• Introduction
• Part 1: Factors to consider before your trip
  • Before you even decide where to go
  • Five things as aids for traveling with kids
  • The art of traveling lightly
  • Give the children more responsibilty
  • Tantrum-proofing your vacation
  • Single Parent Families Abroad
  • The trickiest thing
• Part 2: planes, trains and automobiles
  • you're still in the airport with the kids but it's still 3 hours until take off time!
  • Flying with children - onboard the plane
  • If you're stressed the kids are
  • Leave that Car Seat Behind!
• Part 3: Where did our experts go?
  • miami - fun for kids
  • a road trip with kids in canada
  • a european vacation for single parents
  • south of france - provence
  • the magic of animals
  • try something different - try malta
  • stay in a farmhouse - now wouldn't the kids love that!
  • traveling alone with a teenage girl
• Part 4: Cruises
  • At Last! Some Free Time Away from the Kids
  • You can even swim with Dolphins!
  • The Ideal Vacation for Single Parents
  • Some advice for those Cruise �Shopping Days� in Dock - Nail down that Bargain folks
• Part 5: In Conclusion

Part 1: Factors to consider before your trip

Tantrum-proofing your vacation

Kelsey Blodget of Oyster, points out three common mistakes to avoid when planning a family vacation.

"Single parents know: Family trips are often far from relaxing. But avoiding these three common travel planning mistakes will go a long way toward tantrum-proofing your vacation."

"Top three things parents forget to consider:

• 1. Your kids' interests: Kids are just as picky about their vacation, if not pickier, than adults, and it's worth taking the time to ask them what they want to do. Are they going to be happy in a big city or at the beach? You can find a hotel these days with almost any amenity, from trapeze lessons to roller coasters to water parks, so their requests might be easier to fulfill than you think.
• 2. The whole cost of the trip. Pricing out just the cost of the airfare and hotel isn't enough -- you need to factor in taxi fare, activity costs, and food costs, or you might end up in a situation where you're running way over budget.
• 3. Extra person charges: Hotels also often charge for third or fourth guests -- even children --or for the use of rollaway beds, so be sure to find out those fees before you book the trip."

"Ready to start planning? Consider these three amazing kid-friendly hotels for your next trip: Hilton Hawaiian Village, Oahu; Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, Jamaica; Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge, Orlando"

Single Parent Families Abroad

John Frenaye of Single Parent Travel, offers us his own three tips for the Single Parent family traveling abroad:

"Traveling as a solo parent with a child (or children) to the local Wal-Mart can be a challenge, but when you decide to take the plunge and venture out of the US, it can be a big leap of faith. Here are a few tips to make the trip a success:

• 1. Before you go. Make sure you have your documents. Children of ALL ages need passports just like adults and BOTH parents will need to be present to obtain it (or have a notarized form as to why) and you will need to have documentation substantiating your situation/names�marriage licenses, divorce decrees, adoption papers, death certificates, etc.
• 2. Getting out. Many countries require a non-traveling parent�s permission to bring a child into a country. Make sure you have this permission before you make your reservations and bring a few copies in case you need to leave one or two behind.
• 3. On a trip. Hopefully, your child has had a say in planning this trip. Don�t make it all about you; be sure to do many things which interest your child. It will make for a much more enjoyable vacation for both of you. And if you can, save the last day to re-visit some of the more enticing sites you encountered along the way."

The Trickiest Thing

Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby writes:

"For me, the trickiest thing about traveling solo with the kids is finding a way to get ready in the morning without the kids tearing apart the room."

"Try to shower, pack your day bag, and plan your day in the evening after your children are asleep. It also helps to order a crib from housekeeping (even if your child is sleeping in a bed) so that your child has a safe place to play while you get organized."