| More than most people, single parents need to look | | | | Plan Safety for the Little Guy |
| after their psychological and emotional well-being. Not | | | | When vacationing with your drooling date, make sure |
| only do the parents need it themselves, but more | | | | you have a first-aid kit packed and enough medicines |
| importantly, their children need it as well. A happy mom | | | | for the little guy. For kids with special health needs |
| or dad makes a great parent. Similarly, a miserably | | | | such as asthma, food allergies, diabetes and the like, |
| busy dad or mom who can't take care of his or her | | | | packing for a three days' worth more of medical |
| own personal emotional health will have a higher | | | | supply is even better. You will never know what will |
| chance of growing kids who can spell future "juvenile | | | | come up in a vacation. An extension of your vacation |
| delinquents" faster than a blink of an eye! | | | | or some weather emergency that will require you to |
| For some single parents whose time is divided | | | | stay put in your location with your kid may also require |
| between their job and their child, even a moment's | | | | you to have more medical supplies on hand. A local |
| relaxation might seem an impossibility. "Child" and | | | | pharmacy may not always have what you need. |
| "relaxation?" Now, is not just that the most perfect | | | | Pack Some Fun |
| oxymoron! But whoever said that you can't mix | | | | It is always helpful to pack some fun activities into the |
| relaxation or vacation with kids? | | | | little guy's backpack. A few crayons and coloring |
| Impossible? Not really. It is all a matter of paradigm | | | | books, a handy story book, his favorite music or his |
| shifts and few ingenious planning from the parent. | | | | favorite toy will surely help him pass the time away |
| Plan Carefully | | | | while you are both on the plane, or on the road trip to |
| When planning to take a chance on vacationing with a | | | | your vacation destination. |
| 2-year old crawling, toothless tyrant, certain | | | | Spend Quality Time |
| considerations will have to be made. Make sure that | | | | Unless you are mentally unhinged, a luxury vacation |
| you plan a destination where both you and your | | | | can never take the place of some quality time with |
| 2-year old boss will enjoy. | | | | your kid. So, going on a vacation without spending |
| Where on this sanity-forsaken planet can a parent | | | | some bonding time with your little dictator will have just |
| hope to find such a single-parent utopia? | | | | about as much the same desirable results as teaching |
| Have no fear. Be consoled by the fact that you are | | | | your dog stock market trading, as far as your |
| not alone. Thus, many vacation spots and island | | | | parent-child relationship is concerned. |
| resorts have taken your tragic situation into great and | | | | A time off alone with your kid in a different |
| active consideration. Many beach and island resorts | | | | environment is a perfect chance for you to see your |
| now have day care centers and play rooms or | | | | child in a different, better way. Walk around together. |
| nursery rooms with poor, harassed attendants. Adults | | | | Cuddle together. Take him on horseback rides on your |
| can now enjoy surfing and diving into the big blue while | | | | back. Although it hurts your back, who says mothers |
| kids, at the same time, can enjoy diving into the basin | | | | can't indulge their kids on horseback rides? |
| of red, blue and yellow balls of the playroom. Single | | | | Overall, vacationing with a drooling date can be a tad |
| parents will have the chance to unwind over a few | | | | cumbersome for a single parent. But the lifelong |
| margaritas with other adults while their children will | | | | emotional benefits it can bring to you and your child will |
| have the chance to interact and exchange tips on | | | | definitely be worth the hassle and be definitely worth |
| parent domination, incoherent whines and messy | | | | more than an expensive hour of lounging at your |
| "goo-goos" with other bald and drooling dictators their | | | | shrink's couch! |
| age. | | | | |