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Solo Parent Travel – The 7 Important things you need to know

August 28, 2019 by Jill 20 Comments

I define solo parent travel as travel with only one parent present. While single parents who travel and explore with their kids are included in this category, a solo parent traveler doesn’t necessarily have to be a single parent. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on why solo parent travel is awesome and some important things you need to know.

Table of Contents

  • Solo Parent Travel: Important stuff you need to know before taking a solo parent trip
    • My journey to solo parent travel.
  • Here are 7 things you need to know about solo parent travel
    • 1. Pick a kid-friendly destination – the holy grail of solo parent travel.
    • 2. You need a solid transportation plan.
    • 3. Solo parent travel calls for different rules and different family dynamics.
    • 4. When traveling with kids as a solo parent, consider the options of flying vs. driving.
    • 5. Don’t over plan.
    • 6. But, don’t forget to plan!
    • 7. Forget nerves…just go!
  • You might also like:

Solo Parent Travel: Important stuff you need to know before taking a solo parent trip

My journey to solo parent travel.

I am happily married to a man who loves to travel almost as much as I do. Unfortunately, his schedule isn’t as unstructured as mine is. Being a travel blogger, I have lots of opportunities to…well, travel. Since I have more travel opportunities than my husband has vacation days, we made the decision that I would travel solo or travel with our kids (solo parent travel) when the opportunities came up.

My first solo parent trip with these two. We learned a lot together.

The first trip I took with just the boys and I, (they were seven at the time and they are nine now) was during spring break when they were in second grade. We were invited by a camping resort about three hours from our home to come and experience one of their cabins. I had absolutely nothing planned for my kids over spring break. I was trying to decide between signing them up a day camp that didn’t really interest them (because the camps that did interest them were already full…hello procrastination), or vegging out at home for a week to come up with fun things for them to do that involved minimal time zoning on electronics.

I decided to go ahead and take them to the camping resort on my own and it was a wonderful experience for all of us. We learned a lot about traveling as a trio and about each other.

One of the things my kids learned on our first trip as a trio is that moms CAN do things dad can do, like light the gas grill…although they don’t know I had to text my husband a picture of the grill to figure it out.

Fast forward nearly two years, and I’ve taken multiple trips with just my kids, with two more on the horizon. If I had the choice between solo parent travel and traveling with my kids and my husband, I’d choose the four of us every time…but for the immediate future, we can’t do it that way, and traveling is kind of what I do. That being said, I’ve become pretty good at solo parent travel.

If, for whatever reason, you can’t travel as a complete family, consider taking your kids on a trip, just you and them. You’ll learn from each other and have a great time.

Here are 7 things you need to know about solo parent travel

1. Pick a kid-friendly destination – the holy grail of solo parent travel.

This is probably a no-brainer when you’re planning any travel with kids, but it’s extremely important when you don’t have the other adult as a buffer. You know your kids…and you know if they’re going to break away from you and do cartwheels down the hotel corridor or be wild and crazy in a restaurant when you don’t have that extra person saying “shush” or “we don’t stand on our chairs, honey.”

tips for solo parent trips

Check to make sure your hotel or resort is kid friendly. A great pool is definitely going to win you cool parent points.

A destination that’s popular with families is where you want to be. It doesn’t mean your accommodations can’t be nice or even luxurious, depending on your budget, but definitely choose places to stay, eat, and play, geared toward children the same age as yours. Read reviews from other parents. Ask people you know for recommendations.  To plan a solo parent trip (especially with younger kids) without doing your homework is not a good idea.

2. You need a solid transportation plan.

I almost always rent a car from Alamo Rent A Car when we’re going on a trip. If we’re flying into a destination, I love getting a rental car at the airport and having freedom to come and go as we want during the trip. Unless you’re going to a major city like New York or Dublin where you can stay entirely within the city and walk/take public transportation everywhere easily, it’s nice to be able to have your own ride to check out restaurants or other activities that might not be within walking distance of your hotel. Renting a car also gives us the option to get a cheaper hotel room by not staying in the city center where rooms are often more expensive.

Taking a solo parent trip - 7 tips

We rented this Ford Explorer from Alamo for our most recent adventure in Southeast Montana – it was perfect!

Even if we’re road tripping, I usually rent a car. I like having a newer car that’s been checked over by the pros before we head out on our adventure. I also like not putting the miles on my own car. And, Alamo has 24/7 Roadside Assistance within the U.S. They can help you out if you have a flat tire, if you run out of gas, or even if you do something silly like lose your key fob. I like having that peace of mind when I don’t have another adult to rely on and…let’s be honest: another adult who knows more about car trouble than I do.

Check out How to Rent a Car for your Family Vacation

3. Solo parent travel calls for different rules and different family dynamics.

A missing family member really shakes up the dynamic of your family. It’s not a bad thing but you’ll notice a shift in how you interact together. There is no “go ask your dad” or “have daddy do that for you, I’m busy” when you’re traveling as a single parent or solo parent. I also find myself talking to my kids more. When we’re doing something as a foursome, I tend to chit chat with my husband and talk to my kids mostly when I’m answering questions or telling them to do something. Solo parent travel has made me more aware of their need for connection. I’ve found myself making more of an effort to have meaningful conversations with my kids or just be silly with them.

Your family dynamic will change when you’re on a solo parent trip. It’s not a bad thing.

Your family dynamic will change when you’re on a solo parent trip. It’s not a bad thing.

We also have different rules when we’re doing solo parent trips. When there are two adults, I know there’s another adult keeping an eye on the kids. It’s way different when it’s you and only you watching out for your kids. Your vigilance is elevated and so is your stress level sometimes.

My kids are nine now and they’re able to understand basic instructions like “don’t answer the door when mom’s in the shower” and things like that. We also come up with a plan for what will happen if we get separated based on the location we’re in. I’m not lax with my kids when my husband and I are both present, but I’m extra careful about keeping tabs on them when it’s just me.

This is something I didn’t really consider ahead of time, so if you’re reading this and planning your own solo parent travel adventure, be mindful that the dynamic will be different and that you probably need to adjust some safety rules.

4. When traveling with kids as a solo parent, consider the options of flying vs. driving.

Our first few trips as a trio were car trips. When my kids and I are together, we develop a system from getting the bags out of the car, up to the hotel room and back in again. They’re so used to doing it, it’s almost second nature and we’re really good at it. Yes, I’m bragging.

However, flying is a different ballgame, as I recently learned.

My husband and I disagree on checking bags. I will do anything to avoid checking my bag and he will do anything not to carry his bag into the cabin. To avoid listening to him complain, I usually just give in and check my bag when we’re flying together. When I’m traveling solo – just me – I take my carry-on and my backpack and zip through the airport. Baggage claim? Potential lost luggage? Nope.

I did a solo parent trip with my kids just a couple of months ago. We flew from San Antonio, Texas, to Billings, Montana, with a layover in Salt Lake City, Utah. Since my husband wasn’t going with us, I packed us each a small carryon with wheels and three backpacks. I was sure my kids could handle that.

And…they could. Kind of. They moved slower than I was used to moving. I had to direct them every step of the way as far as taking their backpacks off and stowing them under their seat. And, I had to put all three rolling bags into the overhead compartment. It wasn’t a big deal but it felt different and they felt my stress level. See also I felt like I’d worked out after we all got seated. I didn’t stop to consider that this was the first time I’d flown with them without my husband but it made a difference. We adjusted quickly but I wish I would have thought about this beforehand. And yes, we checked our bags on the return trip!

You’ll also want to do whatever you need to do to sit with your kids on a flight. So many airlines nowadays charge a premium for selecting your seats ahead of time. If you buy a ticket that says “seat assigned at gate” then expect to get three middle seats at different parts of the plane. You might luck out and find a sympathetic flight attendant or some nice passengers who will help you get seats with your kids but those people probably paid for the privilege of picking their seat and they probably won’t want to give it to you just because you’re unprepared.

If you take a flight with open seating, checking in at the 24-hour mark or paying for upgraded boarding will usually get you seats together. When traveling with my two kids, I sit in the aisle seat in a row of three so there’s no one between my kids and me. If you have more than two kids or your aircraft has a different number of seats in a row, you won’t be able to do this. It’s what makes me most comfortable.

If you’re traveling overseas or if your kids have different last names than you (or each other) consider carrying written permission or a consent document from the parent who isn’t present.

5. Don’t over plan.

My idea of a great day with two eight-year-old kids was to hit the museum district after breakfast, followed by an afternoon at a water park and then an elaborate dinner at a ranch 30 miles outside of town.

Spoiler alert: this was not my kids’ idea of a great day. They tolerated the museums – and by tolerated, I mean asked when we were going to the waterpark about every two minutes. They wore themselves out at the waterpark, which was the best part of the day for them. They fell asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel and I mustered a bit of common sense and cancelled the dinner reservations in favor of pizza delivery.

Kids need downtime and since you aren’t really going to get much down time on a solo parent trip, this becomes more important. Also, things like waterparks and trampoline parks and arcades that are probably present in your home town shouldn’t necessarily be off the table when you are traveling…and it took me a minute to catch on to that. Kids are going to appreciate that scenic drive or that beautiful vista a lot more when their overall feeling about the trip is positive. 

6. But, don’t forget to plan!

There’s a sweet spot between over planning and not having a plan at all.  While you might not want every single second of your day accounted for, as in “hey kids, you have 11 seconds to finish breakfast or we’re going to be off schedule” you do need some idea of where you’re going to stay and what you’re going to do. While the idea of hitting the road until you find someplace cool to stop might be appealing, you don’t want to be in the position of having a car full of tired hungry people and no room at the inn.

Check out Alamo’s Family Vacation Planning Toolkit for ideas.

Before you set out, have a plan for where you’re going to stay, when you’re going to stop along the way (important!) and what activities you’re going to do. Alamo Rent A Car’s Scenic Route has great ideas for various activities! While there’s nothing wrong with having a resort day or hanging out at the hotel pool, you’ll want some options in your back pocket to get your kids out and exploring. I don’t know why the hotel pool has such an appeal to kids…it just does. To have your best vacation, you’ll balance downtime (also important!) with exploring something new. 

7. Forget nerves…just go!

If you feel nervous about solo parent travel, that’s normal. But some of the best moments in life happen when we push ourselves outside of our comfort zone. You can probably find a dozen excuses not to go. Your kids are too young. Too old. Not potty-trained or well-behaved enough. Just go.

Solo parent trips have been some of my family’s best trips. We miss my husband and he probably feels a little left out at times, but that’s our life for now. When we can travel versus seeing the same old scenery in our familiar neighborhood, we’re going to jump on it. 

Trips with your kids don’t have to be expensive or complicated. They also won’t be perfect. Things will go wrong. You might get lost. The hotel might lose your reservation. Your kids might act like feral animals in a restaurant. They might cry…so might you. Yes, all those things have happened to me on trips with my kids. But when you’re on the other end of the trip, you will be so glad you made the effort.

And so will your kids.

Need more vacation inspiration? Check out these great trip suggestions.

You might also like:

How to plan your family vacation on a budget

 

 

 

 

 

 


20 Comments

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Comments

  1. emman damian says

    August 29, 2019 at 12:30 pm

    Always have a concrete and feasible plan. Learn to be more flexible and always think of the welfare of the kids. Those are my two cents on solo parent travel. Last thing, enjoy!

    Reply
  2. Bill Sweeney says

    August 29, 2019 at 12:55 pm

    I think it can be a wonderful experience for the kids, just to have that time with one parent. We have not attempted this yet, but are looking forward to going solo with the kids.

    Reply
  3. Stacie says

    August 29, 2019 at 1:33 pm

    Kid-friendly is absolutely key! when it’s just you and the kids, the last thing you want is a bored brood.

    Reply
  4. Kelly Martin says

    August 29, 2019 at 5:31 pm

    These are some great tips. It’d be hard travelling as a solo parent but so rewarding.

    Reply
  5. Terri Steffes says

    August 29, 2019 at 9:12 pm

    When my daughter was younger, it was fun to go on a trip with just the two of us. We’d do all girly things and really had a fun time. Our favorite way was to travel all together.

    Reply
  6. Sara | mshealthesteem.com says

    August 29, 2019 at 9:23 pm

    This is such an awesome article that will be a huge help to any solo traveling parents. You did a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing your tips ♡

    Reply
  7. Sarah Emery says

    August 29, 2019 at 11:05 pm

    I love this article. It quickly took me back to my childhood when my mother was the solo traveling parent. My poor mother was outnumbered (3 to 1) Ha :). She did the same as you in regards to picking family friendly locations and absolutely did the Dad stuff when we were camping. Great post and tips!

    Reply
  8. rv slideout awning canada says

    August 30, 2019 at 7:06 am

    Why not travel with your family? You can use an RV and bring all your family with you. It will be fun and exciting for the family. A great bonding experience.

    Reply
    • Jill says

      August 30, 2019 at 8:26 pm

      We haven’t done the RV route yet. Maybe one of these days!

      Reply
  9. Marcie W. says

    August 30, 2019 at 8:44 am

    Excellent advice! Traveling with kids can be stressful but you seem to handle it like a boss. I’m not sure I would have the patience.

    Reply
  10. Angelica Sereda says

    August 30, 2019 at 9:25 am

    Great post! I’ve been wanting to do more trips with my girls but have been hesitant to go alone with 3 little girls. It definitely gets easier as they get older. I love how you addressed all the excuses we give ourselves. We just gotta get out there 🙂

    Reply
    • Jill says

      September 1, 2019 at 10:29 pm

      I encourage you to get out there and just do it…but you know yourself and your kids best.

      Reply
  11. Emily Fata says

    August 30, 2019 at 11:32 am

    It looks like you and your little ones had such an amazing time on your trip together! No doubt solo travelling with your kids can be tough, but it looks like it was well worth it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jill says

      September 1, 2019 at 10:28 pm

      Yep…I say “worth it.” Doesn’t mean it doesn’t get frustrating along the way, though.

      Reply
  12. Joanna Clute says

    August 30, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    This is a really useful guide. Keeping track of everyone and keeping them happy alone can be a daunting task.

    Reply
  13. Ruth I says

    August 31, 2019 at 9:15 am

    Must be quite challenging to travel with kids. I think your plan works solid. Seems that you guys had a lot of fun!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      September 1, 2019 at 10:28 pm

      We did! And, while it is a little bit challenging at times, it is so worth it.

      Reply
  14. Claudia Krusch says

    September 2, 2019 at 9:32 am

    I think it’s a great experience to enjoy travel time with just one parent. We haven’t done that yet, will try!

    Reply
  15. Lindsay says

    September 17, 2019 at 6:41 pm

    8. JUST HAVE FUN!!! Everything will be alright. You’ve planned plenty and thought this through. Now enjoy it!

    Reply
    • Jill says

      September 17, 2019 at 11:43 pm

      GREAT addition. So true!

      Reply

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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Jill Robbins
"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

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Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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6-9 months.
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

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Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the holidays and finally dug into it this weekend. Our box had a cold-weather theme which was perfect for this cold weather we're having (flurries in San Antonio can you believe it?!)

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