So you’ve decided to go travelling with your kids – how exciting! Holidays are a fantastic way to create special memories with you and your little ones. Even so, travelling as a single parent with kids in tow can bring its unique set of challenges.
To stop any fears or push away those ‘Can I really do this?’ moments, I am here to tell you that you can! In fact, with the right approach to preparation, you and your kids can enjoy adventures that go off without a hitch.
Below, I’ve compiled my top tips to ensure your family travels go as smoothly as possible, and that you and your kids have fun no matter where in the world you set your sights.
Practical preparation is key
Even if your style is usually organised chaos or more of a go-with-the-flow mantra (like some of the best parenting styles, of course), it still helps to be very prepared when planning trips with the kids – especially if you’re planning to travel as a single parent. So get out your pen and paper and take notes.
First, you’ll need a go-to carry-on or small bag filled with snacks, and plenty of them. Your kids will get hungry, so it’s good to have emergency food supplies on standby. This is particularly important for any picky eaters or if your kids have dietary requirements, so you can relax knowing they’ll be properly nourished. And life hack: chewing on lollies can be a great distraction from popping ears or loud noises.
Next, remember your travel documentation. Pack everyone’s passports, even have a separate folder for all the important bits, like travel cards, cash in local currency, and don’t forget your international travel insurance documentation either. You want to make sure all of these essentials are easily accessible and near at hand. Here, having a designated pouch or cross-body bag will be your saving grace.
Thirdly, remember a first aid bag. Things happen, especially with the little ones – cuts, falls, and tumbles are to be expected. So it’s good to have on hand any plasters or medication needed. Baby wipes are also a game-changer! Not necessarily a medical essential, but I honestly believe baby wipes are a resolution to most problems. Dirty hands? No problem – baby wipe. Spillage? Baby wipe. Need a freshen up? Baby wipes. They are super versatile and always handy to have in your repertoire.
Pick your destinations wisely
Picking kid-friendly destinations is also guaranteed to help keep your family travels smooth as silk. One of my favourite trips was to Fiji – Fiji is fab for solo parent holidays. We picked a family-friendly resort complete with a kids club and dedicated kid pools alongside adult-only areas.
Other great options, if you want tropical weather and to stay close to Australia, are Indonesia. Bali, in particular, is great for villas, especially if privacy is important to you. You can look for villas that have fenced pools and areas with shade. Not only can these resorts offer a touch of luxury to your experience, but the fenced areas also make it easy to keep an eye on the kids. Villas can be fantastic if some friends or family decide to join part of your trip as well, as your entire travel party can stay together in the one accommodation.
And finally, any destination that provides easy access to theme parks is likely also going to be a big tick for the kiddies. For bigger kids or adventure-seeking families, Disneyland is always an all-time crowd pleaser. A day out at Disneyland or another local theme park can help bring an element of magic and fantasy to your trip.
Find ways to keep them entertained
Entertaining your kids will be the secret to making sure your travel experience stays stress-free. For travel on planes, buses, boats – you name it – make sure you have their favourite toys and gadgets. iPads and noise-cancelling headphones are perfect; you can download movies, TV shows, and their favourite games. It really helps keep everyone entertained, especially for long journeys or crowded environments that can often feel a little overwhelming.
If you want to shy away from devices, having card games like Uno or Monopoly Deal can be a great choice as well. Not only can you and the kids play together, but you can also create really special memories. They are also the perfect travel size to keep handy in your bag, waiting for food at a restaurant, on the plane, sitting at the beach (you really can play them anywhere).
Packing a couple of books is also perfect for evenings or overnight travel, again to help reduce screen time and encourage a healthy bedtime routine. Pack a little library with favourite children’s books and don’t forget to throw something in there for yourself. It can often be hard to find time to read when you’re a parent, so capitalise on this time, especially when the kids are playing in the pool or in the evenings. It’s your holiday too, so let yourself factor in me-time wherever you feel you may need it.
How to avoid meltdown moments
Meltdown moments are unfortunately inevitable, the unavoidable. So brace yourself: if you’re travelling with little ones, there will be a tantrum or two over the course of your trip. Danger zones to look out for include whenever it gets too hot, when someone is hangry, or if a sibling fight breaks out. But like any good parent, you have to roll with it. Having one hand your snacks, your toys, and their favourite comforts will help.
A beloved blanket or soothing teddy can be super powerful to help calm down any tizzies. Kids too can get stressed when travelling, lots of unknowns and uncertainty, so having home comforts can help make them feel more secure and settled.
Again, remember to invest in some me-time as needed, because you will need a break. You can pop the kids in a daycare or with a nanny and do a solo day for yourself, or even link up with other mums and kids through joining mum-and-kids group holidays.
Feel free to utilise your own network as well, maybe by bringing friends with kids or connecting with family members as you travel. Having extra hands and eyes can help lighten the load and responsibility of being on parent standby 24/7. Kids also love the variety of spending time with different friends and family members, as it can strengthen their sense of adventure on family trips.
Lastly, remember to have fun on your family getaway
With all the cautions, packing, and factoring in the ‘what if’ moments, remember to enjoy yourself and why you wanted to go on the trip in the first place. Some of the best memories we have are on family trips together – sharing new experiences, trying new foods, exploring new cultures.
It is also such a luxury and gift to be able to go on holiday and experience a world outside your own. Your chance to hit pause on routine and enjoy the absolute best bits of being a parent. So have fun, enjoy it, and treasure these moments forever.