ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I am seriously entertaining the idea of taking my four small children on an extended (months long) cross country trip. Context: My husband is seven months into a two year deployment. I live in Hawaii, far from family. I have friends here, but many of the ones I am close to have moved within the last six months due to military relocation. I love home educating the kids. We have a fairly consistent routine. Why shouldn't I just shove all our furniture into a storage unit and use our rent money to drive around America, seeing sights and being closer to family? Perhaps I am in complete denial of the logistical reality of this sort of undertaking. My biggest concern would be where to put the books. But hey, no one is in diapers anymore, so it would be fine, right? Shoot. It would make for a heck of a journal. Let the kids play in the badlands. Eat fresh lobster in Maine. Visit a Nona in North Carolina that we haven't seen in years. This entire thing would probably worry the pants off of dh... Am I nuts here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Nah, you're not crazy. Would you be able to get your house back, or another house once your journey is done, though? That would be my worry if you're living in military housing. If you're not and you'd have someplace to live at the end of your adventure, then go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BakersDozen Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 This wasn't cross country but I took my 4dc ages 5 and under on a one-month trip by myself and loved it!!! If I could I would pack everyone's things today and just go for as long and as far as we wanted to. So I say go for it! Make sure to get a list of WTMers along the way to see... :D ETA: Your dc seem to be the perfect age for this type of trip, imo. As they get older things can get more complicated with outside activities/involvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 We do have a nice house in military housing right now. I thought I was attached to it, but I am not really. If we returned to Hawaii, getting another rental or home would not be difficult. Shoot. Where would I get my mail sent? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I would look up blogs about families that do this (rv-ing families), get some ideas, and then head out :). But then, I really DO think this is crazy. Crazy AWESOME :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Do it while you can and you won't regret it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Yes you can do this. Get set up with a mail forwarding service, set up to pay all of your bills online and to get all your statements electronically. Don't push for long days of driving get a dvd player with 2 or 3 monitors for the car. Have fun! Oh yeah, leave the books in storage. There will be plenty of things to learn along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Wow this is a lot of encouragement. Thank you ladies! Oh yeah, leave the books in storage. There will be plenty of things to learn along the way. lol I don't know if I could do that! Hello. My name is Shannon. I am a bibliophile... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Wow this is a lot of encouragement. Thank you ladies! lol I don't know if I could do that! Hello. My name is Shannon. I am a bibliophile... How about getting a kindle and doing some electronic books then? I totally understand the book obsession. I buy that and CD's way more than I should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandigirl Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 my family RV's check out our site terrenomar.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypatia. Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 We only did it for a month and I'm so glad we went! Our kids were a bit younger (just under 1, 3 and 5 at the time, so we called it "The Great Potty Tour" for all the bathroom stops) but my oldest still talks about it and asks if we could do it again. If you can easily get your stuff into storage and have no pets to worry about then I would go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Cons: No more piano lessons. No more garden. :( But Upon asking my dd8 her thoughts: "I think it's a great idea. I've already seen all the secrets of this house." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Yes, but so what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Do it! How would your kids handle it, tho? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Nope, you're not nuts, I would do exactly that. So, perhaps it'd be two of us being nuts. And TOTALLY get a kindle and load it up. I've gotten over 500 free books, all classics, and so worth reading. Read them books after dinner each night, wherever you are. HAve fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Yes, but so what. :lol: That is awesome. Thank you for the perpective :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyndiLJ Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 In a HEARTBEAT! If you are in the position to do it, totally go for it~!!! Don't let other's inability to imagine or think big stop you! So many times we find we don't live out dreams because others could never imagine themselves doing it, and we listen to their own fears. Do it...and stop by Montrose, CO to visit us! Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 Do it! How would your kids handle it, tho? I think they would be good to go. I would like to do only 3-5 hours driving per day, and go to a lot of places where they could run around. I really think I want to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 In a HEARTBEAT! If you are in the position to do it, totally go for it~!!! Don't let other's inability to imagine or think big stop you! So many times we find we don't live out dreams because others could never imagine themselves doing it, and we listen to their own fears. Do it...and stop by Montrose, CO to visit us! Cindy I think I just may! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 my family RV's check out our site terrenomar.com Wow how long have you been traveling? Do you own an RV? At first I thought I would just ship my minivan, but now I think renting an RV may be a better option. I will have to research it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I think that would be awesome! :auto: I say go for it after loads of research and prep. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Nope, you're not nuts, I would do exactly that. So, perhaps it'd be two of us being nuts. And TOTALLY get a kindle and load it up. I've gotten over 500 free books, all classics, and so worth reading. Read them books after dinner each night, wherever you are. HAve fun! Way off topic, where else do you get classics from other than project gutenberg and amazon for free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 7, 2012 Author Share Posted August 7, 2012 And after you stop in Montrose, come over the next two passes and see us! :D Pshaw. You ladies fill my heart. I am off to researching and planning for a bit. Departure likely in the fall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 http://www.amazon.com/Road-Atlas-RV-Camping-Edition/dp/159775000X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1344380606&sr=8-6&keywords=rv+atlas When we traveled across the country for over a month we bought this and used it a bunch and used travelocity a bunch. When you get into planning leave yourself some flexibility to stay some places longer or to skip places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 :D Pshaw. You ladies fill my heart. I am off to researching and planning for a bit. Departure likely in the fall! Wow, I hope this works out for you. I would do it! Please keep us posted...we would love to hear about your adventures as you travel! What city in NC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShannonS Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 I had no idea that RV's were that expensive to rent. Looks like we would be shipping the minivan and working the family and Holiday Inns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I would do this in a heartbeat if we could. Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Are you more likely to regret doing it- or not doing it? :) I think it sounds awesome! I wish I could do something like that! I haven't gotten to travel much and my dh just isn't that into it, but I get wistful sometimes thinking of all the places there are to be seen and experiences to be had, if only. In your situation? I would go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BugsMama Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I would SO do this. It will be a deployment to remember! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoot Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I love this idea. If I were you I would start packing that stuff away NOW and get moving. And think of it this way, if it's not working out, you can always bail at any point and go back to Hawaii. If you don't do it you'll always wonder what it would have been like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 GO! Listen to audio books in the car if you feel you must "do" school. Your kids will be learning. My only issue would be eating healthy along the way. My uncle had a mini fridge that plugged into his car somehow. It would be so handy to pull over at a park and eat a healthy lunch without always running to the store. I would also want a GPS; sometimes it is fun to take a turn just to see where you go, but it is so nice to know that you will be guided back safely eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 I would do it. If you get tired of driving, stop and hang out for awhile. My parents did a short cross country trip when I was younger and I have great memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApronMama Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Go for it! :auto: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 If I had the money to do so, I would take a year long road trip with the kids in a heartbeat. Do it if you can. Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godsaggie Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Go for it! I would do it in a heartbeat if we had the money. A few years ago, I took the kids on a month long trip across the country to see family on the east coast. We survived! :) And I totally understand about the books. Take some favorites along with you in the carry on luggage. And the cool thing is that you can stop at libraries all across the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchel210 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Ive traveled with my kids since my little one was almost 3. I have done at least 4 trips with my 3 kids and myself without my hubby. I fill a cooler in the middle and take lots of books, games, and movies. We pull over whenever we get tired and usually run around a BK or MCDonalds to stretch our legs. Then we would stop anyplace that looked cool. I took fishing poles to hit local parks and we did hikes around in the mountains. I also would call my hubby and have him book a hotel online with priceline or phone and just tell him a town up the road from me. Now it is easier with a smartphone...but it is just as easy either way. I always got a great price and no hassles. We would stop at zoos or museums. I usually bought one pass and it was good nationwide for members. Pretty cool to visit them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb44 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 I think it sounds like a wonderful opportunity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kb44 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 And, I believe there are homeschooling in the car/carschooling websites or ideas out there! A friend and I were talking about it the other week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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