Are you ready to go? But afraid of being a single parent? This article has tips on how to travel as a single parent and make everyone’s trip more fun.
Whether you’re a single parent or you’ve decided to take the kids on vacation without your partner, if you don’t plan ahead, both situations can be stressful.
Here are 5 tips for single parents who are taking their kids with them on a trip abroad. Even if it’s not your first time, these tips might help ease some of your worries.
Try To Find Deals And Discounts
Looking for deals and discounts on trips is a great way to save money on a family vacation. If you shop at, say, Tesco, check out their Clubcard rewards and see what offers you can find for vacations and family outings. You might be amazed by what you find.
There are companies that focus on helping single parents and people travelling alone with kids, so don’t rule them out and see if they have any deals. Some of these companies for single parents are great because you can meet other single parents and make new friends, not just for your kids but also for yourself!
Don’t just book the first thing you see; look around. Make an Excel spreadsheet and do your homework ahead of time! Yes, it sounds boring, but if it saves you money, it was worth the extra time you spent looking for ideas and doing research.
If your kids really want to go on a Disney Cruise Line but you are worried that it may be expensive, don’t forget about it straight away. Have a look at ways you can save. It could mean saving all your clubcard points, putting some money to one side, or keeping your eye on the prices to see what deals they have on offer.
When you see a good deal you can book. It’s often a worry when you are a solo parent paying for the costs
Letter Signed By The Parent Who Is Not There
If you’re going on a trip by yourself with your kids, you need a letter saying you’re allowed to go. If you don’t have the same last name as your child, it’s even more important.
Make sure this is taken care of months ahead of time. If you don’t talk to your ex-partner, you can get this in writing by going through a lawyer. If the other parent doesn’t agree, you can take the case to court (which can take months). But this can be expensive. Check with your lawyers, though, because there may be ways to pay.
Be Organised
Everything will go much more smoothly if you can fit everything into one suitcase. If you can do that, everything will go much more smoothly. Depending on how old your children are, you can give them permission to bring their own carry-on bags that are packed with everything they will require for the trip (whether it be a flight, train ride, or something else). The fewer things you bring along with you, the more hands you’ll have available to you. Rather than carrying around bags that can’t be worn on your back, you should consider getting a backpack instead. Even if you have to carry a backpack on both your front and back, you will still be able to keep a firm grip on the younger children because you will have both hands free.
Ask For Help When You Need It
Now, some people might find this one to be challenging. However, DO NOT be afraid to seek assistance or to accept assistance when it is offered to you. If you are having trouble manoeuvring through the airport, you can either ask another passenger to assist you in carrying a bag or simply enter a store so that you do not have to bring the children along.
If someone approaches you and asks if you would like assistance because you have too much on your plate, the answer is probably going to be yes. You should not feel ashamed or as though you are failing in any way. Please be gracious and say “yes,” and thank them for their assistance.
If you and your children are going to be travelling abroad for an extended period of time and there is a babysitting service or a kids’ club available, you will be able to take some time for yourself. It is not your fault that you put the children to bed early so that you could have some time to yourself. You deserve some peace and quiet. Just a little bit of time spent on yourself can make a world of difference.
Give Yourself Extra Time
Things move at a much slower pace when there are fewer people available to assist. Prepare yourself. It is much less stressful to arrive early than it is to be late and rushed. When going through airport security, it is strongly recommended that you use the family lane if one is available. This will prevent you from wasting time. Keep in mind that getting through the airport with kids and hand luggage will take you a significantly longer amount of time. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation like “Home Alone,” in which you have to run to the gate.
The same is true for day trips and navigating your surroundings once you’ve arrived at your destination. Always leave yourself a little bit of extra time in case something doesn’t go according to plan, as this can make a big difference in the outcome.
The more anxious you are, the more likely it is that your children will pick up on it and act out as a result. It is especially important to maintain your composure when you are travelling by yourself with children.
Do you have any additional advice for parents who are travelling by themselves with their children, especially if they are single parents? Tell me in the section below designated for comments.