Going on holiday as a parent can be daunting. You have a lot of things you must keep in mind to have a successful getaway. You have to take into account that your children are with you. Depending on their ages, you’ll need to devise different ways of keeping them entertained. Now, take all of these challenges and apply them to single parents. If you’re a single mum or dad, it can seem like a double-trouble scenario.
Since you’re the only one wholly in charge of everything going on, you’ll likely spend a lot of time before the trip poring over everything that could go wrong and getting ready for any possible scenario. The finances are arguably one of the most controversial topics, since you want to have fun, but without risking breaking the bank. As alternative methods of payment become more readily available, many have started looking at the Bitcoin price. Currently, many retailers accept payments in digital currencies, which can save you some trouble if you leave your card in the hotel room by accident.
It isn’t bad to be well-prepared, but you must be careful to avoid overdoing it. It’s a holiday, after all. While it’s genuinely fantastic for your kids to go on a trip anytime, it can be even more meaningful after their parents have separated. It can reinforce the idea that you’re a family and that you care about each other no matter what.
Lay down the rules
Before you set out with your children, you must have a serious conversation with them. Let them know that they need to be responsible during your trip. If everyone is careful and looks after themselves a little, everybody can enjoy the journey. Often parents assume that children simply can’t comprehend something like this, but this is wrong. Even young children are very likely to understand if you take your time to explain everything to them in a calm manner. Answer all their questions and make sure they don’t perceive it as a type of punishment.
You can even provide some examples of what would happen if they misbehaved during a situation where they need to act accordingly, for example, when you’re at the check-in at the airport. Acknowledge the moments when they’re well-behaved and compliment them, and try not to reprimand them too harshly when they don’t stay perfectly put. The most important rule they should remember is to stay close to you at all times. If you get this lesson across, more than half your work is already done.
Pick a new destination
When you go on holiday with your children, you want it to be both an amusing and a learning experience for them. To achieve this, you can try a new destination each year. Naturally, when you’re a single parent, it feels safer to revisit the same places again and again. If you’ve been through a divorce or bereavement, it’s likely that a trip someplace else will feel daunting, as you’ll now have to count on yourself only. However, a change of scenery might be just the thing everyone needs.
When you start doing some research on new locations to visit for your latest trip, you may come across some truly fantastic places that you hadn’t considered before. Who knows, you can even discover a place that’s cheaper than your usual go-to. New Orleans is a well-known tourist spot owing to its melting pot of cultures. The Audubon Aquarium is home to 10,000 species, making it a favorite among children. There’s an Amazon exhibit featuring anacondas, piranhas and stingrays, another dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico with sea turtles and sharks, as well as a Mississippi gallery with alligators, catfish and owls.
The Audubon Zoo, open since 1914, hosts orangutans, Malayan tigers, otters, sun bears, Patagonian maras, California sea lions, alligator snapping turtles, anteaters and jaguars. If you want to blend education with fun during the trip, there’s no better place to visit. The local food is also a must-try. Gumbo, a hearty stew of seafood or meat, okra, roux and the Creole “holy trinity” of onions, celery and bell peppers, po’boy sandwiches, Oysters Rockefeller, yaka mein beef noodle soup, red beans and rice, shrimp creole and bananas foster are among the most popular.
The resort city of Myrtle Beach in North Carolina is famous for holding the sixth-tallest ferris wheel in the US, as well as the miles of beaches and pleasant climate that make it one of the most popular tourist spots in the United States. There are also nearly 2,000 restaurants and almost 100 golf courses. You could also be lucky enough to spot the dolphins. The area is a natural habitat for the species and many live quite close to the coast.
Savannah, Georgia is a well-known spot for those who love historic architecture. The natural environment is also protected, and you can walk through Spanish moss, oak trees and pink azaleas. The City Market is fully pedestrianized, and is filled with shopping and lunch spots. If you love antiques, this is the place to visit. If you’re up for a leisurely walk, you must go to Forsyth Park.
Pack accordingly
Kids have a way of acquiring stains on their clothing very quickly. It can be from crayons, spilling food or falling and scraping their knees. So regardless of how short your trip is, you must pack enough clothes for several outfit changes. Packing for your children can be a bit tricky, though. That’s because there are two available options. You can cram in a lot of clothes just to make sure. However, that means that you’ll have to deal with heavier luggage. There’s also the option of filling suitcases with fewer items, which means you might have to do laundry at some point during your trip, an idea that doesn’t sound very enticing to most. The choice is ultimately yours and depends on what you find more comfortable.
You should also pack activities for everyone. Younger children will love coloring packs, as they can keep them occupied for hours. For the younger children, you can bring books. Music is also an excellent option for both you and the kids, so several pairs of headphones are a must. And of course, you can’t forget about the treats. Some of the best options are pasta salads, vegetable chips, no-bake energy bites, muffins and sandwiches. And since it’s a holiday, you can also bring a few bags of sweets.
Be prepared
Being prepared isn’t all about getting your luggage ready. It’s also about being ready for unexpected situations that may arise. Traveling with children is more likely than not to create some unexpected situations. Maybe one of them will develop a sore throat or lose an important object. While it can be tough to do, you must try and keep calm. Trust yourself and your ability to solve any situation. When you take a deep breath, you’ll see that the solutions come faster than when you panic.
Journeying with your children is a learning experience not only for them but for you as well. Even if you’re the only adult in charge of everything, it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. If you plan ahead a little, you’ll be able to have a perfect family trip.