We all need a break from time to time, and trips alone can be the ticket to keeping yourself sane as a mom. I toyed with the idea of a solo trip to one of my favorite places – Disney – for a long time and I finally decided to just do it! Let me tell you: it was absolutely incredible! Three days all by myself doing whatever I want to do? Count me in! 
What I learned from this trip was that even though the experience was much-needed and I would 100% do it again, there were some downsides as well. Here are the best and worst parts of my experience from my solo mom trip:
Best
1. Going to sleep and waking up whenever I want. What a crazy concept! I forgot how amazing it is to be on my own schedule. Also, being able to do a skincare routine without multiple little people barging in asking me what I’m doing was very nice!
2. Sitting down and enjoying the peace. There were so many moments when I just sipped my coffee, watched the world go by, and took it all in – things I rarely have the headspace for when I’m juggling meltdowns and managing the chaos of traveling with kids.
3. Flying alone. Seriously, that may have been my favorite part. I downloaded some Netflix shows, put in my AirPods, had a drink, and relaxed. How incredible! It’s such a different experience from what I’m used to and it was incredible. Also, not having to juggle multiple backpacks while walking around the airport and making sure the kids don’t run off was top tier.
4. Room service. I’m the biggest fan of room service and a plushy robe on vacation. You better believe that when I’m by myself, that’s the first thing I’m doing when I get to the hotel! Also, I didn’t skimp on the dessert that I could also eat entirely by myself.
Now come the downsides.
1. Seeing all the kids on vacation with their parents and families. This brought on extreme guilt, the kind that hits hard when you’ve left your own kids at home. Not sharing this experience with them was the hardest part to sit with.
2. Missing the experiences that your kids are having while you’re gone. Of course I wanted them to have a great time while I was away, but it doesn’t stop the sting of knowing that I missed out on something special with my babies while I was away.
3. Missing those goodnight cuddles. Nothing beats night time cuddles, not even a king sized bed in a hotel room all by yourself (even with a plushy robe)! In my opinion, squeezing my babies and having them close while they go to sleep is something that no other experience can top.
4. Coming home and immediately going back into mom mode. I don’t hear a lot of people talk about this one. Don’t get me wrong; my husband took care of absolutely everything and was happy to do it, but the second I got home, the kids just wanted me and wanted nothing to do with dad, and that can be super exhausting especially after traveling all day.
