Who hasn’t dreamed of leaving everything behind to explore the world, inspired by stories like Eat Pray Love? For many, reality creeps in: children to care for, pets to feed, and bills to cover. Yet for families who embrace the travel lifestyle, wanderlust is not an escape from daily challenges; it is their way of life, with some spending years journeying on land and sea. Get ready to be motivated by their stories.
The Gifford Family
Sweet Life on the Open Seas
When I connected with Behan Gifford, she was navigating through the stunning 32 islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “Can I reach out again later? We might be without internet for a week,” she replied.
Since 2008, she, her husband Jamie, and their three children have been adventuring across the globe. “Initially, we planned a trip from Seattle that would last two to five years,” Gifford reminisces. At that time, their kids were just four, six, and nine. “I’m amazed we have now crossed into our tenth year with no end in sight!”
Back on land, Gifford and her husband were quite successful by conventional metrics. However, as they balanced careers and parenting, they yearned for a different lifestyle—one defined by minimalism and harmony with the natural world.
“We explored various ways to recalibrate our lives but always returned to the idea of a nomadic existence on the water,” Gifford reflects. “A boat serves as the ideal vehicle for extensive travel.”
The family’s travels are guided by the whims of the wind—such as dodging hurricanes by crossing hemispheres. “Plans shift frequently,” she explains. “You can choose the time or the destination, but not both!”
This lifestyle has instilled a valuable lesson in adaptability, both as travelers and as parents. Education for their children offers a prime example. “Homeschooling wasn’t initially my goal, but it became a necessity,” Gifford states. Their life at sea has transformed into an unparalleled educational experience.
“Our children form opinions through real-world encounters instead of filtered media,” she notes. “They have listened to local voices in Papua New Guinea discuss how their lands are being sold to foreign entities for resource exploitation. They’ve explored countless reefs and learned to recognize thriving ecosystems versus those damaged by overfishing and climate crises. This perspective has deepened their understanding of the wealth of life options available to them and the value of autonomy—an exceptional education.”
Discover more about the Gifford family’s boating journeys at: sailingtotem.com
The Kosman Family
Adventuring from Hong Kong to Costa Rica
Though Charles and Micki Kosman call Canada home, they spend little time there. Since 2003, they have explored over 40 countries.
While they’ve made some adjustments—like opting for comfortable hotels over budget hostels and rickety bus rides—their travel experiences didn’t diminish with parenthood. “We anticipated some challenges with kids, but we had encountered numerous traveling families, validating our desire to continue,” Micki states.
After their son was just three weeks old, they embarked on an 800-mile road trip. By age two, he had explored much of North America, along with Cuba, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. “There’s a common belief that traveling with kids is extremely challenging,” Micki claims. “I find just the opposite to be true.”
Now that their son is a teenager and they have a younger daughter, they recently enjoyed snorkeling with turtles, sharks, and sea lions in the Galapagos for 10 days.
The children carry unforgettable memories gathered from their travels. “Our son fondly recalls boogie boarding in Costa Rica,” adds Micki.
Explore more about the Kosmans’ adventures at: thebarefootnomad.com
The Jones Family
Building a Network of Adventurers
Libryia Jones has always dreamed of traveling, but obstacles continuously emerged. A year-long internship offer in China required leaving her daughter behind, and attempts to join travel groups also excluded children.
“I grew weary of being repeatedly hindered from a dream that I held dear,” she reflects. Consequently, Jones founded Wandering Moms, a community of over 10,000 traveling women, most of whom are single mothers.
“These moms provide their children with enriching experiences worldwide!” she passionately states.
Additionally, Jones launched “My Wander Year,” an immersive program where participants live in four different locations for three months each. Recent locations have included the Czech Republic, Thailand, South Africa, and Colombia.
She believes that the idea that children’s stability hinges on a conventional North American lifestyle is misguided. “Their stability comes from their parents,” asserts Jones. “With good parenting, whether through structured routines or frequent relocations, children feel secure.”
As a single mother of a teenager, Jones acknowledges the unique challenges—like fostering friendships and providing the independence adolescents often seek. “I ensured my daughter joined soccer teams wherever we lived. This allowed her to connect with girls her age,” Jones explains.
Jones remarks that her daughter enjoyed greater autonomy in foreign countries than in North America, noting how she could traverse public transport independently in Prague and call an Uber in Thailand for soccer practice.
Education naturally poses questions with a teenager. Jones advises exploring diverse educational avenues. “There are homeschooling options, unschooling methods, and virtual schooling,” she suggests.
For Jones, the benefits of a traveling lifestyle far outweigh any challenges. “Learning opportunities are transformed into real-life experiences,” she insists. Her daughter’s visits to significant historical sites, such as Anne Frank’s hiding place and Nelson Mandela’s first speech location after prison, are cherished memories.
“At any stage of your life, you can embrace the lifestyle you desire,” states Jones. “Your children are not constraints; they can motivate you. Want them to believe they can achieve anything? What better way to teach it than by leading through example?”
Find out more about Jones’s journey at: wanderistlife.com
