Full-timing it with teenagers?? Are we crazy?

[wanderlustfam]

We are considering packing up and going full time as a family of 5 and our dog. We have always homeschooled so that is not an issue, my work schedule is on 2 weeks off 2 weeks. So we would have to stay at a RV park near work half of the time and travel the other 2 weeks. Not very many people are approving of this idea, mostly due to them thinking we are traumatizing our kids. We would be moving from a 3000 sf house into either a 5th wheel or possibly class A- thor and newmar both have toy haulers we are considering. Have we lossed our adult minds and just living in a dream? Our kids think it would be awesome and are all adventurous and love the outdoors. But reality is we are all used to luxury and space. I'm concerned what happens if we regret it, we can't get our home back. Any advice for someone who desperately has wanderlust and we are all ready to pack up, put the sign in the yard, and go. BUT the what if's have us hesitant.

Also would love some full-timers with kids advice, is it a struggle? class A or 5th wheel? What are some must haves in a RV when living full time?

[Walaby]

There's a lot of new info there that changes the dynamics. You say you're going to be building a new house, and that this is a year break. That's a lot different. When you said you had doubts about giving up our current house, those doubts are offset greatly by the plan to have a new one built within the year. Lots of info that you didn't share the first time which probably would have changed alot of the responses.

Regardless of your choices, good luck and enjoy.

Mike

[wanderlustfam]

KKWilliams wrote:
Wanderlust, as a homeschooling dad myself I can tell that some of the comments about socialization of the kids and need for it hit close to home for you. No one here was being critical of your family or your choices. You asked a question of whether you are crazy for thinking of full timing with teenagers and people answered that question. They were giving you the input that you asked for in your post. There is a lot of good information here about the different aspects of life on the road. My suggestion would be to start over. Introduce yourself. Then ask for some help working through your questions.

You are afraid of not have a stick and brick house to have as a backup. I bet a lot of people who are full timers have had that same fear. How did they handle it? Sounds like a lot of people saying try it for a few weeks or a month before you put it on the market. Most people don't just jump into it. My family is thinking about it right now. We have spent over a month on the road at a time. We really enjoy it. Our family works more smoothly without having to worry about the chores and such when we are on the road. This next summer we are thinking of giving it a three month trial to see if we really really like traveling with all of the kids. We are planning now for next summer.

If you are still reading this thread what other concerns do you have? That people who have been doing this for a while can help you with? Have you picked a TT, 5ver or MH? What are you using for a TV or Toad?

No one knows your family like you do. If you have thought this through then go for it. If you are in the beginning stages of this, my advice is to plan it through. Look at maps and find places that you could get to and return back to work every two weeks. Plan some longer trips where maybe you fly back for two weeks and the rest of the family stays put or moves further along to stretch out your geographical area.

Stay excited about it, and have fun with the process. Good luck!

You are right, I probably took the unsocial comments the wrong way bc we hear it every single day. My kids are involved in activities that they can miss and pick back up so that's not an issue. We are apart of tons of homeschool sites and random people ask questions all the time. The parents there welcome new people and I addressed this site the same way. I didn't feel the need to go into details, but my wife and I both grew up camping all summers and actually met that way. We own a small camper now and do travel the two weeks I am off. We have talked of getting a bigger rv for 3 years and using that time to really enjoy our kids. As a homeschool dad we hear all the time you must be ready for them to go back to school we hate our kids home. I guess we are just those weird people that like being around our teenagers. We have made the decision to do it, just wasnt sure if we should rent our home out to see how it went. But we are actually ready to move on from this house either way. We were already talking about building this would just be a year break. I expected people who had full timed with kids to give the good and the bad. Not the responses I got. However the area we are in, it isn't uncommon. We have a lot of traveling jobs in our area and have rv parks that cater to only people who work in certain jobs here. Maybe it's bc we are in the south, where so many people have this option. Thanks for all the advice.

[2gypsies1]

Toedtoes makes a good point. Keeping the house and taking a 2-week trip every two weeks would add anticipation. The family would be excited to travel for two weeks and yet still be excited to return to a house for the next two weeks.

[toedtoes]

I really don't think this is about whether a full-time lifestyle is right for the family. I think this is about the family's situation not being right for a full-time lifestyle.

Per the OP, this is not about financial needs - they aren't trying to find a cheaper way to live. This is about giving the kids and parents a chance to get out and see the world. However, due to the OP's work schedule, the only "world" they will see is how far they can drive in less than a week's time. At the end of the first week, they HAVE to head home back to the job.

So, why give up the house (you'll still be living in that town for 26 weeks of the year)? Why not just get an RV and use it during those 2-week stretches when you're not working?

Most people who full-time will tell you about the freedom they have - to go when and where they want, when they want to go. THAT IS what you gain by full-timing.

However, the OP will not have that freedom. He will be sacrificing a home, yard, a sense of belonging, but he doesn't gain the freedom. The family WILL be returning to the hometown every 2 weeks all year every year.

If I had 2-weeks on and 2-weeks off, I'd be in my RV on my weeks off seeing the sights, and I'd be in my home on my 2-weeks on enjoying the space and all those things I can't fit in the RV when I'm off seeing the sights. Why give up all those other things for no reason?

[KKWilliams]

Wanderlust, as a homeschooling dad myself I can tell that some of the comments about socialization of the kids and need for it hit close to home for you. No one here was being critical of your family or your choices. You asked a question of whether you are crazy for thinking of full timing with teenagers and people answered that question. They were giving you the input that you asked for in your post. There is a lot of good information here about the different aspects of life on the road. My suggestion would be to start over. Introduce yourself. Then ask for some help working through your questions.

You are afraid of not have a stick and brick house to have as a backup. I bet a lot of people who are full timers have had that same fear. How did they handle it? Sounds like a lot of people saying try it for a few weeks or a month before you put it on the market. Most people don't just jump into it. My family is thinking about it right now. We have spent over a month on the road at a time. We really enjoy it. Our family works more smoothly without having to worry about the chores and such when we are on the road. This next summer we are thinking of giving it a three month trial to see if we really really like traveling with all of the kids. We are planning now for next summer.

If you are still reading this thread what other concerns do you have? That people who have been doing this for a while can help you with? Have you picked a TT, 5ver or MH? What are you using for a TV or Toad?

No one knows your family like you do. If you have thought this through then go for it. If you are in the beginning stages of this, my advice is to plan it through. Look at maps and find places that you could get to and return back to work every two weeks. Plan some longer trips where maybe you fly back for two weeks and the rest of the family stays put or moves further along to stretch out your geographical area.

Stay excited about it, and have fun with the process. Good luck!

[fotofx]

I think another important factor is the sex of the children. The earlier referenced blog had all boys. I think it is easier to have all of the kids the same sex packed together then to have the privacy issues of half and half. I would guess this becomes even more of an issue as the kids reach their teen years.

[ro_sie]

Children need friends. I know the next line will be " they have each other for friends" Kids Need friends outside their family. they need to see other examples of life not their own. they need some one to go roller skating with, and bowling. Just someone to hang out with, ride a bike with. they need the freedom of calling a friend and just gabbing. Deep friendships that are longer than just a day or two. I still have friends from my toddler days. I have friends from high school. You will be robbing your children of their memories. As stated earlier, take them out for the two week campouts, but don't take them away from their friends.

[Walaby]

You have to consider how you started this thread. Presumably your first post (you joined yesterday), and it's pretty clear you have little to no experience with RV's. You say everyone is onboard, and the kids think it will be awesome. Well, of course they do. I would too.

I grew up as a military brat, and served for 22 years. So, I've done the moving thing for 43 of my 56 years. Have raised three kids in that environment and they turned out fine. But, even said, I personally believe there is a huge difference between moving every couple of years, and living in an RV full time. I personally wouldn't do it to my kids, even if they thought it would be cool. I had to live in a trailer (mobile home), for a year, and I did not like raising my kids in that park. Living in an RV park would, for all intents and purposes, is the same, or even 'worse' from a kids making friends perspective.
But, Im not here to tell you how to raise your kids.

You say you are ready to stick a sign in the yard and hit the road, but you're worried you might be making a mistake. OK.. here's your sign.. you're NOT ready to stick a sign in the yard. You ARE ready to rent an RV, give it a shot, and see if it's for you.

You asked for advice, but then you say you don't want the advice, that you've made up your mind, and you just want to hear from folks who have done it. Well, that's not what your original post asked for.

The best advice you've gotten so far is to take it in stages and see how it goes. I do agree with the comments about how far will you 'go' in a two week period. Not very far in reality, because you have to come back. No fun spending more time in the car than in the camping spot.

Mike

[tomman58]

yes

[DutchmenSport]

An affirmation here (again). You added you are a military family and your family has moved multiple times. THAT DOES make a difference in the mind-set of the kids, opposed to kids born, raised, and die in the same house all their lives.

I was in the military for a little stretch and many families in the military did just fine. Kids adapted, move, get new friends, leave old ones behind, part company with folks they'll never see or hear from again, and make new friends, new schools, new COUNTRIES!!!! too! In the end, (really) ... your family will do much better full timing than mine ever would have, and both my kids were born at DeWitt Army Hospital on Fort Belvoir, VA. (Yea.. we moved a lot too) in their first 21 years of their lives!)

Funny, my daughter ended up in the Navy, met her husband in the Navy, and had kids born in the Navy too. Although now living in Kansas City, MO with 4 kids of her own now! (She anchored down eventually). My son took a different path, went to college and became a computer programmer. Anchored his roots down right away.

So you know ... YOU and your family really do have a great advantage over non-military families. Follow your heart's dream. Sounds like YOU are the kind of people that CAN adapt to changes and small spaces easily.

Good luck!

[MNGeeks61]

wanderlustfam wrote:
We are considering packing up and going full time as a family of 5 and our dog. We have always homeschooled so that is not an issue, my work schedule is on 2 weeks off 2 weeks. So we would have to stay at a RV park near work half of the time and travel the other 2 weeks. Not very many people are approving of this idea, mostly due to them thinking we are traumatizing our kids. We would be moving from a 3000 sf house into either a 5th wheel or possibly class A- thor and newmar both have toy haulers we are considering. Have we lossed our adult minds and just living in a dream? Our kids think it would be awesome and are all adventurous and love the outdoors. But reality is we are all used to luxury and space. I'm concerned what happens if we regret it, we can't get our home back. Any advice for someone who desperately has wanderlust and we are all ready to pack up, put the sign in the yard, and go. BUT the what if's have us hesitant.

Also would love some full-timers with kids advice, is it a struggle? class A or 5th wheel? What are some must haves in a RV when living full time?

Ok, from the reply earlier you've pretty much made up your mind. I did not full time with kids, so I can't answer your specific questions regarding that. My father spent 22 years in the Army and most of that was when I was young.

Moving around did have an impact on me, I didn't make many long-term friends and I am only semi-social as a result. I still do not make many friends and don't like too many people. But that's part of any military life and that's my personal experience.

When our family made the final move from Alaska back to Minnesota, Dad didn't have a readily available house here. We stayed in a 24 foot Minnie Winnie for part of the summer and into fall while our entire family rebuilt an old house. I will say, 4 people in a non-slide RV for 6 months is pretty tight. 5 people in a big 5th wheel or Class A with slides is marginally better.

I think people don't always understand - the military family already has a sense of solidarity and loyalty. What you're describing is not easy but I'm willing to bet it can be done. The only negative is the teenage years are some of the most difficult. If you can make each child a personal space, it might be easier.

If all your children are teenagers keep in mind they may say they like the idea. Sure teenagers can be adventurous. Only you can make the decision on whether or not this will be good for them - or detrimental.

And keep in mind the old saying about advice...

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."

[OutdoorPhotogra]

I've made two 30 day cross countries with teens as part of military moves. They were fantastic. And 30 days was enough. We would love to do it twice a year but it would get tight in a hurry full-time. And HS changes everything with military moves and kids. What wasn't important can become important. I completely relate to how close you are as a family due to your experience but I would just buy an RV and travel in your off two weeks. It doesn't have to be as big or expensive either if you are only in it two weeks at a time.

[dblr]

I would do a search for info on full timing with family or children, I do believe there are sites devoted to do this with better info and also from folks that do this. I do have a friend that tried it for a year that liked it and now are full timing and know that is how he obtained info, also think they also have rallies to help folks pursue this life style, good luck on your decision.

[toedtoes]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Besides.......where do you lane on going in 2 weeks where you can return for 2 weeks of work
Need a RV site for that 2 weeks of work and then travel to/from wherever you go in the other 2 weeks which is VERY limiting unless you really enjoy marathon driving sessions

This is my issue with the idea. You're limited for travel for 2 week stretches only and you will always have to start and end at the same point.

So why full-time? If your job was mobile and you could do it on the road, then full-time makes sense. But living in the same town in RV Parks for X number of years for every other 2 weeks is going to miss the mark on the full-timing adventure.

But since the OP isn't looking for answers to the questions asked (which included "have we lossed (sic) our minds") then I guess he doesn't really want feedback.

[Old-Biscuit]

Rent a Class A MH and take a 2 week trip.....see how quickly that 240 sq ft gets close/tight/small/confining and total lack of privacy.

I have no issues with the idea....kids are more flexible/resilient then given credit for.
My DAD worked the oilfield and we moved frequently...wasn't homeschool but went to 3 elementary, 2 jr high and 2 high schools.
It was a drudge it was an 'adventure' (MOM made sure of that)

I just think RV living 2 adults, 3 kids and a dog will get on each others nerves quickly.
Besides.......where do you lane on going in 2 weeks where you can return for 2 weeks of work
Need a RV site for that 2 weeks of work and then travel to/from wherever you go in the other 2 weeks which is VERY limiting unless you really enjoy marathon driving sessions

RENT an RV ....take several of those 2 week trips.
Trial run BEFORE committing

Best of luck.