It’s been the dream for many years – location independence. You’ve finally got your business, or income, to the stage where you feel comfortable to dive in to the life completely defined by you.
Except you now have kids, and you’re not exactly sure how you can fit them into this free flowing lifestyle.
Take it from me – it ain’t easy, but neither is a white-picket-fence life with kids. Each comes with their own set of issues, you just have to work out which lifestyle will give you the greatest buzz in the up moments.
We’ve been travelling around Australia now for almost 11 months with our two children and we’re making it work. Here are a few things you need to consider and plan for before walking out the door with only the wind to guide you.
1. How will your children learn?
Getting our lessons done in an old railway carriage
If you’ve got school aged children, you’ve just invited a few extra hours of work into your life – the teaching kind. How are you going to cater to your child’s education while you are on this grand adventure?
Based upon my experiences as a former teacher, your children will learn far more travelling than they will in a classroom. But, the law says you’ve got to be accountable for their education.
I’ve written a detailed post here of my opinion and experiences. Distance education will save you time having to create lessons and units of work yourself, but there is a fair amount of work your child will have to do. You as the supervisor will also have to find that time.
For those with a bit more flexibility and time freedom, home-schooling could be a better option. You’ll be in charge of creating, implementing, assessing and evaluating all lessons that adhere to the formal curriculum.
For us in Australia, home-schooling is only an option if you have a fixed address. Because we are on the move we had to do distance education.
Either way, your child will learn more from travel, so go embrace those experiences.
Read More: Tips for homeschooling (distance education)
2. How slow will you travel?
Contiki style trips – you know 6 countries in 6 weeks through Europe work well when you’re 21. (Actually, I’d like to say they’re never a good idea).
When you have kids, and an online business , it’s an adventure into hell. Choose a few places that grab your heart and stay awhile. Give yourself a chance to settle in and enjoy a little foreign living.
We try to have a minimum 3 night stay in a location, but we’re on a road trip so could be more mobile than you. Embrace living in a destination for a minimum 6 months and you’ll be so glad you said yes to being a digital nomad.
3. What is your style of travel?
We’ve just switched from hostels, apartments and camping to a camper trailer . It’s making a huge difference to our happiness levels. Our girls needed a little more stability and security and they’re loving their home on wheels.
Carefully choose your style of travel. If you choose wrong it can be an exhausting experience that turns the fun arse end up.
What’s the point in choosing this location independence lifestyle if it ends up being as challenging as the one you are trying to leave?
4. How will you earn an income?
Becoming location independent can mean a significant drop in your expenses, if you plan it well. But, if you want to make this a permanent thing, you need an income.
What’s your plan?
How many hours do you need to work in a day/week/month? Can you hire a VA, or outsource work? What are your priorities? (do that social media cull – you only have time now for those activities that bring in the cash.)
We find it incredibly difficult to manage the work load with the 1-3 hours of daily work time we get. We’ve embraced outsourcing (a total game and life changer) and we have a very strict list of priorities which means we say no a lot more than yes.
We’ve also created an income where we get paid around our lifestyle of travel – a total multi-tasking win. Step outside the box and see if there’s any way you can do the same?
- How we make money travel blogging?
- The Ultimate Guide to Become Location Independent
- How to move from blog to business in six stages
5. How can you get connected?
We had to climb a hill to get internet connection!!
The first question I ask now upon deciding whether to stay in a new destination or not is, “Do you get internet service here?”
I hate that I’m a slave to the World Wide Web. But, it’s how I make an income and since my work time is short, I can’t stay at a place for 2-3 days and not be connected.
You’ve got to consider not only connection ability, but price. Our monthly data bills are ludicrous! Australia is well-known for being an expensive place to get online. If our road trip wasn’t a core part of our business, we’d be donning the backpacks for South East Asia where we’d get unlimited data for $20 a month.
- The cost of travel in Australia
- The pathetic state of the internet in Australia
6 How will you manage balance and flexibility?
Time to sign up for juggling school.
Location independent with kids is tough because you’re on for 24/7. There’s no child care or grandparents to give you a break.
You’re in control of managing every aspect of the day: healthy eating, exercise, play, education, income creation, parenting routines, and much needed time out for everyone.
How will you manage this without going insane? What’s your back up one for when it all goes pear-shaped? Odds are it will!
Have that flexibility to adapt as you grow and learn what works and what doesn’t.
We’ve changed our schedule and travel style multiple times on this journey to save everyone’s sanity. We ensure that we incorporate activities that cater to everyone’s desires, including scheduling down time for everyone.
Don’t forget arranging for meet ups with your family and friends. We’ve loved having Nan and Pop come to visit and getting a much needed Zen break!
- How to find the balance between work + travel + family
- Is travel with kids too hard
