A mother and her two children have decided to leave their Pennsylvania home behind to live on a cruise ship. Jessie Trondeau, 40, documents her life at sea with her six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, choosing to give them a childhood of global exploration rather than a conventional upbringing.
A Unique Family Lifestyle
Trondeau told People in an interview that her children have 'zero concept' that their lives are out of the ordinary. The family stays on the boat for six months at a time so the children can be near their father, Krasimir, who works as a crew member. Despite living on the ocean, the children still experience a very normal upbringing, with a few extra perks that come with cruise ship living.
Daily Routine at Sea
A typical day for the family begins with breakfast, followed by Trondeau spending about two to three hours on schoolwork with the kids. She then drops them off at the kids' club, which gives her some time for herself before picking them up to swim in the pool and have dinner. 'Almost every night we see a show,' says Jessie. 'And then we do books and bedtime.'
On days when the ship docks, the family explores new destinations together. Trondeau describes family life at sea as 'fun in an enormous amount of ways.' She wrote on social media that as her children get older, she will try to transition her family to 'a more "normal" life!' However, she added that for now, they are just taking things in stride.
Challenges and Perks
The mother explained to People that even the children get asked questions about life on board. 'For them, this is basically just home. They don't see it as strange,' she said. Trondeau's Instagram features many adventures, including excursions to places like Bermuda and St. Maarten.
'I get seasick, but I'm the only one in my family who does,' said Trondeau. She also mentioned that while many would believe that never having to cook would be a dream come true, she misses having the opportunity to make whatever she wants. In another online post, she explained that she is responsible for cleaning their room: 'It is true that I don't have to cook! That said - I do have to do/manage laundry, wash dishes (not many, but some!), vacuum and manage the tornado of detritus that seems to accrue around kids. I'm not complaining in any way!!! Life is good...but it comes with chores.'
Criticism and Stability
A few comments on her posts criticize Trondeau for raising her kids on a boat, noting that there is no stability. The remarks appear not to bother her, as she replied to one saying: 'I agree! Stability is extremely important, and schedules/discipline are crucial. That's why I'm so glad my children have such stable lives.'
