How to be a Nomad with Kids

www.nomadcapitalist.com
Is it possible to live a nomad capitalist lifestyle with kids?
The short answer is YES, there is always a way to live a nomad capitalist life, even with kids, but not only that, I believe that this kind of lifestyle actually has a lot of benefits for your kids and no one is talking about that.
What I`ve learned in the last 15 years of constant traveling is that most of my friends who travel a lot say that their kids actually like having few sets of friends all around the world, that they learn and adapt to new cultures faster and that they even learned one or two foreign languages along the way.
Now, this is not without its challenges, of course, formal education being one of them.
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[@NickDemski]

My daughter is 6. She has gone to school in Barcelona, Hong Kong, Thailand, USA, Colombia, and now currently in Mexico. It's totally possible to do what you want and travel with kids!

[@travelfam423]

So amazing. I too am a single parent (mom) four children and it gets tough, but it's so enjoyable.

[@NickDemski]

@@travelfam423 you're right!

[@amgxpat]

@singledadnomad - I just emailed you!

[@beyondtwieve5180]

a single mother will be more disadvantaged than a single mother travel around ? Because of the safety issues

[@batabaka]

oh wow how she handles the language barrier?

[@RadicalPersonalFinance]

Andrew, As someone who is currently doing this nomad lifestyle with four young children, here are some observations: 1) There is a significant change in costs and logistics of true nomadism with children. This makes it more challenging for the not-yet-Uber-wealthy. For example, a $1,000 flight for an individual is not a big deal. But that becomes a $6,000 flight for a family of 6. More meaningful. 2) The logistics of travel are a bit more challenging. Taxis/Uber/etc...all easy for one or two people. More complex for bigger families. These aren’t deal-breakers. They just make constant movement more challenging. 3) Schooling is the easiest problem to solve in today’s world. The solutions you suggested are excellent. But children really thrive when they have books and toys. You can digitize books but that’s probably not so good for their mental development. So it’s a challenge to engage in constant movement and still have a complete library. Same thing with toys. We’ve lived in an RV and traveled internationally with suitcases and the children learned to be content with less. But they really do better when they have stimulating toys. For some of these reasons, the home base(s) concept is stronger than the constant nomadism concept. At least with younger children. 4) The biggest challenge to a home base model is family/friends/community. As you raise your children you start to realize how much you value the close family relationships with grandparents, aunts and uncles, and children. Those relationships are hard to nurture at a deep level from afar. Same thing with community relationships. When you’re moving every three months it can be more challenging to build intimate friendships in a local place. With children, those friendships seem to be even more valuable. 5) Finally, it’s hard to figure out the best way to give your child a sense of “home” and “culture.” There’s no question that a child can be content wherever mom and dad are and that it’s ok to raise a Third Culture Kid. But in some ways it can feel harder to do that and in some ways it can feel like you’re robbing your children of a cultural identity. Is it bad? I don’t know. But I certainly think about it a lot! There are other components of education as well: for example, how will your child gain work and business experience if they are constantly moving? But that kind of stuff is more relevant to teenagers. That’s what I’ve learned! Joshua

[@anthonyrandolph5778]

Enjoy your podcast and insight on this as well

[@reekaAF]

Can I follow you lol?

[@demirrniluferr]

This is gold. Started following you.

[@timvincent8649]

Great topic. As an experienced child with multiple places and multiple schools during childhood, I missed a true "home". As soon as we were living in a place more than 5 years I was devastated when we had to move again. Nowadays I can move as much as I want without any issues, but with my kids I will homeschool them. Have a house in a good place as our "base" and don't move at all until the children are in the late teens. However, lots of traveling during those years still! But still always a "home" to come back to. That's what I believe is the best for a child. I wish my childhood was like that.

[@bluzytrix]

How much travel are you planning to do with your kids? 3 months total in the year? More? Less?

[@shotelco]

I see Andrew remembers my previous post about Nomad living & Family. I am a product of what's currently termed 'The Nomad Lifestyle", long before it became a hipster buzzword. I've posted this before here; My Single Mother got fed up with the U.S., and we relocated to Brazil...this was back in the late 1960's when I was 9. A few years in Brazil, a Few years in Portugal, some time in Kenya, and back to the US for the last years of High School. Then to another State for University. Regular, single location job in the 1980's, where I began traveling as a single man. Marriage and children derailed my more global plans early on, as the wife - although she had agreed with the concept of living in other Countries, had a change of heart once the fist child arrived. I didn't begin the 'Trifecta' implementation until the youngest was in middle school, as we could manage time jumping bases along an academic school calendar. Now all kids out (one at University in France) ...but... now comes the health and care of parents to contend with in their older age. I'm not judging, but I'm not that person to kick my parents to the curb in the form of assisted living if it's not an absolute necessity. Thus Because of this, I haven't been to the Malaysian home in almost a year, and have only been to the Moroccan place once for a few weeks this year. The Nomad lifestyle *is* a single Man or Woman's game, or at least best played under those circumstances. The perfect married couple - where both partners never disagree - with children (and an exceptionally high passive income) would still find challenges ... not to mention the Nomad thrill wears off rather quickly. We may think we have a contingency plan for the "life happens" moments, but we are only being blind in the face of reality. Other people an events typically have far more weight and impact than we imagine. My Mother, who disliked the U.S. with a passion, was compelled to move back as she wanted to support her parents declining health, and she was single. What happens when one partner from, say the U.S., and the other partner is from someplace in North Africa, becomes confronted with health concerns of loved ones "back home"? If this is a couple without an ounce of compassion, caring or responsibility, then it's a non-issue. But if not, all the grandiose me-me-me plans go up in smoke.

[@demirrniluferr]

Before having kids, I thought it shouldn't be a big deal to travel with kids, but I must say now with a toddler and a baby I feel quite the opposite. At least for now. I also felt the pressure to keep traveling and living exactly how I lived before, but now learning to accept and let go about this idea that I have to constantly travel to feel satisfied. I might change as the kids grow up but I believe we should also set realistic expectations for ourselves and our families, because otherwise it feels so unsatisfying and miserable. You feel like you are stuck.

[@AddiRockART]

I would think having a more nomadic life as a child would help them know themselves more. They can learn multiple languages, cultures, and try more things. In America, a lot of people turn 18, leave high school, have never left their little town, never got to experience much of anything, but are expected to take on debt, go to school, and know what career they’re gonna have the rest of their lives… with zero life experience! A child would have a massive head start in life with nomadic parents.

[@hennagal7360]

Great strategy Andrew - we have raised 2 children (now 20 and 23) through an intentional mix of language classes age 3 ,scouting activities, Kumon programmes, homeschool, private school, International Bacalaureate and University and with hindsight we can say your strategy is insightful and positive the days of conventional schooling must be numbered - we learn languages using personalised learning software eg Duolingo -no more schlepping down to a physical class limited by a the speed someone writes on a drywipe board or the progresss of the class - other learning has evolved too. In our view it is conventional schooling that "stilts" a childs social contact ,confining them to a group of people the same age every day - Respect to you and your wife for your perspective

[@nomadcapitalist]

Sounds cool; thanks!

[@nomadveronica]

Yes! I hate when people say I can't do something. My kids love the nomad life.

[@9eze956]

WOW- AMAZING VIDEO! As a 17 year old, I would have loved to have had tutors, even though I went to one of the most prestigious private high schools in Canada, I would likely trade it in exchange for travelling and learning with tutors (and that's what I'll do with my kids XD)

[@lynndurbin9476]

May God bless your marriage and enjoy raising your future children.

[@nomadcapitalist]

Thank you much, Lynn.

[@jasonfraser5758]

Australia has online schools from 0-12. They post books to. Kids be online few hours a day. Less than $400/yr. Gov. Accredited.

[@rubensnogueira3199]

The thing with kids is... you can't have a plan. Well, you can, but you can't be sure you will be able to enforce it. Nevertheless, I really understand the point of not giving excuses (even big ones) to give up the nomad lifestyle. Regarding the moves around the globe: new sets of friends in different countries might be initially exciting for the kids, but in the long term they might develop a kind of "rootless" life, somehow detached of deeper levels of friendship, the ones you want to have in difficult times. It can also backfire, so that they will wish to settle down forever in one single place when they are older, tired of so much travelling. It's a tough issue...

[@t.l1357]

There are so many accredited online schools. The USA has K12 and other online private schools that are extremely flexible. I did this for my daughter in middle school. We were able to travel a lot and change her schedule if needed. She was able to enter a prestigious Center of Arts in high school too when we ready to stop it. These schools offer amazing programs you can customize and cost less than traditional private schools. Also, congratulations on your marriage and future planning for a family. You are doing things the right way. God bless!

[@FaithfulLancasterPA]

As an American expat who has worked and lived the past 20 years in Asia, I honestly think the living overseas lifestyle with children is the biggest challenge by far. We recently moved back to the U.S. simply for our kids and their upbringing and education. The U.S. certainly isn't perfect, and my wife (China native) and I have aspects of moving back and living in the U.S. that is certainly disappointing, but with kids they need stability. Living overseas, the expat community is a revolving door. Families are always moving "back home" wherever that may be. Living in large cities like we did in Shanghai and Hong Kong, the kids can't just pick up their bike and ride on over to their friends home to play. Hiring a nanny or tutor while living overseas is helpful, but what about interacting with other kids? Learning certainly social skill sets? Also, the cost of international school tuition is certain places outside the U.S. can be extremely expensive. I lived basically my entire adult life living overseas, from 21 to 41 years old, probably similar to Andrew, but just a little older. I miss that life so much, but when I see my kids playing in a big backyard, going pumpkin picking, riding bikes in the neighborhood and not worrying about cars and their safety, I feel it's worth it to move back for them. Andrew, I love the channel and your video's. I'd love for you to do a video/article on what your life is like after you have children and you and the wife and putting them in school or whatever your plan is. It would make for an interesting topic and I'd love to see if your thoughts change at all on this topic.

[@katekooyman564]

My thoughts exactly! Very good points made in my personal and profession experience as a child psychologist

[@JamesonLemonade]

Having gone through a mix of public and private school up through my Associates college degree, I can definitely be a better teacher than everything I experienced in the us. I've taught middle School and high school kids in tech, which these days is the base of everything, research, accounting, etc, and it's easy to get them passionate to discover things themselves. Not to mention the coming improvements in AI, teachers and VR classrooms, Harvard level education and silicon valley capital and wealth creation will be accessible to anyone anywhere.

[@thebestclassicalmusic]

Education is easy. I contract my services to families that homeschool their children around the world and secure funding for them from their local government. Don't let education be the deterrent.

[@vizeet]

I expect schools to become near obsolete in next 15 years.. It is an outdated institution exists only because there are jobs which require degrees and parents need their children to remain occupied. As automation takes away traditional jobs schools will loose their relevance.

[@MOOR5]

My wife and I have three kids and we are going to make Mexico City our first home base. Been traveling a lot but with the third coming any second now the desire to slow down and obtain that trifecta is highly appealing

[@trique9776]

In a couple weeks I am going to move to France with my fiance. They have a good government paid education, healthcare, transit system. So, I will just need to pay for food an clothes for my kids. Ten to twenty percent more taxes than in the USA, but the benefits outweigh the costs for me.

[@UKxKDH]

I agree with you! I’m excited for your kids! They’re going to be fun, well-educated little individuals! Being educated in the UK and US has been a great experience!

[@johnalba4920]

I have been homeschooling my three boys most of their lives. I have 2 in a university. I found tutors on Upwork. I currently have a phd astro-physicist from Eastern Europe teaching them in math and science for $8 per hour. Think outside the box.

[@tiamisrahi6226]

inspiring

[@hoodiegawwd1527]

How were u able to take your kids out of the system and do homeschool

[@johnalba4920]

@@hoodiegawwd1527 I lived in Texas which is very homeschool friendly. Before that I homeschooled them in Florida. Although not as easy like Texas, I used an umbrella school to circumvent the need to have their coursework evaluated by a certified teacher ( I however was a Florida certified teacher at the time and could have evaluated their work myself). Where are you homeschooling your child(ren)?

[@hoodiegawwd1527]

@@johnalba4920 texas ! 🙂

[@ThenCameRoatan]

"you can do whatever everyone else says you can't do" love it! I moved from New York to Roatan and now married with two children and one on the way, it's totally possible!

[@ThomasStYeng]

If you can homeschool for the first 6 years, you can homeschool for 12 more. It actually gets easier the older kids get. They gradually teach themselves. Duh, it’s not earth shattering. Children are naturally inquisitive and want to learn. They just need a guide. Check out hslda.org for a taste of international homeschooling.

[@christopherellis2663]

The tutor has been the mainstay of education for millennia. Schools have been around for as long, yet the results have been less specific

[@zwatwashdc]

You are quite right. We are diplomats abroad and recently gave up on the weak international schools. So many problems there, not to mention the grueling schedule with very little learning. For less than 10,000 per year, they now do sports and languages and music more intensively, learning more in far less time. I would love to hear what you have learned since about ideal places to split time between. Places with other expat kids nice weather, great sports. We retire soon and kids only 10 and 12. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@hellcarptrucker1]

My daughter say a nomad means it's not mad

[@MatthewKanwisher]

Loved the videos would love to see more on the subject. Also bought your friends book on Amazon

[@nomadcapitalist]

Glad to hear it, Matthew.

[@courtneysmithtriathlon]

Agreed 100%. My child has done Montessori, private and public school. Our experience with public school was terrible. I think raising a child as a global citizen is incredibly valuable. We are planning to move next year, and going the tutor route. Great content!

[@graemian]

Here’s something I think you are missing Andrew: kids learn a tremendous amount from other kids: they learn how to cooperate, negotiate and empathize. Other kids are also a great source of new ideas and interests. Kids who don’t have regular contact with other kids miss out on an incredible amount of learning. Kids are also much, much happier when they are embedded in a social environment with peers. No amount of adult-directed activities (like museum outings, etc) can make up for this.

[@graemian]

Coercive schooling (i.e. where kids are forced to learn what an adult thinks they should) provides this peer environment. However, they do so much harm in other ways that they’re a net-negative. That’s why I’m allowing my kids to self-direct their education (see self-directed.org/ ). I’m currently trying to figure out which countries have schools where kids are free to self-direct their education.

[@graemian]

Governments don’t like these kinds of schools, so they’re pretty hard to find. My son currently attends one in Johannesburg. I’m planning a trip to Europe to visit a few such schools (eudec.org/eudecwp/schools/). It seems the Netherlands has quite a few good ones. If I’m not satisfied with that, I may even consider the US - it has by far the highest number of self-directed schools (www.self-directed.org/resources/map)

[@graemian]

So perhaps it’s possible to craft a Nomad strategy around 1 or 2 good self-directed schools?

[@zwatwashdc]

They learn a lot of rubbish from other kids. The kids these days are swearing and disrespecting the teachers in grade 3. The high powered couple have their neglected kid on Ritalin because they only see school as a babysitting service. The girls are dressing like music videos by grade 5. It’s a jungle.

[@alexanderboehmler6451]

Dear Andrew, thanks for a great video. I am preparing to become a principal myself and I'm very interested in alternative concepts of education. I'd like to ask about one option you haven't mentioned: boarding schools. Would you consider that an option? Especially for the high school age when one private tutor wouldn't be able to cover all subjects anymore.

[@nomadcapitalist]

Interesting question to ponder.

[@gabrielduque4514]

First like, from colombia👌🏼

[@JamesonLemonade]

In bogota as we speak =P

[@LotusesGalaxyOcean]

Love your advice! Thank you.

[@nomadcapitalist]

Thanks, Carol.

[@honestmomvlog]

Make your book in Audio version! It’s 2019!!!

[@unclewerner]

Good luck with that Nomad lifestyle if you are living in a country with mandatory schooling. Besides that, if I look at my seven year old daughter's schedule: swimming school, piano lessons, English lessons, classical ballet lessons -- all private lessons. What I need a public school for? My daughter chooses her private lessons all by herself and has tons of friends just through that... And another side-note: if you plan to raise your children in a multi-lingual environment be prepared for a overall slower development. There is a price to the extra language they speak early on.

[@GennieceSledge]

Single mom found you to make sure I'm DOING MY RESEARCH!!!

[@MsClaudiaDuran]

Missionaries and Military families have been doing this ever since religion and war have been a thing (translation: forever).

[@user-iq7ur8zn9z]

Wat about countries that schools are mandetory like Croatia? Would really appreciate your reply

[@kimberlyhayes1474]

Everyone in the comments are so negative. Why are y’all projecting your fears onto him when he’s been doing it for years? If you’re scared and/or content with loving a life society tells you is best, then do that. It’s so weird.

[@JamesonLemonade]

Shouldn't the kids be born and raised, with vaccines and checkups and no travel for safety, in a single location for the first 1-2 years? Im sure boat travel would make things easier a few times a year if really needed, as no crying over elevation changes and ear problems.

[@fitnesslife4me775]

No. Completely not true

[@RadicalPersonalFinance]

Nah. Babies are far easier to travel with than 1-2 year olds.

[@tiamisrahi6226]

that's a nightmare

[@davidsoto8445]

I can't take this advice. I have a motto. Take advice from actual parents, not wannabes.