Anna & Little Jacob | Life on the Road
On Vanlife Around the Globe, Advice for Aspiring Travel Parents, Keeping a Toddler Entertained on the Road, Navigating Discomfort & Raising a World Citizen
If you've ever been trapped on a long road trip with a toddler, a flat tire, and dwindling snacks, you might question the sanity of anyone who willingly embarks on vanlife full-time with a tiny human in tow. But that's exactly what Anna did: intentionally, enthusiastically, and without looking back.
Her travel buddy, two-year-old Jacob, contributes little beyond giggles, hugs, and the occasional tantrum. Still, their lives, neatly packed into a cozy van, have become an ode to spontaneity, minimalism, and raising a global citizen in a relentlessly complex world.
I've always admired those who throw convention out the van window and embrace uncertainty head-on. After all, the essence of Type Two Fun isn't merely enjoying what's comfortable and known… it's finding fulfillment precisely when things get gritty, uncomfortable, and, dare I say, a bit wild. Anna's journey, shared generously via an extended conversation, is proof positive of exactly that philosophy.
Choosing Wheels Over Roots
For Anna, the love affair with wandering began humbly. She speaks of her early post-university travel days with a distant fondness - think budget airlines, hostel bunks, and strategically rationed street food. But something shifted dramatically in 2019 when she and her fiancé touched down in Australia. They purchased an unapologetically barebones van and decided less would simply have to be more.
Minimalist living wasn't glamorous; it was beans-and-toast simplicity. Yet, somewhere between fixing flat tires and chasing sunsets, Anna found an addiction to freedom.
Then along came Jacob.
Many parents instinctively circle wagons: stability, mortgages, fixed routines become the North Stars of family life. But Anna, refreshingly contrarian, asked herself, “What if home could be everywhere?” In Perth, where Jacob was born, she realized her son’s connection to his birthplace didn't have to be confined to a geographical pin. He could embody Australia’s soul by feeling it deeply, coast-to-coast, sand between tiny toes, laughter echoing through eucalyptus forests.
From Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, where coral blooms beneath turquoise seas, to the majestic, snow-kissed Swiss Alps, Anna insists it's often the mundane, unscripted moments that stand out. Jacob spinning soap bubbles over Thailand's ivory sands or squealing with delight steering imaginary boats on sparkling waters - those small snapshots of joy become indelible imprints.
In a poignant Instagram post, Anna confronts a hard truth head-on:
"I traded stability for time, a paycheck for memories, and a routine for freedom."
It’s a bold admission, one many parents quietly grapple with. In an era glorifying hustle, Anna’s choice disrupts expectations, challenging the pressure to achieve while parenting from the sidelines. Careers often trick us into believing childhood can be scheduled around meetings and milestones, but Anna realizes this illusion comes at a cost. Childhood is fleeting; memories are formed in everyday moments, not promised future vacations or postponed adventures.
Prioritizing presence means stepping back from society’s relentless push for productivity. It means trading ambition’s comfort for the uncertainty of life on the road. Yet, Anna's decision reflects a deeper ambition: to fully witness Little Jacob’s growth rather than miss it from afar. This tension resonates with parents navigating modern demands - a reminder that raising children isn't merely about providing materially, but offering emotional availability.
In choosing presence now, Anna gently rebels against cultural norms that equate busyness with worth, reminding us all that sometimes the bravest path is stepping away to honor the moments we can never reclaim.
Practical Tips for Vanlife Parents:
Based on Anna’s insights and additional resources for parents exploring vanlife, here are practical takeaways:
Start Small: Begin with short trips to gauge your family’s comfort level.
Embrace Minimalism: Prioritize essentials and ditch clutter to maximize comfort.
Pack a 'Survival Kit': Favorite toys, snacks, surprises for emergencies, and creative supplies like coloring books and stickers.
Consider Worldschooling: Choose experiential education, mixing structured online programs or unschooling to match your child’s learning style.
Create Boundaries for Sanity: Limit screen time on drives, allowing exceptions for long-haul flights.
Flexibility is Everything: Anticipate delays, detours, and unexpected tantrums - flexibility ensures smoother sailing.
Practice Self-Care: Prioritize personal routines, no matter how small - morning coffee rituals, yoga stretches, or journaling.
Engage Your Kids as Co-Travelers: Let children make simple decisions like choosing stops or daily activities to foster ownership of the experience.
Connect with Other Families: Join online communities for vanlife families for support, tips, and camaraderie.
Safety and Insurance: Ensure you have robust travel insurance covering medical emergencies, breakdowns, and unexpected expenses.
Keeping a Toddler Entertained on the Road
Anna doesn’t pretend vanlife with a toddler is easy; it's not. But simplicity helps: "Don’t overthink it. Kids belong everywhere," she says.
During flights, screen time becomes permissible. While traveling in the van, Anna has established clear boundaries, skipping screen time entirely during drives. Instead, they read, color, play with stickers, create stories, and sing together, ensuring every journey becomes quality time.
Flights are an exception to her no-screen mantra; "I enjoy movies at 35,000 feet, so why shouldn’t Jacob?" she quips, embracing reality over parental purism. On the road, the window becomes their screen - nature flashing by, an ever-changing documentary. They sing, invent stories, and occasionally test the patience of fellow road warriors with spirited renditions of "Wheels on the Bus." It's messy, noisy, perfectly imperfect parenting, and Anna owns it completely.
Parenting and traveling continuously remind Anna how kids adapt naturally when given the chance. It’s rarely Pinterest-perfect, but it always works.
Worldschooling as an Education in Life
Worldschooling, or education through travel, has become integral to Anna’s parenting style. The Scientific American article by Jennie Germann Molz highlights how experiences outside traditional classrooms help kids build emotional resilience, cultural awareness, and adaptability - qualities Anna believes far surpass the rote memorization emphasized in traditional schooling.
Though Anna and Jacob have explored diverse locations worldwide, Thailand remains uniquely inspiring for Anna. Having spent six cumulative months there, she recalls the immediate happiness felt upon arriving in Bangkok.
“It’s not just tourist attractions - it’s the feeling of calmness, the warmth of the people, and how beautifully they embrace children,” Anna shares.
She vividly remembers Jacob sitting quietly in a temple, intuitively understanding the moment's serenity. Thailand’s impact on Anna’s perspective is profound, especially concerning motherhood. “Traveling made me much more relaxed. I’ve seen happy children everywhere, even in places with so little,” she reflects, recalling a remote village in Laos. The simplicity and joy of life there challenged her perceptions, teaching her the value of letting go of excessive parental anxiety.
Navigating Discomfort (or How the Nullarbor Plain Isn’t Actually That Terrible)
Anna famously tackled Australia’s notoriously desolate Nullarbor Plain, not once, but twice. What might be perceived as dull became an appreciation for subtle beauty - wild kangaroos, star-filled skies, quirky towns, and, most importantly, perseverance.
“When you start traveling, your comfort zone is constantly stretched, and over time, it just keeps growing,” she explains.
Anna openly shares her experience crossing the Nullarbor. On Instagram, she dispels myths about the drive being monotonous, highlighting the subtle beauty and shifting landscapes. Discomfort isn’t failure, Anna insists; it’s growth.
Recounting one particularly challenging country where she felt profoundly out of place, Anna chose to revisit, hoping the experience would differ with Jacob along. Ultimately, it remained difficult but taught her an essential lesson - growth often comes from understanding what doesn't align with your life.
Raising a World Citizen
Anna’s objective is clear:
“I want Jacob to grow up believing the world is his to explore, that no dream is too big, and kindness and connection transcend borders.”
Each encounter, each new friend across cultures, shapes Jacob’s open-hearted worldview. Jacob’s ability to form connections effortlessly are clear evidence of the positive impact of this upbringing. “Jacob doesn’t see differences; he sees friends,” she says, emphasizing the importance of these global experiences in shaping Jacob’s worldview and personality.
Jacob’s capacity to connect deeply with new people and places continually amazes Anna. A recent encounter with backpackers at a campsite exemplified this beautifully. Upon reuniting later, Jacob enthusiastically greeted them with a heartfelt hug, engaging with them seamlessly through the evening. “It was such a sweet moment,” Anna smiles, reflecting on her son's innate ability to bond with people across cultures. These interactions reinforce her conviction that their unconventional lifestyle is cultivating a sense of global connectedness within Jacob.
Comfort in Simplicity
Amid the dynamic and often unpredictable life on the road, Anna holds tightly to simple comforts. One indispensable item in their van life is a compact coffee machine.
“In my first vanlife experience, every morning meant setting up a gas cooker outside, rain or shine, just for coffee,” she recalls humorously. Now, she cherishes the convenience of a single-button press. “It might seem small, but when living in a van, these little luxuries make all the difference.”
The Journey Continues
Among their favorite stays, Anna recently highlighted Sahana Villas in Bali, a place instantly feeling like home. Designed thoughtfully for families, Jacob perfected his swimming skills in their private pool, while Anna enjoyed coffee straight from the villa’s plantation.
"Bali is always magical, but Sahana Villas made it even better," she shared on Instagram, noting their attentive staff, spacious gardens, and comforting Balinese massages.
Anna and Jacob’s story of exploration, resilience, and deep maternal connection exemplifies the spirit of adventure and the profound impacts of travel. Their experiences offer valuable lessons on living intentionally, embracing simplicity, and understanding that life's most beautiful moments are often its simplest.
Follow Anna and Jacob's inspiring adventures and heartwarming stories on Instagram at @blonde_and_baby_on_board, where their journey continues to unfold, capturing hearts and inspiring countless others to chase their dreams, one destination at a time!