reality that solo parents may have fewer resources to work with , and that they may be nervous about being the lone adult on a vacation with their children .
“ Listen to any concerns a parent has about traveling and having to play the role of both parents away from home ,” McKie advises . “ Consider that they may be asking you questions to reassure an ex-partner .”
Winters advises getting to know the family ’ s “ vibe ” to help narrow down experiences that will work for parents and kids . Focus on what each family member is looking for in a trip .
“ My suggestions on destinations for single parents and their children depends on a family ’ s interests ,” she says . “ Some families may desire to be at an all-inclusive property because of the ease . Other single-parent families may prefer to be more active in nature , hiking , canoeing and horseback riding .”
Asking questions sooner rather than later can help the trip go more smoothly , especially when traveling with children of different ages and interests , as Winters recently discovered herself on a
Qualifying Questions for Single-Parent Travelers
• How old are your children ?
• What are your children interested in ?
• What kinds of things do they like to do ?
• What activity level do they like ?
• What do you hope your children will take away from this travel experience ?
• Do any children on the trip have special physical or mental health needs ?
SCHAMIN / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
S�MMER 2021 / THE COMPASS / 77