Yes, as I get older in definitely more open to the idea - I met an amazing and super generous family from Poland who were going to Patagonia in an RV they bought in Peru. They had 3 kids! We did the south-west circuit of Bolivia together. It was funny to open my tent in the morning at 4600m and see three blonde haired blue eyed kids spill out of an RV on to the altiplano! They were obviously having an amazing time. It was a real inspiration to have met them and it definitely changed my perspective on things.

Go visit a pre-school for a couple of days RTW. You will get over those evil thoughts

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

Lida and I have a 19 year old son. Before his birth, we both rode bicycles, for four years at one stretch, and attempted to continue with a child. Whilst I did end up taking up BMX riding with him, (and being the oldest rider in the state for a while), the long term tours by bicycle came to a close. I did do a Brisbane to Sydney ride over a few weeks with him, when he was about 10, but that was the end of our bicycling days. When he turned 15, Lida purchased him a second hand Motor Cross motorcycle. This in turn saw myself commence to ride again after 33 years, and Lida went on to learn to ride, get her license and has now completed some 45,000 kms. Three weeks ago we both ordered new BMW motorcycles, fully equipped to suit our future touring needs, and we await their delivery while we plan our future trips. Occasionally, we get our son away overnight on his DR650, but at his stage in life, the motor car holds more appeal for him. We have discovered airbnb and have even gone back into a tent again. The advances in camping equipment are wonderful and truth be told, I haven't minded the camping experiences again. Something I said I would never do again. The last three years has seen us cover large areas of NSW, QLD, Victoria and South Australia. So, the years with small child did really come to an end and we are enjoying motorcycling to the max! Rod

3 kids, 2 dogs, 1 horse, 1 rabbit (the pet type), a goldfish oh and 1 wife as well

For me its all about the balance act of keeping the family happy whilst still being able to travel a bit as well. No I cant do the long trips some of you do for months at a time but I manage to get away on the bike many times a year so cant grumble really.

My kids are 21, 16 and 6 and have always been involved in my hobbies and interests (this helps to persuade the wife as well)

It also helps to have a reasonably paid job as Kids do keep your pockets empty!

Ref: why do we have kids... Dont knock it until youve tried it. I wouldnt change a thing about having kids even if they are a pain in the rear at times

Bones

We find ourselves travelling more because of the kids - I've just had to drive my son down to Gatwick airport to catch a flight and my wife is currently driving from Oxford to Canterbury to collect our daughter and take her to Bournemouth - and back - today.

You do cross a line when they come along and whatever travelling we did before has had to be modified to take their needs in account. I have done a number of long solo trips over the years since they were born but mostly it's been stuff that we thought they could cope with or would enjoy. It is possible, especially pre school, to treat them as an add on to your lifestyle but very quickly it becomes their needs first.

I have changed my plans or cancelled trips at short notice many times when childrearing issues took precedence - once with the bike packed and parked outside the front door a couple of hours before departure. That's the nature of parental responsibility - you have to do your best for them until they can fly solo.

On the up side it gives me great pleasure to see that both of them have taken to travel with the same enthusiasm I had / have. A not that unusual weekend for my son would be flight from Stockholm to London, train to Oxford to play in a band for the evening, get driven (by me) to the airport next morning, fly to Copenhagen for lunch, train to Lund for an afternoon class and another train home afterwards.

We are fortunate now that they're old enough (19 and 24) that we can consider ourselves again and the plans are already in hand. My wife's parents are in their 80's and still travel extensively - this summer they're heading for North Cape, so I'm hoping we have a few decades to go.