Comments on: How to Tell Your Family You’re Leaving for a Year to go Travel

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:54:59 +0000

I think it depends on your parents. My mom has always told me to do what makes me happy. All she wants is for me to be happy. So….I took off in 2007 for the UK and moved over 2,000 miles away. She misses me and I miss her. But, she recently said to me, “I understand that you have your own life to live.” This does not mean that I will not go back and visit. Although, I can only take certain family members in small doses

Unfortunately, some parents like to hold it over their kids heads that they paid for their college/university education. Who is telling parents that it is their responsibility to pay for college? Take out loans or get a job. I paid for my own education, and I’m not the only one. If you don’t want to hear your parents moan and groan that you’re taking off for a year, start exerting your independence. As my father would say to me, “do you think I’m going to live forever?”

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:41:34 +0000

I guess it all depends if your parents enjoy travel and see the benifits in it. My parents lived overseas, did their own thing, travelled, played, all before meeting each other and settling down, so my desire to travel and work is applauded by them. Though I’m sure they’d love me to find a nice career and earn some big bucks as well, but it seems difficult to do both unless you’re willing to sit for a few years, which I’m not. I’m too restless in my small town. But I have friends whose parents have never left the state – let alone the country- and therefore couldn’t care less if they’re kids did the same. All about experience I guess. And you figure out what sort your parents are and then decide how to tell them.
Excellent article!

By: Jennine Lewitzke

Jennine Lewitzke — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:24:34 +0000

Good advice! I have been researching living and working abroad and that is definitely one thing I worry about if and when plans become more concrete – telling the family. They are not big travelers and worry about me going on trips, much less living abroad for an extended period of time…

By: Theodore Scott

Theodore Scott — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:24:19 +0000

I don’t recommend my method.

I have always told my family just before taking off. After I made my plans and bought my plane ticket, then I would remember that I hadn’t mentioned it yet.

In fact, that is how I joined the military too!