“They Are So Delusional”: Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Around 1 million Americans live in RVs (recreational vehicles) full-time. It allows people to have freedom, change locations and travel whenever they want, and save money on rent and bills. However, some aspects of constantly living on wheels are far from enjoyable, which this Reddit user exposed in her recent post.

The teenager writes that for the past eleven years she’s been a nomad, wandering through the US without a proper bed, education, friends, or opportunities for jobs. Such a decision was made early for her by her parents, whom she is now starting to resent. Looking to vent her frustrations and share the gruelling RV life, she turned to people online for guidance.

A lot of people choose to live in RV to travel freely and save some money

"They Are So Delusional": Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Image credits: Roadpass / unsplash (not the actual photo)

However, it has its own gruelling disadvantages too, which this teenager shared just recently

"They Are So Delusional": Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Image credits: Darina Belonogova / pexels (not the actual photo)

"They Are So Delusional": Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Image credits: BLACKDAY / envato (not the actual photo)

"They Are So Delusional": Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Image credits: Educational-Army-915

More than 77% of RVers aged 35-44 travel with children

A growing number of companies implementing remote work policies have opened up new opportunities for people who wish to travel and work on the road. With RV purchases already on the rise, restricted travel during the pandemic has encouraged purchases of such homes even more, increasing the number of Americans constantly living on wheels to 1 million.

The insurance company Progressive surveyed 501 Americans who live either full- or part-time in RVs and found that half of them are aged 18-44, and only 18% are 65 or older, showing a shift in the traditional nomad lifestyle. RVing no longer seems to be reserved for older couples who like to use their free time to cruise and travel the country.

Younger people have embraced such a life for a number of reasons, but the main ones are to explore the country and have adventures while working.

Surprisingly, more than 77% of RVers aged 35-44 travel with children. Since there’s more school options available than ever before, many families embrace such a challenge despite it being quite daunting. In the Progressive survey, it was found that most kids (49%) living in RVs take virtual classes, while about 31% stay close to home base so their children can attend school in person. Only 19% of children report being homeschooled.

Education for kids doesn’t seem to be a problem for most families. According to parents, kids have plenty of opportunities to learn while RVing. “There are opportunities for education everywhere when you live in an RV full time. Everywhere you look, there’s something to learn from geography and history to math, science, and reading. Every stop is a chance to have fun learning something,” writes Kay, aka The Mom Trotter, on her travel blog.

37% are unhappy with the lack of personal and storage space homes on wheels offer

"They Are So Delusional": Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Image credits: Hanson Lu / unsplash (not the actual photo)

On the other hand, the biggest concern families face while living on the road is finding good campground reservations, with most being booked a few months in advance. Driving, maneuvering and filling it up with gas are some other things RVers find challenging. Meanwhile, 37% are unhappy with the lack of personal and storage space homes on wheels offer.

Disconnection from family and friends can also make a nomad lifestyle more difficult. Not being able to rely on the people that are close to you can definitely take a toll on a person’s mental health.

“When you start a full-time adventure, you trade the familiar in for the unfamiliar, and many full-time RVers express frustration with the superficial interactions between RVers that are common in this lifestyle. You may actually get to know some other RVers, and you may even choose to travel with a group, but sooner or later the rally will break up, and either you or they will be onto another destination,” says author, writer, and full-time RVer Peggy Dent.

Of course, keeping in touch with family and friends can help, but it’s not really the same as face-to-face communication. Plus, holidays, family celebrations and small visits to grandparents are no longer part of a routine and being homesick may be a bigger issue than aspiring RVers may realize.

Traveling in an RV full-time may be a dream for many. However, it’s important to remember that such a decision doesn’t mean a person is taking a long life vacation, but making a choice that can have an imensive affect on adults and kids who are taken from their stable routine and thrown into the unknown of living on the road.

Readers felt for the author and even suggested ways to escape the RV life

"They Are So Delusional": Teen Who Grew Up With RV Influencer Parents Shares Her Side

Poll Question

Thanks! Check out the results:

Hi, glad you swung by! My name is Austėja, and I’m a writer at Bored Panda. With a degree in English philology, I’m interested in all aspects of language. Being fresh out of university, my mission is to master the art of writing and add my unique touch to every personal story and uplifting article we publish. In my time here, I’ve covered some fun topics such as scrungy cats and pareidolia, as well as more serious ones about mental health and relationship hiccups. When I’m not on my laptop, you’ll probably find me devouring pastries, especially croissants, paired with a soothing cup of tea. Sunsets, the sea, and swimming are some of my favorite things.

Read less »

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Jennifer Smith 3 days ago

I would love to travel the US in an RV but right now my kids need a stable life so it has to wait until they are grown.

25points

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 3 days ago

That one sentence makes you a great mom. Imagine, meeting your children's needs before indulging in your wants!

21points

Load More Replies...

Tempest 3 days ago

We’re going to hear so many more stories like this in the future, aren’t we? I see many “Internet parents” doing this type of lifestyle now, selling their homes, removing the kids from school, and travelling the world full time. It’s simply a trend for many. Of course I’ve been amazed at how the families get the opportunity to travel and see so much of the world, something we all dream of but are shackled down unable to because of finances or work. But I’ve always wondered how these kids get a proper education (long term online can only do so much as a theory only education) and how they have a social life when they’ve never had the opportunity to build long term relationships. I feel so bad for this lady and all the other young kids who are currently being paraded around on the Internet in the same manner without understanding the consequences or being able to object to the circumstances. People can switch to doing this for only a few months a year and get the best of both worlds.

15points

Kare Deter 3 days ago

I liked the idea to join the military; that would solve most of her problems. It would remove her from the hateful situation, provide her shelter, income, and training so she can start building the future she wants for herself.

8points

arthbach 3 days ago

Kare Deter, the USA's Coastguards are actively recruiting, and have a huge range of jobs available, from First Responders, to Law Enforcement, and of course search and rescue. There would be accommodation, training, and pay. This would be an excellent way to free herself from the mobile prison her parents have made for her.

8points

Load More Replies...