Turning dreams into reality with a family of 7: The Clanfields

Back in 2022, James, Jennifer, and their five children were gearing up for the trip of a lifetime. Flights were booked, and their dream of enjoying three months of European bliss was set to come true the following summer.

But when they lost their main source of income at the end of the same year, their European adventure suddenly felt completely out of reach.  

For months, the family of seven went back and forth deciding whether to refund their flight tickets or find another way to fund their trip.

“As the departure date loomed just a month away, the reality hit us: affording everything for a family of seven to travel for three months was simply not feasible.”

But then they found TrustedHousesitters. Realizing it was the key to solving all their travel problems, they created a profile, uploaded pics of the whole family, and applied for their first house sit. Despite their enthusiasm, they couldn’t help but wonder if it would really work. 

“Scepticism loomed large. Who would open their home to a family of seven, with five kids under 11?”

But they need not have doubted themselves!

“To our surprise, the first homeowner – residing in a beautiful historic home just outside of Oxford – requested to meet us.”

The entire family squeezed onto the screen of a Zoom call, and they were surprised to find their initial meeting was so positive. 

“We had assumed that, as a large family, we needed to sell ourselves and prove our worth. However, the perspective shared by the homeowner was eye-opening – they too wanted to demonstrate why they were the perfect fit for us as sitters. This mutual trust became the foundation of our TrustedHousesitters journey.”

Celebrations were in order when they received an invitation for their first sit, which was quickly followed by a second and then a third.

“Now, six months later, we’ve got nearly 20 sits under our belt! Thanks to TrustedHousesitters, combined with our online work and homeschooling the kids, we’ve been living our dream as a large family with the world as our backdrop.”

And they make it look easy! Having landed house sits in eight different countries, they’ve enjoyed some incredible experiences…

“...from summers in the Umbrian Hills to the snowy landscapes of Switzerland, and caring for pets ranging from dogs and cats to horses, sheep, and even an armadillo.”

An armadillo… who’d have thought?! Yet what truly sets TrustedHousesitters apart for the Clanfields is not only the opportunity to explore amazing places and homes, or even caring for these incredible pets. 

“It’s the genuine friendships we’ve formed along the way, built on a foundation of trust. We wouldn’t be living this incredible experience without TrustedHousesitters, and as we look forward to our continuing journey, we’re filled with gratitude for the doors it has opened and the people we’ve met along the way.”

We couldn’t agree more! 

If you like the sound of turning your own travel dreams into a reality, start your house and pet sitting adventures with TrustedHousesitters. Whether you’re a pet parent looking for peace of mind while you’re away, a pet-loving sitter who’s eager to explore new horizons, or someone who wants the flexibility of both, there’s a membership plan just for you!