Solo parenting and vacation?

[Anonymous]

Looking for anyone whos had experiences as a solo parent travelling with one child.

My husband is away for weeks at a time and I’m thinking about doing a 5-6 day trip somewhere with my 6 year old, maybe the Caribbean? He’s a very easy going kid, has travelled before and wants to learn how to snorkel. I’m solo parenting right now and really enjoying all the 1:1 time we get.

[Anonymous]

So go!

[Anonymous]

I'm divorced so I do all my vacations as a solo parent (with 2 kids). It's great because you don't have to deal with another adult's preferences--you can just do what you want to do. It was hard when the kids were very little, but once you get past nap times and diapers everything is easy.

I have also done some 1:1 trips with just 1 kid at a time (when the other is at overnight camp or similar) and those are great too because it can be really tailored to just that kid.

St John has great snorkeling.

[Anonymous]

I have traveled alone with my kids, although I have 2. What are you asking? If he's a good traveler and you go somewhere that's pretty simple, it should be easy.

Or are you asking about places where you could travel and get some time without him? Like a place with a kids club, or a vacation nanny? We have never done that, so I can't provide advice.

If you are traveling internationally, you will obviously need passports and some kind of documentation that you have your kid's other parent's permission, or that you have sole custody. I don't have experience with that.

[Anonymous]

I would only go in the water with two adults for something like snorkeling with a kid that young. So definitely pay for a guide if you are going with your child.

[Anonymous]

I do this at least once a year because I get a ton more vacation time than DH. We usually head to the Caribbean or similar beach destination as we like it more than DH. It's a blast! We stay at places that have a kids club because usually DS wants some time playing with other kids and it's nice that I get downtime too. All inclusive can definitely be easier, but islands like Aruba I'm comfortable venturing out with him.

He's 13 now and we've been doing these trips since he was about 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do this at least once a year because I get a ton more vacation time than DH. We usually head to the Caribbean or similar beach destination as we like it more than DH. It's a blast! We stay at places that have a kids club because usually DS wants some time playing with other kids and it's nice that I get downtime too. All inclusive can definitely be easier, but islands like Aruba I'm comfortable venturing out with him.

He's 13 now and we've been doing these trips since he was about 5.

Oh and we've always had a document from DH about DS traveling with just me. We've never been asked for it. But better safe than sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would only go in the water with two adults for something like snorkeling with a kid that young. So definitely pay for a guide if you are going with your child.

The 6 year old should wear a life jacket and they should stay in protected water, but you don't need two adults.

[Anonymous]

It's great fun with one child, ideally at an all inclusive that has a kids club so you get some me time. I've done this a few times with my 10 year old and we have a wonderful time. Once he becomes a teen he may not enjoy it as much.

[Anonymous]

I do this every year with my daughter because my wife doesn't get much vacation time. It's usually places my kid wants to go, usually road trips not international, but I really like it. We have a great time

[Anonymous]

Dad here - I did this many years when my two children were young and it was great fun. I recently did a week trip with my 35 year old daughter and it was very special. She's a married mom of three so being with her 24/7 was wonderful. We stayed at some very nice places and our age difference attracted some attention given not many dads travel with their 35 year old daughters. We had fun with it!

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you! This is all great feedback and advice. I will look into St. John’s for snorkelling.

[Anonymous]

I’ve done this multiple times before, but generally a road trip rather than an international trip. My husband would be kind of mad if I booked an expensive vacation while he was working to pay for it.
(That’s not really how it is from my perspective, but that’s how he would see it).

[Anonymous]

It’s fantastic. You get to make every decision. It’s wonderful memory-making.

[Anonymous]

Im a single mom. My kids are 7 and 4 and I've taken them to North Carolina, Florida, Michigan, France, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and Spain. Its the best! I absolutely love traveling with them.