Families Made the Unimaginable Choice
Who hasn’t dreamed of escaping the daily grind for a life of adventure abroad like in “Eat Pray Love”? For many, that fantasy meets reality quickly, with responsibilities like children, pets, and bills pulling them back to routine. However, for certain adventurous families, exploring the world isn’t just an escape; it embodies their existence. Some have been traveling for years by land or sea. Get ready to be inspired by their journeys!
The Gifford Family
Embracing Life on the Water
When I connected with Behan Gifford, she was navigating through the stunning 32 islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “Could I get back to you later?” she inquired. “We might be out of internet for a week.”
Since 2008, she and her husband, Jamie, along with their three kids, have been journeying across the globe. Gifford reminisces, “When we left Seattle, we thought we’d be gone for two to five years.” At that time, their kids were just four, six, and nine. “I’m amazed that we’re approaching our 10th year with no end in sight!”
Though they enjoyed conventional success back home, Gifford and her husband longed for a minimalist lifestyle that aligned their family with nature.
“We explored various ways to simplify and reposition our lives but continually returned to the dream of a nomadic life on a boat,” Gifford shares. “A vessel is like the perfect magic carpet for traveling far and wide.”
The Giffords follow the wind’s direction on their travels, even changing hemispheres to steer clear of hurricanes. “Plans change frequently,” she notes. “You can choose a date or destination, but not both!”
This adaptability has shaped both their travels and parenting philosophy. For instance, their approach to education has evolved. “I never intended to homeschool, but it became necessary,” Gifford explains. Their maritime lifestyle has transformed their children’s education into a unique and rich experience.
“Our kids form their views from firsthand experiences rather than media narratives,” says Gifford. “They’ve interacted with islanders in Papua New Guinea, learning how local communities are impacted by foreign corporations. They recognize what a healthy reef ecosystem looks like compared to overfished environments or those suffering from climate change. This education is invaluable.”
To discover more about the Giffords’ sailing experiences, visit: sailingtotem.com.
The Kosman Family
Adventuring from Hong Kong to Costa Rica
Though Charles and Micki Kosman reside in Canada, they spend little time there. Since 2003, they have explored over 40 countries.
As they adapted their travel style—shifting from budget hostels and shabby buses to more established accommodations—they continued to embrace adventure even after having children. “We realized that traveling with kids could be complicated, but after meeting numerous traveling families, we knew we could keep it up,” Micki Kosman explains.
Their son was merely three weeks old when they embarked on an 800-mile road trip. By the age of two, he had already visited much of North America and places like Cuba, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. “People often think that traveling with kids is extremely difficult,” she shares. “In reality, I find it’s not as challenging as they assume.”
Now in his early teens, their son and his younger sister recently spent ten days in the Galapagos, snorkeling alongside turtles, sharks, and sea lions.
They now own treasured memories from various corners of the globe. “Our son reminisces fondly about boogie boarding in Costa Rica,” Micki says.
For more about the Kosmans’ travel experiences, check out: thebarefootnomad.com.
The Jones Family
Building a Network of Adventurers
Libryia Jones has always yearned to travel, but life consistently presented hurdles. An internship opportunity in China didn’t pan out because her school wouldn’t allow her to bring her daughter. Attempts to join programs for year-long abroad experiences faced similar rejections regarding children.
“I grew weary of being sidelined for pursuing my dreams,” she reflects. Consequently, Jones founded Wandering Moms, a community that supports over 10,000 traveling mothers, primarily single moms.
“These moms truly offer their children the world!” Jones exclaims.
She also launched a venture called “My Wander Year,” which delivers immersive living experiences spanning four different countries, each for three months. Recent locations have included the Czech Republic, Thailand, South Africa, and Colombia.
Jones believes the idea that children need a conventional North American lifestyle for stability is misguided. “Stability stems from their parents,” she asserts. “If parents provide it, then children have it. Whether routines involve school, homework, and dinner at home or moving to another country every quarter is irrelevant.”
Navigating travel with a teenager does present its own complexities such as ensuring they have friendships and independence. “I made sure she joined soccer teams in each new location,” Jones shares. “Being around girls her age was beneficial.”
Moreover, having more independence is a positive aspect of their journey. Jones points out that many destinations are safer than typical North American urban areas. In Prague, for example, her daughter could travel alone on the tram, and in Thailand, she’d use Uber to attend soccer practice.
Education can be challenging with older kids. Jones suggests looking into various options like homeschooling, unschooling, or virtual education.
The rewards of travel far outweigh its challenges, according to Jones. “You turn lessons typically confined to textbooks into living experiences,” she explains. Notable memories for her daughter include visiting Anne Frank’s hiding place and standing where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech post-release from prison.
“At any stage of life, you can choose the lifestyle you desire,” Jones encourages. “Your children are not a barrier to that choice; they should inspire it. Do you want them to learn that they can achieve anything? Who better to learn from than you, and the best way is to model it through experience?”
Find out more about Jones and her adventures: wanderistlife.com.
