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Traveling alone with children

S

SOS8260456

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I thought I had seen a thread along time ago, but I couldn't find it with a search. It might have even been on the old forum.

Anyway, I am debating on doing a 3-4 week road trip with my 3 children alone (ages 12,11 and 6). My husband will meet up with us for the last week.

The tentative plan is to drive from PA to Williamsburg for a week, then drive to Hilton Head for a week, then drive to Orlando for the last two weeks. I figured this would break the drive up for me also. Coming home, the driving would be shared with my husband.

I have 3 of the 4 weeks booked already. I had been tentatively planning this since the fall, but as I am getting closer to this I am getting nervous. I also know the grandparents are probably going to think I am nuts for doing this. Some reasons why I planned it were because we have an excess supply of banked weeks to be used by next year and I also have a milestone birthday during the trip. I'd love for my husband to be there the whole trip, but that is just not possible.

So, fellow travelors, any advise or suggestions for me?

Thanks in advance.

Lisa :)
 
I think it sounds wonderful! :clap: Just bring car-snacks/drinks, razor scooters if your kids have them (good for expending energy and they dont take up much room in a car/van), and whatever will best entertain them...be it music, games, books, etc. Bring a board game that they can play that you enjoy too...I just started playing monopoly with my 7 year old on rainy days and he loves it (so do I)...great bonding time and it will be going with us on trips from now on!

Each timeshare stop will be a temporary "home away from home"...it's not like you'll be in a standard motel room. And your kids will remember the trip forever! They're at great ages for it.

I personally pack a few VERY bright sets of clothes (bright tie-dye or neon) for when I plan to be in an overly crowded area with the kids (disney, busch gardens etc)...and you might want to consider that...it makes it easier to spot them in a crowd. Walkie-talkies dont hurt either....just in case of separation and your kids are old enough to use them in an emergency.

I think you'll be fine and will have a ball!!!:hi:
 
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I have frequently traveled alone with my daughter since she was 6. Never for that long though, 16 days was the longest. It is a great bonding time. Your 11 and 12 year old are old enough to help with the 6 year old. My mother used to take me and my three siblings on vacations by herself when my father couldn't get off work and I look back with great fondness on those trips they were always more carefree it seemed then when my father went. Having your husband join you at the end of the adventure sounds nice too.
 
I wouldn't hesitate a bit with those ages. Sounds like a great trip.

Sheila
 
great places and fun things to do--just got home from Busch Gardens!

wiilmsbg has tons to do--from colonial stuff to BG to hanging out by the pool, HHI --well, the great beach, pools, putt-putt, and O for disney, etc---throw in a movie or two for the rainy days and you are set. I would do it!

Some fun ideas for days that you don't do parks----Universal studios has a dinner and date pass for $20 for 2 people. get a set for 4 for $40---includes dinner out at a number of restaurants, and movie pass (you don't have to use that night)--it's a fun "Splurge" evening for the kids--parking free at 6 PM, at Universal, also.
Other cheap thrills---drive to Animal Kingdom lodge in later afternoon (tell them you are eating at Boma's, watch animals, listen to stories by firepit--or just hang. If your kids are adventurous eaters--Boma's is great--african themed buffet (but $25 PP, $12 kids).

Also, my 9 yr old (and parents) really liked the Arabian Nights dinner---you can get 1/2 price tickets thru ticketmania.

We also drive to Wilderness Lodge, eat dinner and watch fireworks from there. ps--for the drive back, consider the Amtrak Autotrain (nonstop orlando to VA, near DC). In the summer, they offer free kids rates many times.
 
Books on tape or CD are a must ! My kids love them. I go to the library and go through their catalog and order quite a few to be shipped from the all the libraries in our area. My oldest daughter (14) loves to draw so she sketches out scenes from the story as she in visions them in her head. :whoopie:
 
You're gonna have a blast!

I do it all the time (so much so that my kids will ask 'do we have to go on vacation .... again?'). Great ages too!

Hubby feels it's some sort of vacation for him too (he's staying at home to work - someone's got to pay for the wife's vacations - grin) as he gets the whole place to himself, eats whatever he wants and watches whatever he wants on TV. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? (grinning broadly here). He actually gets more done around the house when we're gone claiming that we're not around to bother him with other things. Hey - works for me!
 
Thanks everyone!

I do have planned some major chores for my husband around the house for the time period we are gone. :)

Lisa :)
 
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