Ever dreamt of escaping your routine to travel the world, much like the journey in *Eat Pray Love*? While most of us face the practicalities of daily life—caring for kids, feeding pets, and managing bills—some adventurous families make wanderlust their way of life. These families have dedicated years to exploring new places, whether on land or at sea. Get ready to be inspired!
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The Gifford Family
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Sailing Through Life
When I connected with Behan Gifford, she was exploring the 32 islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “Can I call you back later?” she inquired. “We might be out of internet for a week.”
Since 2008, Behan, her husband Jamie, and their three children have been sailing around the globe. “When we set sail from Seattle, we thought it would be a two to five-year adventure,” Behan reminisces. Their kids were just four, six, and nine at the time. “It’s hard to believe we’re now in our tenth year, with no signs of stopping!”
Back on land, Behan and Jamie had achieved traditional success. Yet, they longed for a simpler existence, one that harmonized their family life with nature.
“We explored various ways to simplify our lives but kept returning to the idea of living on a boat,” Behan shares. “A sailboat is the perfect vehicle for exploring distant horizons.”
They follow the winds, sometimes shifting hemispheres to evade storms. “Our plans can change rapidly,” Behan notes. “You can choose a destination or a timeline, but not both!”
This lifestyle has instilled a sense of adaptability in them, both as travelers and parents. For instance, when it comes to their children’s education. “Homeschooling wasn’t initially on my agenda, but it became essential,” Behan explains. Their afloat life has transformed into an unparalleled learning environment.
“Our children form opinions based on real-world experiences rather than media narratives,” Behan elaborates. “They’ve listened to locals in Papua New Guinea express their concerns regarding land appropriation by foreign corporations for natural resources. They’ve snorkeled in enough reefs to distinguish between healthy and compromised ecosystems. They’ve developed an appreciation for personal agency and are becoming aware of how rare this freedom is around the world. It’s an invaluable education.”
Discover more about the Giffords’ adventures at: sailingtotem.com
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The Kosman Family
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Adventures from Hong Kong to Costa Rica
Charles and Micki Kosman, who live in Canada, seldom stay put. Since 2003, they have explored over 40 countries.
Although they’ve adapted their style—favoring more comfortable accommodations over budget hostels—their spirit of adventure remained intact even after having children. “We knew kids could complicate travel, but we had met numerous traveling families who inspired us to continue,” Micki explains.
They took their son on an 800-mile road trip when he was just three weeks old. By the age of two, he’d already visited much of North America, along with Cuba, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. “Many believe traveling with kids is extremely challenging,” Micki shares. “I personally feel it’s quite manageable.”
Now with a teenage son and a younger daughter, they recently spent ten days in the Galapagos, enjoying snorkeling alongside turtles, sharks, and sea lions.
These experiences have created lasting memories for their children. “Our son still reminisces about boogie boarding in Costa Rica,” Micki adds.
Learn more about the Kosmans’ travels: thebarefootnomad.com
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The Jones Family
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Building a Community of Wanderlust
Libryia Jones always had the desire to travel, but encountered numerous hurdles along the way. When offered a year-long internship in China, her daughter wasn’t allowed to accompany her. The same happened when she tried to join a travel group that prohibited children.
“I grew tired of being blocked from pursuing my dream,” Libryia recalls. In response, she co-founded Wandering Moms with a friend, a community of over 10,000 traveling women, many of whom are single mothers.
“These moms truly provide their children with the world!” Libryia enthuses.
Additionally, she founded a company that offers an immersive experience known as “My Wander Year,” where participants change locations every three months. Recent host countries have included the Czech Republic, Thailand, South Africa, and Colombia.
Libryia argues that the belief that children need a stable, North American lifestyle is misguided. “Stability comes from their parents, not just from a routine,” she asserts. “As long as they have us, they have security. It could mean a typical routine of school, homework, dinner, and sleep, or it could mean exploring a new country every three months.”
Traveling with a teenager can present unique challenges, such as ensuring they have friends and independence. “I made sure my daughter joined soccer teams wherever we were,” Libryia shares. “This helped her connect with other girls her age.”
Additionally, she emphasizes the greater independence many countries provide compared to North America. In Prague, her daughter took trams alone, and in Thailand, she used Uber to attend soccer practice.
Libryia also acknowledges the educational challenges that can arise with older children, suggesting various curriculum options like homeschooling, unschooling, or virtual schooling.
Ultimately, the benefits of their lifestyle surpass the challenges. “We transform what many children only read about in books into tangible experiences,” she explains. Two of her daughter’s most unforgettable moments were visiting Anne Frank’s hiding place and standing where Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech after prison.
“At any stage in life, you can choose the kind of life you want to live,” Libryia encourages. “Your children should be a source of motivation rather than a limitation. Show them that they can achieve their dreams, and lead by example.”
Learn more about Libryia’s journey: wanderistlife.com
