Note: The bulk of this post I wrote in the spring of 2016.  Recently, I went back through old blog posts looking for advice from the past to my future self.  And, Sha-Zam! Exactly what I was looking for. …  A perfect reminder as we plan and prepare for year FIVE of Travel-school…  Are you thinking of doing something similar? 

(Excerpted from Spring 2016):

 “Once we begin to feel committed to our lives, responsible to ourselves, we can never again be satisfied with the old, passive way.”                                      – Adrienne Rich

Regarding Education.  We are creating an environment for our kids that is allowing for maximum learning and discovery … we are writing the book as we go, yes, though thankfully we have  excellent curriculums which keep us on our learning path. 

While homeschooling has its inherent challenges, our children are curious students, voracious readers and are open to concepts of higher learning. Their positive attitudes allow us to go further in our studies than we ever thought we could.  This is key.

Tony and I are aware that we have found something that works well for us, and our family. Tony’s career of grand prix sailboat racing and managing clients’ yacht racing programs continues to grow. This means an enormous amount of travel, so the kids and I have to be flexible.  

In our Travel-School, we have found both an educational and life path that cooperate with one-another, as opposed to being in constant conflict. Our family is together more now, than we have ever been. 

We operate at a comfortable pace.  So, what is the future of our current nomadic life? We hope to continue our commitment to Adventure School as long as:

1. we can afford it
2. we are each, individually, happy and thriving
3. the kids are learning to the best of their ability

Travel-School has to work for all of us, in order to work. There are many uncertainties and obvious challenges. Travel-Schooling is not for everyone – it is not easy and no, we are not on vacation! – but for those who are able to make it work, the rewards are significant. It is our passion for life, travel and our small family that keeps us going. We love being together – growing, learning, changing and supporting each other. We are embracing an unfamiliar path.  In the spirit of adventure, we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, try new things, meet new people, go new places and we are happy.

Could this type of educational path work for more families?

I say, emphatically, yes.

Author and artist, Debbie Millman writes, “If you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve. Do what you love, and don’t stop until you get what you love. Work as hard as you can, imagine immensities, don’t compromise, and don’t waste time. Start now. Not 20 years from now, not two weeks from now.

Now.”

* Debbie Millman and Adrienne Rich quotes found at http://www.brainpickings.org.