The adventure can turn into a disaster': the digital nomad families worldschooling' their children

"It was going to be the adventure of a lifetime. Late last year, Josy and Joe Davis decided to quit their jobs, sell their home and pull their two young daughters out of school to travel the world. Though their life in Gloucestershire was good on paper, post-pandemic it had been increasingly feeling like a grind. Josy, 35, a police dispatcher, worked shifts that swung from early morning to late night."

"Neither felt as if they could ever switch off let alone enjoy family time. Exhausted, Josy caught herself being short with her daughters, Lola and Zara, six and four. I felt like I spent my days off recovering, rather than actually being present, she says. Though only in Year 1, Lola was feeling the pressure at school, fretting about where she ranked in the class."

"Josy and Joe wanted more, for themselves and their children and Instagram was a constant reminder that it was possible, serving them envy-inducing updates from young families like theirs who had escaped nine-to-fives to explore the world full time. It made us stop and think, Josy says. If they can do it, why can't we? In mid-February this year, after storing their possessions and making their farewells, the Davises set out from Heathrow, their lives packed into three suitcases."

Josy and Joe Davis, both 35, quit their jobs, sold their home and pulled their daughters, Lola (six) and Zara (four), out of school to travel the world. Post-pandemic exhaustion and inflexible shift work made family life feel like a grind, and social media spurred the decision. The family planned a gentle start with five days at an all-inclusive resort in Oman, then travel to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand, remaining open to long-term travel and possible relocation to Australia. After storing possessions and leaving from Heathrow with three suitcases, the family travelled for three months. A family tragedy prompted their return to England and cancelled further flights; they have since settled in Cornwall.

Read at www.theguardian.com