Digital Nomad with Kids
Lifestyle Overview
Being a digital nomad family is no longer a dream; it is a reality for many families all over the world. Due to remote work, many parents are a working nomad and giving their children the best childhood one could imagine. As a digital nomad with kids, I have to agree that this lifestyle opens numerous learning possibilities for children.
READ MORE: Learn How to Become a Digital Nomad
Due to the current work-from-home culture, people are exploring the idea of the digital nomad lifestyle and have turned to social media groups to find out how to achieve it. These groups are the repositories of all the information you require from the best places to visit with children to the best schools to send them to.(Big Adventures With Little Feet).
Balancing Work and Family
Being a digital nomad with kids who also have to attend to work and family life requires creativity to ensure the kids are also involved in the planning. The only way that it can work is to find people who will support you, be it on the Internet or in real life. Appreciating what your children require and choosing the best places that will meet their needs is also important.
It is in the light of good communication and teamwork that one is able to manage work and family on the go. It is all about the children, having a proper schedule, and dividing the household work to avoid conflicts (Digital Nomads World).
This lifestyle which involves a lot of moving around can actually enhance your work-life balance and allow you to be with your family. This balance may increase productivity since one is able to divide time that is to be spent at work and the time that is to be spent with family (Meet the Arshads).
Here’s how I keep work and family life in check:
| Task | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Work Schedule | Flexible hours, working during kids’ naps or after bedtime |
| Family Time | Involving kids in travel plans, exploring new places together |
| Education | Using online learning tools, local schools, and educational trips |
| Community | Connecting with other nomad families, joining local parent groups |
For more tips on managing life as a digital nomad with pets, check out our articles on digital nomad with dogs and digital nomad with cat. You can also find more advice on balancing work and family life in our digital nomad with family section.
Resources for Digital Nomad Families
It is possible to be a digital nomad with kids and it can be quite the roller coaster. You can’t travel the world with your family and keep them healthy and informed at the same time without the right equipment. Below is a list of some useful tools that can help you plan a better and cooler trip.
Health Care and Insurance
Keeping your family healthy on the road is a top priority. Here are some options to consider:
- International Health Insurance: Companies like Cigna Global and Allianz offer plans that cover routine check-ups, emergencies, and even dental and vision care. These plans are designed for families living abroad and provide peace of mind.
- Travel Health Insurance: For shorter trips, travel health insurance from providers like World Nomads or SafetyWing can cover medical emergencies and routine care.
- Local Health Care Networks: In some countries, joining a local health care network can be cheaper and offer better access to services. Check out the health care systems in your destination to see if this works for you.
| Provider | Health Care Coverage | Extra Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Routine check-ups, emergency care, dental, vision | 24/7 support, global network |
| Allianz | Comprehensive medical, including maternity | Telehealth, multilingual support |
| World Nomads | Emergency medical, evacuation, trip protection | Adventure sports coverage, flexible plans |
| SafetyWing | Routine and emergency care, COVID-19 coverage | Monthly billing, kids included |
For more tips on managing health care while traveling, check out our article on digital nomad with family.
Educational Support
Keeping up with your child’s education while traveling can be tricky, but there are plenty of resources to help:
- Online Schools and Homeschooling: Many nomad families choose online schooling or homeschooling for a consistent education. Platforms like K12 and Connections Academy offer accredited programs that can be customized to your child’s needs.
- Local International Schools: Enrolling your child in a local international school can provide a traditional classroom experience. These schools often follow an international curriculum and offer bilingual education.
- Educational Resources and Communities: Websites like Khan Academy and Coursera offer free or low-cost courses in various subjects. Joining nomad family communities can also provide support and resources from other parents facing the same challenges.
| Option | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| K12 | Accredited online schooling | Flexible schedule, tailored learning |
| Connections Academy | Virtual public school | Free for U.S. residents, certified teachers |
| Local International Schools | Classroom experience in various countries | Bilingual education, social interaction |
| Khan Academy | Free educational resources | Wide range of subjects, self-paced learning |
| Coursera | Online courses from top universities | Certificates available, diverse topics |
Connecting with other nomad families can also provide valuable insights and support. For more information on educational resources, visit Genki World or our article on tips for straightening curly hair.
By using these health care and educational resources, you can ensure your family’s needs are met while you enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.
Picking Family-Friendly Spots
Here’s an ultimate guide for digital nomads who travel with kids. The location is important and everyone must be happy so that they can be more productive at their workplaces. Let me share my personal take on two awesome family-friendly spots: Spain: Madrid and Portugal: The Azores.
Madrid, Spain
I highly recommend Madrid for digital nomad families. It has got a classic feel to it but at the same time has facilities of the contemporary world which makes it ideal for living as well as working.
Here’s the scoop on Madrid:
- Living Costs: For a family of four, expect to spend around €2,500 to €3,000 a month, not counting rent.
- Safety: Madrid is one of Europe’s safest cities, with low crime rates.
- Walkability: You can stroll around the city easily, no car needed.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Average Monthly Cost (Excluding Rent) | €2,500 – €3,000 |
| Safety Score | High |
| Walkability Score | High |
The Azores, Portugal
The Azores in Portugal is another ideal destination, it is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands. There are beautiful sunsets, kind people, and the environment is secure which is great for work and for having a family.
Here’s what you need to know about The Azores:
- Living Costs: For a family of four, you’ll spend between €1,800 to €2,400 a month, not counting rent. It’s cheaper than mainland Europe.
- Safety: The Azores are super safe and welcoming.
- Exploration: The islands have rugged terrain, so while town centers are walkable, you’ll want to rent a car to see it all.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Average Monthly Cost (Excluding Rent) | €1,800 – €2,400 |
| Safety Score | High |
| Walkability | Moderate (town centers), rent a car for full exploration |
Got pets? That is why the Azores are also suitable for pet owners: there are many activities for pets, as well as pet-friendly accommodations. See our recommendations for digital nomads with pets.
Selecting cities like Madrid and The Azores allows for wonderful family vacations and still allows the working person to be productive. More on these spots and other family travel recommendations can be found in our other posts or articles on digital nomad with cats .
Challenges and Solutions
To live the life of a digital nomad with family, especially with kids, is a complete roller coaster ride. There are two things that you should not miss in taking care of them and these are their education and their friends.
Keeping Up with Education
Coming up with a schedule that will work for the whole family, particularly in terms of the children’s education, is a real challenge. Switching from one area to the other can interfere with the learning process, they may lose their academic strides and also they are exposed to new method of teaching and syllabus which may not be the same as the one they are used to (Drift Travel).
Every country has its own set of rules and regulation which could be quite a task at times. Getting kids into local schools can sometimes be a real ‘paperwork’ nightmare, language barrier while and sometimes even a legal process.
Another biggy is finding good schools for the children. The quality of education can be good, bad or ugly, and that is a concern if you are keen on your children’s education (Drift Travel).
Homeschooling coupled with online classes is a great benefit. It means the education can be as flexible as your child needs and want it to be, and it fits in well with the nomadic lifestyle. However, beware that it requires a lot of work from the parents to organize and manage all the activities (Drift Travel).
Another form of schools that is quite effective is the online schools, especially for the mobile students. It gives the children routine, schedule, and an opportunity to make friends and learn from vouched tutors. The downside? Time zones are not kind to set class timings (The Blogler).
| Education Option | Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Local Schools | Cultural immersion, socialization | Paperwork, language issues, legal stuff |
| Homeschooling | Flexibility, personalized learning | Needs a lot of planning and effort |
| Online Schools | Routine, qualified teachers | Time zone headaches, fixed schedules |
Making Friends and Socializing
Ensuring that the kids have friends and things to do is another major problem for digital nomad families. Unless one is in a position of moving around a lot, it can be difficult for children to develop close friendships and participate in common activities.
To overcome this, one should try to pursue local communities and groups in every place you visit. There are lots of expats living in most cities, homeschoolers, or kids clubs that are a great source of socialization. It is also possible to enroll your children in after school activities such as sports, art or music classes to also help them make friends and play.
It helps a lot that there is also virtual socializing that can be done as well. There are online platforms and social media groups that digital nomad families can use to enable kids to communicate with their friends and find others in the same situation. Such aspects like video calling friends and family back at home can also helps them to feel normal.
To learn more about how to navigate the life of a digital nomad with a child, be sure to read our articles about digital nomad with dogs and digital nomad with cat.
These are real-life problems that I have come across and addressing them in this manner, you can have a fulfilling experience for your family while being a digital nomad.
