single mom with four year old

[lissiesmum]

anyone else travel alone with a preschooler? I am a newly divorced mom but want to still go with my four year old but wondering if it will be too much work for one person. has anyone done this and enjoyed it? Could you share your experiences, both good and bad? Thank you

 

[Alexander]

DS and I have traveled several times with just the two of us. Several years DH had to work during my school breaks, so we would plan a vacation for two. Those were some of the best vacations we've had.

I took everything at his pace. I let him decide where we were going and when. If he wanted to swim, we swam, if he wanted to go to MK, we went to MK. I didn't book any sit-down meals, everything was "on-the-fly". I have to think he was about three when we took our first "solo" trip.

DS is now 9 and this past August, the two of us took a birthday Disney cruise together (our b'days are 5 days apart). Just the two of us. We left DH and my other DS home. It was just like old times again!

Grab a Birnbaum planning book (not the best planning guide, but it is very colorful with lots of pics) and have your little one start planning with you.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I have not traveled alone with my 4 year old, but I do have one! I'd travel alone to Disney with her by myself in a heartbeat (if I didn't also have a younger child). 4 is a great age for Disney!!! I agree with pp, we always take Disney at my kiddos pace and it makes for a great trip.

 

[gower525]

I am going through a divorce right now. I am taking my children by myself this Summer. (DS6 and DD3) I am also worried about being able to handle it all alone, but I am determined to do it. We will make do, one way or another, and I am sure you can too. If things just become too difficult, we will just go play at the pool.

 

[rileyroosmom]

I went alone with my 3 kids 6 days after my dh walked out on us. If you have to be alone with children, I think Disney is the place to be. I found it very easy. My dd was 4 at the time (I also had my ds 12 and 7). My only suggestion would be to bring a stroller if you have one. I rented one for her that trip and she would always fall asleep at the end of the night in the rented stroller. That meant picking her up and carrying her back to our room. Thank goodness my ds12 was big and strong and we took turns carrying her. Bringing your own allows you to push a sleeping child through the resort.

Good luck! I'm sorry you are going through this terrible time. I hope you have a great vacation!!

 

[CastleCreations]

Hi! I'm a single Mom of 2 girls ages, 4 and 6. I take them alone all the time. Try not to worry. Some things I do to make the trip easier, is I do get to the parks right when they open. You beat the crowds, and get a lot done before the park is really busy. If I go with both the girls, I get them the double stroller. I rent it, so I don't have to drag it on and off the bus. It's a great way to dash across the park without the little one in tow. I usually get them a drink and a popcorn, and it's also a great spot for them just to sit and rest.
I carry a backpack with the camera, autograph book and camcorder to make sure I capture all of those great memories, while keeping my hands free to hold theirs.
I also have them take breaks at the hotel in the afternoon. We usually head back around 1 or 2 pm, and they nap or swim and have a snack, then we head back in the evening for fireworks or more rides.
I hope you decide to go. It's such a special way to share time together. Good luck.

 

[momsoftwins]

this past april i took 2 4yrolds to disney alone and we had a blast.
my advice is , you know your child, you know how much he or she can handle in a 6, 3, or even a one hour period. u have to go by what the child can handle and if that means takin mid day breaks then do it. there is no since in making yourself and your kid unhappy.
if u do alot with your child around your home town then by all means go to disney and have the best time.
i am also sorry to hear of all the goin thur or recently divorced parents out there. well as 6-04-07 i became seperated myself and now pending divorce.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I think it depends on how high-maintenance your kid is likely to be. Will he get overstimulated and cranky? Will there be tantrums and exhausted fits? Or is he a mellow traveler and easy going?

I recommend a stroller, even though he's a bit old for one. The worst moment I would be concerned about is "carry me!" at the end of a long day.