Taking kids out of school to travel for a year?

Question

My wife and I are contemplating taking our two kids out of school to travel the world for a year.

My wife and I love to travel and think the kids would learn a lot more about life this way then they'd ever learn in school.

My children's ages are nine and thirteen. They are eager about such a thing. We also have a three year old. But will they have to be "held back a year", or could we home school them some how so that they'd be in the same grade as they would have been otherwise?

Help?

Answer 1

You could definitely homeschool them for the year.  If you've got the ability to travel the world for a year, I say go for it.  Not many people are afforded opportunities like this.  One thing you should keep in mind is your children's social needs.  It'll be harder for them to make lasting friendships when they don't have time to get to know people.  Make sure they're taken care of in that department.  If I were you, I'd check out local homeschooling groups in your area to see what you need to do to get started.

Answer 2

Homeschool or put them into "Independent Study" by law they have to have some form of education for so many day's per year, if not you and your wife can be incarcerated and all of your kids put into foster care.  I suggest you start looking into it right away, and have everything ironed out before you start your travels.

Answer 3

Absolutely not.

Children need to be taught that they have goals and objectives and one of them is schooling.

Taking them out sends the message that you can do a better job of educating your children than the school system you have chosen.

Make good use of summer and school vacations, but teach them responsibility.

Answer 4

Home-schooling or hiring a governess (if they still exist and if so, they are probably not cheap) while on the road should solve that problem. I like your idea of traveling to great places rather than just reading about them. Good luck!

Answer 5

You can home school them, because if they get no education for a year then they WILL be held back. So just make sure they get the education they need and then they should be fine. I wish my parents would do that for me!!

Answer 6

While it may seem like a wonderful idea, it sounds awful to me. They get behind a year socially and academically and also teaches them that they can take a year off from life whenever they feel like it. How will that work in college and in their future careers (if their careers don't normally include traveling that is). Sure they can see new cultures first hand, but why not do it over the summer when there is no school or wait until they've graduated?

Answer 7

Don't do it. Keep them in school ,it is important for children to bond with other children and teachers. They will get left behind with school and peers. How would you feel if they were in college and they were in there 3rd year going on 4 (maybe in law school or doctor school) and they just decided to take a year off to travel or whatever. I would hope that you would encourage them to stay in college and finish up. You can always travel during the government holidays, spring break, summer , Thanksgiving and Christmas. I would think that would be very tiring traveling all year long nonstop. Going from one hotel to another going to this and that . It would be stressful at times I am sure.

Answer 8

I think traveling and experiencing different cultures offers a great education for kids.  As a parent, however you do have a responsibility to make sure that they receive their "formal" education.  I recommend checking with some home school programs so that the kids can stay up to date on their studies.  You must also make sure that while you travel you will have time to help them with their work, mail in the tests etc...  When I was a kid, my parents took all 6 of us kids and went overseas to travel around for almost two years.  My older brothers and sisters were never able to get back in the groove of school and didn't finish high school.  My youngest brother and I were pretty little, so we were excited to go to school and were able to have normal academic careers.  It's a bit of a risk.  Just make sure you and your spouse can handle the extra responsibility of home schooling.

Answer 9

I thInk that it is a gr8 idea. Home school them whilst away.

Don't listen to anyone who says otherwise...the experience as a family will be priceless.

Do not underestimate how wonderful this will be for their characters and your family.

Answer 10

What a great gift to give your kids! Try calvertschool.org for information about homeschooling. Their web site has information about the policy in each state. I'd also talk to your local school district. I hope it works out.

Answer 11

It's a wonderful idea and parents do this all the time, despite the attempts of school system to convince them that only schools have the magical ability to help children learn.

Don't let the system - or the fears of others - stop you and your family from living this wonderful adventure!

Be well.

Answer 12

The traveling is not worth your children being a grade behind when they are academically competent.  It's not fair.  They will leave for a year, come back and all their friends will have preceded to the next grade.  They will be stuck behind.

It will effect them socially and that's not right to do as a parent.    You could home school, but make sure you are teaching them everything that their friends are learning back home.   You don't want them to struggle when they return to regular school.

I think traveling is wonderful; but, I think you should limit it to summers and school vacations.  Kids need structure and routines.   It's not fair to completely remove them from school, their friends, other family members, hobbies, activities, sports, etc...........so you can have your dream of traveling.

Instead, spend 3 months in the summer traveling.   Next year, do it again.

But, don't remove the children from their home for 12 whole months........it's not fair.

Answer 13

Home school them while you are on the road, and going so many places, will definitely raise some IQ points. Good job to you guys. i thnk its a great idea and great time for family bonding too.

Answer 14

Just apply to homeschool your kids for a year.  Then do it.  Sounds great to me!