Work and lifestyle patterns have drastically changed over the last few years. Since remote work proved its efficiency and non-traditional learning models have acquired a much wider recognition, more families are shifting their love for travel to living a nomadic lifestyle. Despite the digital nomad image as a vagabond with no strings attached, happily married mothers and fathers are longing to live boundlessly around the world. Although globetrotting with toddlers may not seem like a stress-free activity, with some planning ahead, and the help of Boundless Life, it’s totally doable.
Every second family at our Boundless Life cohort shares the same old story about how after conceiving their first child, their friends and family expected them to change their lifestyle and settle for stability. Yet here they are, enjoying the laid-back pace of picturesque Sintra, taking long walks along the stunning beaches of Syros, and excited to explore new destinations. Each of them now says that sharing these precious moments of joy and discovery with their kids and partners makes it priceless.
Whether you are still researching family-friendly options for full-time travelling, or have already booked your next adventure, this blog will be your walk through the main points of making it a joyful experience.
Define the Perfect Travel Pace for Your Family
Seduced by attractive deals on flights and hotel fares often results in us falling into a trap of trying to make it all happen in a short period of time. Let’s remember that family travel dynamics demand us to slow down and define what is most important, and include the interests of all family members in the itinerary. We recommend leaving the schedule loose! It’s hard to predict when your kids will or will not want to leave the beach or will or won’t share your interest in the tour of a historic castle. Be prepared to tolerate changes. Be adaptable!
Michelle and her husband, Boundless Life’s CEO Mauro Repacci (avid travellers), had to slow down for the benefit of their three daughters. During our conscious parenting workshop at the Boundless Co-Working Hub, Michelle shared that instead of tightly packing their schedules with zoom calls and long to-do lists, they had to adjust their pace and add some space for unpreviewed activities, such as ice cream stops for example. As a reward, they saw all of the beauty around Sintra and Syros, which they simply didn’t have time to spot otherwise.
You don’t have to spend all your time on the road to call yourself a full-time traveller. Many families choose to stay in one destination for longer periods to fully embrace the culture. Most Boundless families stay for three to six months before moving on to their next destination.
Worldschooling and Childcare
Alternative education proves that not all classrooms have four walls. Worldschooling offers the never-seen-before flexibility and personalised approach to each and every child. However, there are certain pitfalls to be aware of.
Be sure to do your research and compare curriculums, and the educational system in question should be officially accredited. In some countries like the U.K., schooling is compulsory, so make sure that the curriculum you are switching to is recognized by law in your country.
Homeschooling offers a learning flow with less social pressure and is seen as the legitimate successor to traditional education. Nevertheless, it has its pitfalls. It can be time and energy-consuming for parents as now all of the tuition and administration is on you and/or your partner. Consider homeschooling as an option only if you are ready for this major life change. And even if you can substitute tutors, your children also need to socialise with other kids. Local schools can work for those families who stay at a location for a year or more, but keep in mind that your child will most likely be learning math and science in a foreign language.
This is where Boundless Education comes in as a clear solution! Without any doubt, giving your kid the best education possible is the top priority of every parent, and here we are in the same boat, as most of Boundless Life’s co-founders are fathers and mothers. When designing the Boundless education system, we searched for the best world practices and stopped our choice on the Finnish Curriculum, which through hands-on experiences develops children's competencies and focuses on interest-driven academic experiences.
Boundless Education is a transformational learning system that lays the foundation for innovation, maximizes experiential learning, and creates meaningful connections to ourselves, our communities and the world.
Community
Socialisation is a necessity that is not only for the little nomads - adults feel the longing for community as well. To avoid feeling isolated and lost, do your homework before landing at a destination. To get an idea of the nomad community at the chosen destination, connect with other families and chat about their experiences. You may find some useful info on local nomad Facebook groups.
It’s no surprised that nomads with kids would seek to connect with other parents who share their joys and sorrows of parenthood. That’s why at Boundless Life we love organising networking events that allow the parents to meet like-minded families. (Needless to say, everything we do is designed with families in mind). This where where new valuable and meaningful connections are established.
Emergency Funds and Unpleasant Surprises to Avoid
Broken or lost gadgets or unpreviewed healthcare bills shouldn’t get in the way of the joy of discovering a new land. This is why an emergency fund shouldn’t be overlooked when planning your travel. As it is a very individual subject, we advise you to plan this fund based on your family size and lifestyle. You may also want to check the cost of living at your next destination to get a better understanding of your travel budget. There are websites, like numbeo.com where you can find and compare prices for the major goods, and services.
Depending on your income, the cost of groceries may not be substantial and health insurance can save you the bank. Do not neglect healthcare.
Also note that living overseas may give you tax benefits as well as get you into the tax trap if you don’t know your liabilities. We highly recommend consulting an accounting expert to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Family travel planning may require some patience and positive thinking, but we haven’t met anyone who wouldn’t say it wasn’t worth it. When you are set with the essentials it’s time to fully embrace the experience, dive into new cultures and write a new chapter of your family’s story.
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