Single parent travel: a question

[Dobby]

I'm taking each of the kids (with my mom) on a trip when they turn 8. My mom's idea. But I really want to take both my kids on a family vacation too. I know I can handle the travel and restaurants, and the rides alone with them, but there are other parts of the trip that worry me. I've been thinking about having someone along to help out. (Assuming I'll still be single by then...it's been over 3 years, I can't see my status changing anytime soon)

If you were to bring someone along to help out/babysit, what would be a good age?

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay, I only have one and took him on many solo adventures. Just the two of us. My best friend Andrea takes all three of her kids to Disneyland solo. Doesn't even think about it. Her children are now 3, 5, and 8. All young and all very well behaved. Personally I do not like the idea of sharing my Disney experiences with an outsider. JMHO

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

I think you would be able to do just fine by yourself. I took my kiddos for 10 days last summer alone because my mom was not able to go at the last minute. I honestly have to say it was the best vacation we have ever had. If you have any questions just pm me.

 

[Dobby]

Thanks for the responses...I'm sure I can handle it; it's just that when I stop to really think about it, I get a little freaked I did drive across 4 provinces with them alone 2 years ago, but the little guy was in a baby car seat and I could carry him into the bathroom with us, etc.

How hard is it to do bathroom breaks, etc, with a girl who wants privacy, and a boy who is 5 and VERY energetic? I also thought it would be nice (for me, anyway!) if I had someone who could stay with the young 'un if he needed a nap, so I could swim with my DD, or so I could go back to watch fireworks if the kids were too tired to stay up so late.

But I agree, I don't really want to share the experience either...lol!

 

[Lakeside Pirate]

I was worried about that last September when I took my kids also but everything went fine. I spent more energy keeping an eye on my son because he is younger. We found a way to make everything work even the bathrooms, you put a lot more trust in your older kids and have an agreed meeting spot after the stop. Never had any problems. Had to squeeze together on some of the rides to get all three of us together but that was the worst of it.

There is definitley no downtime when you are by yourself so schedule a slow day or take advantage of one of the places like the Cub's Den at Wilderness Lodge for a couple of hours if you feel you need a break.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I have taken my DD5 on many vacations by ourselves, even before I was single, we went on vacation w/o DH. I have done WDW 3x alone with DD. I can say though that I went with my DSis and DNiece to help her out since her DH couldn't make it until a few days into the trip. I was 16 then.

Do you have an older neice or nephew or sibling you could take?

 

[junipertree5]

I too will be taking both of my DS on a family trip to Disney in 2 weeks! I have taken my oldest son (12) for a weekend jaunt to Cedar Pointe in the past, but this will be the first time for us all three so far from home. My youngest is 4, although a very big (46 inches and 50 lbs) and capable 4!

Our first trip to Disney as a family (I had been many times before with friends) was in May of 07 with my DM, stepfather, and some other family members.

Let me just say, this trip will be the trip to make up for that 07 disaster. Like many parents who bring their children to Disney for the first time, I had visions of how I would have liked the magic to rub off on my boys. But certain members of my family were determined to hijack the joy we sought and drive it into the ditch .

So, although I am a little nervous, and somewhat intimidated by the fact that everything falls on me, I take comfort in the fact that I know how it feels to have my vacation sabotaged by negative people that you can't get away from, and ANY single parent mishap that might happen along the way has got to be better then that !!

So take heart, take a deep breath, and take a look at Disney through your childrens eyes, and enjoy !!

 

[Dobby]

Thank you all! I am thinking about this more positively. Being a single mom, I already let most of my free time and stuff be determined by my kids' needs, moods, etc. So I think it'll be easier for me to go with the flow with them at Disney and have fun with them. I know that the trip I have planned for next year with my mom and my daughter and nephew is going to drive me crazy, because I will be pretty much a slave to whatever my mom wants to do. Easier for me to deal with kids' moods, I think.

 

[Kaler131]

I went for a week in the beginning of June with my three boys on my own. They are ages 12,9, and 6...and we had a great time! It took some patience but it got better as the days went on. My 12yo and 6yo have autism (high-functioning) so it was really like having three younger kids because my 12yo acts more like his 9yo brother. But we had no issues and had a lot of fun!!
It was actually kinda nice being the only adult in the group because I got to make the decisions and not really have to confer or accommodate with what another adult wanted to do.