Single Parents: Vacation & Travel
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Single Parents: Vacation & Travel
June 2007
I would like advice on taking my two children on vacation without
a partner. I do not have parents or siblings available to travel
with me so is it possible to travel alone with a toddler and an
older child? Three seems like a difficult number so is it even
possible? I have practiced by taking my kids to the zoo alone but
what about a theme park, camping or Disneyland? I found the ride
situation difficult since my older child is only in third grade
and not old enough to ride alone with strangers. It kind of
breaks my heart that my three year old is missing out on family
vacation times. Do I wait for Mister Right? Yeah, right.! I may
be alone for a long period of time with my track record. So how do
others do it?
Missing Mickey Mouse
I'm a single mom with a four year old. We've taken some vacations over
the years and I have some thoughts on what works best. Our most
successful vacations have been those during which my kid has other
kids to play with or there's child care available and I get some downtime,
as well as some adult companionship. I've camped and gone to Disney
world with my daughter (in both cases with friends or family) and going it
alone in those instances would have been pure hell. The key to single
parent vacations is to make sure that the parent has some semblance of
a vacation. It doesn't happen if you're on 24/7. Here's what has worked
best for us:
1. Family Camp -- We love Berkeley Tuolomne Camp. Beautiful setting,
good food you don't have to cook, lots of activities for everyone and a
great kiddie camp for your three year old. Less work intensive for you
then tent camping. Tuolomne is not the only family camp around --
single mom friends of mine have enjoyed Feather River and Lair of the
Bear.
2. Vacation with Other Families -- Last summer we rented a beach
house with a group of old friends from college and their kids. Some were
couples, some single parents. Sharing food and transportation costs
was great. The kids played with each other continuously. We've also
taken short trips to places like Mendocino and the Russian River with
other single moms and their kids as well as married friends with kids.
I haven't done it myself, but I do know single parents who've gone to
Club Med and enjoyed it. Another idea might be cruises. Look for the
ones which are child-friendly and offer activities/child care. If you're
really into Disney, I think there are Disney cruises. Never in my wildest
dreams did I imagine going on a cruise pre-child, but we did a few years
ago (with grandma) and I might do it again. I think it would be a fine
thing to do with another family or on your own.
Good luck!
anon
I really don't suggest taking your two young kids to an amusement
park without another adult, or at least a teenager, to help you.
You are crazy to think you can pull this off - sorry. Were there
no safey concerns, I'd say give it a go. But in the hustle and
bustle of a busy park, with a 3yo and a 3rd grader, no way. Just
hire a babysitter to assist you. I'm sure a teenager would LOVE a
free trip to a theme park, and some would even go camping with you.
When I was 21, a single mom invited me to Disneyland with her and
her two boys. The deal was the entire trip was free to me - I
just had to pay for my own food, and I didn't get paid to help
her with the kids. It was perfect and we had a great, safe time.
Good luck
If you can afford it, The Sierra Club offers a variety of
family trips which last from several days to a week. I used to
be a leader, so I know that many trips accept toddlers. Single
parents abound on these outings. Go to
Sierraclub.com/getoutdoors.
For theme parks, perhaps you could ask a girlfriend to come
along?
good luck. Susanne (been there)
The UC Santa Barbara Family Vacation Center --
familyvacationcenter.com -- is the place for you. It is a
hotel like set up on the campus of UCSB with activities for
every age group. It gives you a break and you have other
adults to socialize with if you like. We have been going for
several years and lots of single parent families attend because
it is such an ideal set up. It gives you lots of time with the
kids and lots of chances to get some rest or explore on your
own because the kids activities are so fun, they actually want
to go. Our kids have made friends that they look forward to
seeing every year when they return. They book up very early as
a rule but still have some openings for a couple of weeks left
(and for your family, you would get a 2 bedroom suite). After
you have attended once, you get priority in terms of switching
to a week that might be more convenient for you the next year.
With 3 kids, after doing the vacation center, we'll never spend
a week at Disneyland again.
Shannon
I have been a single parent for 13 years and the vacations we
took are some of our family's best memories. Don't miss out on
them. The best way to control the chaos is to be outdoors with
other families nearby. We rented a cabin at Lake Shasta for a
week in a situation with other families and the kids quickly
formed friendships with other kids their own ages at the pool and
at the rec center and I invited the kids and their parents over
for dinner. We took car trips to natural wonders, had nice simple
family dinners and went to the movies at night. We did the same
at Mammoth Mountain, which has reduced rates on ski condos during
the summer. One summer, when they were a bit older, we got a
camping guide and picked out three sites ranked as 9 and 10 for
scenic beauty. We spent a night or two camping, the night of
travel at a motel for showers and comfy beds and t.v., then the
next night at another spectacular camp ground. We saw great
natural beauty, listened to new music CDs in the car and audio
books, had a number of memorable mishaps that still crack us up
now that one child has graduated from UC Berkeley and the other
is about to graduate from high school. Do this. You'll never
regret it.
fond memories
My husband, 2 year old daughter and I just got back from a
cruise vacation on Carnival. It worked out great for our
family, and it seems like it could be fun for you and your
kids, too.
They have Camp Carnival for kids over age 2 with lots of
activities available from 9 am to 10 pm. We went on a 4 day
cruise out of Long Beach with stops at Catalina Island and
Ensenada, Mexico. You can choose when to have your
children with you or not. Seems like it might be nice for MOM
to have a break, too! The spa was a nice treat.
It is a good value with all the meals included. Fun and
relaxing for all of us!
Email me if you'd like the contact info or more information.
karen
Family Camp is terrific for single parents with children of
various ages - you'll all have fun. Check out Berkeley's
Tuolomne Camp and Oakland's Feather River Camp in the BPN
archives.
Happy Camper
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