Time out as family before kids start school - a great opportunity or potentially problematic for kids?

[purplefuzz]

My DH and I are thinking of taking some time out before our DC's start school. I am already not working (on career break until 2015) and DH is thinking of having a career break too for 1 year / 18 months from early next year. By this time, we'll have a 1 year old (currently very newborn) and a just over 2 year old. Financially we are in a position to afford this if we are sensible and then buy a house when we get back.
We were thinking of spending time in Europe either in a caravan / renting somewhere as we feel / weather permits - moving around occasionally to take in what we fancy. We have travelled quite a lot before.
We feel it would be a privilege to be able to spend a block of time together as a family before they start school when we'll be anchored to one place, set times etc and quite fancy the hippy side of it : ).
Just if anyone done anything like this? Also wondering if people felt the children may miss out at all if we follow our folly? Or will the fact we'll all be together being able to take things more easy more than make up for it? What would you do? E.G., DC1 currently goes to nursery 1 day a week and won't get that interaction if we do it which may affect him for school (he'll be ready to start when we get back). He will have his baby sister though to keep him company and we may meet people with kids as we go around especially if we are on campsites in holiday times. Also, number of toys etc will be limited, but day to day objects / experiences / exploring are as good / better than any toy IMO.

What do you think?

I would do that tomorrow if we had the opportunity.

It doesn't need to be for the full 1yr/18months. If you decide it's not working after 3/6 months you can just come home.

But what a fantastic opportunity for you all. I say do it.

It's great do it I am home ed my ds now 4 so we can continue to have such experiences we have travelled a lot since he was born inc. 6 months around Europe and 3 in Australia. It's wonderful and ds has seen so much and if you are worried developmentally my ds when checked over last week was very well ahead in everything. I spend most time here now but still take off travelling 3 times a year for a few weeks. So yep I would say great idea and go for it

And Mama1980's like is the one I want!

Life even.

mama1980 - what do you mean by homeschooling for a 4 year old? I'm presuming there is nothing mandatory I would need to do with DC1 who will be 3 years + by the time we come back? Also, any tips re type of accommodation etc which works best or does anything go if the adventure is introduced in the right way to kids? (I'm thinking will a baby and toddler work in a caravan?)!!

It sounds like an amazing opportunity to me - go for it!

purple can't help on accommodation but legally a child doesn't have to be in compulsory full time education until the term after their 5th birthday so there's nothing mandatory you'd have to do, but I'll bet he/she (sorry can't remember ) will learn LOADS from a trip like this.

Go for it - what an adventure!

galliant lady - that's what I thought re 5th birthday. Glad that's the case. Thanks for all the positivity. I keep thinking we'd be mad not to. It's a sort of now or never type thing..