Opinions Wanted: Should I Travel w/Kids?

orrnlori, RN · Mar 27, 2004

Well, I'm not a travel nurse but I have an opinon for what it's worth. Kids need stability, they need a home, they need to play and they need friends in order to play, they need their own social circles and their own "kid" experiences. I think the idea is great if it was just you and your fiance but with kids in tow, I think it would hurt them. They would be isolated from other kids, being forever pulled up and moved again. I don't know. I just can't see this being beneficial for the average 6 and 9 year olds. Don't know, just an observation.

Brownms46 · Mar 27, 2004

It would depend on your kids, and how they feel about this. And be sure to check out what the insurance is and where, and what it covers. Some agencies offer day one, but others offer insurance after 30 days.

I agree that some kids need to be in one place, others do well traveling, and homeschooling. It just depends on the child. Also you can get assignments that last one to two years, but be careful, you wouldn't want to get struck in a you know what hole for that long!

I think it would be better for you to do a travel assignment close to home, and see how it goes. Jumping in with both feet when it comes to kids, is a whole other ball game!

tiroka03, LPN · Mar 28, 2004

I homeschooled my 5th grader for one year. We both loved it. He was having emotional concerns and the break from public school was just what he needed. However, I kept him is public school for gym and speech therapy. I don't think that is allowed anymore. It's all or nothing. But, with my son's emotional concerns he especially needed: routine, routine and more routine.

It's many years later, and he is doing great in college. I would homeschool again in a heartbeat. Be aware when you homeschool, each state requires special testing and there is some hassel with that. Also you may be able to find a homeschool group in your area. I had joined one. There I met helpful people. I taught music to my son and another child, while his mom helped with math. So there can be social contact for you children.

I loved being within a framework, choose lessons and activities which were in line with his learning styles. For example, he learned to be able to quote the preamble to the constitution, then we drove to the state capital where my son quoted it to a senator. My son was so proud of himself. You won't find an experience like that in a public school.

:balloons:

It reguires a lot of work on your part, but if your up to it, it's a great experience.

Something you may want to look into are the laws in each of the states you plan to travel into. Find a good base state. For instance when I homeschooled, Iowa didn't allow parents to homeschool unless they had a teacher's certificate.

Raising kids is a big job in itself, no matter what. When it comes down to it, the decision is yours I applaud you for asking questions. Keep asking.

Blackcat99 · Mar 28, 2004

Well, I'm not a travel nurse but I have an opinon for what it's worth. Kids need stability, they need a home, they need to play and they need friends in order to play, they need their own social circles and their own "kid" experiences. I think the idea is great if it was just you and your fiance but with kids in tow, I think it would hurt them. They would be isolated from other kids, being forever pulled up and moved again. I don't know. I just can't see this being beneficial for the average 6 and 9 year olds. Don't know, just an observation.

:) I agree with you 100%

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 28, 2004

I also agree w/orrnlori. Being military, I can surely say it's very hard for kids to move and move and see friends come and go.....traveling would be VERY stressful on them, I think. YES kids are resilient, but I think you are asking a heck of a lot of them doing this. JMO. You can homeschool them WITHOUT traveling all over the country, you know. I do it; it works for us.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 28, 2004

It would also depend on where you would be going to .................City?

Where you would be living......................usually the agency only pays for a one bedroom apt.

I would definitely try doing an assignment near where you live now to make sure that you actually like it before uprooting your kids, etc.

Good luck.

pilatesRN · Mar 28, 2004

Hello there,

I have small kids and will probably do a little travelling in the Summer months to expose them to a different place and have a little fun. My father was in the military and a little travel is great, but I think kids also benefit from stablilty and roots. You just have to weigh out what is important to you and look at the individual needs of the kids. Good luck!

PilatesRN

Hi. I'd like opinions from travel nurses, please.

I have a 6 and a 9-year-old. Where I live, the school system is pathetic. We were wanting to do homeschool, my fiance and I.

I am also wanting to travel.

How do you think it would work out for the four of us to travel as a unit? My fiance is all for homeschooling; he has been homeschooling my son. We could travel all over, the kids could see the US, and still get educated.

How do you all see this? A good idea?

Another reason I ask is because I don't even have insurance. Most travel agencies give you 100% coverage from day one, from what I hear.

Opinions, please!

Rustyhammer · Mar 28, 2004

I say GO FOR IT!

What better education for you kids than traveling with you. I think it would be an excellant adventure for all of you. Your kids will thank you all over the place when they are older. The memories of all the places they've been will stay with them forever.

-Russell

pilatesRN · Mar 28, 2004

I think it would depend on the kids and the family situation. My kids are all so different that I think the Summer travel thing would be ideal; the best of both worlds. I lived in 40 different houses by the time I was 15 and it was difficult. But I adapt well to change as an adult. Would I want my kids to go through that? No, just a little bit would be the best thing for our situation. I have watched the sunset on the desert in New Mexico, eaten steak in Tokyo and bagels in New York and come home to a small town.

I say GO FOR IT!
What better education for you kids than traveling with you. I think it would be an excellant adventure for all of you. Your kids will thank you all over the place when they are older. The memories of all the places they've been will stay with them forever.
-Russell