Absolutely. Lots easier than working with kids.
We ER'd as our kid was finishing fourth grade. The novelty of after-school care was just fine for many years but it was beginning to wear quite thin by age 9. We parents were heartily tired of juggling schedules (always fighting late exits and rush-hour traffic) and vacations, and it's been a delight to spend all that time at home with our surly almost-teenager.
I read the summary of thier trip, and I don't think I could handle one year of traveling with our 2 boys. They are 5 and 7 and they fight like pit bulls.
Gotta know your kids. We were always jealous of friends who backpacked their newborn & toddler all over Europe... until we realized that they're the most mellow kids we've ever seen. Our fussy high-needs kid would have never made it past the first mile marker. If your kids are gonna fight like pit bulls, it's best to stay near the home boxing ring.
BTW many parents of fighting kids swear by martial arts. First, they (the kids!) are taught that fighting is the last & worst way to solve your problems. Second, they develop enough self-control & self-confidence to solve their problems without lashing out in anger/frustration. Third, they quickly learn that their customary opponent now knows how to do some real damage. And if a fight does break out, soon they're criticizing each other's technique and they forget all about the subject under dispute. If it's available in your area, I recommend full-contact (with full pads) tae kwon do.
quote author=billystu link=board=lifestyles_board;num=1100806689;start=0#10 date=11/19/04 at 09:39:30]I don't want to do the home school thing because I think a big part of their education is to learn how to interact with other kids.[/quote]
When our kid started kindergarten I lived in daily fear that defeated teachers would eject her for behaving "normally". So, to worry more constructively, I learned quite a bit about homeschooling.
The homeschoolers (and the states) make it look a lot harder than it actually is. You can replicate school at home with schedules, curriculum, homework, & tests-- or you can go completely without and let the kids pursue their own interests. At any point in the spectrum you can find plenty of websites, discussion groups, and local homeschooling families to help you find your way.
Whether you realize it or not, you're homeschooling every time the kids are home. And many communities have robust homeschool groups that serve the same socialization purpose as school. The difference with homeschooling is that the kids can interact more normally (less stressfully) without all those stupid by-the-bell get-in-line sit-in-your-chair rules (I'm referring to school, not the workplace).
But again you gotta know your kids and yourself. If either of you isn't interested in homeschooling then it'll never work. However the mere though of homeschooling is a potent complaint-stopper. When our kid comes home griping about the day at school, I listen sympathetically and say "Yeah, you're right, if you don't want to then you don't have to go to school anymore."
Kid: "Really?!? Cool!!"
Me: "Absolutely, you'll do just fine at Dad's homeschool. After all, I spent eight years teaching at military training commands so I'm sure that I can handle your education."
Kid: "Uh, thanks anyway, Dad, I think I have to go study now..."
quote author=billystu link=board=lifestyles_board;num=1100806689;start=0#10 date=11/19/04 at 09:39:30]I'm real close to pulling the ER trigger. I'll be 40 in a couple of months and that was my goal, so I'm going to do it. Our current expenses are about $5,000 per month, but I figure they are going to actually rise to $7000 per month when I quit due to more travel and more time to spend money. Kind of scary, but I think we've got enough $$ to make it..............billystu[/quote]
You have more time to do things for yourself and to figure out how to SAVE money, too. Hmmm, maybe your kids will help you hold down those expenses if you're not driving cross-country with them. Spending quality family time together is usually free. A day at the local park or a weekend at the local camping grounds may be more than enough travel!
Just don't expect daily expressions of adolescent gratitude that you're always there for them. In fact I wouldn't expect it annually or even decenially. But someday when they're raising their own herd of wildcats... personally I've been apologizing at least weekly to my father ever since our kid was born.
And if you run out of money or if you get tired of spending all that quality time with your kids, you could always go find a
real job. 'Cuz according to your co-workers, surely staying home with your kids can't be anything but indolent fun!