KTDontheGO: Flying Solo... With Kids - 5 Tips for Single-Parent Travel

I SOLO-PARENTED a son for nearly ten years and experienced every crisis or triumph related to kid-dom all by myself. From figuring out how to potty train a boy to learning the finer points of Pokemon cards, it was all me, all the time. In spite of days when I would lament to the family dog my woes, there remained certain advantages to our “dynamic duo” status, - like travel.

No rules existed at the time for single parents and travel; no Twitter feeds, websites, or Facebook pages to guide us along our definitely epic treks toward travel bliss (or, sometimes, not so much). We made things up as we went, packing my Subaru Forester and the Rocket Box on top with skis, hiking boots, food, games and my old REI tent, bound for someplace that was definitely not home. Along the way, we discovered a few things that worked, and a whole lot of things that didn’t, but we kept going, anyway. Travel, you see, was one way my rapidly-growing son and I could connect. Deep discussions sitting side-by-side in the car, hikes to beaches along trails seldom traveled by human feet, room service while watching the latest episode of “Sponge Bob Squarepants.” That was real time I can’t ever get back.

Hit the slopes... with little ones in tow

It can be tough for a parent (single or not) to decide to strike out on their own with the kids, but, like anything related to being a mom or dad, the rewards ultimately win out over the complexity. We originally posted about single parent travel in April, 2010 (KTDontheGO: Burden or Beautiful? Solo Travel With Kids), but here are even more tips to boost your confidence (and perhaps your dollar):

1. Involve the kids. For children of single-parent homes, especially those who have witnessed divorce, control is important and something as simple as asking input to a vacation destination can be huge. Pull out the maps, find brochures or websites, and spend a few evenings around a bowl of popcorn to decide. Multiple kids? All agree upon the destination and each chooses an activity.

2. Know your room rates. Pay attention to hotel/resort room rates and fees. Ask about “per room” charges rather than “per person” rates. Especially for one parent/one child, this can mean the difference between staying at a nice hotel or the motel across town. Disney Parks, in particular, does a great job of explaining their all-inclusive packages and fees.

Dig up some fun, just you and the kiddos

3. Don’t be afraid to stretch your boundaries. Particularly with older kids, a vacation that involves ziplining through a forest canopy or four-wheeling along a beach might be just the ticket. It is okay to be nervous about an activity or experience and, sometimes, kids need to see us sweat a little bit, too. At the very least it gives them an opportunity to laugh as you relive the experience later.

4. Remember, you are NOT an outcast. No, no, and no again. Who cares if everybody else at the resort is there with their traditional, two-parent family? You don’t know them, you’ll likely never see them again and, besides, you have places to go and things to do. Celebrate the blessing of your child’s company as you wander the world together. If it really bugs you, ask another mom or dad to grab their kid(s) and join the party; that can be a blast for everybody.

5. Carry your papers. Documents are a fact of life for solo parents, but far more so during travel. In Alaska, for instance, one must cross through Canada on a road trip, thus requiring not just a passport, but a signed, notarized letter from the other parent (where applicable) saying permission is granted for out of U.S. travel. Also important to carry are copies of any custody agreements, parenting plans, and whatever else you think a customs agent may request. The U.S. Department of State has the 411 on single parent travel right here.