Full-Time RV Living

Adapting to New Surroundings in the First Week

updated on 12 Comments on Adapting to New Surroundings in the First Week
Adapting to New Surroundings

Adapting to New Surroundings

This is the third night, and we are still adapting to our new surroundings, and we already encountered some annoying neighbors. There is a big party at the cabin next to ours, blasting loud music, shouting, banging doors, and so on. I’m impressed by their persistence. It has been raining heavily all day, and I have no desire to go outside. Yet, they are out there, making the most of their vacation, living it up.

That is the difference between us. This is not a vacation for us. Our home is now a place where others come to relax and have fun. We have barely begun but are already facing a harsh reality. We have to lead normal lives in places that are meant for vacationing. While others here will stay up late, drinking, partying, and enjoying their break, we will be working and homeschooling. It’s a possible challenge we have to overcome.

We made another mistake by assuming that all campsites had electrical and water hookups. Our site is equipped with electricity, but there was nowhere to hook up our water! We only realized that something was missing when we had finished setting up everything else. What did that mean for us? It meant that we had no access to water in our RV for a week and a half. No sinks, no toilet. We had to brush our teeth with bottled water and spit in a disposable cup, wash our dishes in a plastic tub outside the RV, and had to use an outhouse near our site. This was definitely going to be a steep learning curve.

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Learning to Adjust to Our New Surroundings

Our fourth day of adapting to our new surroundings was tough! We expected some challenges, but nothing could have prepared us for the reality. We’re still adjusting to our new lifestyle. Going from a three-level house to a three-room RV is a huge change. The problem is not the minimalism, but the amount of “family time”. I feel bad for saying this, and I hate even thinking it, but I’m not used to spending so much time with my kids.

I had three jobs that kept me away from home most of the time. Some days, I would only be home for ten minutes before leaving for another job. I went from never being home to having kids glued to me every waking hour. They are also not used to being together all day, every day. They went to different schools, so they also are learning how to get along with each other. Right now, it’s just constant bickering and arguing from everyone.

A homeschooling mom told me that the first year she homeschooled was mostly about learning how to live together, which I now understand. In today’s fast-paced society, many parents don’t get the chance to be parents anymore. I was guilty of that. I was so busy working that it was easier to give the kids an iPad or put them in front of the TV than listen to them whine and complain. Now, we’re figuring out how to live together instead of apart. This is not going to be an easy transition, but we’re in it together.

The Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday was a rough day, and today did not start any better. Since we had no water in the RV, the nearby outhouse was what was available for us to use. Normally, it wasn’t a big deal, but something was different today. Maybe it was the weather change, or the humidity fluctuation, I don’t know, but it was horrible. The fumes in there were so foul that my eyes started to water. I really had to pee, so I held my breath, eyes watering. The smell lingered in my nostrils, and when I got back to the RV I started to dry heave. This is not a new surrounding I want to adjust to.

After witnessing my reaction my daughter, Lylah, no longer wanted to use the port-a-potty. Instead, we decided to walk to the shower room about a quarter mile from our site. I think it was meant to be. In the shower house bathrooms, I saw a flyer for a homestead festival happening in an hour just a few miles away. Rylen had been studying the colonial period in his homeschooling. It was a perfect chance to witness some of the historical features he was learning about.

My husband dropped us off and the kids and I had so much fun together! My son, Rylen, joined the Civil War soldier reenactment, both kids made homemade dolls and candles, and we rode in a stagecoach! This was the quality family time that I had been looking forward to. Hopefully, we can continue having that quality time. We are slowly beginning to adjust to our new surroundings.

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About Author

Hello, my name is Kayla, and I'm a registered nurse from the Midwest. My husband and I have celebrated 20 years of marriage and are parents to two children. Our eldest, who has special needs, faced challenges in a traditional school environment. After exhausting all our options to support him, we chose to take a year-long break from society. We sold our house and most belongings, purchased an RV, and set off on an adventure across the United States. This year of travel allowed us to grow both individually and as a family.

My son and I both grapple with ADHD. I was unaware of my condition until it was pointed out by my son's psychiatrist during our first meeting. The most significant challenge I face with ADHD is communication. In one-on-one interactions, I manage fairly well, but when I'm nervous, upset, or deeply engaged with the subject, my thoughts become muddled, and my speech turns into a jumbled mess. Adding to the complexity, I have an INFP personality type according to the Myers-Briggs chart, which means I often find myself nervous, upset, or deeply passionate. To deal with these communication hurdles, I tend to fall back on silence, keeping my thoughts to myself.

Blogging has reignited my passion for storytelling, with travel as my muse, and helped me find my voice. Despite the irony of being a storyteller who struggles with verbal communication, I've found my voice through travel blogging and newsletters. This has allowed me to express my true, authentic self—a goal that has long been elusive. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all my readers for giving me a platform to be unapologetically me.

I would love to have you follow along in our journey as we navigate RV life, homeschooling and discover amazing places across the country!

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12 Comments

  1. Kayla and Colton, I’m so happy you have created your blog. Rylen is blessed to have chosen you for his parents. His mental health issues will prove to be challenging and also rewarding.
    I too agree it’s time we, as a society, stop and block the stigma mental health diseases have ensured. What’s the difference between hypertension, diabetes, or mental health diseases? There isn’t a difference as all three are related to various neurohormonal deficiencies in an organ and Rylen’s just happens to be derived from his brain.
    Hold the faith and stay strong! Our society tends to push that square peg into their perceived round hole, which isn’t fair nor just.

    1. Thank you for your comment. I wholeheartedly agree with you! A nurse I used to work with explained it to me once that you wouldn’t deny a diabetic their insulin, why wouldn’t you treat a mental health disorder? I love your analogy. Rylen’s brain is wired differently, and he learns differently. He is very smart but needs the right environment to learn.

  2. I love reading your blog and I’m so happy that you are bring awareness to mental health. I have always struggled with feeling alone in my struggles and honestly my mom home schooling me was one of the best things that could have happened. Wishing you all the best times and support ❤️

    1. Thank you so much for your comment! I struggled with the prospect of homeschooling and whether that was the best option. Your feedback gives me hope that I made the correct decision. Thank you!

  6. Hi Kayla!! I am so proud of you and your family. Thank you for starting a blog and keeping your followers updated. I am but a phone call away if you need anything. Safe travels!

    1. Thank you so much!! I miss you!! Thank you for following and keeping in touch. It means the WORLD to me!!

  7. Kayla,
    I spoke to Colton this week and I hope he extended my well wishes to you all as you are on this journey. I must say that I cry more often than I would like in regard to Rylen. Having known you all since Rylen was just born, I have seen you both become the amazing parents that you are and I love the fact that you are not allowing society to define Rylen. It isnt fair to him and it robs the world of all that he has to give. Your words about Rylen in this post really hit home for me. Our systems are not set up for uniqueness. I myself was a subject of this. I am cheering you all on and excited to follow along in your journey.
    Big hugs from South Dakota!
    Amber

    1. Hi Amber!
      Colton did tell me that he told you our amazing news! Every time he has a meeting with you, I want to sneak in and say hi. Thank you for your well wishes and ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!! We can’t thank you enough!!!! Your advocacy has been huge in helping us care for Rylen and give him what he needs to survive and thrive.

      Thank you SO much!!!!

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