Have you ever considered what life would be like if you owned less? If you and your family were no longer anchored to big house payments and 9-5 jobs? This is not a novel idea. Since the epic global event known as COVID-19, many families have discovered the joys of remote working and learning. This new “nimbleness” has led many to downsize, simplify, and a few have even opted to hit the road for adventure in mini homes on wheels.
Today, 17.3 million American workers currently describe themselves as digital nomads. Digital nomads work remotely and are not tied to any particular location. They are free to travel and work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. The popularity of this trend for individuals and even families has increased by 2% from 2022 after increasing 131% from the pre-pandemic year 2019 to 2022. Being a digital nomad requires preparation, adjustments and finding a way that works for you and your family. It’s also not the lifestyle for everyone.
This 2022 article from Anna Everywhere sums up the pros and cons perfectly.
Education does not fall by the wayside regarding family travel either. Thanks to countless quality options for homeschooling and distance learning, families can ensure their kids are still getting taught while on the road. Homeschooling in the U.S. shot up during the pandemic, and it appears to be here to stay.
According to a Washington Posts study in 2023, homeschooling is now the fastest-growing form of education in the U.S.
Though a free-and-easy lifestyle with zero commutes does sound appealing, many savvy traveling families encourage anyone who is contemplating taking their family on the road for an extended period to do their research.
FreakingNormads.com has a great list of 12 Nomadic Family Blogs to follow that share tips on everything from meal prep and family-friendly campsites to managing money and safety.
Does this sound like something that would fit your family dynamic? If the adults are on board but the kids are feeling uncertain, a vibrant picture book about Tiny Living and BIG Adventures called Sissy Goes Tiny will help kids of all ages understand downsizing and doing More with Less.
About The Book
Eight-year-old Sissy loves her life. She loves her toys, her Big house, and her Big backyard. But when Sissy’s parents decide they are going to live in a Tiny House on wheels and travel around the U.S., Sissy isn’t sure that she will like the idea of “living tiny.” But as she and her mommy and daddy learn about downsizing, repurposing, and how stuff is just stuff in a positive way, Sissy soon understands that living Tiny has BIG possibilities; possibilities for all sorts of adventures and learning.
“While everyone’s path to tiny living is different, Sissy Goes Tiny is a great book to open the conversation with kids of all ages about downsizing toward a life of experiences'” ~ Macy Miller–mother to two, tiny house adventurer, and CEO of MiniMotives.com
Learn more about how this unique and innovative book came to be, read this great article from one of the co-authors here.