What’s a Jumpy Family (and Are You One Already?)
The question that changed how we parent, live, and decide—together.
Let’s get real: the world isn’t just shifting—it’s convulsing.
Old systems are sputtering. Education, work, parenting—all the once-sturdy (or seemingly robust) norms feel increasingly wobbly. If you’re quietly wondering “Is this really the best we can do?” you’re not alone.
For the last decade, my family of four has been asking that question—and then jumping headfirst into the answers.
Not everyone needs to sell everything and move to Bali. The point isn’t about miles traveled or schools tried. It’s about questioning our default mode. And making creative and boldly imperfect choices that reflect who you actually are as a family.
We call ourselves a Jumpy Family.
This isn’t a flex. It’s not always graceful. There have been tears in hotel rooms, arguments in airports, and moments of deep doubt. But the connection, the perspective, the stories? These can’t be manufactured on a weekend getaway.
No trust funds here.
Just some recognized privilege (hello, passport access), creativity, and a willingness to trade stuff for experiences.
Let me show you how it began—and why it might matter to you.
Let’s jump in…
Jump #1: No Trust Fund, Just a Fun(d) of Trust
The year was 2014. Our kids were 3 and 5. Charlie and I had both just exited our respective startups. We had a pause. I’d say we felt stuck in the loop of work–childcare–“keeping up”–burning out. Now what?
After our little ones would finally go to sleep, we’d stay up late searching for alternatives. Surely, this wasn’t the only way to do life?
And then it landed: What if we just jumped?
We didn't have a traditional trust fund to finance our adventures. What we discovered instead was something far more valuable: a fun(d) of trust. It was the real currency that made our jumps possible. It was knowing that even when plans fell apart (and they did), we could improvise solutions together. It was the shared belief that we could design a life that honoured our values rather than defaulting to convention. And most importantly, it was the profound understanding that while financial resources might determine how far or how long you jump, it's this emotional capital—this fun(d) of trust—that determines whether you jump at all.
Back in 2014, there were no books or resources on this kind of journey or people to ask. So, we went rogue and mapped a loose plan for six months of explore travel with tinies. He booked flights. I explored how to pull our kids from our Canadian school and child care.
Truth. I was knotted with anxiety (what if our toddler screamed for 13 hours on planes, or we found ourselves without a place to stay?). Yet, something in me said a full body YES. You know, when all your bits line up in a swoosh? The decision (however wacky) to create the six months off piste felt aligned.
For sure this was one of the boldest creator moves I’ve ever made. Doing it with small humans depending on you? That’s playing life on a new level.
See that story in full color here → The Scottersons’ 2014 in visuals
We came home transformed. Tried to reintegrate. Realized we couldn’t—not fully. Our roots had shifted.
There was more learning to do. And the world was calling.
Jump #2: The Quadruple Bypass Year
By 2018, our kids were 7 and 9. And we were back in a burnout loop—hustling to keep up with all the “shoulds,” grieving the loss of dear friends, and disconnected from the slower, richer pace we’d once known.
So we jumped again. This time feeling bolder. Our kids were 7 and 9. In my mind, the ideal ages to jump.
A full year of travel. Three carry-on bags. One flight. One Airbnb booked. That’s it.
We called it our Quadruple Bypass—a radical re-routing of how we lived.
We taught the kids 2 hours a day (max).
We spent every hour together.
We pivoted, rested, created, and cried.
We slowed all the way down.
We spent our savings venturing to 20 countries and felt magnificent about it.
Want a peek into that beautiful chaos? → Watch the video
2018 cracked us all open in the best way. It showed us what was possible when we traded certainty for presence.
Jump #3: The Bali Years & Jungle School
After a year on the road, we started asking: Where do we want to root?
We joked we were speed-dating countries. Where would we fall in love. Who would be the right one? Charlie and I figured we could make any spot work, so the kids became the prime discerners—and their compass pointed to Bali.
Enter: Green School. Jungle classrooms. Bamboo architecture. A campus without walls and a curriculum built for change makers.
We moved. They enrolled. We adapted.
We invented work from our interests (no resume needed).
We immersed ourselves in a wildly creative community.
We stopped apologizing for being different.
Bali didn’t change us. It unmuted us. It reminded us that there are whole ecosystems where our way of being is not strange, but celebrated.
So, What Is a Jumpy Family?
Charlie and I came up with this:
A Jumpy Family is a family with a thirst to do things differently. They're not reckless—but they're willing. Willing to question the defaults. Willing to embrace temporary awkwardness for long-term aliveness.
Often, it includes travel. But at its core, it’s about living on purpose.
Jumpy Families aren’t conventional—but they’re not aimless.
They reflect. They recalibrate. They root. Then they leap again.
The Family Compass: Our Most Trusted Tool
Every major decision we’ve made has come back to one thing: our Family Compass.
It’s not a pretty printout on the fridge. It’s a living, evolving reflection of our shared values and vision.
We use it to:
Check ourselves before big decisions
Guide hard conversations
Align when we’re drifting
Let the kids in on what matters most
Some real lines from ours:
Be clear. Tell it like it is.
Face and love the fear.
Keep adventure alive.
Money is a story and a game.
Surround yourself with beauty.
We’ve used this framework (more on this next post) with coaching clients too—especially founders and parents—who realize they’ve built thoughtful strategies for their businesses… but not their families.
This changes that.
So What Happens After a Decade of Jumps?
Our kids are teenagers now.
They’ve attended jungle school, public school (rural + urban), homeschool, and worldschooled.
They’ve been “the new kid” more times than we can count.
And still, we see:
They’re grounded.
They’re wildly creative.
They’re brave.
They know themselves. And each other.
We know them. Truly know them. Because we chose time together. Not just quality time—but quantity time. In all its messy, repetitive, illuminating glory.
To be honest, we didn’t do it perfectly. But we did it on purpose.
Coming this summer: The Jumpy Family Launchpad
If you’re feeling that nudge to jump—maybe not to Bali, but into something more you—this is for you.
This summer, we’re launching a 6-week program called The Jumpy Family Launchpad.
It’s for families who want to:
Take a sabbatical or travel year
Redesign their family rhythm
Make bold decisions (without losing their minds)
Say yes to curiosity, change, and courage
It’s part story, part strategy, part toolkit.
You’ll meet other families that will inspire the shi*t out of you.
And you’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and your own Family Compass.
🔸 Stay tuned for a May gathering online to find out more - start dates, get your spot, details of adventure
🔸 Spots will be limited
Until Then...
If nothing else—read this with curiosity.
Ask yourself:
Where is our family going through the motions?
What would it look like to do things differently?
What’s one small leap we could take this month?
You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need a master plan.
You just need to be willing.
We’ll be here when you land.
Send me an email if you want first dibs on our program!
More coming soon…
In your corner,
—Hope
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