Donna F

When our son was 10 we spent 2 months wandering around the East coast during the summer months. It was wonderful. Although we saw more older couples than kids, he learned to converse with other adults. During the long rides, we told stories and he asked questions that he never thought to ask before. It was a fantastic summer. We used the campground showers and never spent time at a motel. This is a wonderful opportunity for your children to learn from you, not just homeschooling, but how to deal with emergencies, strangers, different customs, etc. He was the only student in his high school history class who had ever visited places like Mount Vernon. Ahead of time I had him read some short history books I got from the school library. I think he was probably the only kid who ever visited the Corvette Assembly plant in KY, too. You can find plenty of things that will appeal to a 16 yo. You might look into 4-H programs and activities across the country to see what other kids are doing. It's a great opportunity for the whole family. Go for it. Get some good books to help learn about the areas you will visit.

curious

Patty you're right. That's the book I was thinking of. I don't know why I thought it was 6 months but it was a year. Lynn, maybe you can write a book when you get back and write the whole trip off as a business expense!

Susan

I predict that your 15 year old will be so miserable that you'll all be home within a month. Should have done this trip a few years ago.

S

Lynn, don't let the naysayers stop you. If your children are amenable, go for it. Just do your homework ahead of time so you can reduce the number of things that make you say "I never even thought of that!"

Jeanette

Just want to let you know that we have a professor at my school, who with her husband, took her two grandchildren all over Europe for about 8 weeks last spring. She did home schooling with an e-mail sent back to their school each work. They had to find the internet cafes to do it, but she managed to please all the teachers. The boy was 13 and the girl was 9. They had use of very small European cars for most of the journey, no van or RV. I kept all her e-mails and her biggest woes were car sickness and lack of clothes washers for a decent price in France and Italy. You really have to know your kids. I do think that I would not keep the 15 year old away quite that long, unless you know it wouldn't be a problem academically or emotionally. You need to have a real easy going manner and be ready for adversity or adventure, however it comes. The rewards could be immense, and I give you and your husband tons of credit for having the spirit and energy involved.

Jeanette

Sorry, that's every week, not work.