Moms, kids take wing

Swati Rai

The travel ecosystem has seen many new trends — some emerging, others just a fad, and still others, here to stay. Ask around in your circle of friends, and you’ll see a new one — that of mothers travelling with their kids. No, these are not just solo or yolo moms, these are women who are holidaying with their kids, minus the husband.

Why go solo?

The reasons are many. For Delhi-based travel blogger Mridula Dwivedi, it is a choice the family has made because her and her husband’s holiday plans don’t match. “Two things made us go on a holiday without my husband. One, it is difficult to coordinate everyone’s leaves. Two, he is least interested in destinations like Hong Kong Disneyland, whereas I thought the kids would enjoy the place a lot.”

And they do. Sometimes it comes naturally and, at times, they are made to appreciate things they would otherwise not give a damn about. Goa-based travel writer and mum of two, Amina Mahfooz Azad says, “We move out often to break the monotony of our lives. Our holidays serve many purposes. We experiment a lot with food. Adventure activities are a big part of a trip and walking tours to explore art and heritage are very important if we are going to an unfamiliar place… With bored and broody kids along, yes, but it has to be done!”

Noida-based entrepreneur and mother to a three-year-old daughter, Nazia Erum sees a rise in this kind of holiday and perceives it as an extension of women travelling alone — married or single. “I figured that while we take quick getaways before having a kid, we don’t go for them post one. I thought that if we do more of this, we instill an independent streak in the kids too. This normalises solo woman travel and makes kids better people,” she says.

With the times

Single moms may be the torchbearers to a brave new world, but the ‘happily married’ ones are taking control of their lives too and leaving their husbands behind if the need be. Psychologist Vandini Setia views the emergence of nuclear families and the fading away of the taboo of a single woman traveller as the two main reasons behind the growth in such travels. 

“As far as possible, the family tries to take a vacation together. Yet, there are moments when your spouse can’t join. Work is important, yes, but it is equally important to spend quality time with children. In such situations, single parent and child holidays are the answer.”

Travel smart

It is not unusual then that the hospitality sector is coming up with dedicated services for mothers travelling with kids. From play pens to oganised hikes, fireless cookery sessions to experiential sessions, it offers all. Azad has seen hotel staff go out of the way to make sure that moms and kids are attended to. Activities are planned for the kids to enjoy and keep busy throughout the holiday. “Most hotels have dedicated services for single women travellers and they do look after them well.”

Manheer Singh Sethi, co-founder of Travkart.com, says service companies lay stress on the safety of mom-kid travellers and custom make programmes. “Security measures are taken up on priority for these travellers. Accommodation, transport and tours are major components chosen carefully and in locations ideal for easy commuting within the city centre. We also prefer female guides wherever possible. The option of group tours has also been introduced. These are safe and friendly for women and kids,” he says.

Interestingly, there is also a reverse trend of dads taking the time out and travelling with kids. That is true of Dwivedi’s husband, who takes the little lady on trips without the mother. And therein lies another story for another day. 

Dos and don’ts

• We can’t emphasise the importance of good planning. Fix dates, plan as per season and holidays in school and, most importantly, keep a buffer time between coming back from the vacation and joining work for you and school for the kiddo.
• Carry that bag of crayons and colouring books for your toddler to keep away from the TV at the hotel. For older kids, their favourite skateboard and books to refrain from over indulgence in technology.
• Connect with the hotel staff before reaching. Inform them that you are arriving with kids. Give them enough time to do up the activity room if lying underused and plan hikes and picnics for the mom-kid bonding sessions. 
• Keeping extra of everything — starting with diapers, safety pins, serviettes, wipes — basically everything you can lay your hands on.
• Don’t plan too many shopping visits.
• Don’t try to pack in too much in a day as it may turn counter-productive by tiring the kids. The idea is to have fun and not tire them.
• Carry a diary for the kids to scribble their notes on the day.
• The medicine chest at home should ideally go with you with medicines to avoid motion sickness and sea sickness, depending on the kind of holiday.
• See it as a time to bond with the kid. Volunteer for more hands-on activity.