A New Place to Live: One Family, Three U.S. Cities (Ep. 7)
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
The Sheffert's last picture in front of their home in Chicago before they took off on their 15 month adventure.
First stop: Park City, UT, where the mountains are the Sheffert's backyard. Sitinee and her dog enjoying their weekly trail run together!
One of the family's many adventures exploring the beautiful mountains of Utah. They wanted their kids to explore and enjoy the beauty of their country.
Deciding, as a family, on a better place to live
Sitinee Sheffert and her husband have designed a family sabbatical that is very unique – and has a very clear goal.
They sold their house in Oak Park, a Chicago suburb, and are taking 15 months to test out living in three other U.S. cities.
At the end of their journey, they’ll sit down as a family and decide where to live.
Two other important details:
They’ve got five kids ages 11, 9, 8, 3 and 8 months.
Both parents are also entrepreneurs, running their own businesses.
Sitinee is the founder of Giving Artfully Kids, a program that engages kids in service-based craft projects, to teach kindness, compassion and empathy.
In this interview we talk about the logistics and emotions involved in an experiment like this, such as how the Shefferts decided to also downsize and homeschool.
We also discuss the couple’s intentions behind their leap, which include wanting a slower pace of life, to be stronger as a family, and to spend more time in nature.
Sitinee also shares how she wrestled with this leap as a Thai-American; as it meant leaving her close, extended family behind in Chicago.
I’m so impressed with this family and their original, ambitious experiment. Enjoy the conversation.
memorable insights
The origins of the experiment, and how they decided as a couple to go for it.
Why they chose Park City, Austin, and Denver as their test cities.
How they decided to homeschool: to provide stability for the kids, and to take advantage of a unique life situation.
How this couple worked as a team to make this happen – and how they tackle the elements best suited to their strengths
Sitinee’s initial hesitations – because it meant leaving behind her extended Thai-American family in Chicago.
The couple's intentions behind this leap: Wanting to slow things down for the family; to be in a safer environment; to be outside more; to show their kids other parts of the U.S.; to live a more simple life; and to spend more time together as a couple.
Some of the ups and downs in their first couple of months on the road.
What it was like to tell their kids about their sabbatical experiment.
3 QUESTIONS I ASK EVERY GUEST
1. What do you wish you had known before you took your leap?
2. What was the most unexpected thing that came of your leap?
3. For someone who is thinking of doing something similar, what one piece of advice would you offer?
SITINEE’S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
BLOGS
Crazy Family Adventure - A family of six that sold everything and bought an RV to travel around North America.
Around the World in 80-ish Days - A blog my dear friend and her family (husband and three boys) did this summer about traveling the world in 80-ish days. Another inspiring read about the possibilities of traveling with kids and the amazing things you can see in this world.
BOOK
At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider - my friend gave me this book just before we left on our adventure. An inspirational book about the travels of Tsh Oxenreider’s family adventure around the world.
CONNECT WITH Sitinee
Follow her family’s adventure via their Facebook group, Every Road is a Memory, or connect via her social media accounts below.
What's your leap? Here's how we can help
Contact Lisa directly to learn more about coaching one-on-one and for groups of two.
Subscribe to get weekly inspiration and advice.
Join the Leap Like Me Community on Facebook.
FOR MORE EPISODES OF LEAP LIKE ME
SUBSCRIBE on iTunes, Stitcher or Spotify
WRITE A REVIEW
Writing a review on iTunes will help other people to find the inspiration and practical advice to help them take their own leaps in life.
FOLLOW US
Like/follow Lisa on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for the latest updates.
SHARE
Talking with others about Leap Like Me is the best way you can help! We'd love it if you pass on the show to friends and family who would get something out of the show. Thanks so much for your support.
