Holidays alone with kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2003
Holidays alone with kids
9
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 4:07am

Hello everyone,

How do you all feel about holidaying "alone" with children, and do you have any plans for this summer break?

I am very excited because I have just booked to go away for a week in August with my two kids! This will be the first proper holiday I will ever have taken them on.

I suppose I am especially excited because they are now old enough that they will remember this holiday. As a single mom, I know they receive enormous amounts of love from me, but never really very many fun times (apart from our weekends together).. I am sure you all know what I mean - it's normally the everyday routine of getting ready for school, dashing out of the house, coming back home again, dinner time, bath time, bed time story etc. All the fun things happen with their dad, which is great too, but I want some of that for me too! So we are going to go to Jerba Island in Tunisia, which is only a couple of hours' flight (we live in Switzerland) and I am counting the days!

And we certainly do not need any man around to enjoy ourselves and have the best time! This time last year, I can remember not getting anything organised because my then boyfriend wouldn't agree with any of my ideas for holidays (we were, and still are, on quite a tight budget, and although this holiday is using up practically all my savings I think the three of us need this time together).

Look forward to hearing what you think about this question of travelling alone with the little ones.
Thanks!

Clem xx

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 7:24am

I have always traveled alone with my dd, since she was a baby. My ex-h wasn't big on going places with us. He'd always rather stay home and play his video game (he'd plan to do projects around the house while we were gone, but that darned game always sucked him and never let him go). The few times I did drag my ex-h along, I soon realized life was a lot easier and more fun with him at home! He complained about everything and was a real PIA.

DD and I go to Colorado (from PA) once or twice a year, we go to Boston (driving trip) 2-4 times per year and once we went to a wedding in Wisconson. We are actually going to Boston again the end of this month (Fri-Sun) and I get to go home to Colorado the last week in August and I'll be there through Labor Day. My birthday is that weekend and I'm so excited to spend it with my family.

We always go to see family or friends since we live so far away from them all. Your trip sounds WONDERFUL and I would love to take a real vacation with dd.

How old are your children? Want any travel tips?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2003
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 8:15am

My children are 7 (ds) and 5 (dd). How old is your dd? I definitely admire you doing those road trips! My two need a lot of entertaining... so any tips for keeping them entertained on the short flight would be more than welcome! Thank you.

How lovely to be from Colorado... before we had children, my ex and I did quite a bit of travelling in the US, and our Colorado trip was one of our favourites. We just got a flight to Denver, hired a jeep, and drove wherever we felt like driving to. Mind you, like yours, he was more a sort of extra piece of heavy baggage than a good travelling companion. I remember a lot of complaining and sulking as well! Ah, the good old days!

Would love to hear any travel trips you may have; it is important for me to know these things cos I really want to make this a memorable trip for my babies, and for me too...

Thanks again!
Clem xx

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 10:14am

I LOVE to do trips with DS - he is 9. When he was smaller I always took the babysitter with me - it really isn't that much more money - she would trade the babysitting for the trip with all of her expenses paid. That way it is a vacation for everyone.

This year I took him to Maryland - I invited my parents to spend part of it with us while I did a race in Cambridge. Then he and I went solo to Washington DC for 2 days - we had such a blast - rode the subway everywhere, went to the museums, ate at the Hyatt. It was so so so good.

In August we are going to New Hampshire because I am doing a race (half ironman triathlon) there - but it is GREAT for families - has bumper cars, beach, huge water slides, ice cream, drive in movies, and a train that goes around the lake. I am taking the sitters and it is a vacation for all of us - we will see Boston a little, too. Basically I pick a place I love with things I love to do that are fun for him, too.

Let's see - you asked about entertaining. Often the place you are entertains them. You can start talking about the plane ride and your expectations for good behavior. Busy books, cards and puzzles are good - but you don't want anything bulky or heavy.

Where are you going?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 10:17am

My dd just turned 5. I always take her car seat because it's safer, and I have a big bag with a strap for it's still hard to manage. I make sure to check everything I can, and only carry on what dd and I will need on the plane. My dd still likes to ride in her stroller, so I take it either she can ride and I can carry the car seat and hang the carry on bag on the back of the stroller, or she can walk and I can put the car seat on the stroller and use it as a luggage carrier. I take the stroller all the way to the gate and they check it there and it's waiting for me when I get off the plane. I have a rheumatoid arthritis and I wear out easily, so the stroller is a life saver for me. The stroller also enables me to get to the airport from wherever we park, because I can balance all the bags on the stroller. DD usually hates it, but she has to walk until the bags are checked.

I recently bought a portable dvd player for dd. It stays in the closet and only comes out for trips. I think it was around $180, and I bought it because I had been spending $30-$50 per trip for things to keep dd entertained, and we go on a lot of trips. Now I buy one or two new movies (if it's been a while and she's really board with her existing movie collection) and a new coloring or activity book. The new stuff doesn't come out until we are on the plane (if I buy two new movies, one is for the trip there and one on the trip home, and I'm more likely to buy a new movie for a plane trip than a drive to Boston). I bring a set of crayons, markers, two barbie's and some silly puddy, plus a couple of travel sized mind-puzzle type games I bought at the bookstore once. I usually dress dd lightly and bring a sweater and a blanket, that way we are set whether it's warm or cold. I also pack some granola bars, pretzels, chips and snacks like that because food when you travel can be so expensive and dd is so picky, and usually one water bottle (a pain to load the bag down with, but cheaper and worth it). I pack one carry on bag for me, and I put some stuff in a little backpack for dd so she has to do some of the carrying. I also empty my purse and just take the stuff I need and put it in the carry on bag pockets, and I pack the purse so I can use it on my trip but this way I don't have to deal with an 'extra' bag during travel.

That is all I can think of at the moment.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2003
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 11:19am

Very impressed with you doing the half ironman triathlon! WOW! And New Hampshire - how wonderful.. it is a place I have always wanted to visit, mainly because I am a big fan of John Irving and read and re-read his novels.

The sitter idea is great, and I think it is a good idea to talk about expectations of good behaviour on the plane... that way, it will kill some time and be fresh in their minds when we arrive. I took them on a mini-break a couple of months ago, and we ended up have a "family committee" crisis meeting on the last day because they had run me ragged! That's one of the minor disadvantages of two I guess - the fighting. I felt slightly humbled though by ds's reply to my question "Can you explain why I have to keep asking you at least three times to do anything before you obey me?" - he said "Mummy, we're only children, we can't help it sometimes". Which, of course, I know is true but I think he also knows just how to twist me round his little finger!

I researched the setting for the holiday quite carefuly. We are going to Jerba Island in Tunisia... to a hotel club which has a kids' club, two pools, loads of activities, and is right by the sea. I would like to spend as much time as possible with them, but will probably let them go to the kids' club at least a couple of mornings so I can either chill out by the pool, or go and get a massage or use the spa.

It has the potential for being paradise!

Clem xx

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2003
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 11:26am

Thank you so much! I am going to print out your reply and used it as a check-list! Your portable dvd is a wonderful idea... it must take a lot of discipline to put it away each time after a trip - I think I would struggle being firm over that one, but I think it could be very useful for some of our car journeys too. I think my ex has one actually, as he takes the children quite often to visit his parents in the south of France (5 hour car journey) on the weekends when he has them, and it helps them to pass the time.

Particularly like the idea of getting the kids to carry some of their own stuff aswell. I was thinking of getting them one of those pull-along suitcases, but the backpack idea is better, and cheaper as they already have those.

Well now it's the weekend and they are away with their dad, so I am going to have some "me time" and catch up on housework as well. There is a jazz festival on where I live, so I will probably go there with some friends.

Thanks again for your ideas!
Clem xx

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 11:46am

>>>I took them on a mini-break a couple of months ago, and we ended up have a "family committee" crisis meeting on the last day because they had run me ragged! That's one of the minor disadvantages of two I guess - the fighting. I felt slightly humbled though by ds's reply to my question "Can you explain why I have to keep asking you at least three times to do anything before you obey me?" - he said "Mummy, we're only children, we can't help it sometimes". Which, of course, I know is true but I think he also knows just how to twist me round his little finger!<<<

LOL! I love the idea of a familiy crisis meeting. I also like your ds's response. I'd tell him that yes he's only a child, but childhood is practice for adulthood and even if he has a hard time listening he needs to try harder (or practice more). Maybe the trip can be adult practice. See if he'd be willing to watch the other adults on the plane and see if he can immitate them sitting and talking quietly (and take note that they don't kick the back of the seat in front of them, lol).

I tell dd when I'm in a pinch and need her to cooperate that "I really need a helper right now." That usually works as long as I don't use it too frequently. Last week one day it was just not working, and I was rushing to get the two kitties to the vet on time which turned into a huge struggle. Afterwards I said to her that when I ask for her to help me I really need her help, and she's not the only one that is a helper, that I'm a helper too. I went down the list and explained I help her do a lot (get dressed, fix breakfast, pack lunch, etc.) I asked her what else I do to help her and she came up with some others. She realized then that I actually help her a lot. Who knows if that thought will stay in her pretty little head though :)




Edited 7/15/2005 11:49 am ET ET by firstamendment

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 11:53am

Bingo - if they have a kids club that is perfect - you should not feel guilty taking time for yourself.

That place sounds like heaven.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Fri, 07-15-2005 - 5:08pm
When I was a single mom (and even before when I was married) I used to travel with my daughter all the time by ourselves. One year I booked a 2 night hotel stay at the Disneyland Hotel complete with 3 day passes to Disneyland and she and I had a marvelous time. This fall, I promised her that I would take her out of school for a couple of days and she and I would go someplace special. It is always a great time and a very good time for bonding. :)