The Final Conclusion..
.. Or is it just the beginning?
I can't believe we've been back for almost three weeks, and everything is already starting to feel like a distant memory! We've shifted from being home-sick to travel-sick! Isn't it funny how you appreciate things most when they're gone? As we look back and try to wrap up our epic adventure with a final conclusion, we realise we've been on a truly amazing journey! After some very questionable, not-at-all-scientific calculations (seriously, never trust me with numbers), we've come up with some stats to kick things off:
In the past eight months, we've roamed through thirteen incredible countries, braved twenty-eight flights (each one with its own mini heart attack), and clocked nearly forty-five thousand air miles. We've tried every mode of transport short of a unicycle - trains, ferries, buses, cars, bikes, army trucks, campervans, and RVs. We've packed and unpacked a total of seventy times and have graced sixty-six different provinces/regions/areas with our presence. Now trying to wrap up the last eight months in a final post is like trying to fit an elephant from Sri Lanka in our suitcase — where do we even start?!
Really we still can't believe all the amazing experiences have happened to us, and we're still in complete awe trying to process it all. Since booking our return flight, we've been constantly chanting "soft landing" to ourselves, determined to make our return to the UK as gentle as possible. But let's be honest, it's been impossible not to hit the ground running and dive straight back into all the chaos we left behind. One thing's for sure, though: we are absolutely committed to not letting ourselves get overwhelmed and crushed by all those external pressures that once held us down. Travelling has gifted us with a fresh perspective, and no matter what comes our way now, we know ultimately we'll be just fine!
I guess a good place to start is by looking back at our initial "mission statement" for this adventure. We set out to "spark curiosity, ignite a love and passion for learning, and unearth all sorts of wonders..” and I can wholeheartedly declare, mission well and truly accomplished! For the last eight months we've swapped routine for discovery, classrooms for cultural experiences, and the stability we cherished for the thrill of the unknown. We've been inseparable, growing together, learning from the world and one another, and have created such a special period in all of our lives. Over these past eight months, the kids have soaked up a mountain of knowledge - of course, their academic progress will have been affected - but the invaluable lessons they've learned are ones no textbook could ever impart. From the incredible places we’ve explored to the amazing people - and animals - we’ve met along the way, every single moment has shaped our lives in ways beyond our wildest imaginations. We’ve relished the joy of complete freedom, growth, and connection. Now, the question on everyone's lips is, "Did it help?" or "Changed anything?" Well, who knows? And do you know what, who cares?! Even if nothing has changed, we’ve had an absolutely fantastic time doing it!! We will forever hold this time in our hearts and look back at it all with enormous smiles on our faces and tales to share and cherish for a lifetime.
Everyone’s next favourite question seems to be, "What happens now?" Well, when it comes to the kids, we're still trying to figure that out! By the end of the trip, English and maths had taken a holiday of their own! They were soaking up so much about the world around them, it was tough for any of us to dive into any books or apps. We'll ease them back into the academic groove, slowly and gently, with the help of patient family members (thanks mum) and home-learning hubs over the next few weeks to the end of the summer term and see where it leads us. Poppy and Fin have secured spaces in September at a local private school renowned for its pastoral care. The Headmaster has been incredibly supportive, staying in touch with us throughout our journey like a digital global penpal. Fingers crossed we'll soon have a transition plan from the learning support department, and all we can do is go from there. We're confident that everything will fall into place, and like I said, I’m determined to stay calm and avoid getting overwhelmed, no more tears anymore in school offices across the county!
Another popular question people like to ask is if the girls in particular have changed. I always say, nope, they haven’t changed a bit. They’ve just rediscovered their original settings: those capable, excited, curious, kind, interested and fun kids they’ve always been. It's like they've finally stopped running a marathon in their minds. They've been given the freedom to rediscover themselves and they are finally at ease without the constant pressure of fight or flight mode. We can now all laugh in disbelief at the pre-trip chaos and stress we faced trying to secure a six-month supply of their medication, involving endless phone calls and more visits to doctors and psychiatrists than we care to remember. We were so worried about whether they could manage without it and still left panicking we didn’t have enough. We felt like a traveling pharmacy, terrified of being stopped at customs with enough amphetamines to fuel a band's world tour! As you know, Phoebe chose to come off her medication during our first week in Rio, and Floss reduced her dosage to half and then gradually stopped altogether within a few months. They have become so much more in tune with their own needs and feelings. Medication certainly has its place, and I would never undermine that, but it's a wonderful feeling that they’ve had a break off of it. Now, we’re all about keeping this newfound peace for them. We’re confidently marching to the beat of our own drum. The feeling of being a square peg trying to fit into a round hole is a thing of the past. Embrace being that unique square peg! Seeing the world has given us incredible perspective, and we now recognise the opportunities all around us. Sure, we might not be following the mainstream school route for them, but that’s perfectly okay. We've all returned with a newfound confidence in ourselves that we never had before.
One experience that we were inspired by was our visit to the Be Kind Cafe in Narrabeen, Sydney. If you remember, this incredible place was born from the owner's personal journey through mental health challenges. His resilience and desire to support others truly moved us and sparked thoughts about our own path and how we could help those on a similar journey to us. Navigating the complexities of neurodiversity, school refusal, and home-education over the past three years has been no joke, and the feeling of isolation through it all has definitely been the toughest part. It got us thinking back to my years of volunteering at a toddler group when the girls were little. Back then, everyone shared their sleepless nights and relationship stresses, leaving with a sense of understanding and camaraderie. As your children grow, that special community fades, and sharing their challenges becomes tricky as you respect their privacy. But carrying the weight of isolation and struggling alone is tough. So, we are thinking, how can we revive the supportive atmosphere of a local toddler group? Can we come together again, sharing sleepless nights and relationship stresses for new reasons? Let's embrace this journey with fellow parents on the same, wonderfully bumpy boat (or what feels like a very leaky canoe!!). So, watch this space for our upcoming “Be Kind, Neurodiverse, Home-education, Parent-Not-Toddler Group/Cafe.” (Really need to think of a punchier name.) We would love to support other parents and families experiencing the same journey. If we can create a welcoming space where people can lighten their load, even if just for a moment, that would be a win in our book.
I’m pleased to be back helping at the home-education learning hub where I worked part-time before we left. It’s an amazing community for primary and secondary home-educated pupils, and all four kids are joining on various days, with Phoebe returning confidently after her time there last year. I feel so fortunate to have been recommended this place for her during those early days when she was still 'attending' school (in the loosest sense). It all started with a chat during a gym session with my PT, who mentioned alternative education paths after her son had recently embraced home-education. These simple conversations can truly empower, support, and make a difference in people's lives, which is exactly why we're eager to connect with others going through the same. So, if you're currently riding this same rollercoaster, or know someone who's hanging on for dear life, give us a shout. You can reply to this email, pass it along, or find us on our website or Instagram. We still don't have any of the answers and have absolutely no professional training, but we do know what it's like to be that parent — advocating, fighting, and being your child's voice in a system not tailored for them, while figuring out the next steps in an unfamiliar world you didn't even know existed - it really is a wild ride! We promise there's always a friendly ear ready to listen here.
Now, when it comes to us as a family, it’s probably no shocker to learn that we're on a mission to help dogs in need. And no, we’re not planning to turn our home into the world’s largest dog hotel! We’re excitedly chatting with the amazing team at Animal SOS in Sri Lanka to see if there’s a way we can lend a paw from the UK to support their incredible work by aiding with successful rehoming efforts. Of all the sanctuaries we visited around the world, this one truly captured our hearts. With over 2,500 dogs and facing the threat of closure, we're determined to make a positive impact from here. Watch this space (especially if you're considering welcoming a rescue dog into your home!).
We've got a couple of other interesting ideas bubbling beneath the surface that we're eager to explore together. We’d love to turn this adventure into something more. We’re investigating ways we can help the home-ed community more permanently. We're exploring new paths in alternative education, enrolling in an animal-assisted intervention course (and still dreaming of that small-holding… Maybe a goat for my birthday this year, Dan?) Plus, we're looking into ways we can help other families who are teetering on the edge of adventure and education but haven’t quite jumped in yet, peeking over but not quite ready to leap! If anyone can prove it’s possible, it’s us, and we’d love to help bring smiles as big as ours to other families’ faces. But, one training course at a time! It’s crucial to stay focused and not get overwhelmed or buried under a mountain of enthusiasm!!
During our time away, I stumbled upon a quote that resonated with me from the book I was reading, Lucinda Riley’s novel, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt: “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are going.” That’s exactly what we’ve embraced — switching lanes and shifting the course for ourselves and our kids. Whatever comes next — school, homeschool, or learning from the family dogs — my only hope is that we all stay excited and engaged with learning, curious about the world, eager to discover new things, and that the kids love themselves enough to keep chasing their adventures with passion. Being in a position to have been able to take charge of their learning in our own way and experience it together has been such a special opportunity, and we are so fortunate to have been able to do it. We have witnessed globally the immense power in family and time, and that ultimate power duo is what we’ve been able to provide our children when they needed it the most.
And when we hit a little bump in the road, which I’m sure we will — after all, we still have four kids to raise through their teenage years yet! I hope we can remind ourselves that we pulled this off. We created this life and all these amazing experiences because we aimed for better and we achieved it. May we always find our way back to this mindset and cherish these incredible days.
A great friend shared a poem with us when we returned — we received it on our very first day back and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Here are some especially powerful excerpts from it that I've included for you now.
Just for today
Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problems at once…
Just for today I will be happy. Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be…
Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires…
Just for today I will be unafraid.
Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me…
And so there you have it! The end of our journey signals an exciting new chapter. We're no longer burdened by an unbearable weight, and we're ready to embrace fresh perspectives with countless opportunities ahead to explore. Now, time to dive back into the delightful circus of having all the kids at home, four dogs, a flock of chickens, and a tortoise. Oh, and let's not forget the four new chicks — Fin's egg-selling empire's questionable investment. Juggling home-learning, life, and being back at work. Straight back to the whirlwind of Destecroix family reality!
