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If you have children, you know that the demands of parenthood are unrelenting.
Packing school bags and lunch boxes, doing homework, driving across town to those endless gyms, the list goes on (and on).
And if you’ll forgive the generalization, most of this work is for us moms!
That’s why I’m here to tell you that every year I take a solo trip without my kids… and I think you should too.
Everyone travels solo
Solo travel has become extremely popular.
New data from Squaremouth Reports that 42% of travelers plan to travel alone this year.
And it seems like this is a trend I jumped on early. Because I’ve let my kids travel alone for the past ten years. And I’ve never regretted a one-way trip.
I’m a great mom and I love my boys. I would even go as far as to say they are my favorite people in the world! They are funny and curious about the world, and we travel a lot together.
But traveling, exploring the world and discovering new cultures is what drives me. And honestly, sometimes I need a break.
There is a huge stigma attached to mothers not being around their children (a judgment that never falls on fathers, by the way), but I believe you have to fill your own cup first.
Taking that “me time” away from your family will actually make you a better mom. And you also get to see a place you always wanted to visit: it’s a win-win situation!
What are the benefits of traveling without children?
When I travel with my children, my attention is (rightly) focused on their needs. We visit theme parks, we tour football stadiums, we build enormous sand castles with extravagant canals.
We were in one of the last groups to explore Barcelona’s Camp Nou before it closed for reconstruction. And next month we go back to Disneyland Paris for the 3rd time in 2 years.
In fact, my attention is almost always focused on my boys’ needs.
But if I travel alone without them, the only needs I have to meet are my own. This means hanging out on terraces in Tarragona without anyone telling me they’re bored, or climbing to the top of Prague Castle Tower without anyone asking, “are we almost there yet?”
Fancy getting out early to explore the city in the pink light of dawn? Fancy going to bed early with a book? There’s no one to stop me!
I become the truest version of myself, outside of motherhood.
Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but also difficult. Figures from Pew Research found that about four in ten mothers (47%) say parenting is tiring and 33% say it is always or most of the time stressful.
And the best way to relieve that pressure and stress is to take a break. (Note: walking around the goal does not count as a good break!)
Fill your cup. Remember who you are when you don’t focus on your children’s needs. Pursue your own interests and see the world before it is too late to do so.
You will never be as young or as healthy as you are now. Don’t waste your time watching Bluey and folding laundry… or at least not all the time.
The one week a year that I take for myself is what recharges my batteries, reminds me how much I like myself and enjoy my own company, and sets me up for whatever challenges parenthood throws at me next!
Top tips for traveling alone for the first time without children
Have I convinced you to take the step and book that solo trip? Here are my top tips for doing it right:
- Don’t be too adventurous for your first trip, especially if you’re nervous about leaving your kids behind for the first time. Save the international travel for next time! Even a night at a local hotel gives you the chance to recharge your batteries, but you’re close enough to home if you need to. Choose a hotel with a pool and spa for ultimate relaxation!
- Leave your children with someone you trust. When you know they are well taken care of, you can stop worrying about them and focus on your own needs for a change. (Shout out to my husband, who makes boys’ weekend so much fun that my kids look forward to me going!)
- Do something you love. I’m a big ol’ modern art nerd, so when I travel alone I always jump at the chance to explore an art gallery at my own pace. I focus on my own interests and I become selfish about how I spend my time. Then I stop for cake. Because there should always be time for cake!
- Don’t be afraid to ask people to take photos! I don’t carry a tripod (or anything other than my phone), so when I really want a photo to prove I’ve been somewhere, I rely on the kindness of strangers: no one has ever said no!
- Think safety first. Traveling as a solo woman is perfectly safe, but don’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home (like walking alone at night in a sketchy neighborhood) and be sure to leave a copy of your itinerary (including flight and hotel information) at home.
- Finally a little practical tip from me: pack light! Without my husband carrying all the bags, suitcases aren’t the only ones! I always travel with a backpack instead (which has the added bonus of also saving me money on my plane tickets).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
