Family Gap Year?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>H & I have been thinking about this idea... dropping D off to college, then grabbing our two sons and taking a year off as a family. </p>

<p>Maybe swap houses with someone? Or rent out our house, and rent something else abroad? Learn a language; do Tsunami relief? I am willing to consider any ideas. </p>

<p>My H is a writer so that part works; I could probably make a small portion of my income writing too (but not totally replace it.)</p>

<p>The timing would be great because one son is about to go from Jr High to High School. Younger son is so little it doesnt matter for him to miss a year. Both my sons could really use this seasoning experience, much in the same way some 18 year olds are not quite ready for college I suspect my 8th grader is not quite ready for HS.</p>

<p>Any CCers done something like this?</p>

2

<p>Nope, but we ran into a wonderful family island hopping in the carribean several years ago on their 42 foot (or so) catamaran. We had to anchor in a cove of this teeny island and literally swim to this beach shack bar and grill and they were anchored in that cove. We didn't talk long but I can clearly remember their two otters, a boy otter and girl otter , maybe 12-14, who were climbing all over the cat, diving off the platform, fighting through the webbing.They were doing a gap year. The dad said things had become difficult and one day he said "If I don't just "kidnap" the whole bunch of them , I'm going to lose my wife and kids." They went for it and seemed happy. Smart family.</p>

3

<p>cur- was it Jost Van Dyke? The Silver Dollar Bar?</p>

4

<p>My brother did this for a year with his family but the kids were in elementary school at the time. They traveled all over the eastern hemisphere including China, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Africa and many other places. They had "some" work from school and did some homeschool and journals and stuff like that. Each kid was able to move onto the next grade upon returning and did not have to repeat any grades they missed. of course this was not high school. Both kids are smart and doing well in school.<br>
Susan</p>

5

<p>MOWC-I, too, thought of JvD when Curmudgeon referenced swimming in and the beach shack bar....</p>

<p>The bar is called Soggy Dollar (in reference to the way your money feels after you swim in from your vessel)</p>

6

<p>Yup- my H just reminded me that it was the Soggy Dollar! Awesome place, and I actually found a ten floating in the water on my way into shore.</p>

7

<p>My gosh, is this a small world or what?!!! That is hilarious. Yes.Yes. and Yes. Momsdream and MomofWildChild, that's exactly where it was. Gee, the hair stood straight up when I read that post.</p>

8

<p>SBMom, </p>

<p>Can I be a member of your family? I'm a great dishwasher, happy to scrub decks, a gourmet cook, and am a cardiologist for a living...I could be the ship's doctor for you!!</p>

9

<p>quiltguru, </p>

<p>You'd be welcome, though we may have greater need of a shrink! </p>

<p>But is this just your clever way of sidestepping the whole app process nect year?</p>

10

<p>I think your daughter would feel left out and would be left out as the rest of you bonded.</p>

11

<p>A former CC'er, Morgantruce, did something like tht with his kids a few years ago.</p>

<p>I think it's a fabulous idea!</p>

<p>H and I keep trying to come up with a plan for a "gap life", which would involve writing and farming. Possibly when S finishes school.....</p>

12

<p>Yes, Morgantruce did it...in fact on a sailboat. However, his kids had been homeschooled both on the trip and when at home the other years. Not saying that makes a difference but it is just a different circumstance. </p>

<p>So where is he these days???</p>

13

<p>SBMom, I had the same question as quiltguru. I could be a for-hire programmer and contribute to the family income! Work 2 days a week and live in your house the other 5..</p>

14

<p>what I really want is someone living in a foriegn country to swap me!!</p>

<p>Achat, you too bring a skill our family lacks!</p>

15

<p>mcdeb, you bring up a good point.</p>

16

<p>OMG.....I would LOVE to sell everything, buy a boat and SAIL...and homeschool my D while living on the water. </p>

<p>If you love the idea of this sort of life, you HAVE to read "Blown Away". Herb and his family did just this...and their experience is detailed in this amazing book. </p>

<p>There's another book that doesn't include children...but adults that sold it all and boarded their sailboat for the Caribbean and all of it's adventures "An Embarrassment of Mangos".....for all of you empty nesters.</p>

<p>Can you tell I've been planning? Somebody dare me!!!</p>

17

<p>Momsdream, I DARE YOU TO SELL EVERYTHING, BUY A BOAT, SAIL, AND HOMESCHOOL YOUR D! AND I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO TAKE ME ALONG!!! :)</p>

18

<p>Yemaya-</p>

<p>Got money? Lots of it?</p>

<p>If so, you can come!</p>

19

<p>But, momsdream, isn't it wrong to base admissions on money? I have good stats, I am am half-URM, and I have a neat hook! Shouldn't that be enogh?!?! Oh, and I'm a first generation sailor!</p>

20

<p>Yemaya, </p>

<p>you're a flat leaver!! (yes my age is really showing)</p>

<p>I just knew that you would ask for the both of us:)</p>