Finding Magic in the Journey: How Solo Travel with My Child Changed Everything
Hi there! I’m Marlin, and this is my very first blog post. I’m a single mom who happens to have a deep, unapologetic love for all things Disney (yes, I’m one of those adults who gets genuinely excited about a new Disney movie release), and I want to share something that’s been on my heart lately.
When I first thought about traveling with my child, I’ll be honest – I was terrified. The idea of navigating airports, managing meltdowns in unfamiliar places, and being solely responsible for keeping us both happy and safe felt overwhelming. I kept imagining all the things that could go wrong, all the moments where I’d wish I had another adult there to help or just to share a knowing look when things got chaotic.
But something beautiful happened when I finally took that leap of faith and booked our first trip together to New York to see a hockey game. Yes, I’m also a hockey mom, but there will be other posts about that adventure!
I discovered that solo travel with my kid isn’t the scary, impossible thing I’d built up in my mind. Instead, it became something magical – and I don’t just mean the Disney kind of magic (though there’s been plenty of that too!). It’s the magic of watching your child see the world through their own eyes, of creating memories that belong just to the two of you, of proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined.
Our adventures have taken us to theme parks where we’ve sung along to every song, beaches where we’ve built sandcastles that would make any Disney castle jealous, and quiet hotel rooms where we’ve shared ice cream and talked about our favorite parts of the day. These moments have become some of my most treasured memories.
I’ve learned that traveling with my child has actually made me a more confident parent and person. When it’s just the two of us exploring somewhere new, we create our own rhythm. We can spend an extra hour at the playground if that’s what makes him happy, or we can have breakfast for dinner because why not? There’s freedom in making decisions without having to consider anyone else’s preferences or timeline.
The truth is, some of our best conversations have happened in rental cars driving to our next destination, or while waiting in line for rides. Without the distractions of daily life, we’ve connected in ways that might not have happened at home. I’ve seen sides of my child’s personality that only emerge when we’re having an adventure together.
Yes, there have been challenging moments – tears in the airport, forgotten stuffed animals, and days when nothing went according to plan. But even those moments have become part of our story, and often they’re the ones we laugh about most later.
To any single parent reading this who’s on the fence about taking that trip: you can do this. Your children don’t need a perfect vacation – they need YOU, and they need to see that you believe in creating beautiful experiences together. The memories you’ll make are worth every moment of uncertainty you’re feeling right now.
So here’s to all the single parents out there who are choosing adventure, who are showing their kids that families come in all shapes and sizes, and who are discovering that sometimes the most magical journeys are the ones we take together, just the two of us.
Ready for our next adventure, Marlin
P.S. – If you’re ever wondering whether you’re too old to get excited about Disney magic, the answer is absolutely not. Some of the best travel companions are the ones who still believe in a little magic.
P.P.S. – You’ll notice I won’t be sharing my son’s face in photos on this blog. Out of respect for his privacy, I want him to be able to make that decision when he’s ready. Our adventures are real, but his privacy comes first.
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