Spending an entire year, 24-7, travelling with their preschooler was what parents Rakcent and Carol decided to do, and are still doing. Extraordinary parents? Definitely. Who else would take time off work and choose to spend one year travelling with their child? Parents who have travelled with their children would know that parenting takes no break and might even be more challenging when overseas.
We speak to the brave adventurer family, more specifically Daddy Rakcent to hear about how they planned and are traveling as a family of three.
Interview with the Wong Family behind Engaging Atlas
Tell us about your family and what inspired you to take the preschool gap year.
My family consists of my wife Carol, our 4-year-old son Atlas, and myself. We’ve always loved exploring new places, and travel has been a central part of our lives even before Atlas was born. We’ve travelled across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Iceland, and Egypt, among others.
When Carol was pregnant, we decided to continue this journey with our child to foster a sense of wonder, resilience, and adventure in him. This preschool gap year allows us to bond as a family while broadening our perspectives and teaching Atlas through real-world experiences.
NEWLY OPENED: Cloud Pagoda, Stone Boat and Scenic Bridges at Chinese Garden
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL: Where to View Lights & Enjoy Festivities in Singapore
How did you plan your year-long itinerary?
We had an overview of where we’d like to go, but we keep things flexible. The specific countries to visit are decided just a few weeks ahead, and the exact activities could be decided on the same day. We aim to do just one thing a day, so our travel is slow-paced, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the places we visit. We also have a strong preference for being in nature. Much of the itinerary is planned around being family-friendly.
We love your adventures! How do you get ready for the trip, and do you prepare Atlas before setting off each time?
We make sure to show Atlas pictures or videos of where we’re going, which gets him excited. He’s particularly fascinated by different forms of transportation—whether it’s trains, trams, buses, boats, or planes. If there’s a double-decker vehicle involved, he’s even more thrilled. Atlas also loves animals, waterfalls, rivers, snow, sand, and, of course, playgrounds. We make sure to include elements that excite him in our plans to keep him engaged.
Tell us what are the daily travel essentials in your day bag.
To give you an idea: our day bag typically includes water bottles, snacks, a first aid kit, shades, caps, walkie-talkies, torchlight, fan, rain jackets, umbrellas, and some toys to keep Atlas entertained.
How do you cope with homesickness?
We cope with homesickness by finding Asian food wherever we are and making video calls back home. Connecting with fellow Singaporeans abroad has also helped us feel less isolated. These small comforts go a long way in keeping us grounded during our travels. Sometimes we rent a home with a kitchen; being able to make homecooked food certainly makes us feel at home.
Balance is key. While Carol attends her spin classes, I get day passes for solo activities like skiing, taking walks, hikes, watching videos online, or just writing. To maintain our sanity, we make sure to schedule frequent breaks where we have full rest days and do absolutely nothing. This helps us recharge and prevents burnout.
What does Altas like most about traveling? What is his favourite city/country thus far?
Atlas’s favourite country remains Singapore because that’s where his Nai Nai is, and he misses his toys there. He loves Kenya and the safari experience as well. He’s been picking up local languages in each region, and now he’s going around saying “jumbo” and “asante” to everyone—both are Swahili phrases.
In your travels, which are the most child-friendly spots to head to?
Many places in Europe, like the Netherlands and Denmark, are incredibly child-friendly with their parks, museums, and family-oriented activities. Australia was also fantastic, with its beaches, zoos, and nature reserves. Additionally, we’ve found that many places in China are child-friendly, with easy travel, convenience, lots of food options, and playgrounds for kids.
Our parenting philosophy centres around fostering curiosity, resilience, and independence in Atlas.
We believe in teaching through experience, and travel has been a significant part of that. We want Atlas to grow up understanding different cultures, appreciating nature, and learning the importance of adaptability.
We also emphasise that effective learning starts with curiosity, which fuels the drive to discover new things. Atlas’s willingness to socialize and interact with diverse people and environments enriches his learning experiences.
By encouraging him to explore and ask questions, we help him build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Most importantly, we want him to know that the world is vast and full of possibilities, and that he can explore it with an open mind and heart.
Have an Amazing Journey!
Thank you Rakcent, Carol and Atlas for the inspiring insight into your amazing year of travels. We are sure this will be such a memorable milestone that gives everyone core memories for a lifetime, and plenty of opportunities to forge stronger bonds as well.
Follow Engaging Atlas on Instagram to learn more about the Wong’s adventures!
