RVing Families Under 55 with Young Children

[Ahavah]

[VVLAJ]

There are lots of people now full-timing and working on the road. With technology the way it is today, the possibilites are endless. I work from home but could do my job anywhere in the world since it is all online.
I wish you all the best and will remember to pray for you and your family. Please keep me posted on how it is going.
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VV La J, wonderful hubby, 2 sweet daughters, 3 spoiled mutts
2005 Itasca Sunova 35'
Tow vehicle: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

[a_mama_peters]

I was just reading the comment about not having a permanent home for little kids and not having a big kitchen, and I'm about to be in the same boat in December. We just bought a house (our first 1!), are selling it now for a profit and decided why get a house in an area we don't like--Kenosha, WI? Not that it's a bad area; it's actually very nice but just not for us Our girls are young enough that when we settle down, our oldest will be ready for school, and both are whipsmart already. I can't imagine what undivided attention and homeschooling will do and I am looking forward to having not just a kitchen but the great outdoors to cook in. I see it as 3x my current cooking space I'm sure I will be on here a lot in the coming months, especially after we figure out exactly which RV we are getting. We know it will be a Class A, but after that...

Looking forward to great conversations!

[taterhed]

We love campin. The dogs clinched it though. Try going on the road with 2 big dogs and staying in hotels.

Fishing is currently the big attraction. We went to a trout farm-equipped campground and caught ourselves (including the cousins) a fine batch of 9 trout. A little lemon, white wine, herbs and tin foil really worked well on the grill.

Also, show me a kid (or adult) who can't have a good time with some old-fashioned "Arm pit fudge." Google it. Uhm, a beer helps if you're of age

The dog's best time was when we discovered the giant semi-tame rabbit-infested campground (it was their trademark). Wow. Lots of chain pulling on that one.

I think the number one factor is picking kid-friendly campgrounds. Whether it's the attractions (Six Flags, etc.), the activities (heated pool?) or the fantastic scenery (pick your national monument), the choice is key. KOAs aren't for everyone, but boy they sure do make the younger set feel at home.

We bought the camper for the kids and dogs!
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Tater

[madredi5]

I just read your posts.
My husband and I are in our mid 40s, both work and 2 of the 5 kids still live at home (ages 9 and 12). We lived in Idaho Falls for 3 years and began camping there with a Terry 23 ft. travel trailer when our oldest 3 were 4, 7 and 8. (They are now 23, 26 and 27!) My husband was in the Navy and we traveled a lot, had to sell our trailer because the tow vehicle died (see below) and we couldn't afford another one. A few years ago we started looking for another trailer and instead, bought a 1994 21 ft. Minnie Winnie thinking that the older kids wouldn't want to camp with us often. WRONG! So it's a little cramped. Our middle daughter was just married 2 weeks ago and is planning on tent camping with us over Labor Day weekend.

We have had some grand adventures. Thunderstorms at the Grand Canyon, bison in rut at Yellowstone, losing our transmission over the edge of a cliff on a switchback in the Sawtooths , bears in Shenandoah. We remember them all fondly. We generally stay away from the private parks and prefer the national and state parks.

Family camping is one of the very best things you can do with your children. They will remember it always. Good luck to you--and to all of you!

BTW-I haven't seen "RV" yet, but my mom and daughter did and they laughed 'till they cried.
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me, hubby, 5 kids, 2 ferrets, a dog and a cat

[Ahavah]

Sounds like some great memories. I haven't seen the movie "RV" yet either. Almost afraid to see it, because I have a feeling that's what our family is going to be like.
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....And the adventure begins

[VVLAJ]

The movie "RV" cracked me up! It was definitely exaggerated but I love Robin Williams and Jeff Daniels. It also stressed how family camping can really transform a family for the better!
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VV La J, wonderful hubby, 2 sweet daughters, 3 spoiled mutts
2005 Itasca Sunova 35'
Tow vehicle: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

[madredi5]

Geocaching is another great hobby with children and it lends itself easily to the camping lifestyle. My husband is a geocaching nut! There is not a trip we take by plane, car or RV that doesn't involve at least one cache hunt.

Just be careful as some of the hunts involve dense brush, high grass and the like. We were eaten alive by mosquitos in Delaware this past July.

We have a cache of our own in a local park. It is designed to be for families so it is an easy and informative trail.

Something else popular here is frisbee golf. Many of the state parks have courses. We have never actually given it a try. Maybe soon.

Enjoy!
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me, hubby, 5 kids, 2 ferrets, a dog and a cat

[mommybot]

We started RVing 3 years ago. I'm now 41, my husband 34 and little boy 3. At the time we had 3 dogs: a sweet Dobie (12, no longer with us), a MinPin (eight), and a Cocker puppy. At first we were in a 25' travel trailer. Too small. Then a gas class A. Not bad. Now we have a diesel pusher. LOVE IT. We love the king bed and the w/d. Little guy sleeps on the sleeper sofa. I've heard rumors that they're making more Class A's with a second bedroom or bunks. That would be the only reason we would trade in the near future, especially if there's going to be more than one kid.
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mommybot

[momshome]

Hi. just joined the group. I have been reading along and felt the urge to post.
We are a couple in our mid-40s w/3 daughters: 11, 9, & 3 years old. We JUST began our full-time adventure this week!
Although RVing is new for us as a family, traveling is not. We have homeschooled the girls since Kindergarten, and traveled with them in the US, Mexico and most recently China (to adopt our youngest).

We are joining Daddy on the road as he travels a great deal for work.
We just purchased a 2000 35' Dutchmen Classic BH and a Ford 350?? Something like that. We also have our Honda Odyssey with us for everyday use.

We are definitely learning & working out the details; however, overall-so far, so good. I have plenty to share on the homeschooling topic...not so much on the RV topic- yet!
Thanks for all the good advice.

Safe Travels,
Momshome

[VVLAJ]

Wow, it is amazing how many of you are full-timing with kids. If this many of you are posting on this forum, imagine how many more out there just like you who are doing this! I think it's great and I'm jealous! What freedom you must have.
Good luck to everyone.
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VV La J, wonderful hubby, 2 sweet daughters, 3 spoiled mutts
2005 Itasca Sunova 35'
Tow vehicle: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

[amzbrady]

These are some old posts. I wonder how much has changed in 3 years? I wonder how everyone fared who was "thinking" of going full-time? I have posted somewhere else on one of these forums how my wife and I are wanting and ready to go full-time. If anyone knows of places looking for people to telecommute, I would love to do that. All that is really stopping us right now is the sale of our house. We sold our 1988 31' Winnebago Superchief and bought a 1999 35 1/2-foot Winnebago Chieftain with 2 slides and our 9 year -old daughter is ready also. My wife has suggested selling sunglasses, I told her if that went well, we could work our way up to tie-dye tee shirts.
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A great trip is when you dont break down or break up...Carpe Diem
99 Chieftain 35U
Michael, Ang, & Cookie.
Be sure to visit http://www.rvparkreviews.com;/