By: Lisa Thompson
This past summer, I ventured on a two-week trip to Europe with my teenage son, just the two of us. My husband opted out of this adventure, and while this wasn’t our first solo travel experience, it was definitely the longest one without him. Whenever I share this story with friends or family, I often catch a glimpse of raised eyebrows or hear the occasional unsolicited opinion about how a family vacation should involve all members.
Here’s the reality: these trips have a unique way of strengthening our bond. Let me explain my reasoning:
- Three’s a Crowd: As a family with one child, I’ve realized that traveling as a trio can sometimes make my son feel outnumbered. We chose to have one child, and we’re grateful for him. However, family trips can quickly become a balancing act of making everyone happy. With just the two of us, it becomes much simpler and more enjoyable.
- Meaningful Conversations: Traveling alone with my son opens the door to conversations that can sometimes be harder to come by at home. Let’s face it, getting a teenager to chat when they’re preoccupied with school and friends is like pulling teeth. But on our solo trips, we dive deep into discussions, which are both enlightening and enjoyable.
- Creating Lasting Memories: These adventures aren’t just about the conversations; they’re about crafting memories together. Sure, not every moment is sunshine and rainbows, but the experiences we share far outweigh any bumps in the road.
- No Compromises: Solo-parent trips also mean no need to compromise on destinations or activities. For instance, my husband wasn’t keen on Europe, but my son and I were all in! This way, we could go where we wanted without any negotiations. Plus, traveling as a pair saved us a bit of cash—money that can be used for future family trips, like when my husband and son plan to catch a Green Bay Packers game, which I have no interest in attending!
- Cherished Alone Time: Let’s talk about the perks of some alone time for the parent at home. As any parent knows, a little peace and quiet is invaluable. Whether it’s a weekend or a week, I relish the chance to recharge and tackle those chores that always seem to linger on the to-do list. When we reunite after the trip, everyone is excited to share stories and experiences from our time apart.
I should mention that we only started this tradition once my son hit his teenage years. When he was younger, having another adult around was essential. Now, as he prepares to fly the nest for college, these trips are precious moments to connect.
These solo adventures also honor a family tradition from my childhood. My dad used to take one of us out for a lunch date every Saturday, and I looked forward to those special moments. I like to think my trips with my son are a modern extension of that idea.
While many may not understand my enthusiasm for these solo journeys, it works wonderfully for us. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I can hear the enticing call of vacation-planning websites beckoning me to start planning our next great adventure!
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