Family Sells Home to Travel World With Children
A family of five from South Wales has sold their home and possessions to embark on a round-the-world trip with their three children, seeking new experiences and global education.
Dani and Tom Wooldridge, along with their children Olivia, 12, Morgan, 7, and George, 4, sold their home and nearly all their possessions to embark on a global adventure. The family departed for Indonesia in May with a one-way ticket and only their backpacks, aiming to visit every continent with no set end date.
A Shift in Priorities
The decision to sell their house, which they had renovated over seven years, and leave behind their careers—Dani as a nurse and Tom with a construction business—followed a positive family holiday in Thailand. Witnessing their children's engagement with a different culture during that month-long trip sparked the idea of a more extended journey. "It all went really smoothly and it was great seeing the kids experience a completely different world to what we'd all grown up," Tom said. This experience prompted them to research families undertaking similar journeys and carefully weigh the pros and cons.
The Leap of Faith
Committing to the plan involved selling their home and possessions, a decision that initially met with surprise from their parents. "Most people have got bets on when we're coming back," Dani noted, with Tom adding that family members had predicted their return within a year.
While the younger boys, Morgan and George, were enthusiastic, their eldest daughter, Olivia, expressed apprehension about leaving friends and starting high school. "She was very apprehensive about leaving all her friends," Tom explained. The departure itself was emotional, with family and friends seeing them off at the airport. "We were so fortunate to have a close family and friendship group as well. They're the people we miss and that's what we miss from back home, the people that were in our lives. Not so much the material things we had," Tom added.
Embracing New Cultures
Their first destination, Bali in Indonesia, presented an immediate culture shock with its vibrant sights, sounds, and smells. While the initial days were overwhelming, particularly for Olivia, the family soon found positives. "The food instantly was amazing. And the people are just beautiful, and so kind. And just to feel the heat on our skin," Tom said. They explored various parts of Indonesia, from the beaches of Uluwatu to the cultural hub of Ubud and the volcanic Mount Batur.
Education on the Move
Dani emphasized that education remains a priority. The children are following the UK curriculum, with Olivia having an online maths tutor and the younger boys receiving primary curriculum support from another tutor. "Even though we want our children to experience the world and have that kind of real world learning, we have said we also want them to have opportunities," Dani stated.
Refining Their Load
Initially, the family brought too much luggage. Through their travels, they have pared down their belongings to two large backpacks for the parents and two rolling packs for the children, one of which contains educational materials. They are planning to continue their journey through Malaysia, where they intend to visit an orangutan sanctuary and attend a world schooling center, followed by Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Future destinations are open-ended, with plans to move between continents as long as they wish to continue exploring.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Dani dreams of an African safari, while Tom, with a background in surfing, is eager to visit Tahiti. The family's journey reflects a commitment to experiencing the world, fostering their children's education, and cherishing human connections over material possessions.
