Women Travelers - travel or set up some new roots?

I am recently divorce, have a lovely seven year old that is homeschooled. I have chosen to relocate to Seattle, I have no ties there but I like the area is good for kids and has good schools for me to get my MBA. I have decided to take the next six months to travel, I want to show my son the country, we like to travel and this seems a good time. Is this self-center of me? My family and friends want us to go home but I want to start fresh in Seattle in September

I think that you as a parent know best what will meet the emotional/social/developmental needs of your child... and as well, what will meet YOUR needs at this time.

My thought is that if you are already both used to a homeschool environment, what better way to teach geography, history, reading, and really EVERY subject than in a moving classroom, hands on. Also may be a great way to take an event or events (divorce, relocation) that might potentially be traumatic to the average young child and turn them into a positive memory.

BUT... I'm not a parent and occasionally put my own needs above those of others, so I might not be the best authority on this subject. ;)

If you have the finances to travel for 6 months with your child and successfully school him-do it. It is a wonderful opportunity for both of you.

Have you already made final arrangements to move to Seattle? If not,perhaps you can decide toward the end of your 6 month period-your outlook may change after being away from family for so long.

If your plans are final,then look at it as a new adventure,but please be sure your child is comfortable with all the new changes. Kids are very resilient,but you know him best.

If you continue homeschooling in Seattle,also be sure that he has an opportunity to interact with other children regularly.

It can be very difficult to find yourself in a new city alone.While it sometimes sounds great, being so far from family and friends is stressful and depressing at times.

Good luck in your quest.If you discover you have made the wrong choice for you and your child,just remember that nothing is unrecoverable-make new plans and move on.

I am not overly attached to family left home at 18 to move to NY by myself, then moved to Missouri then Montana, so I am used to staring fresh in a new City. My son has never attended regular school but I ensure that he has activities to meet kids his age. I am an artist so I can work from anywhere and everywhere. I am giving myself the six month to truly decided where I want to leave , Career wise LA or NY will be best, but having lived in NY I simply do not think is the best place for my Skiing fanatic seven year old: for the same reason LA’s lovely weather will need to be admire from afar. I think Seattle is a good choice he will be within driving distance of his father and Seattle has the diversity I seek, as well ample restaurant and since I am always in search of a good travel deal their market is big enough that there should be plenty of opportunities I hope. I hope I am not being selfish but before regular school is mandatory which to me will be 6th grade I will like him to experience the world

I'd say the only person who's opinion really matters in regards to this is the child's father. Would he be okay with you traveling for 6 months with your son? It sounds as though you're only planning on traveling domestically. If you're going international, you may face more resistance.

In terms of the experience overall, I think it's a fabulous idea since he's already home schooled. If he were 14 it would be more of a challenge to keep up with the work, but at 7 you can keep doing what you're doing and expand on it all through your travels together. I doubt you'd ever look back on this kind of travel time with regrets - as you might if you didn't take the trip.

I vote for travel.

With you both going through the divorce (i.e you and your kid) you'll need a bit of distraction. Travel will give you time to build up some fun memories - to erase any crap that might have happened through the divorce period. It will give you both something to talk to about in seattle (i.e help you meet people), also it will give you some time to deal with any issues before september.

I'm not judging you here, but experience has shown me that people change after divorces - intentionally and accidentally - and there are things that parents and kids have to hash out with the new life order. 7 months of traveling will give you plenty of time to do that and you should both be settled mentally when it comes to moving into your new home in september.

Do what you think is best for your son, for you and for your son's father (assuming he and your court documents agree). Travel is a wonderful education and this may be a chance of a lifetime.

Best wishes in your decision.

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http://boardingarea.com/blogs/pearlsoftravelwisdom

Well I made my final decision; we hit the road on Thursday. I intend to mainly do the East Coast, Mid West and a trip To Dominican Republic. My ex travels for work so I will try to meet at with him at his convenience, but over all I think this is a good way to learn Geography and History and heal. At the end of summer we will head back do a few of the west national park as well as some hiking, biking and as much rock climbing a he can safely handle. I will like to do Europe but I think he should travel his own backyard first then we can venture out. Thanks for helping me brainstorm this decition.

Hope this trip is everything you want it to be. Check in every now and then. Best of luck and have a wonderful time.

Bobette

You might have already thought of this, but you should have your kid do a road trip diary/scrap book, these are so much fun to look back on :)

Have fun

You might have already thought of this, but you should have your kid do a road trip diary/scrap book, these are so much fun to look back on :)

Have fun

Actually I had not, but it is a great Idea he loves taking pictures, I will go look for an age appropriate journal tomorrow. He writes a bit big. He is looking forward to the trip. We have put most of our stuff in storage just taking his golf clubs and a few friends. I actually think I will get myself a journal let’s see where my head is six months from now.

there is another Flyertalker... olafman ... who, along with his partner (they are both teachers) are spending 1 year travelling with their son. 12 months, 12 countries.

If you have questions, you might want to drop them a note.

If you're going to have regular internet access, consider letting him set up a blog. Or setting up one for you two to update together. You can write about your experience, and upload pictures so your friends and family can follow your adventure.

This is a great blog (http://kombe-jarvis.com/) about a father-son trip. They are related to a coworker of mine.

I am recently divorce, have a lovely seven year old that is homeschooled. I have chosen to relocate to Seattle, I have no ties there but I like the area is good for kids and has good schools for me to get my MBA. I have decided to take the next six months to travel, I want to show my son the country, we like to travel and this seems a good time. Is this self-center of me? My family and friends want us to go home but I want to start fresh in Seattle in SeptemberYour story is a lot like mine - my homeschooled 10 yr and I upped and moved cross country to start fresh after a divorce. Our plan, and it is a joint idea, to spend a year planting new "roots" and then spend a good bit of next year on the road. He wants to RV to Alaska, I want to wander Europe; final plans still being negotiated.

If you'd like to chat, drop me a PM. Or if you're passing through Philly, send me a PM and we can meet for a "kid date" - aka park day if you're a homeschooler. ;)

im a guy and have traveled a lot with my mom.

we both value travel > a lot of other stuff.

so i say ^ and ignore people who dont "get" travel. (thank god for flyetalk. :D)

btw great values to be had in south america and asia.