“I always wanted to live in a foreign country for a while, but now I have children…”
I have no experience, even second-hand, of moving abroad with children. But over the years I’ve been interested to notice an increasing number of families living abroad or traveling long-term (6 months or more). Chiang Mai in Thailand was practically crawling with expat families with a toddler in tow, central America is a hot-spot for families looking to get away for a year or more, and to my surprise it seems that even India is not off-limits for month-long trips with babies and teens alike. I don’t think I would recommend that last one, but it seems everything went swimmingly! The point is that people move abroad, take trips, and even gap-year with kids in all corners of the world, and while it’s clearly not the same as doing it alone it seems to be very doable, and increasingly so.
The blog below covers the important issue of TIMING very well, and there are tons of articles online from families who have made the leap themselves.
Two other things that will restrict your options with kids:
School: If your kids can speak the language of the country (or are two old to adapt quickly, say over 6 or 7 years old), then you’ll probably be looking for private schools. There are private English-language schools everywhere, but they can get pricy so plan and research carefully. Two loop-holes: if you find a job at an international school they will often offer a substantial discount on tuition for your kids. Also, I see more and more families on the road who are home schooling, which immediately gives me ideas for history/literature/biology lessons that integrate the new surroundings. This option is especially doable for Americans. Just as people who work online can easily take their work on the road, if you’re already home schooling then why not “off-shore” it?
Health: There’s probably no need for me to tell parents to be concerned about their child’s health when abroad, since this is the first thing most parents will think about. Clearly if your child has specific medical problems that require regular treatment this might preclude taking them abroad at all. And if they have a tendency to get sick this will limit your possible destinations. But the important thing to remember is that many countries have excellent medical facilities and English speaking staff. In fact medical tourism is a huge growth industry for Americans who prefer to get treatment or complex procedures done in another country. This is true all over Europe of course, but also many countries in East and South East Asia, Central and South America, and Southern Africa. I’ve talked with many parents of young families who maintain regular check-ups and occasional emergency visits to hospitals while traveling, and I haven’t heard any complaints. Of course it requires more research and preparation, but the point is that it’s all possible and having kids does not spell the end of your dreams of living abroad. Even beyond your own dreams, the experience of exploring the wide world and encountering new cultures and life-styles at an early age could be absolutely transformative for your kids.
Do you have experience living / traveling abroad with children? Leave your stories and tips below! Please like and share!
