A conversation with my son on his 18th birthday

In one of my earlier blog stories - Don’t Wait for Retirement to Live Your Dream - I received many questions about children. Some people assumed that if you have kids, you need to wait until they turn 18 before making a big life change.

This weekend, as my son turned 18, we took time to reflect on the past 18 years. Our family has embraced change, adventure, and the pursuit of a dream - moving across countries, finding our home in Spain, and adapting to different cultures. But now, I find myself wondering: does he see it the same way?

Like many of life’s biggest decisions, moving to Spain wasn’t just a single choice but a series of moments that led us here. My wife and I have been drawn to Spain for over 25 years, ever since our first trip to Barcelona in 1999. When our son was born, he became part of that journey from the very beginning. As soon as he could walk, he joined us on every trip, experiencing new places, cultures, and ways of life firsthand.

Along the way, he adapted to new languages, cultures, and education systems. In his 18 years, he has attended four schools in Poland (learning in Polish), two in the Netherlands (learning in Dutch), and now continues his studies in Spain, following an English A-level education (learning in English and Spanish). Every move brought challenges, but it also built resilience, adaptability, and a global perspective - something few experience at such a young age.

But what does he think about it now? Would he choose this path again?

"As much as moving places, schools and countries this frequently had, at times, made it hard for me to settle in and just take it easy, in the end I believe that the final move - Spain, and the opportunity of receiving international education was undoubtedly the best move my family could ever have done for both me and my younger sister.

Another thing I still cannot process up this day is how many amazing people I get to meet from different cultures and countries, something that wouldn't be even close to possible if not for our endeavor.

Nevertheless, such changes are not only about gains - they also come with challenges, such as losing the physical closeness of family and long-established friends, and inevitably dealing with a sense of longing and nostalgia.

Knowing what I know today, I would not change a single thing and continue letting things take their course... " - Maksym Wykowski

In a world that keeps changing faster than ever, I believe that adaptability is one of the most valuable skills a young person can develop. Having the opportunity to help my son build that ability means more than a lot to me - both as a parent and as someone who was once 18, making life-changing decisions.

What do you think? Is adaptability one of the most important skills for the next generation? Why or why not?