[Archived]

I could argue both sides of that question. Interested in the responses.

Bottom line……it’s your decision and none of us can make it for you.

[Al]

I had a co-worker do exactly what you’re considering. He said it was a year well spent and his children didn’t fall behind when they reentered public schools the following year. They likely gained direct experiences that will be retained longer than many learning taught at school.

My recommendation would be to start with summer vacation and see how everyone adapts to the close quarters and what impact being away from friends may have on your children.

[Don]

try busconversionmagazine.com go to the bullentin board and post about full time and home school. Several there are doing that. I know several that have done that and their kids have gone on to great universities. Bob

[David]

There was a family that crafted a home built RV and then took it through Europe with their children (3). Google “Shachagra.” They have a few videos on Youtube.

I do not think that it set the kids back academically. I believe that the oldest child is now at the Naval Academy.

[Gerald]

You know your family better than we do, this is and will be all about them, especially your wife.

One question for you to answer to yourself, are your children suitable for home schooling? Even if they will not be home schooled I think the suitability will be somewhat a deterining factor for you.

You said you would be absent at times from the family and that can have its own consequences, let alone not being there for “coach” problems/incidents which at times happen on a daily basis.

Go on a few trips first and see how it goes.

Know in advance that if your coach is in perfect condition when you leave on your journey, you will have issues crop up with, well almost anything.

Good luck, go for it. The worst that can happen is it doesn’t work out and you can quit.

The biggest burden will be on your wife. Don’t be detered by my comment, I know women that know more about their coach than their husbands, if you are in that category you have it made.

If you don’t try the life, you will always wonder how it would have been.

ps, don’t take too many clothes, when required just throw some away and buy new. Set up with a separate washer and dryer.

JIM just sayin

[Archived]

Carole and I, plus our two daughters went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on a three month business trip. Our eldest daughter was just entering 1st grade. She was pulled out of school for a little over two months, would have been three but the youngest daughter got sick and Carole headed back to the States with both daughters. Kelly completed first grade with almost perfect grades and the Indiana school passed her to third grade. Well that summer we moved to New York on Long Island. We enrolled Kelly as a third grader and things went well. Then there was the first, six week marking period and we were asked to come in for a conference. The teacher was very satisfied with Kelly’s work except she seemed to lack some math skills she should have learned in the second grade. OK, so we fessed up that Kelly went from first grade in Indiana to third grade in New York. The teacher was stunned, saying under those circumstances her math problem was understandable and they would give her some focused instruction to get her up to speed in math. They did, Kelly worked hard, and neither looked back.

Carole and I attribute Kelly’s academic progress to be a direct result of her real world experiences on that trip to Malaysia.

This summer we took our Grandson on a trip with us for the month of June. Started in the bus, ended in my 2003 Ram 2500, but that’s another story. All of us had a great time even though the accomodations were not what we had planned. Next summer we are planning another trip with the Grandson for the month of June to Philadelphia, PA. I’ll be working for the Men’s U. S. Open Golf Championship and following that work assignment, we are mapping out a return trip to include Civil War sites (Gettysburg, Antietam, Mannassas and then down the Shenandoah Valley) between Philly and Southern Pines. Our goal is to give the grandson a better perspective on his and our country and its history.

So, for what it may be worth, I say go for it. What you are contemplating is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Wait another year and it may not be one. Dig into that bucket list and pull this ticket out. I know you wont regret it.

[Archived]

Bill, I have been thinking about the 3 kids on a bus for extended period of time. Briefly, I would be taking some trips with the kids as your time permits. You need to get the feel of the bus before even considering a year on the road.

The day to day life on a bus is like no other and is wonderful experience. Some of the things that come to mind are showers, with 5 people would be a 3 hour event. You might not run out of hot water but patience might be on the short list.

[Ron]

I am thinking about all the trips we took with our three kids over the years when they were young and I think with careful planning it can be done and a lot of fun.

I can’t remember our kids ever wanting a trip to end… they loved it & we were in a 35′ Newell in the 70s & we thought that was huge..so I can see being in a 45′ coach… I think with careful planning you can create a lifetime experience as a family that will never be forgotten… our kids still talk about our motorhome days & trips… they say that NONE of their friends had the fun that they had growing up!!

I say go for it !!

I think that Lock took his kids on some extended trips… may have home schooled too?? He is a member on here… maybe Jon or Tom can tell you how to contact him… he would be a good contact.

May all your dreams come true !!

Diane

[Brian]

Good Point about the Showers ! And there is also Laundry to consider ?

[Archived]

Sounds like a great time to me. I’m jealous!

My biggest concern is that the coach is a little tight for such a long time. This summer we had 4 kids in ours for three weeks. I would gladly have done without two of them (the friends, not our kids). In an H the bay bedroom would give mom and dad the opportunity for some “alone time”.