KTDontheGO: Burden or Beautiful? Solo Travel With Kids

I pulled the single parent wagon, once upon a time, and early in that chapter of my life it became abundantly clear of the need for my small son and I to do stuff. Like, pack the car and drive until dark and go camping in the rain sort of stuff; and the take a week off school and work and fly to visit friends in far away places kind of stuff. Just he and me and baggage, three. Was I scared? You bet. How could I manage a road trip with a first-grader and an old Subaru that only sometimes made it up those I-90 mountain passes of Washington? What if we got to our destination and it wasn’t what we expected? What if, God forbid, something happened and we were stranded by the side of the road, phoneless and friendless in the sagebrush?

Newsflash: We survived. We had fun. We morphed from parent and child to partners in adventure. Not so bad, eh?

It’s not unusual these days to see parents traveling solo with kids. Be it across the state or around the world, travel-loving single parents are engaging their children in a lifestyle of culture, spontaneity, and self-management, and all things considered, seem to be doing pretty well.

Alaska is unique in this respect; some parents are military and deploy for weeks or months at a time, some work on the North Slope and maintain a consistent schedule of two weeks on-two weeks off. Still others are seasonal; fishing or guiding or working in remote locations for government agencies. Whatever the reason, there are few Alaskan families untouched, and those of us who have been down that gravelly, sometimes unstable road of flying solo have learned what works and what doesn’t.

1. Start small. A good friend of mine came up with the brilliant idea of renting a hotel room for a weekend and camping out with her kids while Dad was away on a deployment. Anchorage boasts a wealth of lodging options for families, with, I might add, a pool (which is the reason why most of us would venture to a hotel with kids in the first place. Well, that and the soaker tub and free breakfast). Visit the Anchorage Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and pick out a hotel within your budget. Pack toys, swim gear, and some games and prepare to live it up with a change of scene. Even one’s hometown looks different from a few stories up!

2. Stay busy. Whether traveling to a new city for a vacation or adjusting to a spouse out of town here at home, finding the resources to ensure fresh, new activities every day can make the difference between happy campers and frustrated ones. Plug into the resources (ahem, plug for AKontheGO.com coming up now) for parents in your area, and explore those that offer insights into other destinations. Some of our fav Lower 48 websites are Trekaroo, Family Travel Forum, and WeJustGotBack. These sites are maintained by real, live parents who know how to explain directions to that primo park in San Francisco or where the best noodle bowl place is in Hawaii at the last minute. This is not to say kids and parents should be schlepping around like crazy people from dawn to dusk, on the contrary; finding the balance between active and restful is a delicate but necessary part of travel with kids. Watch yours to see how they manage their day, and schedule accordingly.

3. Plan for safety. Have responsible people you can call if something goes awry, especially if venturing into Alaska’s more remote areas. Carry gear for overnight stays, including matches, stove, sleeping bag, flashlights, books, food, and a fully-charged cell phone (with backup charger). Know your route, and how to read a map. If traveling overseas, make those copies of important documents and leave behind with your designated call person. Trust your instincts about safety with kids; if you are not sure of your ability to supervise their activity, leave it until another day.
(And read these 6 travel safety tips, too!)

4. Just Go. Alaska is a fabulous place to explore with children. Utilize the Alaska Railroad, where supervision is easy and deals abound for residents. Try the Alaska Marine Highway System and a loop between Whittier, Valdez, Thompson Pass, and back around to Anchorage. Well traveled, this route is just right for a little getaway with the kids. Alyeska Resort is a favorite among Anchorage parents for the fabulous pool, comfy rooms, and breakfast deals at certain times of the year. Worried about funds? The Alaska TourSaver is a $100 goldmine of 2-for-1 deals that make sense for a family looking to explore the state. Everything from wildlife cruises to train trips to lodging options is within this little blue book, found via their website or at any Carrs’ store.