Posted by Jim Flath on March 05, 1999 at 07:27:18:
         My mom and step dad have been full timing for almost 10 years now, and I
         don't think that I have ever seen my Mom happier than since she started
         fulltiming. My childern think it is cool getting little things from the different places
         Grandma visits. Their traveling also gives us the chance to travel and see them
         or for them to stop by and see us at any time. I am glad that they are doing
         what makes them happy.

Posted by Carolyn Francis on March 05, 1999 at 23:36:19:
         After trying for months to explain to family members what "fulltiming" really
         means, we finally came up with something that has worked--we loaned them
         our copies of Ron & Barb's books! Now they are beginning to understand that
         "fulltiming" is something that normal, respectable people do! (Unfortunately, to
         those unfamiliar with this lifestyle, it might come across as "living in a van down
         by the river.") 

Posted by Mario on March 05, 1999 at 08:36:30:
         Although we haven't actually gone fulltime yet, 9/99, most of our family at first
         gave us a blank stare. Now only a few think were crazy. Some our our children
         seemed concerned, some said 'Go for it'. My mother (85) will never think it's a
         good idea and my wife's mother will probably be non-commital. We have told
         them that 6 months will be maximum time between visits of some sort. If this
         thread survives, I'll post any changes in attitude that I think may be interesting to
         others. Mario 

In Reply to: What Family thinks posted by Mario on March 05, 1999
         Mario: You are wise to ignore the opposition of family members insofar as
         letting them affect your decision to full-time. Those who let others make
         decisions for them, live to regret it later on. Just sent postcards from the places
         you visit to your mother and mother-in-law and they will be happy. Also, let
         them get e-mail capability and they'll have even more ways to keep in touch.
         

Posted by Stan Spielbusch on March 22, 1999 at 16:14:41:
         We're planning to full-time within a year, and as of yet I haven't told my family
         of my plans. I know they will think I'm crazy. It won't help that I'm still in my
         30s, and just moved back to my home town 7 years ago "to be near family"!
         (That hasn't worked out so well, as we still rarely get together anyway except
         for holidays and birthdays.) The idea of giving them one of Ron & Barb's
         books is good, although a nice videotape intro would be even better (they're
         not big readers ;-) I'm anxious to see more comments here, especially along the
         lines of smoothing the transition! 

Posted by Dick Ackerman on March 24, 1999 at 22:56:34:
        In Reply to: Afraid to tell them posted by Stan Spielbusch on March 22, 1999
         Other people will always be changing your life, wether you like it or not. People
         will move, change jobs, pass on, businesses will close, etc. If it's something you
         really want to do---DO IT! Then you will never look back and say---"I wish I
         had done that". Good luck.
 

Posted by Dave Jenkins on March 24, 1999 at 19:00:30:
        In Reply to: Afraid to tell them posted by Stan Spielbusch on March 22, 1999
         Stan, I'm not sure who the "we" is you referred to when talking about fulltiming,
         but I'm going to guess it's not the "family" you were talking about. If you're 30
         years old, it seems to me you're old enough to decide for yourself (including the
         rest of the "we" of course) what kind of lifestyle you're going to live. We've met
         many younger people who are living quite happily in their RV's. But if you'll
         forgive a Grampa from offering unsolicited comments, I'd say that it's pretty
         frustrating to live your life to satisfy "family". Excepting, of course, the rest of
         "we". If everybody did what their family did, there sure wouldn't be much
         adventure in life, now, would there. Get going! Hope to see you down the
         road! Grampa Dave

Posted by Mario on April 14, 1999 at 08:59:55:
        In Reply to: What Family thinks posted by Mario on March 05, 1999
         As an update to my previous post, all of the immediate family now knows of
         our full time plans. As expected, my mom, 85, has accepted it, but would
         rather we didn't. Gail's mom (80) has said 'Go for it. If you don't, someday
         you'll probably regret it'. Only 1 of our 5 children has shown any *outward*
         trepidation because we talk to him almost daily, (lives 20 miles away and see
         them at least every 2-3 weeks.) He's in the plus column although perhaps
         reluctantly. Since we now have ordered our motorhome, bought a toad, have
         one of our cars for sale, they *really* believe that we are doing it. 
 

Posted by Agnes on March 26, 1999 at 17:33:11:
        In Reply to: Re: What Family thinks posted by Norm Wyner on March 11, 1999
         We hesitated to tell our family - older parents, especially - so we kind of eased
         them into it by gradually talking about traveling when we retire. I'm not sure
         exactly what they think but I believe my dad said something about wishing we
         would "settle down and stop acting like gypsies!" (We have moved a few
         times! I also found out that he had hopes of us moving closer to "home" when
         we retired.) Our son, after recovering from the shock of us selling our beautiful
         house, finally said that with us having a "mobile" home, he would feel free to
         accept a job anywhere and not worry about trying to stay within driving
         distance! Our sisters and brothers probably think we're crazy but...then, we are
         sometimes! Well, we're different. We can't wait to get on the road! 

Posted by Agnes on March 26, 1999 at 17:35:11:
        In Reply to: Famly member of fulltimers posted by Jim Flath on March 05, 1999
        What a good son! Seriously, it was nice to read that you're glad your parents
         are doing what makes them happy.