Being a digital nomad is a great experience but it can definitely get a bit lonely. However, if you have your family with you, there is very little chance of ever truly feeling alone. But how do you make it happen? Here are some tips on how to become a digital nomad family.
Talk to your kids
Your kids must be your number one priority here. After all, your partner can make their own decisions, but your kids can’t. So make sure you get them on board with the idea first before you make any rash changes to your life.
A good place to start is to ask them where they would like to go and what they would like to see in life. Try to inspire them with all the different destinations you could visit and include them in the choice of your (and their) next home. Remind them that they wouldn’t have to go to school anymore. In short, get them excited about the idea.
But you also need to show them how this would be done—changing places from one month to another, online schooling, and so forth. Be honest about leaving their friends and family behind for a while and make sure you give the resulting emotions enough space. Help them look for solutions like video calls, online game spaces where they can hang out with friends, and so forth.
Finances
Once you have the family on board with the idea, you need to focus on the financial side of things. There are tons more expenses when you are a digital nomad family so make sure to plan accordingly.
If you are a freelancer, it can be difficult to know exactly how much money you will bring in each month. But you need to have at least a rough estimate. You should be comfortable enough to be able to provide for your needs (perhaps together with your partner’s income) even when the month is slow.
This is also where the choice of your destination really matters. Developing countries, Eastern and Southern European countries, and many Asian countries can be full of beauty and opportunities while not being too expensive for even more modest budgets. Be sure to calculate your taxes, travel insurance, healthcare, and more. After all, the nomadic lifestyle does come with a few extra expenses.
One step at a time
You might be ready to hop from country to country but your family might not. Your kids especially need extra care since they might have problems dealing with the rapid changes in their environment. At first, you should pick an easy and somewhat familiar country and stay for a few months or even a bit longer to get everyone acclimated to the new way of life.
Make sure your kids are entertained, that they have the means to explore their new home on their own and that their education is well-planned out. There is a lot to consider so make sure you either talk to your partner and your kids extensively about their needs and ideas. It also helps reading up on all the various possibilities, so make sure to do some research.
Lastly, don’t push it too hard. The digital nomad lifestyle isn’t for everyone and if you see it’s not working for your family, it’s best to leave it for now. Maybe you’ll have the option to travel the world a few years later.
