So I’m off on a flight to pick up our new to us RV in southern Illinois. Man, deja vu all over again. Just about 3 years ago I was doing the same to get our current RV in Miami Florida. All of those emotions of leaving our old house and throwing our lives into the total unknown have come back with a vengeance.
I haven’t thought much about it until just a couple days ago. That’s when it got real. We’ve been so busy going through all of our stuff to donate, sell or ship back to my parents, then remodeling the RV back to stock in hopes of selling it, then jumping through hoops just to get financing for the new RV, then driving from San Diego to Dallas in 3 days, we finally got settled into a nice RV park and it was time to lay down the cash for the down payment and buy plane tickets. All of a sudden the busyness stopped and it was actually happening.
Throughout all of this I have realized I haven’t been the father or husband I want to be. I’ve put all of this preparation, planning and busy work ahead of being the dad I set out to be 3 years ago. Back then I chose to make my kids and family #1 and everything else secondary, but that hasn’t been the case over the last month or two. I’ve been short, distant and demanding of them. That is definitely not how I want to be or how I want to make them feel.
Our goal with downsizing RV’s, or I should say “right-sizing”, is to put even more focus on our family and to get outside more together (a full post about this coming soon). We’ve been doing this over the past couple weeks because the weather has been great and we’ve been at some really nice campgrounds and it has been amazing. The kids can run and shout and play and I can join in or just watch them enjoy each other. In that respect, we’ve made the right decision with the RV we’re getting and it will be amazing.
In other respects, like storage, sleeping arrangements, and overall space, I think we’re batshit crazy! Although, going from a 2500 sq ft house to a 39′ motorhome seemed crazy at the time, and now we feel that was too much space, so I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.
Speaking of perspective, as I write this, I have gotten such clarity of what I want to do going forward and, more importantly, what I don’t want to do. I am ready to get back to being the father I want to be to my kids. The one that inspires cardboard construction projects instead of loathing them. The one that joins in on the wrestling matches instead of shouting for them to stop.
Lately I’ve forgotten that I’m just a kid at heart and that’s what my kids love the most about me and that’s what I want to be for them. Bryanna doesn’t allow excuses, and I don’t either, and that’s why I will stop all this nonsense and just get back to the man, father and husband I’ve chosen to be. It’s that simple as long as I make it my priority. The journey we’re on won’t last forever so I need to enjoy every second of it!
So if you’ve ever lost your way from the path you’ve chosen, just remember that the perspective and clarity you need can come at any moment, you just have to be ready for it and embrace it when it comes!
I have a bit of a sense of humor, and when others don’t find me funny, I always do.I don’t take myself too seriously and I love my family.That’s why we’re doing this 🙂
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Dude this was deep and awesome! Great post.
Thanks Mark! You know how it is in this life and running a business 🙂
Great honesty and perspective. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Liz!
What did you do with you old Newmar?
We are trying to sell it. It is currently at PPL Motorhomes in Cleburne, TX on consignment. Check it out if interested: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/diesel/2006-Kountry-Star-By-Newmar-35092.htm
Hey Craig, great post. We ran across your blog while visiting Racine and thinking through my tab of RV news. I’ve read a few of your posts now, of which the first was leaving your house. Just read about transitioning to the class C and then found this post.
Why all the background? Because we’ve been thinking about being on the road full time for about two years now, and are slowly going through the motions you went through. On top of the crazy family and stuff reduction themes, we add an element of cultural change. But we’ve already bought a Car and taken a bunch of shorter trips, so that helps until work and school fall into place.
I appreciated your post because this is my challenge when we’re on the road- how to maintain order and discipline to go forward with the day, while still being fun and not losing my own youth, that the kids love. One way had been to just slow down and take it as it comes. Your post was helpful, and I wanted to say thanks.
Thanks for the comment Aslam, I’m glad the posts helped you. It’s a wild transition as you’ve seen and will experience as you go through it, but it can be amazing. Great point about making sure not to lose your fun self as I’m sure that’s something your kids love about you. Best of luck on your journey!