Single mom - where can I take a vacation with my kids, and still have some time away to relax?

[Anonymous]

Not outside the US, sadly. I adore my kids, but I need some private time to relax too. Preferably on a beach somewhere, but I'm worried about the child care facilities at hotels too. Is there a place with good kids' clubs that I might be able to have a couple of half days to myself in the spa or on the beach, that they would also enjoy?

[Anonymous]

Not a beach, but you should look into Tyler's Place in VT.

[Anonymous]

You could try Disney. They have kids clubs and depending on your kids there's a tea at the Grand Floridian that last long enough for you to go to the spa.

Another idea is Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, www.smuggs.com. They have a ton of kids programs that will give you some time to yourself. And I'm pretty sure that if you wanted to do it this summer there's availability due to the economy.

Hilton Head, in Sea Pines, has some summer kids programs, that would give you a couple of hours to yourself, and you'd have the beach option.

I think Massanuten has a kids program as well.

[Anonymous]

What about Club Med? Might not have the spa you're looking for, but you'd get beach time and kids seem very happy to be off on their own there (in supervised activities, of course). Depends on the age of your kids, too.

[Anonymous]

How about a cruise??

[Anonymous]

I am also a single mom - and if your kids are 3 or over, I would enthusiastically recommend a cruise. You can get some really good prices on a package. The kids program for 3 and up are great and basically involve a series of day camps that you can take advantage of as you desire. Also, many cruise lines have "group" babysitting available in the evenings for a fee. (And, the cruise ships I have been on have great spa services as wells as other fun activities.)

[Anonymous]

I just got back from the Mount Washington resort in New Hampshire. It was soooooooo beautiful--it was like going to Banff without the long flight!! You could either drive..10 hours. Or take a flight to Manchester NH and then drive about 1 1/2. I wound up renting on of the townhomes affiliated with the resort. The house was sooooooooooooooooo beautiful with a direct view of the mountains and all modern amenities like granite in kitchen, DVDs and flatscreens. The resort also has a kids club and babysitting. There is a beautiful spa, lots of walking trails, horseback riding, great food. Anyway, that would be an idea for a stressed out single mom or other families--including gay families since I saw a few of that dynamic as well. Enjoy!