Single moms vacationing with kids.....any tips?

[Minnie_me]

I'm a newly single mom who is determined not to let this divorce ruin my kids' summers. We will continue to go on family vacations without their father, even if we can't afford Disney. (and who knows? maybe in a few years we will be able to afford Disney again!)

Anyway, I booked a 3 night, 4 day trip to a vacation spot about 3 hours from here (by car). I'm VERY excited, but my friends act like I'm crazy to do this alone!!!

So I figured I'd do my homework like I do before every vacation I take, but this time, I want specific info on vacationing as a single mom. FWIW, my kids are both girls, ages 10 and 13.

THANKS~!

 

[MickeySP]

Have a blast!!!! I was single Mom for years and we had sooo much fun on vacations both WDW & non.

I will also say it was how we grew much closer than average parent/child, nothing like alone time with your kiddos to really open the lines of communication.

Take some time to get to know them as people, I bet you will find you like them as well as love them. Divorce can be good too. Use the time to talk about, well everything.

 

[dallastxcpa]

You will have a great time. I was single from for several years when my daughter was younger and we went on several trips.

Just remember safety. Don't forget, just because your on vacation doesn't mean the rest of the world is.

 

[ohiomom28]

I actually loved going on vacation with my son when I was single. We would go to Gatlinburg/PF or just do local trips to Kings Island or the waterpark. It was nice to get away, just the two of us.

 

[abdmom]

I'm a newly single mom who is determined not to let this divorce ruin my kids' summers. We will continue to go on family vacations without their father, even if we can't afford Disney. (and who knows? maybe in a few years we will be able to afford Disney again!)

Anyway, I booked a 3 night, 4 day trip to a vacation spot about 3 hours from here (by car). I'm VERY excited, but my friends act like I'm crazy to do this alone!!!

So I figured I'd do my homework like I do before every vacation I take, but this time, I want specific info on vacationing as a single mom. FWIW, my kids are both girls, ages 10 and 13.

THANKS~!

Sheesh, find new friends! I'm a widowed mom and have been doing much more travelling since dh died. The oldest was 10 when he died. I was determined not to stay home and wither away just because I had no spouse. Now is the time to do what YOU want to do. Go and live it up!

 

[MichelleVW]

I can't believe your friends think you are crazy. Traveling with kids those ages is easy! I got divorced when my girls were 6 and 8 and we traveled all over.

Why do people think it's so hard?

You'll be fine and have a blast!

 

[dislaney]

Well I'm still married, but I do take time to take my kiddos on trips, without my husband! Some of my favorite memories are from these trips. Your friends are crazy!

 

[aprilgail2]

I'm a newly single mom who is determined not to let this divorce ruin my kids' summers. We will continue to go on family vacations without their father, even if we can't afford Disney. (and who knows? maybe in a few years we will be able to afford Disney again!)

Anyway, I booked a 3 night, 4 day trip to a vacation spot about 3 hours from here (by car). I'm VERY excited, but my friends act like I'm crazy to do this alone!!!

So I figured I'd do my homework like I do before every vacation I take, but this time, I want specific info on vacationing as a single mom. FWIW, my kids are both girls, ages 10 and 13.

THANKS~!

OMG-I can't believe people are acting like you are crazy for traveling with the kids! I have always vacationed with my daughter - she and I drove to florida (24 hour drive) when she was 2 1/2. We went by plane when she was 4 and went to disney and on a cruise- she snorkled a barrier reef and swam with the stingrays, we flew down and went to discovery cove a few years ago. The past 2 years she and I have driven down to Myrtle Beach. We have been to lake george, went camping (which we are doing again this year) aand taken many other trips with just me and my daughter!
Next year we are taking amtrak to Florida rather than flying--simply-as my daughter puts it- to have an adventure....
We have a big trip in the works for 2 years from now- she and I are going to drive from NY-Washington---down through California and back across to Georgia and up to NY from there. We are planning it for about 6-7 weeks long....no set schedule, stop where we want and go when we want.
You don't need a man or anyone else to travel with- you and your 2 kids will have a blast going together! My daughter and I love planning our trips to Disney etc together and she gets a say in what we see and do and we always have an awesome time!

 

[golfgal]

I have taken many trips with just the kids, DH hates to travel. It isn't really any different than traveling with your DH, just one less person along really. It would probably be more work if your kids were toddlers but at those ages, it will be easy. Just plan a range of things to do and listen to the kids' ideas-get them involved in the planning. Make it an adventure.

Where are you going? There is a good chance someone here has been there and can give specific suggestions.

 

[gracie1]

I don't think your crazy at all (even though I have no children!) My mom and I travel all the time and we have the best time! Whenever we plan a vaca I leave my dogs home with my dad

 

[Planogirl]

I've traveled solo a lot with my son and I started doing that when he was just a baby. Just keep your wits about you, let your kids know the rules and you should be fine.

 

[southernbohemian]

Growing up, my dad could rarely get off of work for vacations so my mom took us three girls on most of our vacations by herself (and a couple of times threw in a few cousins as well). It should be a blast. The main difference is letting the kids have more responsibility, which with their ages shouldn't be a big deal. One of us was always the "navigator" on road trips. We knew we had to help out by not misbehaving or getting lost, etc. We helped carry things, pack, etc. Quite frankly, it will probably be much better than a vacation where they keep their electronics on and tune out until you're doing something fun.

 

[Mama Who]

WTH is wrong with your friends that they couldn't manage a 10 year old and a 13 year old alone? Seriously, YOU aren't the one who is a little nuts in this equation. Have a good time!

 

[Robinrs]

Some people's minds are sooo limited. My son and I have travelled to Orlando at least 30 times and I've been a single mom all of his life. We've also been to at least 10 states, just the two of us.

You need to find new friends...

 

[melmar136]

Good for you for planning a trip for you and your girls! I have been divorced for almost 7 years now, and my DD is 12 now. She and I go everywhere together! We have so much fun, and I think our trips have brought us even closer.
Just have fun, relax, and enjoy!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I have a question that goes along with this topic. I'm not a single mom, but I've been toying on taking my DD8 to WDW for a long weekend and here is my hold up.....what if something happens to me while we are alone. I mean like, I get sick, fall on break my leg/arm/ankle, any number of things come to mind. How do you get over that fear?

 

[Michelle67]

Crazy? NO WAY! Good for you being determined not to just sit around all summer being bored.

FWIW, my husband has been out of the country two years out of the last three, and just left on another deployment on Friday. Like you (but obviously different situation overall) I didn't want to ruin their summer sitting around doing nothing just because dad couldn't be with us. The first year they were 4 and 8. We went on vacation out of state both years, and plan to do so again this year.

As for tips, I agree with another poster that said to be sure and be extra safe. Not that we're just helpless babes in the woods without a man at our side, but to a person looking for someone to rob ,scam, etc., we can be a more attractive target. Just make sure to pay attention to your surroundings.

Since you can't split up and go do separate things, try to make sure that each child has input into activities and gets a chance to do what they are interested in doing, budget allowing. That will mean that each child has to understand that they may have to do things they don't really feel like doing, because the vacation is for all of you. I know with my kids I sometimes have to remind them that "this vacation is not only all about you. There are three of us here who would like to enjoy ourselves, and not everyone enjoys the same things. We will be doing X that you want to do, and we are also doing Y that your brother wants to do. That's only fair."

Don't be afraid to decline to do things that really aren't in the budget, and to be honest about the budget restrictions. This does not need to turn into "let's bash daddy" but your economic reality is probably different than it was as a two parent family, and your kids will have to adjust to that anyhow. Don't let feelings of guilt or sadness about that push you into extending yourself further than you should on the vacation. Not saying that you would...but I know the feelings can come up, so...

Sorry if that was not at all the kind of advice you were looking for. No offense intended. Most of all, just have a great time with your daughters. One big plus about an all-girl vacation is that you have the freedom to spend lots of time doing things that men aren't into. It could be a great opportunity for some girlie bonding.

 

[KarenMom]

I've been a single mom for more than 10 years and we've traveled all over the place including Europe and Mexico. Make sure the kids have some responsibilities on the trip so that they learn it's a vacation for all of you, not just them, i.e. make sure they help load the car, carry the own suitcases etc.

Often times I see families fighting when we're on trips, especially WDW, and I think boy am I glad I'm not standing here arguing with my ex husband!

Everyone is right, go for it and enjoy yourselves.

 

[MichelleVW]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I have a question that goes along with this topic. I'm not a single mom, but I've been toying on taking my DD8 to WDW for a long weekend and here is my hold up.....what if something happens to me while we are alone. I mean like, I get sick, fall on break my leg/arm/ankle, any number of things come to mind. How do you get over that fear?

You just go....you can't play the "what if" game....that's a useless game.

 

[Michelle67]

I don't want to hijack your thread, but I have a question that goes along with this topic. I'm not a single mom, but I've been toying on taking my DD8 to WDW for a long weekend and here is my hold up.....what if something happens to me while we are alone. I mean like, I get sick, fall on break my leg/arm/ankle, any number of things come to mind. How do you get over that fear?

Your daughter is old enough to understand about 911 for a true emergency, and old enough that she could cope and be safe in the room with you if you just came down with a flu or something like that. MichelleWV is right; there's no sense playing the "what if" game. Anything can happen at any time in life, but you'll miss out on too much if you live in fear. Go and have a great time. Everything will turn out fine.