Parents who wanted ‘more freedom’ after lockdown revealed how they sold up their family home and moved their three daughters into a caravan.
Kerry and Ben Leppier, both 39, originally from Bristol, put their semi-detached home in the Forest of Dean on the market and bought a caravan to travel the UK with children Florence, nine, Eden, six, and Willow, three.
The couple, who run an online relationship coaching business, have been ‘unschooling’ their daughters since the start of the year and have continued on the road.
‘Unschooling’ is a non-traditional approach to home education which allows the child to ‘lead’ the teaching based on their personal interests, rather than following a standard curriculum.
Kerry and Ben Leppier, both 39, originally from Bristol, put their semi-detached home in the Forest of Dean on the market and bought a compact 7m by 2m caravan to travel the UK with children Florence, nine, Eden, six, and Willow, three. Pictured, the family on the move
The couple, who run an online relationship coaching business, have been home-schooling their daughters since the start of the year and have continued on the road. The girls (left-right) Florence, Willow and Eden, are ‘unschooled’, meaning they choose their own curriculum
Despite having far less space than they did at home, Kerry insists it has brought the family closer and her daughters bicker less than they did before. Pictured, Eden and Willow painting
Ben (left) and Kerry (right) both wanted to go on the road to have more freedom after lockdown. The family now enjoy simple pleasures like making fires and days at the beach
‘After lockdown had ended earlier this year we were really on the hunt for more adventure and freedom after having so many rules to stick to,’ Kerry explained.
‘So we thought what better way to do that than to sell the house, buy a caravan for us to live in, and travel around the UK. And that’s exactly what we did.
‘I educate the girls at home anyway using the method of unschooling which we continued while we were on the road and Ben is a self-employed online relationship coach and I help him run the business.
Ben and his daughters enjoy a campfire outside the caravan during one stop on their tour
The girls are ‘unschooled’, meaning they lead the curriculum and pursue their interests
The family have found ways to minimise their belongings and packed their lives into a caravan
‘So it worked out great for us, we can work and unschool the kids from wherever we are.
‘We have been doing this since the start of this year and the children are very happy. It means they have zero stress in their life and we can watch them thrive in things they are just naturally good at.’
The family have travelled from Scotland to Cornwall and are currently based in Barnstable, Devon.
Despite having far less space than they did at home, Kerry insists it has brought the family closer and her daughters bicker less than they did before.
She continued: ‘The best things about living in the caravan is the sense of adventure and that we have more freedom.
The family have travelled from Scotland to Cornwall and are currently based in Barnstable, Devon. Pictured, Florence, Willow and Eden soak up the sun during a stop on their tour
Ben runs an online business and helps ‘unschool’ his daughters alongside wife Kerry. Pictured, Ben and one of the girls do some schooling using the computer
The interior of the caravan is simple but cosy, with a comfortable sofa (right) and table
‘We are always outdoors and sitting around fires. It’s very cosy and we feel more connected as a family.
‘However it’s not always plain sailing, a family of five living in a caravan can be challenging. Especially for Ben and I, as it is hard to find time as a couple.
‘At one end of the caravan is the kids end where there is a single bed and bunk beds which folds in to a sofa and dining table.
Ben and two of his daughters rowing a boat during a stop on their caravan tour of the UK
Kerry said her daughters, pictured on the beach, are happier without the ‘stress’ of school
‘We have a tiny cubicle bathroom with a shower and toilet. However we tend to use the showers on the camp sites.
‘Then you walk through to our small kitchen area and then on to the living room which folds out into mine and Ben’s double bed.
‘It might not be for everyone but it is perfect for us. The girls love it even more than we could have ever expected and so do we.’
Florence, Eden and Willow playing at the beach, just one of the places they have visited
Kerry goes exploring with her daughters in the countryside on one of their many adventures