make sure dc don’t want to come home. If dc in year 1, make sure he’s completely settled before you book anything at all. Any issues, and dc won’t want to disturb you! This could store up problems. We are doing active holidays at 70 plus. Slightly surprised at retiring at 60 (lucky you!) and not being ok for holidays! Why not do 2 x 6 weeks?

I've had dodgy knees since my 40's, but I would still not think I was too decrepid to travel at the age of 60, when many people are still working!
Also, due to my dodgy knees (and hip) in my 40's, I have really upped my exercise from hating all exercise to doing some form of exercise 5 times a week. I would say if you have a couple of years and are worrying about retiring with ill health at 60, push yourself to do regular exercise. Its done wonders for my knees, as well as my general fitness and endurance.
Aside from that, why not? But do it a bit earlier than June. Also, could they come out and join you for a couple of weeks at the end if they like?

How did you find getting insurance for America?

I'm very nervous of travelling outside Europe in case I've inadvertently answered a medical question incorrectly and get saddled with a huge hospital bill. At least in Europe I know the GHIC will cover some of it.

Get working on those quads and glutes. I had terrible knees at 59. Regular gym sessions and muscle strengthening excersise have cured my knees.

My parents in law are similar and still travelling in their late 70s however my parents were not so lucky and had ill health in their 60s that kept them at home. I’ve also had friends and colleagues die in their 40s and 50s so you just don’t know how lucky you will be health wise. I also feel like I’m on a depressingly long county down to retirement and I want to enjoy these years and have something to look forward to.