In January 2017, we sold our house, quit our jobs and took our one-year-old travelling around the world. Want to quit the rat race and take your family on the road? Let us show you how.
So who are we?
In short, we are the family that are in search of a different lifestyle. We decided we’d had enough of 9-5, nursery and long commutes, and it was time to make a change. We quit the rat race, sold all of our processions, and hit the road in a motorhome to start a new life touring Europe. All this with a one-year-old and no real plan for the future. Brave? Yes, we get called brave a lot. Crazy? We are not. We love to travel and it’s something that motivates us. We want our son to grow up seeing his mum and dad every day and experiencing the beauty the world has to offer.
Where did it all begin?
The Jen and Terry show began back in 2003, Terry and I met at University and we both knew we wanted to travel once we graduated. And sure enough, we did. The trip was on a shoestring; hostels, public transport and a lonely planet to guide us. It was everything a backpacking trip should be. We travelled Africa, Asia, India, Canada, Europe, South America, Central America and New Zealand.
See the Jen and Terry Show blog here for the full (babyless) adventure!
Travel was well and truly in our blood, and it was very difficult for us to return home 3 years later. So, we decided to up sticks from our home town and move to Bristol which we called home for 6 years.
We then took a different type of adventure and brought our little cheeky boy, Ethan into the world. He’s already travelled with us to Croatia where we visited 10 cities in 10 days when he was just 7 months old. We’ve been told travel doesn’t have to stop when you have a baby, so after 9 months of waiting and 9 more months of getting used to being responsible for another little human, the time is now to get back out there and put this to the test.
Calling the world home
There’s nothing like the feeling of packing up your life, clearing out the unnecessaries and starting a new chapter. We’ve done it over and over again, and it came to no surprise when we told our family and friends that we’d had enough of suburbia and 9-5’s and we are ready for a new adventure. Ok, so it’s a brave move, yes many have said it, and a completely unthinkable move to some, but for us, it makes perfect sense. The world is out there for us to see, and what better way to watch our little one grow up.
So here’s our story in a nutshell and this blog is a story of our journey. Two everyday people who love travel and are embarking on a life on the road with a one-year-old.
Inspired?
We hope we can inspire you to do the same and live your dream whatever it is. If you love to travel and have a family, travel offers so much excitement, experience and amazing memories. Don’t let fear get in your way, if we can do it, you can do it!
Hi there I am inspired by your blog. My husband and I sadly lost our baby in october and life hasnt been quite the same since. It was our dream to travel europe in a camper while i was on materniy however this day may not come. Im 35 so time is ticking and the urge to sell the house and leave london is taking over so we may head out as a duo. Im scared as its a massive step to take but im reading more and more how life changing it is. Do you worry about the lack of security for the future or does the thrill of hope and adventure melt all that away?
Hi Joan thanks so much for your message. It’s so lovely to hear from you. I am so sorry to hear about your baby, I went through the same thing before Ethan and it’s just devastating. Please do not give up hope if it is something you truly want and who says you have to do it in London, some say it’s easier to get pregnant when you are free from stress!
Ultimately as you have experienced, life can be so short. In the UK it is full of pollution, stress and we are made to fear and worry. We’d had enough and with Ethan by our side knew we had to make a change for him.
We don’t worry about the future, we want to find a little piece of paradise somewhere and set up a life away from the 9-5. We’ve taught ourselves a few online tools to earn some money and will see where life takes us.
I didn’t want to regret anything and although selling our house was massive, I would have regretted sitting in it for the rest of my life more than taking to the road.
Hope that helps, just message me if you need a chat!
Jen x
Hi Jen
Thanks so much for the speedy reply. London and the UK is totally getting on top of us and its been something that the pair of us have been pondering for ages. Hearing your story is urging me to take the plunge. I love my job which makes this whole process harder however everything that surrounds it is quite frankly a tad bleak.
I see friend’s with kids struggling with money, time, each other. What kind of a life is that? My husband has suffered with the black dog for many years now and the prospect of a ‘hum drum’ life ahead is making it worse for him and will take its toll eventually on us.
Now, its telling the parents is what scares me most!
Joan x
It doesn’t have to be forever and you can always go back to your current life if it doesn’t work out, just remember that! Best wishes on your decision, it will be the best decision you ever make xx
Hi Jen
I have been keeping up with your blog and insta and am thrilled to see it taking off. Pure heartache when I saw Ethans first word. Legend.
Soooo we have decided to take the plunge, we are releasing equity from the house, quitting our jobs and hope to leave London late summer. Eek!
I have a couple of questions for you if you dont mind as budgeting answers seem to be quite hard to find. What are we looking at in terms of motorhome insurance and breakdown cover? Also how are you living per week, are you eating out much or splitting it between van and trips?
You guys are such an inspiration so thank you!
All the best
Joan x
Amazing, so excited for you!! Best decision you will ever make! I will hand over the budgeting queries to the bank manager of our marriage, Terry lol! He’s the best one to answer those queries especially regarding insurance etc. Can you pop me a fb message @travelastheygrow or email hello@travelastheygrow.com and we can chat? xxx
Wow, Jen, what an inspirational story! This is my dream for sure. When we bought our house I told my husband this couldn’t be the end-all-be-all…and I’m determined to make travel a priority for our family. Ethan is so lucky to have parents like yourselves, as he will grow up truly appreciating life and the world.
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