Becoming a Digital Nomad Family

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Digital nomads used to be millennials with laptops, working by the beach. But now more and more families are starting to adopt the nomadic lifestyle, exploring new places along with their kids.

Constantly traveling with the children? I can hear some of you cringe at the idea. Don’t., It is perfectly possible when you know the right tips and apply the right tricks.

In this article, you’llfind all the information you’ll need about digital nomad families, traveling with kids, and how to survive on your journeys. Without going insane. Let’s begin with the question: What is a digital nomad family?

What Is a Digital Nomad Family?

A digital nomad family would be one in which one or both parents work remotely while traveling with their children. They’re location independent and usually have more flexibility than parents who have to physically work in offices.

Pulling off a digital nomadic lifestyle along with a family, as opposed to doing so solo, certainly has its setbacks and obstacles. A digital nomad family is likely to have various aspirations such as a remote job or gig with a solid salary, an appropriate place to stay for the kids, or digital nomad housing that is kid-friendly.

Why Become a Digital Nomad Family?

Being a digital nomad family rocks for several reasons.

Pros of Becoming a Digital Nomad Family

Freedom: You have the flexibility to live your life at your pace and control your work time and family time as you desire.
Creating wonderful memories: You're giving your children experiences they could never have, had they been stuck at one spot fullt-ime.
Explore the world and different cultures: A child raised as a digital nomad will have great opportunities. Being on the road means you'll constantly be exposed to new cultures. When you're a digital nomad family, education and lifelong learning don't need to be limited to online courses or printed workbooks.

Cons of Being a Digital Nomad Family

Full-time travel with the children: Working, living, and parenting all at the same time is already difficult. Doing all three while you’re on the go is an added challenge. It takes time to adjust. Beyond looking after your child, you should add additional duties to your daily routine, such as locating a safe parking spot, refilling your camper with drinking water, hunting for a decent internet signal, among many other examples.
Making a living: Money is a major concern for all of us, but this is especially important if you have a family to take care of. You always have to make sure you have enough savings. Obviously, as freelancers and self-employed individuals, your earnings may change from month to month, and that can be stressful at times.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is the most adaptable choice. Homeschooling allows you to educate your kids wherever you want, at the pace that you want. It is an education option with no limits.

There are several resources available for homeschooling families. Not all are specifically for digital nomad families, but the resources they give are still important.

There are various curricula and methods when it comes to homeschooling. The Classical/Principle method, the Charlotte Mason Method, the Montessori Method, and Unschooling may be some you’ve already heard.

Online School

Another alternative is to enroll your children in an online school. Since you'll require an internet connection, it seems to be less adaptable than homeschooling. When traveling by van or sailing, internet availability may be limited.

Unlike homeschooling, you are less of a teacher and more of a parent with an online school system. Online schooling options are generally highly adaptable, letting yourr children learn location independently, as long as they have access to the internet.

We’ll delve into the details of homeschooling alternatives and online school alternatives in another article. But until we do so, here is a quick peak at some option:

Most Well-Rounded Option: K12.com
Best Bang for the Buck: ABCmouse.com
For Those Who Love ‘Free’ Options: Khan Academy
Most Math and Science Heavy Option: CK-12 Foundation
Most well-structured Option: Time4Learning
Most Community Heavy Option: Connections Academy
Best Preparation for College: edX

Packing Preparations

Organizing a long-term journey with children may seem complicated, which is why you should create a checklist, adjust it to your needs while on the road, and keep it simple.

As a result, you may establish a set of rules as a digital nomad family. Of course, you may tweak the rulebook to meet your wants and necessities:

A Checklist Example

Prepare lightweight backpacks or baggages (assign a weight limit)
In each object, consider your mobile workplace and your travel requirements
Make certain that your belongings are organized and adaptable (use compartments and containers to help with this)
Organize your clothing in a color-coded way
Consider whatever your children require: activities, healthcare, books, and games
Bring all necessary documents along with photocopies
Restrict your "emergency" products to those that are absolutely necessary
Always keep a first-aid kit on hand
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and instead use international bank cards or online payment methods

Reduce your expenses: Cut the amount of money you spend on things that aren't required
Keep extensive records of every dollar, euro, or cent that enters and leaves your bank accounts
Clear all debts before you leave: Being debt-free provides you with more freedom
Maintain a budget: Create a list of everything you need weekly or monthly and stick to it
Bring everything you'll need with you along, so you don't have to spend money on buying new stuff

You are likely less cautious while you are younger and without a family to support than when you have children. If you’re traveling with family, it’s best to have a solid plan in place before you go.

Social Life for Kids

After becoming a nomad family, one of the main worries for the children is their social life. As a parent, you might be worried if your child would feel alone.

However, no matter where you travel to, there’ll always be nomadic children. There are also several possibilities to reconnect with old friends through mobile apps or meet new ones anywhere you go. You can do it all while providing your children with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Healthcare for Digital Nomad Families

The more passengers traveling with you, the more likely it is that someone may require medical attention while overseas. International health insurance is available from several companies. SafetyWing, IMG Global, and World Nomads are three insurance firms that stand out in this niche.

Being a Digital Nomad Family

It’s a wonderful opportunity to start your own digital nomad family. Although it takes some courage to take on the risks, most families can actually afford to do so. When you decide to travel full-time with your family, you must take active decisions and plan ahead. It may take months or years to achieve the digital nomaic lifestyle as a family, but it will be one of the best choices you have ever made. Happy parents have happy children, and pleasant memories build a happy life.