I am in the process of planning my escape from the hum drum of the so called "American Dream" to set out to live my own dream.

I am womdering how many single parents have chosed this lifestyle and how do you cope with working on the road while taking care of your children?

I will only be traveling with my 2yo. My 10yo has decided to stay with his father to go to school then probably travel with me in the summer so education is not an issue right now.

Once I sell everything I will have enough to live comfortably for many years but I do plan on working my way down the road. I plan on selling my stuff (don't want to break any rules about advertising - especially since I haven't read the rules yet.. lol) at festivals and various shows to help fund my travels as well as write articles which I hope to get published.

My concern is how hard will it be to find help watching my daughter at the festivals? My thoughts were hiring local teens to stay with me at the shows to help with her. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I have found families on the web that travel with kids but so far I haven't read any stories about single parents.

If you are a single parent on the road please feel free to share any advice or suggestions that you have regarding safety, parenting, child care or anything else you can think of.

Thank you in advance!!!

We do not travel with children but we have seen many families living in RV's who Home School their kids. Many of these families include teenagers who would probably appreciate the chance to make a few dollars watching a child. The other good thing is there is a parent very close by if anything should come up.

Good luck! I admire your choice. It will be a wonderful education for your child!

Most RV parks are full of grandmothers that are too far from their grandkids, I'd think finding a sitter would be pretty simple.

Before I would leave my kids with a complete stranger, I would want to do a background check on them. You never know what is in someones past.

quote:

Originally posted by Stanley P. Miller:
Most RV parks are full of grandmothers that are too far from their grandkids, I'd think finding a sitter would be pretty simple.

It's true that parks are full of grandmothers, but what about grandfathers? Speaking as a grandmother who lives far away from my grandson, I didn't retire and go full time to sit in a campground and watch someone else's child. We are almost always doing something anyway.

I agree with Ron and wouldn't leave my child with someone I didn't know. You might be able to enroll them temporarily in a day care. I do see vendors at festivals with small children. If that is what you are doing, plus publishing on the side, I don't see why you couldn't keep your child with you.

Dale

Thanks for the replies. I believe there will be plenty of people willing to watch a young child and I'm sure there will be plenty who don't.
I am very concerned about leaving her with a stranger. Am hoping to find someone willing to come to the festival with me during the day/evening to watch her by my side. What I do involves a heat press and she could easily get burned and if I'm putting together a design on the computer it's kinda hard to make sure she doesn't get burned. She doesn't like staying in the pack-n-play.

I am still hoping to hear from other single parents - for one it would be nice to know that I'm not the only one trying to accomplish this.

Thank you all!!!

You might inquire with the working staff at the RV parks about possible choices for help. They would possibly know locals that would be interested in being a Mothers Helper or Assistant.

Best of luck,
Val

Please be selective in who you leave your child with. Please! Too much can happen when you least expect it.

In our eight years on the road, we have yet to meet a single parent with small child who was full-time. But there are a couple of things that you do need to know. Many of the "snowbird" RV parks have rules like "55 & over" and "no children" and such. It isn't that there are no exceptions, but some areas the exceptions can be difficult to find.

Of the nicer parks in the Mesa/Apache Junction area of Arizona, the chamber of commerce told me that there is only one that accepts children during the winter months. Since we don't travel with children form more than a couple of weeks at a time (grandchildren), it has not been an issue for us, but you should be aware of this.

I am wondering how you will maintain contact with the child that is being left behind? I assume that you will plan to have him travel to you from time to time for visits? Or perhaps spend some time near him for visits? No need for any answer, just another of those things which need to be considered.

Also, sitters will be more difficult to find if your child is not yet potty trained.

What concerns me most, in reading your posts, is that it seems that you will be pretty much spending most of your reserves to get into this lifestyle. I do believe that it can be done but I think you need to take great care to leave yourself some options in case things do not work. Children create many more issues to consider than most of us have. Be careful about burning any bridges behind you.

quote:

I am in the process of planning my escape from the hum drum of the so called "American Dream" to set out to live my own dream.

I'm going to sound really harsh now, but when you had that baby, you took on the responsibility of making sure that the child was safe, loved, and educated until she turns 18. Sometimes we have to put our dreams on hold until the children are grown. Picking up different people along the way to watch a child so you can live your dream is not my idea of being a responsible parent. Now, if there was someone else who wanted to travel with you for several months at a time, then that would be a different story. A 2 year old gets bored quickly and the fun at a festival will be over very quickly for her. I think you need to rethink this - if you can live several years without doing the festivals, then maybe that would be a better option for you.

Barb

As a homeschooling, self-employed mother of two I feel much the same way as Barb. Children need boundarys, consistency, attention and safety. What you are proposing sounds fun and exciting in concept, but there is no way you can be certain of your child's safety, when you leave them with strangers in unfamiliar environments.

Child molesters and predators are out there just waiting for a trusting soul to make the mistake of allowing them access to our kids.

It sounds to me as though you feel trapped and overwhelmed right now and are looking for an escape. I do understand, but your child's needs come first and trump your desires everytime.

One thing that I would recommend is to perhaps take a few day trips to local festivals and see if you can market your product to people who are already on the festival circuit, let them sell your product for you. That way you get to spend the most valuable time of your life with the person who matters most. Test market your product with out giving away the safety and familiarity of the place your little one calls home and you don't have to leave her in the care of strangers.

I live in a small town of about 2000 people. It took me nearly a year and a half to find a sitter I was comfortable leaving my son with. I cannot imagine rolling the dice with a stranger. My son is 8 and I have a 5 year old daughter and still use the same sitter. I trust her.

I would be more inclined to hire someone to work my booth at a festival than to turn my child over to watch while I worked.

The minute you became a Mom or a Dad, the rules change. Your dreams get put on hold so you can help your children accomplish their dreams. Once your children are raised then you can reclaim your right to pursue your dreams. But until then, it really is all about them.

While I am married, part of what I do for a living is to contract my husband out to work all over the United States. So I am the primary caregiver of the kids and I homeschool them as well as run another business. This summer has been great fun. We have taken several trips in the camper and met up with d/h on the road where he's been working. The past month or so d/h has been working about 3 and a half hours from home so he's been staying in our fifth wheel and we go up for about 3-4 days a week to spend time with him. That way they get to spend more time with him, but we still stick with our normal routines and that keeps all of us on an even keel. Putting children first and building your life around them, lets them know you love them and teaches them they have value and are not just tossed about from one place to the next.

It just isn't worth taking the risk. If something unthinkable did happen to your little one because you left them in a stranger's care, would you be able to look that child in the eye and hey sorry about that, I needed to escape and live my own dream! Of course, if you're like most people, you'd never forgive yourself. It just isn't worth the risk.

I do appriciate all the concern that has been expressed for the safety of my child. As I mentioned before though if I needed someone to assist with my child while I was working it would be there with me while I work. I understand that children get bored easily especially at that young of an age, then there is the heat to think of. There is many things to think of when taking a child on the road which is one reason I sought out other single parents through this venue.

As it seems though there are not many single parents who have chosen this path. One way or the other I will make it work for me.

Yes, I am looking for an escape. I have done it the "safe" way for 24 yrs and it doesn't work either. The safety of my child is my upmost concern.

However, thankfully I have found a young friend of the family who wants to take on the challenge of traveling with me and helping with my daughter. Hopefully this will work out for all of us.

I am looking forward to this adventure. I believe it will be rewarding for all of us and if my 10yo decides to come along I know he will benefit from it as well. The choice is totally his. As to Kirk's question... the plan as it is - is for my son to stay with his father and go to school - then travel with me in the summer. We will keep in touch via phone calls and internet and I will plan my travels around being able to pick him up certain times of the year. One nice thing about being in Kansas... it's in the center of everything and shouldn't be too hard to get back now and then.

I would rather have my children with me by myside while I work part-time at shows (even with a stranger helping) than have them constantly at babysitters while I work to support my home and all that's involved there. I did that for 24yrs and all it did was tear my family apart. I have read many stories about families torn apart by the stress of school, work, peer pressure and so on. These same hurdles will face me on the road as well, I am very aware of this. However, to have the chance to see parts of the country and learn more about everything from hands on experience and create wonderful memories for my children - and everything else that can be expereience from traveling will be well worth it.

All anyone needs to succeed is a willingness to make it work, a positive attitude, and the ability to learn from others.

Yes, when I chose to have my children I chose to put them first. There is no reason why I can't put them first and travel and live a life that is not considered to be A-typical. Who says the A-typical way is the only way?

I can only hope "my dreams" and "my life" get "put on hold" just because I have children. There is no reason children should have to stop you from living. Sometimes adjustments need to be made but still there is no reasons why you can't still chase your dreams and I truly feel sorry for anyone who is stuck in that belief. I was stuck there for 24yrs. I refuse to stay stuck here.

Anyway - thank you all for your concern and your very sound advice. I have no doubt that I will be able to make this work. No one has said anything to make me believe this is impossible. It is very possible. Like someone said in another thread. You have to be creative and flexible but it can work!
Live, love, and let live!

quote:

Yes, I am looking for an escape. I have done it the "safe" way for 24 yrs and it doesn't work either.

quote:

All anyone needs to succeed is a willingness to make it work, a positive attitude, and the ability to learn from others.

Be careful as you go this route. These two statements seem to me to be in conflict? I suspect that it can be done with proper planning, but do not over simplify the process. Buying a quality RV alone is a very complicated task and one which if chosen wrong, could spell total disaster!

quote:

Originally posted by Kirk:Be careful as you go this route. These two statements seem to me to be in conflict? I suspect that it can be done with proper planning, but do not over simplify the process. Buying a quality RV alone is a very complicated task and one which if chosen wrong, could spell total disaster!

While I don't have a kid to worry about, my story is quite similar to The Mama's--in my 20's, didn't have any success with the mainstream way of life, and going into this with an open mind and the realisation that I have little idea what I'm doing. I think that, with focus, it's possible to do enough research in a few months to give the project a solid base and to make a good choice on the RV. I know that I could have given my search another six months and not found a rig more perfect for me at this time than is Miranda.

I know from experience that your child would suffer more from having a mother whose life is filled with regrets and 'what ifs' than one who took chances, but only as long as your child remains the number one priority in your life.

What a way to grow up--seeing the country, living among people who know that materialism isn't the way to happiness, enjoying a lifestyle that promotes spending time out doors instead of in front of an Xbox... There is great potential in your project for both you and your child.

Good luck with adventure; I hope it turns out as well as mine is!

Cheers,

quote:

Originally posted by Kirk:

quote:

Yes, I am looking for an escape. I have done it the "safe" way for 24 yrs and it doesn't work either.

quote:

All anyone needs to succeed is a willingness to make it work, a positive attitude, and the ability to learn from others.

Be careful as you go this route. These two statements seem to me to be in conflict? I suspect that it can be done with proper planning, but do not over simplify the process. Buying a quality RV alone is a very complicated task and one which if chosen wrong, could spell total disaster!

You are so right - it does seem conflicting. You are a man good with words and good at reading!!!

And sometimes you do need more than a willingness and determination - sometimes you just need luck - and I'm sure if I continue that I will succeed here or on the road. I'm just really bored and tired of this life and don't see anything new on the horizon unless I go after it. Just trying to figure it all out on how to make it work.

I do realize that life on the road will presents all new things to worry about - no doubt but at least it won't be the same old worries I've had for what seems like forever. If you read Rae's blog it describes my feelings well. I'm 43 years old and feel like life is passing me by. I want to explore what else is out there. I want to be the one that has the great stories to tell - not just listen to everyone elses and wish that was me. I'm tired of wishing and wanting and the only way to make it happen is to sell everything and make it happen.

Life is a risk no matter what you do.