The short answer is yes, it’s likely you will need a break from your kids when you’re traveling solo with them! But, the great thing is it’s so easy to get a break from your kids when you’re traveling or holidaying as a solo parent. And if you want some help, join one of my mum and kids group holidays, they’re so much fun, make travel so easy and you get to meet other mums and kids. Fabulous!
While we travel and holidays to spend time with our children, the reality is that while 90% or more of the time spent with kids on holidays as a solo parent is just amazing, you will most likely need some downtime, quiet time, or me time to replenish your energy and clear your mind.
It depends on many factors though – like how long you’re on holidays for, how many kids you have, whether they play by themselves and allow you some space and how energetic your holidaying is.
When Emmie and I are traveling fulltime I try to get some evening time to myself when she is asleep (we are usually sharing a bed or at least in the same room so it can be a bit of hard work to get it) and around once a month or so I would make an effort to stay somewhere where there is a kids club. Now she is a little older I can get some quiet time while she entertains herself and it makes SO MUCH difference.
When we are on a short holiday it’s time for us both to enjoy being together and getting some time alone, so I would definitely take some time for myself during the holiday.
But yes, it’s likely you’re going to want time to yourself wherever you are so here are some tips of how to get it.
Stay where there is a Kids Club.
This is the easiest way to get a bit of time to yourself – simply by choosing to stay at a hotel or resort with a Kids Club. So many properties offer Kids Clubs now, but do make sure to research to make sure the kids club is well run and offers educational Spotify promotion and learning activities for your kids. We love Club Med’s Mini Club as they offer circus skills and trapeze, usually have a swimming pool in the kids club, and take the kids out for beach and outdoor activities like shell collecting, t-shirt tie dying and more. Fiji is the ultimate destination for Kids Clubs and nannies who you can hire to look after your children during the day or in the evening.
When we were traveling full time I would generally need a break and a wine every few months and would book us into resorts like the Shangri-La (our favourite is the Tanjung Aru Kota Kinabalu in Borneo) and pop Emmie into the Club and have a wine and some me time.
Cruises also offer Kids Clubs with educational focus and they’re usually open til late at night (a slumber party for kids) so parents can step out to the bars and shows.
Time to yourself while the kids are asleep.
Once you get the kids to sleep the night is yours. Sit on the balcony, pour a wine and read a book, play on your phone, or just sit and enjoy the silence. It’s easy to have this time to yourself – the struggle can be getting the kids to sleep which is why it’s important to wear them out during the day!
Exhaust them in the morning.
Plan activities for the mornings so you exhaust them and they either nap in the afternoon or fall asleep early. Ding! It’s me time!
Let them use devices – at the pool, at the spa reception, anywhere you need to be
The trick is to make it sound like they have to work hard to get time on their devices, when in reality you really really want them on them for an hour a day so you can relax and have time to yourself. Set them up under the shade by the pool or at the spa and tell them that if they make a noise they lose their device privileges. Enjoy!
I have had Emmie in the room with me at the spa on her Ipad (on silent of course) and under strict instruction to not say a word, and I’ve let her sit in reception with a treat, her water and her device, under the watchful eye of the receptionist (in a secure resort only).
Hire a nanny
Hire a nanny through the resort or hotel you’re staying at, or check on local mum Facebook pages and ask for recommendations for babysitters. They can be the ones that play with the kids in the pool while you rest poolside ( I wouldn’t give them all the responsibility at the pool, make sure you’re there too) while you have a break from being the entertainment, or have them watch the kids in the room while you go to the gym or a walk or just lie by the pool. This is beautiful Suri, our nanny at the Warwick In Fiji where I took Emmie when she was a few months old.
Enrol them in local activities
Check out the local council pages, the Facebook pages and tourism offices for group activities, events, fairs and festivals they can join in. There may be drop-in sport or art and craft classes that you can sign them up for and have a few hours rest while they enjoy learning a new skill.
Travel with friends
This is fun and means you can have a bit more chill time if the kids are the same age and can play together, AND you can tag team while you go to the spa, have free time to read a book or just zone out for a bit
Make friends on holidays!
We met the most fun family when we were in Kauai and we had such a great time with them, including floating down the lazy river with Frose while our daughters played nearby. Heaven! Holiday friendships are the best!
And if you’re feeling nervous about travelling check out our comprehensive family travel safety guide HOLIDAY SAFE: The complete guide to staying safe when traveling with kids It has everything you need to know about traveling safely on our family holiday or extended trip.