Vacation Ideas For A Mom With 3 Kids
This photo, entitled "Sarah and the Sea Lion," captures a 6-year-old befriending a sea lion pup in the Galapagos Islands. It was shot by reader DGlass and submitted to our Dream Trip contest.
by Wendy Perrin
Attention, readers with children: Got any advice for DChirichella, who wrote in wondering where to take her three kids on vacation? The catch: Her husband can't go, so she must wrangle the kids solo, yet doesn't want to drop them off in children's programs. Here's her question:
"My husband cannot get away for a vacation with me and our three children -- ages 9, 7, and 5 -- during February break, so I am planning on taking them somewhere on my own. I need something fun like a ski trip, only more doable for a single parent. We generally like to be active on vacation - we're not just "sit on the beach or by a pool" types - although there's definitely room for some of that. I'm not a fan of dropping my kids off at a kid's club while I go off on my own; however, I am hoping to go somewhere where there are activities that we can do together or that they can participate in while I watch so that I am not their only form of entertainment (never fun). Most of all, it needs to be something I can handle successfuly solo without turning into psycho mom - which would kind of negate the whole idea. Any suggestions on places or travel agents I should consider would be greatly appreciated."
Boy can I ever relate to taking kids on the road solo and trying to avoid "psycho mom" syndrome! I've got only two children to contend with -- ages 5 and 3 -- but, since I'm usually working at the same time, my laptop is like a third child.
Sounds to me like you need an activity-based group trip. I'm thinking a Galapagos Islands cruise (see Lindblad Expeditions' family-friendly trips), a river rafting trip (a "family adventure" with O.A.R.S. would be perfect, if only one were offered in February), or perhaps -- if your 5-year-old bikes well enough -- a family multi-sport trip with Backroads (to a good February locale such as Belize or Costa Rica). Why? Read on.
Such a trip would allow you and the kids to participate in the same activities together yet opt for as much relaxation as needed, should your littlest one wear out. You'd have a ton of help, since you'd be accompanied by guides who would do most of the work and whose job is to keep the kids happy and safe. Plus there would be other children on the trip for yours to play with. And your kids would be so exhausted that they'd crash by 8 p.m., leaving you -- imagine this -- maybe a full hour or two of alone time in which to read a novel in bed!
Since you've probably got your hands too full to do all the necessary research and planning for such a trip, I recommend you contact Martha Gaughen at Sterling Brownell Travel in Atlanta. Martha, who is on Conde Nast Traveler's list of the world's best travel agents, specializes in both family travel and adventure trips. She's a mother of four, a grandmother of two, and a Class V river rafter herself.
Since you mentioned skiing and there are indeed resorts out there that claim to take the work out of family ski trips -- they'll rent skis and boots for you, deliver them to you daily, book your kids into ski school, stock your in-room refrigerator, etc. -- you might also want to contact our recommended ski specialist, Jana Emery at Ski.com.
Got any other suggestions for DChirichella? Just click on "Comments" to share it.
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If the kids are okay with the outdoors try somewhere coastal where there are both beaches and rocky shores, and other family activities nearby. Instead of being bored at a sandy beach every day, spend a day (subject to tides) exploring the rockpools and seashore. There is usually something of interest for littlies as well as slightly older kids.
Posted by: TheGlobalTraveller | October 24, 2007 at 03:14 PM
I would check into the Disney Adventures - they offer Costa Rica with rafting, zip lines, wildlife and volcano viewing for active families. They have great guides, and activities for all age ranges. They offer other trips also, but Costa Rica is a great family destination. It is my favorite nature destination. Lori B : 0)
Posted by: lorib | October 25, 2007 at 09:05 AM
There is a comment on the Costa Rica tour that children should be at least 6 for this trip, but they will discuss with you if your 5 year old would be able to keep up with this trip.
Posted by: lorib | October 25, 2007 at 09:11 AM
Have fun on your trip. I have been solo vacationing with two girls for more than 10 years for a variety of reasons. Obviously they grew up a good bit in that time, but nonetheless when you are outnumbered you need backup. I think you sell kids "vacation clubs" short. Perhaps you don't want to dump all three off and then go spend a day alone. Fair enough - it is your time and money. But at the least consider sending two at a time to a camp or sitter, for some one-on-one with #3, rotating the lineup so everyone has a crack at your undivied attention. I did this at the Ritz in Amelia Island, Fla. and the older kid still recalls the two of us biking along the golf course and having a picnic lunch a deux. Seven years later she remembers this. I would shoot myself before flying halfway around the world alone with three kids for a week - by the time you got everyone over jet lag and into a groove it would be time to face those flights again. Nyet...
Posted by: gatornan2 | November 03, 2007 at 12:57 AM
My wife and I have six children. Many times I have had the privilege of taking the kids on an adventure and giving Mom a break. Any destination will do. Look for fun as you go. Get a AAA or other guidebook and read the attractions pages with a highliter. Mark thew things of interest to you or your kids and have at it. If driving have the kids sleep in what they are going to wear the next day and start as soon as you wake up. You can often knock off 100 mile before they even wake up. Heaven for you. Since they are already dressed you can get them to the car with a minimum of waking. when they do wake, feed them and hopefully you will be close to the first attraction. I try to always book a pool with a motel and stop ion time to let the kids wear themselves out before bedtime. I have gone across the country, taken excursions to Alaska (but not in February), explored caves, Capitals, mountains and theme parks. I have invited cousins and have been known to travel with as many as 12 kids. They always behave well because that is all I will tolerate. Since they are having fun they don't want to miss anything. I tell them some of what we are going to do but never everything to keep suspense in the game. Enjoy the kids and the adventure.
Posted by: BEREGER | November 28, 2007 at 02:18 AM
Park City Mountain ski resort has a useful interactive planner that can help you plan your trip based on the skill levels/interests of everyone in your group. Away.com just posted a blog about it here: http://blogs.away.com/2007/12/site-we-like-pa.html. Might help solve the complexity of travel with three children solo (not to mention that Park City has loads of different options for families this time of year!). Hope this helps.
Posted by: alistaircw | January 08, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Here's that link again, without the period at the end: http://blogs.away.com/2007/12/site-we-like-pa.html
Posted by: alistaircw | January 08, 2008 at 01:11 PM