Home » Outdoor & Recreation » Family Travel » Going Solo: Getting Away Without the Family

Going Solo: Getting Away Without the Family

© Lain Ehmann

It may seem a bit odd to have an article on traveling solo in a topic area dedicated to traveling with your family, but heck, let's face it: Sometimes you want to get away from it all... And "all" just might include your kids and your spouse!

I've never been one to take off for Nepal to "find" myself, or to even take a weekend retreat at the nearby beach town for some much-needed R&R. But when I was asked to be in an out-of-town wedding, I knew that it would be tough -- in terms of logistics and in terms of cost -- for my whole family to make frequent trips for the pre-nuptial festivities.

Fortunately, my girlfriend lives in Seattle, a short two-hour flight from the Bay Area, where I reside. So when I received an invitation to Shannon's engagement party, I didn't hesitate long before booking a flight on Alaska Airlines (www.alaskaairlines.com). While it was weird being away from the family for even 24 hours, I had a blast.

If you have the chance to get away on your own, use the following tips to ensure your trip is an easy and enjoyable one for all of you:

1. Make your first trip away a short one. If you've never left the kids for more than an evening, don't plan a two-week African Safari as your first solo jaunt. Break your family -- and yourself -- in slowly. Start with a day or two away, and see how it goes. Then you can trouble-shoot for a longer trip. I was gone just over 24 hours, and it was just long enough for me to miss them -- and, my husband says, for them to miss me as well.

2. Walk your spouse through the trip -- but don't get too anal. If your household is like ours and you are responsible for the day-to-day scheduling and planning, make sure you leave your spouse with specific instructions about what time Joey's piano lessons are, what equipment Sheila needs to take to tennis class, and where each and every event is located. But don't go overboard and leave an Excel spreadsheet with everything from what outfits each of the kids will wear every day you're gone to what the dog should have for dinner. Sure, you can make suggestions about what the kids might like to do for fun, but let your husband or wife make some decisions for themselves. If you're lucky, their independence will carry over to when you return!