It seems that so much advice you come across online when it comes to digital nomadism revolves primarily around people who travel solo. Perhaps this makes sense to an extent, since most would rather opt for such a career when they aren’t limited by the idea of the school year, family holidays, or any other factor that could otherwise deter them from their desire to become a digital nomad. However, if you truly, undeniably want to take that path and do so with kids, it’s’ more than possible, provided that you make certain adjustments and compromises along the way.
Living and working on the go can have different effects on different kids, and raising them in constant motion can have numerous benefits, from letting them experience a range of different cultures to bringing them up to be open-minded and resilient. Taking into account all the potential issues is equally relevant, so let’s tackle the most vital tips you should keep in mind that will emphasize the positive and help you overcome the negative aspects of being a digital nomad family.
Assess your financial capabilities
One of the biggest mistakes many new parents make is overestimating their budget in terms of their ability to travel and work on the go with youngsters. Kids come with some serious financial commitments, so you should take the time to evaluate if you have the capacity to provide for your family properly with the lifestyle of a digital nomad. That requires a well-developed career plan, a savings strategy, an insurance plan, and the like.
Whether you’re a single parent or traveling with your spouse, don’t jump into this decision rashly. Once you determine what kind of a budget you need to live the nomad life, you can then discuss the option with your kids. Jumping into this lifestyle is not a wise choice even when you’re single, let alone when you’re a family.
Keep your kids involved
In case you have started this journey when your kids were really young, then they have already had the time to either adapt, or express their discontent, in which case you can proceed forward based on what makes you happy as a family. However, when you’re contemplating this wonderful lifestyle with kids that are slightly older, then you have a whole new conundrum on your hands: how to get your youngsters on board with your plan?
It’s vital to communicate openly with your family, to keep all decisions transparent, and not to drop any surprises on your kids. They thrive on routine, but if travel will become routine, chances are that they’ll be able to adapt if they have a fair say in your choices, such as the activities they’ll have, sights they’ll see, and the like. Sharing your plans with your kids is essential, if you want this life to be a long-term arrangement for your family.
Go where the internet takes you
When you’re a digital nomad with kids, one thing’s certain: you need a stable, reliable internet connection to do your job effectively and to educate your kids on the go. Your entire family depends on a strong connection, hence the need to choose locations that will help you stay connected and not waste time.
Look for places that use internet fiber connections and that ensure high speed as well as security when you’re online. That might limit your travels to stick to well-populated, urban areas, but remember that this is not a vacation, but a career choice. You can always set aside weekends for exploring areas that come with zero connectivity and where you can finally rest from email notifications.
Ensure proper education for your kids
On one hand, the sheer act of traveling will be a genius way to teach your kids real life values and skills. On the other, you still need to provide them with access to traditional education so that they can be able to develop their own careers, nomadic or otherwise.
Homeschooling is a great way to do just that, but there are other alternatives such as digital classrooms, hiring a full-time tutor online or on site, depending on what your kids would prefer and the model they’d thrive on with ease.
Take it slow
Finally, one of the greatest tips for all wannabe digital nomads with kids is to take it one step at a time, so that both you and your youngsters have time to adapt, explore their feelings, and determine the best road forward. Don’t just purchase a ticket to the most exotic destination possible, but go somewhere close to home with a similar environment, so that you and the kids can slowly adapt.
Culture shock is quite a common issue, especially for kids that have yet to develop social skills, and learning new languages may be a great perk, but also a great issue. So, balance your pros and cons, take it slow at first, and if it works, you can continue growing your family life on the go. If not, you will have the means and the time to restore to your previous way of living with no harm done.
The many benefits of being a digital nomad make this quite an appealing adventure for many modern moms and dads. However, before you take the leap, consider all the lessons you can learn beforehand that will help your kids adapt, and use these tips to ease them into the new lifestyle.
