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From Here to Uncertainty penned by Brenna & Bob Redpath describes the travels and life of a family of four who sold nearly everything they owned, traded the day job for the life of digital nomads, and boarded a plane with a one-way ticket to Europe on June 22, 2009.
Parliament Buiding, Budapest, Hungary by From Here to Uncertainty
I wonder if SoulTravelers3 have been an inspiration for families to undertake long term travel? Would you consider taking your family on an extended trip? Do you think that overall kids benefit from the nomadic lifestyle, or do kids thrive in a more stable physical environment?
2 responses so far ↓
1 Bob Redpath // Aug 18, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Hi Karen and thanks for the introduction on your website. I just asked my son, Owen, the question you posed re. nomadic lifestyle vs. stable physical environment. He says, “I don’t know, ask again in a year and I might have a better answer.”
Speaking as one of the parents who made the decision to travel for a year, it was something Brenna and I thought a lot about — no doubt there are both positives AND negatives. Our kids are getting a broader world view and an education that no text book can ever provide, but we’ve pulled them away from their friends and out of the house they called home (and left the family cat with a friend).
Before we left, I spoke often of our plans. Mostly the response was, “It’s fantastic, your kids are going to get so much from it.” While I think that’s true, it’s also a polite thing to say. Occasionally I’d hear something along the lines of, “What the hell are you thinking?” But, every once in a while a friend would tell me that when they were young their family lived abroad for a year, or two, or three and afterwards they saw life completely differently. They’d say that they still draw on the experiences they had and that they wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I suppose a parent’s primary job is to provide for our children — food, shelter, love… So, ultimately I think that most aspects of stability can be provided even while being nomadic. (Skyping friends in Los Angeles helps too.)
2 Karen Bryan // Aug 19, 2009 at 2:10 am
Bob – thanks for your details and thoughtful reponse. I was careful to word my quesion with reference to physical environment as of course a stable emotional environment is attainable during a nomadic lifestyle.