The System That Taught Me Won’t Teach My Kids

I grew up in the public school system in a small Canadian town. It wasn’t great, but there were good lessons being taught. I excelled in math and engineering disciplines — the kind of skills that got rewarded in the 90s and early 2000s. I could solve equations, write basic code, ace standardized tests.

But here’s what keeps me up at night: that same school system I went through isn’t the same today. And even if it were, 90% of what I learned and achieved isn’t going to help my kids in the future.

Think about it. I spent years mastering quadratic equations and memorizing formulas. AI can do all of that now — faster and more accurately than I ever could. Why would I teach my kids to compete with machines at tasks machines will always win?

That realization hit me hard. I can’t just repeat what worked for me and expect it to work for them. The world they’re inheriting looks nothing like the one I grew up in.

At Total Freedom, each core area of life — where you live, bank, invest, and raise your children — is evaluated independently and intentionally. Each decision stands on its own merit, selected for how well it supports your family’s long-term outlook and values.

That same approach applies to education. When establishing a second residency or Plan B home abroad, schooling isn’t simply another box to check. It’s an extension of your family philosophy into how your children learn and grow.

For many families pursuing a global lifestyle, the decision of where to live ultimately narrows to one of two factors: work or schooling.

No matter how mobile or flexible life becomes, where children learn, build friendships, and develop identity becomes the true anchor point. Education often becomes the defining factor in turning a Plan B location into a true home — and a vital part of raising global children.

When Professional Flexibility Meets Educational Philosophy

When professional commitments dictate location, families often rely on local schooling options. Even then, opportunities exist beyond the traditional model. Internationally accredited schools around the world offer IB, British, or American curricula — giving children continuity and global mobility.

Accreditation provides structure and recognition that align with top university systems worldwide, ensuring a consistent academic path while allowing children to experience new cultures.

But for families not bound by geography — entrepreneurs, investors, remote professionals — the decision shifts entirely. Instead of fitting into the local system, you can select an educational system that reflects your family’s values and philosophy.

This is where educational philosophy carries as much weight as academic rigor.

What Really Matters (And When It Matters)

Here’s what I’ve learned: each phase of development requires different environments.

At my kids’ current age, academics is the least of my concerns. Emotional intelligence and understanding social relationships is irreplaceable. They can pick up English, math, and other academic lessons later. But if we miss the window in their social and emotional development, there are no do-overs.

My kids recently attended a Waldorf-inspired school in Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. The school blended neurodevelopment principles with Brazilian family culture as the background environment. It was a 180-degree shift in how I understood parenting.

The school didn’t just report to the parents on how the kids did — it wanted parents to report to the school how they’ve extended the school’s principles into the family…principles we agree with. This is the school holding us accountable for what we said we would do.

I watched my children learn through play, through nature, through genuine human connection. No screens. No standardized tests at age five. Just real development of the skills that actually matter: empathy, curiosity, resilience, self-regulation.

The Brazilian approach to family showed me something the Canadian system never emphasized: that childhood isn’t preparation for life — it is life. And the relationships, emotional awareness, and cultural understanding they build now form the foundation for everything else.

There Is No Perfect System (And That’s the Point)

Having been through the public system in Canada and seeing how Brazilians approach childhood education, I’ve realized there is no perfect school system.

What exists is the best system for the current phase.

Right now, Brazil offers what my family needs: strong social-emotional development, bilingual immersion, outdoor learning, and a culture that actually values family time. When it comes time for my kids to dive deep into academics, sciences, or specialized disciplines, Brazil may not be the place. And that’s okay. We’ll move to a different system.

This is what a multipolar worldview actually means in practice. It’s not theoretical. It’s understanding that no single culture holds all the answers, and being willing to move between systems as your children’s needs evolve.

A child educated across different frameworks — social, linguistic, philosophical — grows up understanding that there are multiple ways to live, learn, and succeed. That mindset isn’t just enriching. It’s essential for thriving in a world that rewards adaptability, empathy, and global awareness.

Beyond Curriculum: Choosing an Educational Philosophy

Control over location brings control over how children learn.

Some families choose the predictability of structured international schools. Others seek more holistic, experience-based environments like Montessori, Waldorf, or Reggio Emilia models.

These approaches extend beyond teaching methods — they communicate beliefs about childhood, freedom, and growth. The classroom becomes an expression of values: curiosity, independence, empathy, resilience, creativity.

Clarity around these priorities naturally leads families toward the school systems and communities that align with their long-term vision.

The Real Risk Isn’t Getting It “Wrong”

Most parents I talk to carry this fear: what if I get education wrong?

Here’s my perspective: getting education “wrong” is simply staying in a system when you know it’s not working for your kids.

The real mistake is making excuses on behalf of the school system, or accepting something as “okay” when you know in your gut it isn’t.

I recommend starting with a calm, relaxed, yet honest conversation about who and what environment is teaching your children. Start with your philosophies — not what the school system has convinced you of, or what you’ve come to accept as normal.

Ask yourself:

• What do I actually want my children to learn at this stage of their development?
• What values do I want the school environment to reinforce?
• Am I choosing this school because it’s genuinely the best fit, or because it’s convenient, familiar, or expected?

Where to Begin

Key considerations when evaluating education abroad:

Accreditation: IB, IGCSE, or US-based programs if international continuity and university pathways matter for your family’s phase.

Philosophy: Montessori, Waldorf, progressive local schools for alignment with family values and developmental priorities.

Culture: How the country’s broader social and family environment supports your vision — not just the classroom, but the entire cultural context your children will absorb.

Phase of development: What does your child actually need right now? Academic rigor, social-emotional development, language acquisition, creative exploration?

When these elements are clear, the education decision often defines the residency itself. The right learning environment brings coherence to every other part of your life design — from where you live to how you invest in your family’s future.

A Plan B That Becomes Plan A

A Plan B location isn’t a fallback. It’s an intentional extension of how your family lives, learns, and thrives.

And often, it’s the education environment that transforms a backup plan into the life you actually want to live.