Sharing 10 Tips for Single Parent Travel
If you’re anything like me, you knew you would travel one day and put endless thought into the beauty and wonder you’d experience as you wandered the world. If you’re anything like me, you put absolutely zero thought into just exactly how all the little things would work. No, it was all gorgeous sunsets and beautiful vistas. It was cocktails and beaches, mountains and mysteries. And you know what – it was awesome. But, if we’re totally honest, it was just daydreaming. Any successful venture, even travel, has to have some planning put into it. Otherwise, you’re getting lost on purpose and, while that may be great for a college kid, it won’t work at all as a single parent.
So, if I could do one thing to improve the travels I’ve taken with my daughter, it would be to go back in time, way back to when she was just a baby, and tell myself the following 10 things:
The Planning Phase
- Before you plan a thing, remind yourself (and do so frequently) that the whole trip will be taken with your child. Everything you’re planning is going to take longer than it would normally take because you’re with your child. You want to see the sights and meet the people, after all – that’s why you traveled, but don’t try to stuff too much into one day. Space your planned activities out so your child can keep up. Plus, you don’t need to feel stressed about being late to this or that. You definitely didn’t come on vacation for that.
- Now that you’ve reminded yourself that it’s you and your child, it’s time to look for your accommodations for your time away. This is where you need to look for deals specifically designed for families. Most single parents skip this thinking they don’t qualify, but they’d be mistaken in 99% of circumstances. Whether it’s a special gift, a free meal, or some other enticement, hotels are looking to cater to families, so make sure you check with them before choosing. It could mean the difference between free meals for your stay and full prices.
- When you’re going overseas, make sure you see your doctor as soon as possible after you’ve decided upon a destination. Be sure to inform them of the age of your child or children and see if they need to come to the appointment with you. It’s not a bad idea to get their blood types when you’re given their vaccination records – just to be safe.
The Movement Phase
- Strollers may seem like a hassle when traveling, but they can actually come in very handy. You can use them in so many ways that you’ll almost be sad to see your child outgrow them. They make great storage buggies, can serve as a bed if your child needs a nap, and even help you extend your day trips by giving your child somewhere to sit and take a quick break. You can get the all-terrain version, too. That way, no matter where your day trip takes you, the buggy can go with you.
- Airplanes can be stressful as a single parent, so do all you can to be prepared for the little things that will occur. That includes recognizing that cabins are dry places because of the recycled air. This can cause dehydration and irritated mucus glands in the nose and eyes. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids – even if they say they’re not thirsty. If their nose becomes irritated, just dip your finger in some water and rub the insides of their nostrils to ease the dryness. Rub the backs of their ears and lobes to ease any pain from pressure.
- Just as with hotel booking, it’s worth your time to ask any ticket agents you come in contact with, for buses, trains, or tours, if there’s a family discount available. Many destinations will offer a travel pass or rail pass that’s good for an entire day and the whole family. So, even though it may seem costly upfront, if you think about how many trips you’ll take during a given period, it may make financial sense to go ahead and get the pass. You might be surprised to find you do more because you have it to ensure you get your money’s worth.
- Every single time you arrive somewhere, it’s a good idea to choose a place to meet if anything were to happen that caused you to be separated. I have my daughter keep a little sheet that has her information and the place we’ve picked out to meet written on it. That way, if the worst happened, someone (hopefully an authority figure) would be able to easily find me – no matter what. I find it’s better to be overly cautious and risk looking like a loon than to take even the smallest chance with my daughter’s safety while we travel.
The Destination Phase
- If you’re planning a trip to somewhere warm, remember that children sweat quite a bit, so take two sets of clothes per day if you can. Having the extra set will give you some leeway in what you plan for them to wear and give them some choice, too. If you can get to laundry facilities, you can just plan on doing laundry while you’re there. Make sure you include sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat for your child as well. They’re more sensitive to sunlight than adults, so do them a favor and keep them covered if you can.
- There’s no getting around the fact that many of the foods you eat while traveling are much different than what you’d give your child at home. There are probably going to be times when what they eat doesn’t agree with them, but there are some things you can keep an eye out for to minimize the risks. If there’s any doubt at all, don’t drink anything but bottled water or canned/bottled drinks. Keep some baby wipes on hand to wipe off the tops. Most importantly, avoid eating at buffets. Unless they’re high-end, they could be harboring the bugs that cause stomach problems. Look for busy places with high customer turnover, and you can feel far more certain the food is fresh.
- Of course, you’re going to take a ton of pictures, and that’s great, but there are other, more-creative ways to commemorate your travels together – you and your child. Find something you both like, a common souvenir or product, and buy one everywhere you go. People don’t think of postcards today, and why would they since no one writes letters anymore, but they do make great keepsakes from your travels. Your child and you both can write something while you’re on your trip and mail it back home. It’s a neat way to relive your trip right when you return.
Tips are great as long as you use them and therein lies the rub – we don’t use them. Well, that’s just wrong, in my opinion, and it’s time we traveling single parents start sticking together with tips, secrets, and best practices for seeing the world with the one we love the most – our child. I know I’ll be doing my best to find the next 10 tips I think will change the way you look at going somewhere with your little one. That’s the goal, after all, and we won’t stop until we make it.