We moved into a caravan with a toddler & 15-month-old TWINS – the kids turn it upside down but it’s quick to clean
”WE set a date and actually had to stick to it,” say two parents who reveal how they finally committed to life on the road.
Branson and Chelsea, from New Zealand, dreamed about swapping their home for a caravan for years – and finally took the leap with a young child and 15-month-old twins in tow.
Since then, the adventurous family-of-five has spent a lot of time travelling and exploring the picturesque country in a caravan.
”We got our first bus when I was pregnant with Harvey [their son], so that was just the two of us – Branson and I […] and we did weekend travels,” the mum shared their exciting journeys on the Aotearoa Adventures podcast.
”Then Harvey came along and we had to take the dining table out to fit the car seat in and he would sleep in a basket on a workbench top,” she chuckled.
After ditching the bus which had become too cramped for the family, they upgraded to a bigger vehicle – all while trying to fall pregnant.
They were hoping Harvey would have a baby sister.
To their surprise, however, two adorable twins joined the brood, forcing them ”to go shopping again” and buying a caravan ”to fit all the kids in”.
”We left home when the girls were 15 months old and came back when they turned three,” Chelsea said.
”We both worked from home as well at the time and so just thought, why not see if we can work from on the road?” Branson chimed in.
”Why not go down south and explore it properly?”
But although getting out there was fun and something they’ll always cherish, there were also some challenges when they went full-time on the road.
One of them was coming up with a routine, as Branson would be up bright and early for his morning meetings – and the three kids would be kicking around their feet in the background.
”Trying to get the breakfast ready and all of that,” said Chelsea, adding that adapting to a ”small space” was also difficult at first.
”That first week or two was very tense, lots of arguments with everyone.
”But once we sort of figured it all out and how it was going to work, and giving each other space […] that made a big difference.”
The youngest ones of the brood, the 15-month-old twins, ”loved it”, especially as everything was ”child-proof” in their new home.
”I mean, they could turn the caravan upside down in seconds with the toys and things,” chuckled the dad who said it only took ”minutes” to clean the mess up.
Why I could never live in a tiny home
Tiny homes are getting increasingly popular in the UK, especially in the cost of living crisis when first-time buyers are struggling to get on the property ladder or current homeowners are having to pay ridiculous interest rates on mortgages.
But Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor, has shared why living in a tiny home would be her idea of a nightmare.
“I’m currently in the process of selling my flat and buying a house, and as I pack up all my belongings, I’m worried where it is all going to go – there is so much stuff!
Fortunately, I’m very privileged to be buying a house with more square feet than my current flat.
But it got me wondering, could I ever live in a small space? And the answer is no.
- Less personal space
Living with another person immediately cuts down on personal space, but remove several rooms, and I’d be left with only the bathroom as my sanctuary. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope!
- Less storage space
I’m like a magpie, I like collecting pretty things, and I like my belongings to be organised. With limited storage space, I’d find it really hard to keep everything neat and tidy.
- Can’t play host
One of the joys of being an independent adult is being able to host – friends, family, overnight stays, and dinner parties. Where would I gather everyone for a Sunday lunch if my table only sat two? Not to mention, how would I cook a Sunday lunch?
- No room to grow
Both as an individual, as part of a couple and also my hobbies, can be restricted by physical space. When I first moved into my flat, I was overjoyed at having my own balcony, and it has been a space where my love for gardening has grown. Five years on, my balcony is now overflowing with plants, and I’ve had to set up a mini propagator in the living room!
As well as playing indoors and enjoying the sometimes wet weather in puddles, the mini tots went on outdoor hikes with their parents pretty much every day after work – something the dad said would make them sleep ”really well”.
”They had the best time and then a couple months in they had forgotten that they had ever lived in a house,” he added.
”So when we came home, it was a mess of an adjustment because they had no memory of living in a house at all.”
Before saying goodbye to their home for a while, Branson and Chelsea had to deal with the opinions of their friends and family who advised against moving into a caravan.
Although Branson’s parents had accepted the fact they’d be gone for a while – especially as they, too, had done the same years ago – it was ”bittersweet” accepting they wouldn’t see their grandchildren for a long period of time,
”But once people saw the videos that were were making and where we were going, and what we were doing, they tended to understand.
”They still viewed it as a vacation, you know – you’re on this big vacation,” joked Chelsea, explaining that they still had to do everyday things, including work.
”Maybe some people thought it was this drastic decision – but we were like ‘This is what we want to do’.”
During their time away from their home, the family-of-five was also visited by their friends and relatives who joined their adventures – which you can view on their Instagram page, as well as the family’s YouTube channel.
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