Traveling solo with kids tends to get one of two reactions.
Either “Wow, that’s amazing,” or “I could never do that.”
I’ve heard both more times than I can count.
This photo—me and my kids in West Virginia, on our Wild and Wonderful adventure at Babcock State Park—is one of those moments that quietly holds so much meaning. Because behind the smiles is a choice I’ve been making for years: to travel solo with my kids, even when it feels hard, uncertain, or outside the norm.
And I want you to know something right away—this didn’t start because I was fearless or exceptionally brave. It started because I didn’t want to wait for “someday.”
I’ve Been Doing This Since They Were Babies
I’ve been traveling solo with my kids since they were babies. Back then, it meant packing extra diapers, baby carriers, and snacks for every possible scenario. As they’ve grown, the challenges have changed—but they’ve never disappeared entirely.
Traveling solo with kids isn’t always easy. There are long drives, tired legs, occasional meltdowns, and moments when I wish I had an extra set of hands. But there’s also something incredibly empowering about realizing, trip after trip, we can do this.
The Question I Hear the Most
One of the most common things people say to me is how surprised they are that I travel alone with my kids so often. And right after that usually comes a confession from another mom:
“I wish I could do that, but I don’t think I could handle it.”
That self-doubt breaks my heart a little—because I see how capable moms are every single day. You already juggle schedules, emotions, logistics, and responsibilities. Travel just shifts those skills into a different setting.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing.
The Places We’ve Gone—And Why They Matter
Because I chose not to wait, my kids and I have explored places that may not have happened otherwise:
- South Dakota & North Dakota
- Wyoming & Montana
- Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Washington, DC
- West Virginia
- South Carolina
- Kentucky
- Virginia
- …and many, many more
These aren’t just destinations on a map. They’re early mornings on quiet trails, roadside stops that turned into core memories, and moments where my kids learned resilience, curiosity, and confidence simply by being part of the journey.
What Solo Parent Travel Has Given Us
Traveling alone with my kids has given us something really special—shared independence. They help navigate. They problem-solve. They learn flexibility when plans change. And they’ve grown up knowing that adventure doesn’t require perfection or ideal circumstances.
For me, it’s meant discovering how strong and capable I truly am as a mom. It’s taught me to trust myself, to slow down, and to focus on connection over control.
If You’re Waiting for a Sign—This Is It
If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your kids on a trip but felt held back by fear, doubt, or the idea that you can’t do it alone—let this be your sign.
Start small if you need to. A weekend away. A nearby state park. A simple road trip. You don’t have to cross the country to prove anything.
What matters most is showing yourself—and your kids—that adventure is possible, even when it’s just the three of you (or two… or four… or however many).
You Are More Capable Than You Think
Solo parent travel isn’t about doing it all flawlessly. It’s about saying yes to experiences that stretch you, connect you, and stay with you long after the bags are unpacked.
If I can inspire even one mom to take that leap—to trust herself and take the trip—then sharing our story is worth it.
You don’t have to wait.
You don’t have to be fearless.
You just have to begin 🤍
Here’s a little flashback to where it all started. The summer of 2013, we were wrapping up projects to sell our house and I found myself looking for opportunities to get out of the house with Madeline who was 6-8 months old. I took her so many places in the Chicagoland area that summer, but this day started my solo traveling adventures. Granted, this wasn’t actual solo traveling. My mom asked me to go with my brother to Michigan. I said yes and this started our adventures beyond our state lines. From here, I started doing short overnight trips and by the time they were in preschool I was doing full Florida vacations solo style and now I’m doing all over the US plus into Canada solo style with my kids. My husband has a limited amount of vacation days and we’ve decided that me and the kids won’t be limited to those. We’ll do our own thing and he’ll join when he can.
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