Taking a vacation as a single parent is both a gift and a challenge. This past summer, I set off with my two kids for a week-long adventure. It wasn’t just about escaping the routine. It was about making the most of the time we had together before school started and our schedule shifted back to every other weekend visits. For single parents like me, vacations are more than just trips. They are opportunities to bond, create memories, and hold onto precious moments that carry us through the harder days.

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The Hard Part of a Single Parent Vacation

Let’s be honest… a single parent vacation isn’t easy. When there’s no other adult to share the load, every detail falls on your shoulders. You’re the one packing bags, keeping track of tickets, making sure the kids are safe, and managing the meltdowns that inevitably happen when little legs get tired.

There were moments during this trip when I felt stretched thin. My son needed the bathroom at the worst possible times. My daughter got frustrated about rides we missed. And there I was, juggling it all while trying to keep a smile on my face. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it… it’s that being a single parent means never really getting a break, even on vacation.

Yet, these hard parts also showed me something important. I realized how strong I’ve become. Single parent vacations test you, but they also remind you that you’re capable of handling so much more than you think.

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The Easy Part of Traveling Solo with Kids

On the flip side, some things turned out to be easier than expected. Traveling as just the three of us meant decisions came quickly. We didn’t have to compromise with another adult about where to eat or what ride to prioritize. If my kids wanted pizza for dinner, we got pizza. If they were too tired to push through, we went back to the hotel.

There’s a kind of rhythm you fall into on a single parent vacation. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and follow my kids’ cues. I know when they need downtime, when they’re ready for something exciting, and when they just need me to sit next to them and let them be. That kind of connection is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

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The Exciting Part: Pure Joy in the Moment

The best parts of our trip were the moments filled with pure excitement. Watching my kids’ faces light up at a new ride or hearing them laugh until their stomachs hurt made every bit of stress worth it.

As parents, especially single parents, we sometimes focus so much on providing that we forget to simply enjoy. This vacation reminded me to step into the joy with them. Whether we were splashing at the pool, trying new foods, or just collapsing in bed after a long day of exploring, those moments stitched together the kind of memories I hope they’ll carry into adulthood.

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The Sad Part: The End of Summer and Saying Goodbye

The hardest part of any single parent vacation comes when it’s over. Packing our bags at the end of the week, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of reality. The end of summer meant going back to our regular schedule, one where I only see my kids every other weekend instead of having them for full weeks.

That transition is always tough. It feels like going from having a full heart to suddenly running on half. I try to remind myself that the memories we made will carry us through, but it doesn’t erase the sadness that creeps in when I drop them off. It’s the part of single parenthood that hurts the most: time slipping away faster than you want it to.

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Why a Single Parent Vacation is Worth It

Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this trip for anything. A single parent vacation isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up, creating joy where you can, and teaching your kids that even if life looks different now, love is still abundant.

I hope other single parents reading this feel encouraged to take that trip, even if it feels overwhelming. You don’t need to plan the most expensive getaway. Even a short road trip or a few nights camping can give your kids the same message: that time together matters.

In the end, our vacation wasn’t just about where we went, it was about who we were with. And that’s what makes every single parent vacation worth it.

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With compassion,
Eryndor
Founder, Single Parent Bible
admin@singleparentbible.com