By: Lizz Quain, Founder and Worldschooling Parent at Trailblazing Families

In a world often tethered to convention and routine, our family decided in 2016 to take a leap of faith that would reshape our lives and redefine the concept of education. As a solo parent, I embarked on a journey with my 7-year-old twin girls into the unknown, trading the familiar for the extraordinary, embracing the risks of full-time family travel and worldschooling.

Calculated Risks:
Taking risks is an inherent part of life, but embracing calculated risks is where the magic happens. Leaving behind our stationary lifestyle, pulling my children out of a traditional school system, figuring out all the logistics of travelling with them, educating them and how to fund this lifestyle were all monumental decisions. At the time, it seemed like we were walking on a tightrope without a safety net. Yet, looking back, every risk taken was a stepping stone to a life more extraordinary.

Some tips on taking calculated risks:
The first step to handling risk is to understand what you’re getting into. Don’t just jump into something without thinking about the ramifications. Yes, the world is much safer than most people assume but still do your research, learn from people who have done it before, and make sure you’re prepared for the challenges. This will minimise the many mistakes I see worldschool newbies make. I’ll share a way to have all your major bases covered below.

Some tips on taking calculated risks:
Many parents became acutely aware of the accelerated pace at which our children grow. Travelling as a family and world schooling allowed me to spend precious moments with my kids, witnessing their development first hand. In a traditional lifestyle, with me going off to work for most of the day and them going off to school, the hours spent apart can never be regained. I chose the risk of an unconventional lifestyle and education over the certainty of missing out on their formative years.

Physical Limitations vs. Adventure:
There’s an undeniable advantage to embarking on this journey while still young and physically able… for the parents, not just the kids! Activities like hiking ancient trails, skiing tall mountains, and navigating unknown cities become more challenging with age. What a shame it would be to wait until we’re old and retired to attempt these bold pursuits and then be disappointed that we’re unable to keep up with our kids! Partaking in this lifestyle sooner rather than later allows us to savour the richness of life, unburdened by the limitations that may accompany later years. Then we’ll be able to spend our golden years cherishing the precious memories of our time actively exploring the world with our children.

The Power of the Internet:
Thanks to the beauty of the internet, more and more of us can work online while we travel, and our children can learn online as well. This digital age makes it possible and less risky for more of us to live a nomadic lifestyle and experience the world with our children.

Defying Societal Expectations:
Contrary to societal expectations, we chose a path less travelled. We rejected the notion that success is synonymous with a stationary job, a house, and a predictable future. The risks of conforming to societal norms seemed more daunting than the uncertainties of our chosen lifestyle. We opted for a life where every day brought a new lesson, a fresh perspective, and the chance to rewrite our narrative.

Chasing Dreams vs. Regrets:
The greatest risk in life might just be not pursuing your dreams. On our deathbeds, it’s the unfulfilled dreams that haunt us, not the chances we took. We have only one life, and it’s up to us to make it extraordinary. The world can be our oyster and we can make many of our dreams come true! The regrets of not chasing after our dreams can weigh heavier than the challenges faced along the way.

Conclusion:
Navigating the uncertainties of a life less conventional requires courage, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the potential for personal growth for all family members. The risks we took were not without challenges, but they were instrumental in optimising a lifestyle that aligns with our dreams and goals. As we continue to evolve, we embrace each new risk, knowing that it’s the essence of our journey – a journey fuelled by a commitment to live authentically, learn continuously, and savour the boundless wonders our world has to offer.

Also, the significance of raising global citizens in our modern world cannot be overstated. Our unconventional education approach instils in our children a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives. In a world that thrives on interconnectedness, the ability to understand, empathise, and collaborate across borders is an invaluable skill. Parents who hold similar goals are not just nurturing our children’s learning and growth but also fostering their development as compassionate, open-minded individuals prepared to contribute meaningfully to our global community. In the end, it’s not just about the risks we took; it’s about the global citizens we are nurturing for a fast-changing and intertwined world that knows no boundaries.

Of course, there are still risks involved in family travel and worldschooling. But the rewards are far greater. We get to spend more quality time with our children, see and better understand the world, and learn and grow together. We hope more families will consider it!

Thank you for reading and happy trails!

About the Author:

Lizz Quain is a traveller, digital nomad, entrepreneur, unschooling and worldschooling parent to 14-year-old twin girls. She is passionate about learning about other cultures, has travelled to nearly 50 countries and lived in several of them. She and her twins have been travelling for most of the past 7 years visiting or living in 20 countries throughout Asia, North and South America, and Europe. Through her new Trailblazing Families group programme, Lizz helps parents learn how to confidently travel and worldschool their children… so they can live the life of their dreams as thriving global citizens. There are 60+ interviews of experienced worldschoolers in the Trailblazing Families Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trailblazingfamilies/learning_content

For those wishing to take the opportunity to embark on a worldschooling lifestyle, want to minimise your risks and be fully prepared, Lizz created a super-comprehensive and well-liked 12-week How to Worldschool and Travel Extensively as a Family online course that runs 3 times a year. It’s the course she wished she had when they embarked on this exciting but daunting lifestyle. It will help turn your feeling overwhelmed into a step by step plan and give you more knowledge, confidence and ease about launching into this wonderful but sometimes challenging lifestyle! More information can be found at https://www.trailblazingfamilies.com/worldschool_course.