Lynn

My husband wants us to rent an RV and take a 3 to 4 month cross country trip with our two kids, ages 15 and 10. He is self-employed and can take the time to do it, but because of previous commitment cannot leave until August 1, 2002. Were thinking spend half the nights in the RV and other nights in motels. We are not rich but have enough money saved to do this. The kids are receptive. Perhaps homeschool for a few months? They are both excellent students but the missing school part is what is really worrying me. This window of opportunity from August-November is really our only option. Anybody done this? Should we go for it?

xxx

This sounds like a greek tragedy in the making! Go for it, it should make for some interesting stories when the roadtrip is over...

curious

I recall reading an excerpt from a book written by a family who did this for 6 months. Their children were even younger and by their account, it was a tremendous success. I guess there would be no harm in trying, what's the worse that could happen? (oh well, let's not think about that!) You could always cut it short. I wish I could think of the name of that book since it would give you great insight. Maybe someone else here has read it?

Barbara

Your kids will probably learn more with you in the 3 to 4 months than they would in school if you plan to visit places that stimulate learning. I would go for it, as long as the kids are part of the planning and agreeable.

KC

Lynn-
I think this sounds like it could be a wonderful learning experience for you and your children. Before you plan your itinerary, check with your childrens' school and find out what the curriculum would include for that school year (for example, they may be learning about the Civil War). Plan trips to areas of the country that would coincide with the curriculum. That way, their learning experiences would be first-hand and probably more meaningful.
I went to Europe for the first time over the summer, and seeing places like Rome made me wish that I had been able to go there when learning about it in school (I definitely would have retained more information!).
Good Luck!

S

The biggest hurdle is the receptiveness of the kids. If they don't recoil in horror at being cooped up in an RV with you and your husband for 3 to 4 months, half the battle is won.

The next thing is the RV. Have you ever been camping in an RV? We have one. I would DEFINITELY suggest renting several different types between now and then to see what features you like the best. Consider even buying one for that period of time. Sell it when you get back. We've got one. You don't realize what options you like the best until you get in there and try it.

What are the things to consider? An awning makes a huge difference in your ability to sit out in the shade during the day. With children that age, you'll find yourself spending more time outdoors than would a retired couple. If you're considering doing this in a camper, I'm assuming that you're interested in the ability to take your own bathroom with you. What size are the holding tanks? Fresh, gray, and black! How big is the bathroom? Does the kitchen have an oven - many just have a cook top. How much storage room? Is it a basement model?

As a rule I'm again against homeschooling, but this is an awesome opportunity. This may differ from state to state, but I think you have to have a cover agency/church to homeschool through. If you've only got 7 months to plan this, you need to start checking out all your requirements. Have fun!

Susan

Whenever I've asked friends about their most memorable vacation as a child they always answer with some sort of long road trip, either crossing the country or a tour if national parks, etc. Your kids will learn so much and remember this time in their lives forever. I definitely think it is worthwhile taking them out of school for such an educational journey. Your children's school might be able to prepare a work study program for them so they are able to jump back into the classroom when you return without missing too much curriculum. They would probably need to prepare a report of their journey as well.

When I was young we rented a camper and drove through all the western states. We treated ourselves to a motel room every third night so we could spread out, have showers and baths in a real bathroom and sleep in real beds. It was the best trip!

Carrie

As a second grade teacher, I am traditionally against homeschooling as well. Kids learn a lot more in the classroom besides facts (like socialization, how to get along with other, how to work together, how to behave in a structured environment etc. etc.) but that is another thread. If you are set on doing this check things out as many states have stringent requirements for homeschooling and you have to submit a proposed curriculum to a state agancy and have it approved. Other states while not his strict, have specific minimums that must be taught and you have to submit proof that you are in fact "in school" for a certain number of hours a day or hours a week. Do some internet research for requirements in your state and check at your children's school. At age 15, your child has probably already started college prep, make sure this trip will not hold him or her back. Since you are only going to be gone one semester it may not be too bad. On another note and as a mom of two kids (9 & 5) can you stand the close quarters with the kiddies that long? LOL!

Don

Highly recommend you rent "National Lampoon's Vacation" as a primer to cross-country auto travel with kids. This excellent resource is a national treasure.

See if you can arrange with the school to get textbooks to take with you and set aside 1-2 hours daily for study time. The school does not have to accomodate this ahead of time, but if you approach it kindly and are flexible, you might be able to get necessary books and syllabi.

Lynn

Thanks for all the replies. Especially appreciate the info on the different kinds of RVs out there. We are giving this matter a lot of thought, and if we do proceed, a visit with local school administrators will be our first move.
Thanks again to all who have shared their thoughts. Lynn

travellyn

I also think the children would learn a lot on a trip like you're considering. However, I do wonder about the 3-4 month duration. 4-6 weeks might be better for everyone.

S

Lynn, if your husband has his own business, have him or his accountant check into the associated tax stuff. We use ours enough that we can claim the interest deduction as a second home. You may be able to purchase it through the business.

There are many advantages to the various types of RVs. Are you considering an A class? C class? How large? We have a Ford E350 V10 15 passenger van to pull our 26' Sport Utility Trailer. We've had an A class (big bus type) and a C class (cab over design). There are pros and cons to all. Yes, I have driven all of them. It's different from your standard family sedan. Not hard, but very different. Check out renting or borrowing the various types and go once a weekend for the next several months - even if it's only to the nearest state park. You'll get a better idea of what kind of RV you'll need, what kind of meals work best for you in that set up, and how well you'll like it.

Make sure you take bicycles with you.

xxxx

This sounds like an extremely expensive trip and not terribly appealling, at least to me... Road trips can sound exciting, but don't forget you spend a lot of time just driving from point A to point B. Think a long time about that, 4 months of driving. After awhile how different is Interstate 90 in Massachusettes vs. Indiana?

Faina

Lynn, 10-year-old can already make this decision - where he wants to go or not. If (and only!) both children want to go on this trip - put all doubts aside, they will have most wonderful memories. If you can, do some homeschooling, if not, some tutoring upon return will help them to catch up. My children ages 7 and 13 missed 5 months of school and caught up very quick. From mother to mother - go for it if they agree.

Just Wondering

Faina, did you know it is against the law in most states, maybe not yours, to keep your child out of school for 6 months if they are not ill. It's called truancy. Education is mandatory and if not homeschooling you sre breaking the law. Mnay states do not enforce this, but in my state they do. Teh Department of Children and Family services will file a proceeding against you and in extreme cases. If you do not abide by the guidelines set forth at the proceeding, you can can be declared an unfit parent.

Lynn I think the trip will be wonderful but you MUST take care of your child's educational need through some type of homeschooling while you are gone.

nina

Not true Just wondering. You can work all of this out with your local school. Set up meetings with the teachers and principals. People do it all the time.

Just Wondering

I assure you Nina what I stated may be extreme but it IS true in some states. If you look above there was a teacher that posted something about some states even requiring homeschooling parents to submit a generela outline of the subjects and areas they intend to teach at home. Yes, some states are strict! You can work it with the teacher before you leave, but you can't take off and have your kid out of school for 5 months with no homeschooling. What you would work out ahead of time would be how you were going to "homeschool" while you were away.

I still think the trip is a good idea and very educational in and of itself but you can ignore the necessities like learning algebra and chemistry as well while gone.

Kathy

Let me preface by saying that I have no idea what your 15 year old is like but by the time he travels next year he'll be 16 and most 16 year olds I know would rather die than spend 3-4 months with no one but their immediate family, away from friends, school, sports and other activities and their social life. 16 year olds are not the best sight seers, most tend to get bored after awhile (again I don't know your kid). To me 3-4 months is way too long, maybe not for you but for your teenager. We just spent 15 days out west this past summer and my just turned 16 year old son enjoyed himself but was ready to come home by about day 10. Do your kids fight at all? After 3-4 months with no one but each other I'll bet they will. I don't mean to put a damper on your planning, I'm just trying to think realistically.

patty

I think the book curious was thinking about above is "One Year Off" by David Elliot Cohen. He and his wife took their 3 kids (ages 8, 7 and 2) on a round-the-world trip for a whole year.

They set up homeschooling with their local school (Marin County, California) before their trip but in a later chapter admitted that they didn't get much schooling done in 8 months of travel. At that point they had decided to settle in Australia for about 3 months so they enrolled their kids in school there.

Because their children are so young they also brought along a nanny (until Australia) and several friends and family joined them at different points on the trip.

It's a fabulous travel book, told in a series of e-mails sent on the road.

Shirley

Lynn,
I spent 4 weeks in a motorhome with my husband and 4 kids (ages 9,13,16 & 18) this summer. We covered over 6000 miles and had an amazing time. Yes, just like at home, there were days when we truly wanted to kill each other. But we only had 2 really bad days and they fell 2 weeks apart, so it wasn't fatal for anyone. We've always said that if we won the lottery and didn't need to work anymore we'd pack up the family into a motorhome for a year of homeschool on the road.
As for education, it can be easily worked out. My husband is a public school principal and I homeschooled my children in the past, so I know that the two "schools" of thought can peacefully coexist. The easiest way to meet your requirements is to contact the school in advance and work out an individual study arrangement. If the public school isn't receptive, check out the homeschool laws in your state (each state is different). You can probably solve your problem by enrolling them in a correspondence school or a charter school.
We've enjoyed finding an informal "theme" for our family roadtrips. Once it was to see how many different trains we could ride, once to see how many National Parks we could visit. Last summer was a "movie site" trip. We also have a long standing theme of trying to visit every state capitol building, so we add those to every road trip.
Go for it!