Why I Don’t Feel Guilty for Traveling Without my Kids

I love to travel and I love my kids, but sometimes it’s easier and less stressful to travel without them. Don’t get me wrong; my husband and I take our kids lots of places. We took our son to the beach when he was only two-weeks-old, which was quite an experience. We took him on his first flight when he was a year old. We traveled to Jordan when he was two-years-old. He has been to Disney World three times and my daughter has been twice. Both of my kids have been to Chicago, Atlanta, and Nashville multiple times. We also usually take a family vacation to the beach each year. My kids already have more travel experience than I ever did at either of their ages. 

My kids travel well. They are very adaptable and flexible, but I don’t feel guilty when I travel without them. 

First, let’s talk about the benefits of traveling with kids. When they are with you, you don’t have to worry about their behavior (well, you do, but you know what I mean), worry about if they are safe, if they are sick, or if they need anything. Your kids get to experience things with you as you create memories together. In addition, kids under two can fly free, car seats are checked at no charge, strollers are checked at the gate, and kids under a certain age usually do not need attraction tickets. It’s also fun (for the most part) to take trips as a family. Have you all heard of the Bucket List Family? They make traveling with kids look pretty amazing. 

Now, let’s talk about the benefits of traveling without kids. It is much less stressful. You only have to pack for yourself. It can also be cheaper to travel without them. You certainly don’t have to worry about feeding them or taking them to the bathroom. My kids are always hungry and thirsty when we are not ready to stop and eat. Of course, we always bring snacks, but for some reason the snacks our kids always eat at home are not as satisfying when we are traveling. They are also extremely picky when it comes to public restrooms. And, they always have to use the bathroom at the worst times, such as when we are driving through the mountains between Knoxville and Asheville. You all know that stretch I’m referring to, where there is literally nowhere to stop. Then, when you finally find a place to stop, they cannot handle the smell or the looks of it. Or, they have to go as soon as the airplane takes off or right when it is about to land. It never fails. Kids are needy at the most inconvenient times, especially when traveling. 

I love my kids and I love traveling with my kids, but here is why I don’t feel guilty for taking trips without them. The majority of the decisions I make on a daily basis are because of my kids. I spend the majority of my time and energy on them. I do almost everything for them, so it is perfectly fine for parents to take a break every once in a while. It seems that our travels have created a sense of independence for them. My kids have never cried for us when we have been away. Sometimes I wonder if they even miss us. I know they do, but at the same time, they have a really good time without us, and I think that’s a great thing. We are lucky to have family close by and that we have amazing friends who are willing to help us out when we travel.

I know they are well taken care of when we are gone, which makes it even easier to leave the guilt behind. 

Do I miss my kids when we travel? Yes. Do I think about them a lot? Yes. Do I bring them back lots of souvenirs? Yes. We talk to them almost every day when we are gone, depending on the time zone. We also try to FaceTime with them when we see something that is worthy of sharing, such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the Dancing Fountains in Barcelona, Spain. They appreciate that we try to include them when we can. The best part is when we return because they want to tell us about everything that they did, but they are also interested in what we did, which leads to really insightful family conversations. I encourage you to take a trip, leave your kids behind, let them develop some independence, and enjoy your time away without feeling guilty.  

Where would you like to travel without kids?