A MUM has swapped school runs and supermarket trips for temples and tuk-tuks after selling everything to travel the world with her family.
Billie Van Der Walt, 36, and her husband Selwyn, 35, gave up their home, jobs and all their belongings to raise their two sons on the road.
The couple now travel full-time with their children, Bligh, four, and Rothko, two – and say they’ve never felt more free.
“We were working to pay bills and struggling to fit in some precious family time into the two days a week we had together,” Billie said.
“We were happy, just always wishing that the weekend could somehow be a little longer.
“We were coping, but lived pay check to pay check really, relying on credit cards for unexpected expenses and crossing our fingers hoping the car would pass its MOT.”
The couple, from Atherton, Greater Manchester, chose to leave the UK in June 2025 to “world school” their children by using travel and real-life experiences as their classroom.
Before making the leap, Selwyn worked long hours at a kitchen showroom while Billie stayed home with the boys.
The couple, who met working on a cruise ship in 2017, decided they’d had enough when they realised their busy routines left them with hardly any time together.
They were on a rainy walk in the park when the idea of full-time travel turned from a daydream into a serious discussion.
Not long after, a flyer dropped through their door with the words “It’s time for island life” – and they took it as the sign they needed.
Billie said: “We laughed at first, like it was just a silly fantasy – but the more we talked, the more it started to feel possible.
“We went from saying ‘what if?’ to actually planning it out. By the time we got home, we were already making a list of what we’d need to sell.
“It was like the universe was giving us a push. We knew we’d regret it if we didn’t at least try.”
The family says rising living costs, expensive nursery fees and the idea of being fined for taking their children out of school were all factors that pushed them to think differently.
They sold their house in August 2024 and hopped straight on a plane.
Since then, the family have travelled through Abu Dhabi, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam with plans to visit China next – the family now learning Mandarin ahead of their arrival.
Billie describes their approach to learning as a mix of museum visits and local experiences.
While some days involve reading and workbooks, others are more spontaneous – like stopping to learn how sewer pipes are repaired or talking about history while visiting a landmark.
But it hasn’t all been easy – with jet lag hitting hard in the early weeks and potty training on the move bringing its own challenges.
Billie said: “The biggest challenge was telling our families.
“Some people definitely looked at us like we’d lost our minds, but everyone has come around now and are thankfully really supportive.
“Potty training on the go has been difficult – my youngest once peed off a balcony into a pool.
“Jet lag floored us that first week and we had to cancel Japan over a visa issue. We were stressed for a moment, then realised – if this is our worst day, we’re doing pretty well.”
However, Billie says the benefits far outweigh the stress.
The family now travel slowly and keep a flexible routine – with some days full of exploring while others are spent resting, doing washing or calling family.
And they’re spending much less on bills, experiences and childcare.
Despite their better quality of life, reactions to the family’s decision have been mixed – with many people messaging them online with support or questions about how to do the same.
Others criticise their choice, worrying about the boys’ future or education.
Homeschooling Rules in the UK
In the UK, homeschooling is a legal and viable option for parents...
- English and Welsh parents do not need permission to educate their child at home, but they must notify the school in writing if they are withdrawing their child from a school to home educate
- Scottish parents must obtain consent from their local council before withdrawing their child from school, unless the child has never attended a public school
- Parents must ensure their child receives an efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability, and any special educational needs
- There is no requirement to follow the National Curriculum, take standard exams, or adhere to school hours
However, parents still need to ensure their little ones are being adequalty educated. Otherwise, your local council can step in.
- Your local council can make informal inquiries to ensure your child is receiving adequate education
- They may even request information about the home education provision to ensure the learning material is suitable
- If the council believes your child is falling short, it can serve a School Attendance Order or issue a notice for attendance
But Billie says she’s confident they’re doing what’s right for their family.
She said: “We’ve received so many messages of support, but of course, we’ve had a fair few negative messages.
“People have said, ‘You’re being selfish, the kids won’t even remember it,’ or ‘You’re ruining their education and future.’ Some ask, ‘Aren’t you scared?’ or ‘What if it all goes wrong?’
“To the ones who say they won’t remember it, we always reply, ‘They won’t remember their first birthdays or Christmases either – but those moments still matter.’ These experiences are shaping who they are.
Unschooling sometimes gets a bad rap – people think it means doing nothing. But really, it’s just learning through life
Billie Van Der Walt
“In terms of the kids’ education, there are a few ways to describe it, but we definitely fall under worldschooling and unschooling.
“Unschooling sometimes gets a bad rap – people think it means doing nothing. But really, it’s just learning through life.”
Billie says the family have no plans to return to their old lives in the UK but they will eventually settle somewhere with more sunshine and a slower pace.
For the mum, the lifestyle shift has brought more than just new places – it’s changed how she feels day to day.
She said: “It’s hard to explain all the ways that travelling full time has affected me personally.
“I was truly happy before, but now it’s as if my soul feels a little lighter.
“I didn’t even realise how much the weather in the UK affected my mood until we left and had more sunshine.”
