SOME OF THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES WE’VE FACED AS DIGITAL NOMADS TRAVELING THE WORLD WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN, TEGAN AND TYLER. LIVING A LIFE OF CONSTANT MOVEMENT WHILE WORKING REMOTELY AND RAISING A FAMILY HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, BUT IT’S NOT WITHOUT ITS OBSTACLES.
In this post, we’ll dive into how we balance work and family life, ensure our kids are well-socialised, and cope with the uncertainties that come with this lifestyle. We hope our insights can help other families considering or already living the digital nomad life.
One of the biggest challenges we face as digital nomads is finding the right balance between work and family life. Working remotely offers incredible flexibility, but it also blurs the boundaries between professional and personal time. When your office is wherever you are—whether that’s a café in Paris, a beach in Costa Rica, or a mountain cabin in Spain—it’s easy to let work spill over into family time. To maintain a healthy balance, we focus on spending our days playing and exploring with the kids, fully immersing ourselves in family time. Once the kids are asleep, that’s when we shift gears and dedicate ourselves to work. By working during the quiet hours of the night, we ensure that our days are free for adventures and quality time with Tegan and Tyler, allowing us to be fully present with them without the distractions of work. This routine helps us maintain clear boundaries between our professional and family lives, ensuring both are given the attention they deserve. We make it a priority to spend quality time with Tegan and Tyler every day. Whether it’s exploring a new city, going on a hike, or simply playing a board game together, we ensure that we’re fully present and engaged during family activities. This time together not only strengthens our bond but also allows our kids to feel secure and loved no matter where we are in the world.
Another strategy that has worked well for us is involving the kids in our work whenever possible. They’ve become our little assistants in various ways, from helping with creative brainstorming for our projects to learning about entrepreneurship through their own ventures. This not only teaches them valuable skills but also helps them understand the importance of the work we do. Establish a routine that works for your family, even if it’s a flexible one. Having a predictable structure helps everyone know what to expect, making it easier to balance work and family life. Utilise productivity tools to manage your time effectively. We rely on apps that help us organise our tasks, set reminders, and even limit screen time to ensure we’re not overworking. While routines are important, so is flexibility. There will be days when work needs to take a backseat to family time and vice versa. The key is to adapt and find balance over the long term, rather than stressing about getting it perfect every day.
One common concern about homeschooling and living a nomadic lifestyle is whether children will miss out on socialisation opportunities. It’s a valid worry, but in our experience, our children have actually had richer and more diverse social interactions as a result of our travels. One of the beautiful aspects of traveling is that it brings us into contact with people from all walks of life. Tegan and Tyler have made friends with children and adults from different cultures and backgrounds, learning to communicate and connect with people regardless of language barriers or cultural differences. Whether it’s playing with local kids in a park, participating in community events, or bonding with fellow travellers, our kids have developed strong social skills and a deep appreciation for diversity. We make it a point to stay in touch with the friends we’ve made along the way. Thanks to technology, Tegan and Tyler regularly video chat with friends they’ve met in different countries, keeping those connections alive. We also encourage them to write letters or emails, which helps them maintain relationships and practice their writing skills at the same time.
Whenever we stay in one place for an extended period, we seek out local homeschooling groups, language exchange meetups, and other community activities. These groups offer a great way for our kids to socialize with peers and for us to connect with other families who share our lifestyle. One of the advantages of worldschooling is that it allows us to shield our kids from some of the negative social pressures that can exist in traditional schools, such as bullying. While they still face challenges, we’re able to address them more directly and provide guidance in real-time. Traveling has taught our kids to be empathetic and open-minded. They’ve learned to appreciate different perspectives and respect others’ experiences. We believe these are crucial life skills that will serve them well in the future. Life as a digital nomad is filled with uncertainty. From navigating new environments to adapting to different cultures and dealing with the unexpected, it’s a lifestyle that requires a lot of flexibility and resilience—especially when you have kids in tow. Despite the constant change, we strive to create a sense of stability for our children. We do this by maintaining certain routines, such as regular meal times, bedtime rituals, and family check-ins, no matter where we are. These small consistencies help the kids feel secure, even when everything around them is unfamiliar.
We’ve learned to view uncertainty as an opportunity for growth and adventure. By involving our kids in decision-making—whether it’s choosing the next destination or planning an itinerary—they feel more in control and excited about the journey ahead. This has helped them develop a positive attitude towards change and an adventurous spirit. The pandemic was a particularly challenging time for many families. Suddenly, our usual freedom to travel was restricted, and we had to adapt quickly. We used this time to focus on family bonding, personal projects, and online learning. This reinforced the importance of flexibility and resilience. It also reminded us that no matter where we are, our family is our anchor. Keeping informed about the local situation, especially in terms of safety and health, helps us make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks. We’ve found that practicing mindfulness helps us and our children stay grounded in the present moment, reducing anxiety about the future. Simple mindfulness exercises, like deep breathing or gratitude journaling, can be incredibly effective in maintaining emotional balance during times of change.
Living as digital nomads with kids has been an incredible journey full of challenges and rewards. We’ve learned to balance work and family life, ensure our kids are well-socialised, and navigate the uncertainties that come with constant travel. While it’s not always easy, the experiences and growth we’ve gained as a family are priceless. If you’re a digital nomad family or considering this lifestyle, we hope our insights help you navigate the challenges and embrace the adventure.
Remember, every family is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is to find what works best for you and your loved ones.
We’re here to support you on your journey, wherever it may lead. Safe travels!
English Author, Entrepreneur, Minimalist, and Digital Nomad.
English Author, Entrepreneur, Minimalist, and Digital Nomad.
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