Episode 71 – The Reality of Moving Abroad with Kids with David Schnurman
Moving abroad with kids can sound like a dream, but the reality is often much messier and more meaningful than the highlight reel.
In this episode of De-Stress the Nest, Hannah Morgan sits down with David Schnurman, CEO of LawLine and author of 11 Suitcases, to talk about what it actually takes to uproot your family and start over in another country. David shares the true behind-the-scenes of moving to Barcelona with three kids, the unexpected challenges of the first few weeks, and the mindset shift that transformed their time abroad into what he calls a “Year of Yes.”
If you’ve ever wondered what relocating internationally really looks like, or you’ve felt the pull to make a big life change but don’t know where to start, this episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to solve every detail first. You can begin with small steps, build momentum, and prove to yourself that it’s never too late to change direction.
Key Takeaways
Start with “little yeses.” Small commitments create momentum and make big life changes feel doable over time.
Expect the messy reality at the beginning. Jet lag, missing essentials, and logistics are normal. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s adaptation.
Say yes on purpose. Leaning into new experiences can build community and reshape your family’s day-to-day life.
Mindset matters more than logistics. The “how” is usually solvable. The bigger barrier is believing you can make the change.
Community comes faster than you think. Even in midlife, you can build deep friendships when you’re in an environment designed for connection.
It’s never too late to “turn your ship.” Big change can feel impossible in midlife, but it’s still possible to shift direction.
Quotes
“We did little yeses until we accidentally walked into moving to Barcelona.”
“Your one job is to say yes.”
“In Brooklyn, most of us live a year of no.”
“Don’t worry about the logistics. That part you can solve.”
“It’s never too late to change the direction of your ship.”
Resources Mentioned
11 Suitcases – David Schnurman’s book about moving to Barcelona with kids
The Fast Forward Mindset – David’s first book (2019)
Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes’ book (referenced in conversation)
Heron House Management – Virtual house management for busy families: we handle your to-dos so you can focus on what matters most.
Subscribe & Leave a Review:
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to bring you valuable content!
Episodes Released Weekly on Tuesdays
This episode of De-Stress the Nest is sponsored by Heron House Management.
About Heron House Management:
Heron House Management is a virtual house management service that takes the stress out of your busy life by taking on your mental load and managing your To Do list. We provide fractional virtual house management for busy families at 10, 15 and 20+ hours/month.
Meal planning, signing up for kids activities, scheduling doctor's appointments, finding a house cleaner, planning your kid's birthday party, getting quotes for that home renovation project, or scheduling a monthly date night with your significant other and so much more. We do it all!
-
00:00
Hannah Morgan: Welcome to De-Stress the Nest, a podcast for busy parents where experts share bite-sized tips on how to create systems that minimize stress at home. I'm your host, Hannah Morgan. Today’s episode is sponsored by Heron House Management — the first-ever virtual house management service that lightens your mental load by handling your to-do list with monthly subscriptions of 10, 15, and 20+ hours per month. From meal planning and doctor’s appointments to birthday parties and home projects, Heron House Management helps busy families reclaim their time and live their best lives. Learn more at heronhousemanagement.com.01:02
Hannah Morgan: On today’s episode, we’re chatting with David Schnurman, who moved abroad with his children for what was supposed to be one year but ended up being two. He, his wife, and their three kids moved to Spain, and he wrote a book about it called 11 Suitcases. If you’ve ever been curious about relocating, moving to Europe, and what the logistics and reality of that looks like, this is definitely the episode for you.01:32
Hannah Morgan: David, I’m thrilled to welcome you to our show today. Let’s start by hearing a little bit about who you are and what you do.01:40
David Schnurman: Sure, thanks for having me. My name is David Schnurman. I’m the CEO of LawLine and the father of three kids, two of which are going to college next year, so we’re going through a life transition right now. I just published my second book called 11 Suitcases, and it’s about our journey moving to Barcelona for two years — why we went, how we transformed after we were there, and what happened along the way.02:14
David Schnurman: The reason I write books and run an education business is because my personal mission is to inspire and empower people to live their life to the fullest — essentially, to be able to look back and have no regrets. My first book, The Fast Forward Mindset, created a framework for doing just that. That mindset is what ultimately led us to move abroad.02:49
Hannah Morgan: We are all about that. Thank you for joining us today, David. So let’s talk about what it was really like to uproot your family of five and start over in another country.03:02
David Schnurman: Let’s start with day one. You have this vision of toast and champagne and inspirational speeches. That’s not how it was for us. The morning we were leaving, I realized the giant duffel bags we packed were too large for the plane. So on departure day, I had to run out and buy four new suitcases and repack everything.03:36
David Schnurman: At the same time, our bathroom ceiling was leaking. A plumber had to knock it out before our tenants moved in. It was chaotic. That’s the real look of moving abroad.04:01
David Schnurman: The logistics — visas, schools, apartments — are all solvable, especially with organization and help. But here’s my lesson: do things in little steps. We did small “yes” decisions — apply for the visa, apply for the school, find an apartment — until suddenly we were on the way to the airport with 11 suitcases thinking, “I guess we’re doing this.”04:41
Hannah Morgan: So once you landed, was everything tidy and ready? Or was it constant adjustment?04:50
David Schnurman: The first weeks were a mess. Jet lag, no sheets, no household basics. Dinner in Spain starts at 9 PM. We were exhausted. And two days after arriving, before we were unpacked, we took a trip to Sitges because my wife said, “We’re here — let’s travel.”05:25
David Schnurman: The kids were crying, it was hot, we were dragging luggage around. It felt like we were pushing our luck.05:39
David Schnurman: Then we attended a new parent barbecue at the school. The dean gave a speech and said, “You have one job this year. Say yes.” Say yes to the invitations, the trips, the experiences — because that’s why you’re here.06:05
David Schnurman: That became our Year of Yes. We built new relationships, went on new trips, and created community in ways we never would have at home.06:27
Hannah Morgan: Did you feel like you got everything out of it that you hoped?06:33
David Schnurman: In many ways, yes. Within three months, we made 30 new couples as friends. It was like adult summer camp. Many are still close friends today.06:53
David Schnurman: But at some point, I became too performative about living the perfect expat experience. I said yes to too much. I was overwhelmed.07:11
David Schnurman: Then there was a major protest in Barcelona. The city shut down. Airports closed. It reminded me there was an entire local reality beyond my curated expat bubble. That’s when I started slowing down.07:35
David Schnurman: Still, we fulfilled our original vision. Years earlier, we wrote down that we wanted to live a life through travel. Moving to Barcelona was intentional. And during COVID, we experienced Spain in a once-in-a-lifetime way — beaches without tourists, just locals. That will never happen again.08:11
Hannah Morgan: For listeners feeling the pull to make a big move, what would you say?08:20
David Schnurman: People ask about logistics. I tell them not to worry about logistics. That’s solvable. The hard part is mindset.08:34
David Schnurman: An Olympic kayaker once told me that when you’re young, you’re like a kayak — you can turn quickly. As you get older, you feel like a container ship that can’t change direction. But it’s never too late to turn your ship.09:02
David Schnurman: We talked about moving for four years before we did it. The hardest part wasn’t paperwork. It was deciding we were allowed to change direction.09:21
Hannah Morgan: That is incredibly powerful. Thank you for bringing that perspective — not just the visas and logistics, but the mindset and courage required.09:36
David Schnurman: Thank you for having me.12:48
Hannah Morgan: Thanks for listening to De-Stress the Nest, the podcast where experts share bite-sized tips on how to simplify your life. Don’t forget to subscribe and tune in every Tuesday for more ways to make home feel easier.forget to subscribe and tune in every Tuesday for more ways to simplify your life.
