Eldest children are out of the nest this Summer to college and we are down to just our 10 year old and two mini dachshunds. We are toying with the idea of road-schooling him next year. (we'd need to sell some property first to do this, but we have an ample savings, so working and $ is not an issue). He seems to be excited at the thought of it, but I worry about no social interactions with friends his own age on a regular basis and whether he understands what life on the road will be like. I feel it would be different with a sibling to keep him company. Anyone else traveled with a single child? Is this cruel to him? He loves to explore and learn, especially loves nature. He's very close to us and is well behaved.

My opinion only, I'm sure others will disagree. I think it's important for a child that age to have social interactions with kids his own age. While travelling will probably be fun for him for a while, he may come to regret not having formed those childhood friendships. I personally would not do it to my 10 year old, but to each his own.

Several years ago a child about that age came over to pet our cat and stayed to talk to me. He dropped by several times a day after that. After a few days he came over with his younger sister. He politely introduced me to her telling her that I was his best friend. It broke my heart. No child's best friend should be a seventy year old woman he just met.

As an only child, my social "interactions" were limited, and it didn't hurt me. (Other opinions may vary).The situation of being "alone" will more than be offset by visiting the wonders of this country in person, instead of reading about it in a textbook. There is just no caparison to being there in person.There will be many openings for him to play with others his age at campgrounds and other places.How does he do now when alone? Can and does he amuse himself?

He prefers to be alone and spends most of his time building legos or playing computer games with friends online. He is never "bored", does not often play with other children outside of school. If he was a "high energy" child I would not even consider this.

With todays social media and things like the Ipad and facetime there is no reason any child could not travel full time with his parents and miss much of anything. Friends come and go. A child that is the least bit outgoing should be able to make friends almost anywhere he travels with his parents. And still enjoy learning all about this wonderful country of ours.

Fulltiming as a family of 3 | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 27, 2013
With todays social media and things like the Ipad and facetime there is no reason any child could not travel full time with his parents and miss much of anything. Friends come and go. A child that is the least bit outgoing should be able to make friends almost anywhere he travels with his parents. And still enjoy learning all about this wonderful country of ours.
jennyg
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
He prefers to be alone and spends most of his time building legos or playing computer games with friends online. He is never "bored", does not often play with other children outside of school. If he was a "high energy" child I would not even consider this.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
As an only child, my social "interactions" were limited, and it didn't hurt me. (Other opinions may vary).

The situation of being "alone" will more than be offset by visiting the wonders of this country in person, instead of reading about it in a textbook. There is just no caparison to being there in person.

There will be many openings for him to play with others his age at campgrounds and other places.

How does he do now when alone? Can and does he amuse himself?
Opie431
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
Several years ago a child about that age came over to pet our cat and stayed to talk to me. He dropped by several times a day after that. After a few days he came over with his younger sister. He politely introduced me to her telling her that I was his best friend. It broke my heart. No child's best friend should be a seventy year old woman he just met.
RetSgt7114
Explorer
Nov 27, 2013
My opinion only, I'm sure others will disagree. I think it's important for a child that age to have social interactions with kids his own age. While travelling will probably be fun for him for a while, he may come to regret not having formed those childhood friendships. I personally would not do it to my 10 year old, but to each his own.

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Fulltiming as a family of 3

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