Top Tips for Motorhoming Trips with Children

Of all the questions we had whirling in our minds as we left the Euro Tunnel and set foot on French soil, there was one that none of us could answer; how long would it take us to settle into this way of life? We fully expected the first weeks to feel like a holiday, and they did, and we loved them, but equally, we knew that there would come a stage where we would have to transition into a different approach and mindset. Upon looking back, it’s fair to say that it wasn’t an easy transition, and it tested our resolve, but it’s one we have most definitely made.

Now, as we sit in Croatia and plan our onward journey through the Balkans, keen to explore some of the places I visited as part of the Bristanbul trip back in 2018, we can reflect on the first three months of the trip and answer a few more questions. What have we learnt, and what’s it really like living full-time in a motorhome?

The short answer to the first of those questions is easy! We’ve learnt a huge amount; too much to detail in a blog. While the second answer is that, with the right approach and level of understanding, living in the motorhome is the best thing we have ever done. It’s important to stress that it might not be for everyone, but for us, at this stage of life and with our outlook on the world, we couldn’t be happier.

To add a little extra context to both answers and provide an insight into what it’s really like to travel non-stop with two small children, here are a few of our reflections on the past three months.

Life on the road is not one big holiday: The biggest misconception we have encountered is that people think our life is a perpetual holiday. While, at times, it may seem that way, given the incredible array of activities and adventures we are fortunate enough to experience, it’s far from idyllic. People often forget that, away from those activities, we have all the usual responsibilities and demands of everyday life. From work and home-schooling the children to laundry and the day-to-day running of the motorhome. We’d argue that this is much harder on the road, especially on the parenting side of life. Unlike at home, where the children would spend parts of every day with other people (either at school, nursery, clubs, or their grandparent’s house), now they are with us virtually the entire time. Not that we are complaining, as this was our choice and we love being together as a family, just it’s taken time to adjust to this way of life.

Less is More: In the early stages of our time on the road, when we were firmly in holiday mode. We felt we had to pack every day full and make the absolute most of every moment, seeing as much of each place we were staying as possible. It didn’t take long to realise that such an approach was not sustainable or enjoyable for that matter, and so we gradually made peace with the fact that we wouldn’t see or do everything, that there would be days where we did the opposite, nothing. And so, now we accept there will be ‘down’ days where we spend most of our time around the motorhome at a campsite, there will be days where the kids want to play, but equally, there will be plenty of days where we head off to explore. As with so much of life on the road, it’s all about balance and being in tune with each other’s needs.

Routine is King: One of the biggest factors in transitioning from a mindset of this being a holiday to being our way of life was establishing a routine. That’s not to say we have taken away the unpredictability of life on the road that makes travel so appealing to us, only that we have created a framework that enables us to embrace the unknowns we all seek from a position of clarity and relative calm. Around that routine, there is a huge degree of flexibility and room to explore, but by having a few simple constants, we feel, as parents, in control of everyday life, and the children can manage their expectations. It also extends to our moving day routine, allowing us to get the motorhome packed up and ready for the onward journey with minimal fuss and a great deal less stress than when we first started.

Patience and Understanding are Essential: It’s taken time, but we have all learnt to be more patient and understanding with each other by respecting each of us will experience different feelings and emotions at different times- and that’s ok! We want our children to connect with their emotions rather than us simply trying to keep them happy the entire time. It’s not always easy, especially living in such a small space, but we have the luxury of time on our side, as we are not in a rush to head off somewhere else, or get to work, so we can help them understand their ever-evolving emotions. By being patient and understanding, we have all become more connected, both to ourselves, as well as a family. Ultimately this makes travelling together far more enjoyable, so as we prepare to head into the Balkans, we do so with a great sense of happiness for the next chapter in our story.

As always, you can follow our journey on Instagram (@marcusleachglobal and @our.roaming.odyssey), as well as Twitter (@marcusgleach), where we are always happy to answer any questions about our trip that people might have.