around aust trip ?
Submitted: Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 19:44
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cookie monster
hi all,
my wife and i are toying with the idea of selling up and heading off around australia to find different types of work/lifestyle. we are looking at at least twelve months on the road then settle down someware for our daughters last years of schooling.
our only major concern is the social development of our 14 year old daughter. i think the schooling side of things will be ok, but we are not sure how she will go without the regular social interaction, that happens at regular school.
has anybody done such a trip with a teanager?
if so we would love to hear your feadback and experiences.
cheers
neil
Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 19:55
Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 19:55
Have you asked her? being fourteen she will let you know what she thinks of the idea in a heartbeat.
Some would love the experience and others would hate it.
Cheers
D
AnswerID:
208043
Reply By: Member - Chris D (Newcastle) - Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 20:17
Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 20:17
Neil,
As a family of four we went for a twelve month trip around Oz when our daughters were 9 and 11. They had much social interaction, most importantly with their parents, also with travellers we met and children of their age when we stopped in various
places. The girls completed correspondence school provided by NSW Dept of Ed while we were away, we did put some if the work to the side and only completed what was "convenient" though.
On our return they settled back into a new school with new friends and have not looked back, they did not miss the year in school, going back into the higher class. The year we travelled together was both enjoyable for us as parents and encouraged both of our girls to be open minded.
It is now 15 years fast forward and I wonder where the years have gone.
Our older daughter is married and teaching in high school after spending a year in Japan and another year in China along the way. Our younger daughter has spent a year in school in Italy and then later four years in College in Italy, she is now working as a fashion designer in Milan.
It seems to me that the year we spent travelling was a catelist for bigger things for them, I am stoked. The only abiding consideration is that we had the gumption to do the trip in the first place, everything has been positive so far as I can see. We were a little financially poorer for some time though.
I agee that you should consider your daughter's point of view, if she is not prepared for the challenge maybe you should leave the trip until she has left home. I just hope that you pull up roots and make off, it certainly was a great time for us and we so often talk about the trip and where we are going next. The travel bug has the longest lasting venum around here alright.
Chris
AnswerID:
208048
Reply By: Motherhen - Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 23:22
Friday, Dec 01, 2006 at 23:22
We were a little older - Our parents waited until we left school before going touring. As one of them wanted to go to Qld and the other to NZ, the plan got bigger and bigger, and became almost a year visiting 23 countries, and touring UK and Europe in a motor van. It was a wonderful experience for us as teenagers (2 girls).
It sounds like you will be stopping in
places for a while? This would give some opportunity for social interaction.
AnswerID:
208085
Reply By: Barnesy - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 03:52
Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 03:52
Have you considered renting the house out rather than selling?
AnswerID:
208096
Follow Up By: Member - BBB - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 08:09
Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 08:09
I think that is a good idear dont burn your bridges.
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