By Gail Marsh
One of my favorite books is Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” I was given this book upon retirement after 40 wonderful years of teaching Kindergarten students. I recently found my treasured book and reread Fulghum’s musings. It got me thinking about my life as it is now. But first, a look back.
Retirement
My husband retired a year or so ahead of me. He was eager to go on the road with our RV, but I was hesitant. I’d been a teacher for so long, I wondered how I would manage my time. How would my days be ordered if not in 20-minute teaching segments, rambunctious recesses, and lunches spent opening fruit cups and milk cartons?
Follow Fulghum’s advice
As it turns out, much of what Fulghum says in his famous book can be applied to the RVing life. With apologies to the author, I’ve added my own RVing comments (in italics) next to a few selections from Fulghum’s original text.
1. Share everything. Especially RV knowledge with newbies who ask.
2. Play fair. Do not make multiple RV reservations for the same day just to ensure a spot.
3. Don’t hit people. Don’t hit the power pole, picnic table, or any other object as you back into your assigned campsite, either.
4. Put things back where you found them. Otherwise, your RV’s interior will get cluttered in a hurry!
5. Clean up your own mess. Or your dog’s mess. If she poops, you scoop!
6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. If an RV neighbor loans you a tool, give it back when you’re done with it.
7. Wash your hands before you eat. Especially after dumping the RV tanks!
8. Flush. Well, yes, particularly if using the campground’s facilities.
9. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. So are snacks and drinks at beer-thirty.
10. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Get to know other RVers you meet, be open to learning new things, and see as much of this beautiful country as possible.
Try choosing one of Fulghum’s ten rules and add your own RVing correlation in the comments below.
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Number 8. Flush. Do a black tank flush at least once a week.
2. PLAY FAIR, treat other campers the way you want to be treated, follow the rules and use common courtesy!
Appreciate Your Blessings. All the challenges you face RV’ing are because you can RV. There are hundreds of thousands who’ll never have the opportunity to enjoy just a sliver of our lifestyle.
Be Humble – You were once brand new to RV’ing too. Mocking someone taking their 3rd attempt to back up does not correct for your own previous failings, it extends them.
Become better not bitter. As an RV’er, decide who you want to become. A better RV’er or a bitter one. The world has no shortage of the latter and you’re the example the next generation will refer….
Excellent Gail! Thank you for, I am sure, a very colorful career getting kids off on the right track! Remember the Golden Rule….