We did both, school and travelling (so we can’t really say we homeschooled).
Our children were surprised how much and with how much fun you learn while travelling. They didn’t even realize they were learning. The learning was so natural, it was amazing how effective it was. Then, after six months, our children went back to school. They hadn’t missed much, in fact, they were ahead of the others. Our oldest, now in 10th grade has fun learning, it seems to be much easier for him now.
Because while away from school he had time to contemplate what’s important for him in life. Normally children don’t find to time to think about that. But once they do, learning – also in school – makes more sense.
Our children learned English in order to connect with people and not for some exam they didn’t like. And isolated grammar which they forget right after the exam anyway.

It might not be the best solution for everybody. We really enjoyed our time together and the chidren highly benefited.
Greetings, Gabi

Regarding the education of children, well, that’s actually one of the major reasons that we have been traveling :grin:

As we see it, children learn everywhere and from everything and when you travel and are immersed in lots of new situations and circumstances, you learn an awful lot. Not only about different subjects, but also about how to handle different situations and about your own talents and abilities.

As I said, children and education are subjects that are very close to my heart and I have to limit myself in my writing here, but, I was thinking about our first long term trip. When our oldest went back to school (she went to school for 2.5 years) after having been traveling for 6 months, both she and we parents could immediately see how much more she had learned about, well actually, everything, then her classmates. That’s when we decided to homeschool and to let traveling be part of it.
From there, all our kids have a very broad education now and the oldest now also their High School Diplomas. They have taken their diplomas through homeschooling as well, or should we call it, through “World Schooling” a term I recently came across and I love it!
Our oldest has also studied a bit at the university, without any “education structure problems”, quite the opposite.
I’m not saying that either homeschooling or traveling suites everyone or is the right way for everyone. What I do want to question is the idea that education only can be provided to children in one specific way and place and through a school system.
I don’t believe this is the only way to do this, actually, I don’t even think it’s the best way!

Also, as Magnus already has pointed out, traveling doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t have to be rich to do it. There are many ways to have a travelng lifestyle, and some ways can even be cheaper than living a “normal” 9 to 5 with cars, house and mortgages.

Thank you Thomas for your comment!

Regarding children and education. There are of course different ways to look at education. We are not completely convinced that a school setting is the only or best way for good learning although it is the most common and accepted one in society. Too us the real life education through for instance traveling is superior to the one offered in most schools.

Regarding your worry for our children’s education I can calm you by saying that our two oldest got their high school diplomas and can if they choose to go on to College/University studies. This was also achieved through homeschooling. The youngest one is still completing his diploma. And as a curiosity and to many peoples surprise I can tell you that home schooled children are often very thought after by Colleges because of their good study discipline. The home schooled children have a good effect on the other traditional schooled students.

There is more information on extended traveling and school at
http://www.extendedworldtravel.com/i-love-to-travel-but/children-and-school and
http://www.extendedworldtravel.com/i-love-to-travel-but/children-and-school/school-ideas

Interesting. Not everyone has the money to do this. And what about your children… Do you not value education either? Without education they will go nowhere in this life. I think its selfish to take that away from them just because you want to travel. There is homeschooling but when it comes to them going to high school or, even more importantly, college you’re children will have no idea what the education system is like on a structured scale to a degree.