Hey Fancy Friends! Have you ever traveled alone, or as a solo mom or solo parent?
Recently, I was blessed to hold the solo mom title as my two kids and I embarked on a fourteen hour road trip from Houston, TX to Des Moines, Iowa. I like to think that I’m a tough cookie so when it finally hit me that I would be making the journey alone I was appeased. However, as the days grew closer, I become a bit anxious as this was the longest I’ve driven solo and been in foreign territory alone.
I’ve never been the type of girl who will go grab the last seat at the bar solo or go chow down on an elegant dinner as a party of one. Even though technically I wasn’t alone, I was the only adult and responsible for two little ones in a unknown place. Every thing about this trek was the complete opposite of what my travel journey has been thus far. I do a lot of family travel and normally my husband is the anchor. Suddenly, I was the anchor, driver, protector, life guard, body guard, accountant, doctor, coach…you name it I was it!
This scary situation actually turned out to be a blessing!
See What My Solo Mom Journey Felt Like Below
Rewind to a few years ago when travel became trendy, I had this dream of quitting my job and traveling the world full-time. I did a countless amount of hours of research, took great notes and was determined to make it happen. When I shared my plan with my family they all thought I was crazy!
A bit discouraged, I opted to just travel whenever I could as much as I could and I still do today. But, I knew that God knew my heart. In some retrospect, it was almost like God placed that desire in my heart.
Why do I believe so? During my travels I always have people reaching out to me about how I travel so often, where I find deals and how I find the time to do so. It was like people were watching and my calling was to assist them in this area. Could I become a Travel Agent? Sure! In fact, people tell me all the time I should become one. But this felt greater, the calling felt bigger.
Now we all know that He may not show up when we want him to but He’s always on time! Well the time was in my face and I had to act on it. If I wasn’t ready, I had to get ready. That’s just what I did. I researched, I connected with the city, I tied up all my loose ends and hit the road.
We all know that sometimes God gives us tests. He wants to see how well we follow directions and how equipped we are to handle what WE THINK we want. I sure hoped I passed his test! I don’t like detours so my goal is to always do things His way and in His timing, versus my own.
You may also like: 17 Tips That Will Help You Travel More For Less and 10 Little Ways To Be A Better Mom
Why Iowa?
After a season of hardwork, KJ earned a spot in the AAU Junior Olympics for Track & Field. It was a week long event that took place is Des Moines, Iowa.
Read More About Our Des Moines Experience
Why Solo?
If you have been following me for some time you would know that my family is originally from Detroit, MI. We have been living in Houston for the last seven years. As a result, we don’t have any family local. Just a small circle of friends who are like family. With KB starting a new job and not being able to take off work for a week and no friends being able to tag along, I was forced to experience this journey alone.
How Did It Feel?
To be honest, traveling as a solo mom felt great! It was very liberating. I felt free and at peace knowing that I could travel on my own terms. Sometimes traveling with another adult can be a daunting task. Trying to satisfy two different taste buds, two different interest, and two different travel goals is sometimes difficult. For example, KB is a huge foodie and that’s what his love for travel centers around. As a result, deciding where we eat sometimes consumes more time then it should because this is his baby and he’s tedious and calculated with our eats. On the other hand, I’m a huge explorer! I will weather the storm to walk, wander and discover but if its not comfortable for KB I have to tweak my mission and take his notions into consideration.
You can see how freeing it was for me to be the sole decision maker. To decide where we went, when we were going, how we were getting there, and what we were going to do once we arrived may seem like a burden for many but not for me. I am a true planner at heart and its no greater passion then mapping out a good plan! I did miss my man though;-)
It also felt rewarding! To know that I safely and successfully accomplished such a major goal solo was mind blowing. The memories we created, the smiles, the laughter, the bright eyes and shy’s of excitement will never be forgotten.
I would definitely recommend any parent to travel solo with their children at least once!
Tips
- Research, research research! Once you know your destination do your research. Start by looking for FREE things to do around the city first. My favorite go-to for researching a city is the city’s tourism website, Pinterest and Instagram. A quick search will produce tons of helpful information.
- Plan for it! Jot down your must see things to do, see, and eat. Then create a tentative schedule for each day, even if you don’t stick to it. It’s a great guide that will help you map out your next steps. For example, if you know for sure you are taking the kids to an amusement park, then you can now look for discounts on admission.
- Create a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible. Take a look at your itinerary and collect prices on the activities that will cost. This will give you an idea on how much you will spend.
- Find ways to save. Looking for coupons, deals, or discounted days and times will be a big help! I also start with Groupon for discounted activities anytime I travel.
- Make connections! If you’re visiting some place where you have family, friends, or business contacts reach out for recommendations. I also recommend scheduling some time with them to meet up for lunch or dinner. They may be willing to show you around or give you some great tips that may make your travel journey easier.
- Stock up on necessities. Be sure to bring along things that will make your journey safer and easier so that you don’t have to go searching for places to stop in unknown territory. For example, medicine and first aid kit.
- Leave the details of your travels behind with family and/or friends. Let them know your flight numbers and times, the route you will navigate if driving, where you will be staying, etc…
- Have a talk with your children before departing. This is one of the most important things you can do! Let them know your expectations, what to do in case of an emergency and the safety rules. For example, no wandering off and no talking to strangers, etc…
- Capture your memories! This is a major accomplishment so you definitely want to take tons of pictures to look back on over the years. This is the camera and lens I use. Another thing I like to do is document the experience in my travel journal and have the kids do the same in their journal. Write all about your trip and how it felt!
Have you ever traveled as a solo parent?
What are you waiting for!?! GO OWN YOUR FANCY!!!
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