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Travel with children as a single parent Traveling with your children as a single parent presents some extra challenges. You may feel limited in your choice of destinations because of safety or distance factors. You are the only one available to manage logistics, luggage and children. How would you manage in a crisis? Moreover, you bear the burden of responsibility for your children's marvelous or awful vacation. Without another adult, the task can seem daunting and, yes, even lonely.On the other hand, as a single parent, traveling with your kids can be an ideal way to spend real time with your children. You are guaranteed a lot of interaction, as you are away from home, friends, schedules and other distractions. You have an opportunity to step out of your daily life and assess the relationships between yourself and your children. Use the time together to define yourself and your relationships with your children, the time together will be priceless. On your first trip, take it easy. Start with a short, relaxing trip so you can develop a system for planning and executing your trip. Pack extra gear to make the trip fun inside a car top carrier. Establish rules and limits and stick to them. The big adventures can come later when you all feel comfortable traveling together. Organize and plan ahead; don't say to yourself, "I'll find a restaurant/ museum/ pool when we get there" Know where things are before you leave. You cannot study a guidebook and enjoy your children at the same time. Know what your kids want to do and what they expect from the trip. Even better, let your kids help you plan and execute the trip. Planning can also be a great opportunity to spend time with your kids. Moreover, they will value your trust in them and will be less likely to misbehave. Most importantly, be FLEXIBLE when things don't go the way you expect them to. Your kids will appreciate your efforts and their time with you more than a clockwork presentation of activities. Focus on just being together. Many single parents have to travel on a shoestring budget. You can save a lot of money by planning ahead. When making reservations, be persistent in asking about family packages and discounts for families traveling with only one parent. Many resorts and cruise lines will make accommodations for you if you ask. Visit areas with a lot of free attractions, such as cities, to save on admission fees. Lodging and dining in non-tourist areas can save enough money to more than make up for any additional transportation costs. Whenever possible, pack your own food and avoid the restaurants. Many single parents suggest traveling with another single parent family. This way you have adult companionship, a little help and someone to share expenses.
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