Traveling solo with two young ones? Have you done it?

[G&J's Mom]

I have read many threads on parents traveling solo, but the kids have been older. I have never traveled alone with my 5 year old DD and would have no problem, but I am feeling the guilts if I leave 3 year old DS home. The 3 of us do alot of things together with no problems, and he has been to WDW twice already. I want to take a trip in May around DD's birthday, and DD wants him to come, but he is a he is a busy little guy and I am so hesitant about bringing him and doing the solo parent trip with both. Just wondering if anyone else had taken little littles....

Denise

 

[4greatboys]

I have gone with my 2 little ones 2 times. In Dec 2003 they were 3.5 and 20 months and also last Dec when they were 4.5 and 2.5 years but I did have my older kids with me too. They are teenagers so could help out some. My youngest is very "busy" too and it would be very tough not to have any help at all with him.

 

[Idahomom]

How long is your flight? Our 4 kids are now a little older, 8-13. But when I only had 3 I flew from NYC to Oregon with 3 kids under the age of 5. Ug. And I was pregnant. But you know it wasn't that bad. I too was very nervous and stressed out about it.
Just be sure to bring plenty of activities w/you. Let them bring a favorite stuffed animal/blankie. Bring snacks. Maybe let them pick out a few new toys that they have to save for the trip. If you're flying on an airline that offers tv's in the seats spend the extra few bucks and let them watch tv.
I say bring the little guy. You'll be fine-they'll be fine.

 

[highland3]

I've travelled solo with my DS (now 4) and DD (now 8). I was verrrrry worried, but it turned out really well. My kids travel well, so that makes life easier. I say... go for it and try not to worry. You'll deal with the "stuff" that comes up and still enjoy the trip!!!!

 

[bobcat]

Our first trip to WDW my kids were 4 and 6. We rented a car and drove from Ohio and that was the beginning of our annual trips to WDW! Just like anything else you do with your kids when you are the only adult WDW has it's challenges, carrying trays and trying to find a seat while looking after the little ones comes to mind, but overall I find it a very easy vacation.

 

[G&J's Mom]

How long is your flight? Our 4 kids are now a little older, 8-13. But when I only had 3 I flew from NYC to Oregon with 3 kids under the age of 5. Ug. And I was pregnant. But you know it wasn't that bad. I too was very nervous and stressed out about it.

WOW, you were really brave. Glad it worked out. I am going to drive from Georgia. The kids do very well in the car. I have a DVD player and it will work out well.

Thanks everyone for your advice and sharing your experiences. Now I just have to wait for codes to come out and make my final decision.

Denise

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, my girls are 8 and 10 now but I have been taking them solo since they were 3 and 5. My dh dosen't get as much vacation time as we do so we go alone!. We had lots of fun and took it easy, my second was easy as a toddler otherwise I may not have been able to do it.

I have also done at least one solo trip with each of my girls and they were wonderful. Both girls got a solo trip at 5 with just mom - it was very special for all of us. When I did the odlest dd's solo trip my yongest was 3 so staying home with daddy was a real treat for her. By the time my youngest did her 5yo solo trip my oldest was 7 and could understand that it was sisters turn.

Now we go as a family or our three girls trips and all are fun in different ways.

If you can I would consider treating your dd to a mom & me trip, it can be very special.

TJ

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I went this past October with my sons. They were 4 and 2½ and we all had a fabulous time! We met up with one of my girlfriends who has daughters the same age. I'm from GA and my friend is from NY so we don't see each other often. We thought a "Moms and Kids...no Daddies allowed" trip would be fun. They did well too. My kids and I were there from Thursday morning till Monday night and my friend and her daughters were with us from Saturday to very early Monday so we had basically 3 days where it was just me and the kids. We flew because we were able to get a fantastic airfare deal but I would still go again with just me and the kids even if it meant driving.

PM me if you have any questions about going alone with 2 little ones! Like I said, we had a great time and I would not hesitate to do it again! I also started off planning for it to be just me and my 4 year old and saying I'd do it again in 2 more years with the little one but ended up feeling too guilty and just bringing them both. I was very glad I did! My 4 year old has been asking regularly for us to do that again.

 

[sanilacjack]

I understand your concern. A trip that turns ugly is not a good thing.
We are a family that sometimes hubby just can’t get away. I’m a mom that wants my kids to have lots of memories.
I have traveled alone several times with my kids from 3 years old with the first; to both ages 11 and 5. Here is some tips I can give you (in random order):
Be highly organized. Pack light: one suitcase that pulls, a carry on and DD should be able to handle a small backpack with activities for both kids. Schedule in down time or time to burn off some steam. Take/rent a stroller that both can ride in. Stick to areas of the park that are appealing to tots. Feed often (and the kids too!) Direct flight. Use a car service. Stay on site. Know your kids limits and boiling point.
Use bell services. Ask for help when needed; it’s a pleasant surprise how helpful people are when your alone. Last, but not least sometimes shorter vacations are better than long ones when you are alone with little people. Don’t sweat the small stuff and I think you will have a great vacation.

-Kim

 

[ksoehrlein]

I drove from AL with my kids when DD was 4.5 years and DS was 16 months old. I was nervous, but the only thing I found difficult -- and it was VERY difficult -- was having a counter-service meal during peak lunch hours. (Imagine juggling a squirmy toddler and a loaded tray, not being able to find a table, and then eating with your tray on top of the garbage can because it's the only flat surface you can find!)

But that was the ONLY bad experience we had, and we ended up with 4 days worth of very special memories.

Then again, my next trip will just be with DD, so that we can make her 5th birthday extra special, doing all the big-girl stuff she wants to do without needing to take her little brother into consideration.

I felt a little guilty about not taking DS, but when he injured himself and needed 10 stitches on our family WDW trip last month -- and DH and I were both in the room at the time -- I realized he is at too active a stage to bring without another adult (or 2!) present.

If your son is not too self-destructive for a 3-year-old, I think the 3 of you will have a great time. If he seems to attract injuries or is prone to wandering off, however, I think there is no harm done if he sits this trip out so you can focus on your birthday girl. You might want to consider making it a family tradition and take your son on a Mommy-and-Me trip for his birthday at a later date.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh - I had forgotten about the counter serve meals - that is tough. There are a few things that can be challenging with a solo adult like fantasmic, parades, and counter serve meals. I have left a plum spot at the MK parade more than once for a potty emergency!!

I always take a town car and have the complimentary 30 minute grocery stop. This way we have direct service and breakfast fixings, snacks, drinks and sandwich makings in the room. Breakfast in the room alone makes up the $$ in the towncar and having cereal and or bagles while getting ready makes everyone happy. My kids like to have their cereal asap and getting my shower, them dressed and getting to the food court does not work.

I usually make a PS for a slightly late lunch or late breakfast and that is our one table serve meal for the day. This way we are served, get a break and get at least one "real" meal a day. If your kids are inclined look toward the soups, salads and appetizers as well as the kids meals. You can find some good food, kids like and they will get a fair share of nuggets and hot dogs anyway. Then its counter service dinner, imho a bit easier to manage, or even sandwiches and fruit in the room. My girls like nothing better than the nuggest in Epcot eaten on the fly in a fry container - not ideal but sometimes anything goes!

allearsnet has all the menus if that helps.

If you have any more specific ? about solo adult trips with 1 or more kids please post -

TJ