Solo Parent Worldschooling: Understanding the Challenges and Learning from Real-Life Stories
- Rachel Carlson
- 4 days ago
- 21 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
Child taking a picture at the Acropolis during our 2022 Athens Pop-Up
To all parents traveling alone with kids, I see you! Whether you are a solo parent by choice, navigating through a separation or loss of a partner, guardian of a grandchild or other special human, or adventuring while the other parent stays home or fulfills their active military duties, your worldschool journey requires extra thought… and a serious amount of adulting.
Since my family started our worldschool journey in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of solo parents from around the world. In fact, a solid third of our Worldschool Pop-Up Hub attendees, and hosts, are solo parents! That’s worth repeating:
A solid third of our Worldschool Pop-Up Hub attendees, and hosts, are solo parents!
These parents continually inspire me. They prove that worldschooling isn’t just for dual-parent families. But it takes creativity… and effort... and courage… because not only do they have all the “regular” worldschool challenges, but there are many unseen hurdles a solo parent navigates alongside all the normal parental responsibilities.
I want to acknowledge the unique issues of worldschooling as a solo parent, share some stories from my solo friends, offer some resources, and chat about why worldschool community can bridge the gaps a solo parent faces when alone
The Unique Challenges of Solo Parenting while Worldschooling
To write this article, I reached out to some single and solo moms I know (yes, there are solo dads traveling, too, but overwhelmingly it’s the mums). I had such wonderful input that I ditched my original draft and have chosen to use their words as much as possible.
I’ll use italics for all direct quotes and color-code responses from the different moms.
Worldschooling as a single mum is just… a lot. It’s beautiful, it’s messy, and it’s definitely not what Instagram makes it look like. You’re the only adult, so you’re supposed to work like you don’t have a kid, and parent like you don’t have a job. And somehow, you do both kind of badly and brilliantly at the same time. ~EW
I love that she shared this perspective – though our society is full of single parents, the system isn’t really built for them. Yet somehow, the worldschooling solo parents find a way to do it all… and they do this without a travel partner to share ideas, or the daily tasks of running a household, or managing childrearing, educational choices, health & safety, and, of course, travel logistics.
And though there are challenges, solo parents overcome!
It’s not the glossy, carefree travel life people imagine. The unseen part is the exhaustion, the constant responsibility, the isolation etc. But, I have to say, from all of that over the years I acknowledge my own personal growth... the quiet strength I've developed from doing it all alone. ~CD
There’s no one to tag in. And this isn’t a sad thing, and I’m no victim. There’s absolute strength in my being able to do this. I do feel like a Warrior Queen. Every. Damn. Day! ~Kenya Wright
Here are specific challenges solo worldschooling parents face. Some have a spouse “back home” who can help in some manner, yet single parents have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders...
Popups in Seoul / Tallinn 2024
Carrying 100% of the Household Load
Solo parents aren’t just managing travel—they’re doing everything from logistics to emotional support for their kids: cooking, cleaning, laundry, educating, budgeting, managing bills, arranging healthcare, childcare, working, wiping all the noses, investing for the future, providing educational experiences, communicating with relatives, arranging playdates, household purchases, trash removal, filing taxes, disciplining children, caring for a sick child… and that’s only Mondays.
It’s just me. The one who books the flights. Pays the bills. Solves the math homework. Finds the next Airbnb. And keeps everybody’s passports from getting lost. I’ve come to think of myself as the CEO of a very small (at times dramatic) company with three employees. No HR. No backup. I handle finances, travel arrangements, healthcare, and emotional regulation. I’m the strategist, therapist, chef, teacher, and janitor. And if something goes wrong—if the flight’s delayed, the Airbnb cancels, or someone gets sick—there’s no one to tag in. ~Kenya Wright
Carrying 100% of the load is a big one! There are many days I wish someone else would just decide what’s for dinner. Or tell me which Airbnb to book. Or stand in that supermarket aisle and figure out what this strange and weird packet of what you think is noodles says. I remember one evening in Luxor, when the power suddenly went out halfway through cooking dinner. The whole house went pitch black. I tried to figure out what to do first... find my phone to use the torch, find food we had in to eat that didn't require cooking, or rescue my daughter, who was wailing from the bathroom with shampoo in her eyes and couldn't find her towel. There was no partner to call out to, no one to take over while I caught my breath. It was just me, as usual juggling it all, again. Those are the moments that hit me hardest. You don’t realise how much you carry until something small goes wrong and you’re reminded that you’re it. But, you find a way through because you have to. ~CD
Definitely, solo traveling requires organization, tracking multiple variables at once, and problem solving that comes up unexpectedly. This responsibility is not only during traveling but before and after as well. The planning is time-consuming and involves extensive research, partly in an effort to ensure everything goes smoothly while traveling. ~NDP
Like people who are single, I have no one I must share decisions with, and I can do whatever I want…or can I? I have a small human who relies on me. She’s nearly at the self-sufficient age to where I might feel comfortable leaving her alone for a little while I run an errand, and she can make her own breakfast, get dressed, clean her room, take the dog out, etc. But there are still days when she really needs guidance, and so do I. It’s hard and exhausting to be the sole person making all these decisions while also caring for another person who 100% relies on me. But I make it work. ~Kara M
Educational Choices
Whether this is for a full curriculum, online or in-person classes, attending an umbrella school, arranging specialty educational support, solo parents are often digging through all the choices on their own and creating a plan that works for them (and fits the legal requirements of their home country).
As a Black worldschooling mom raising three Black children, education carries an extra layer. I’m not just teaching academics. I’m teaching self-worth, cultural pride, and how to stand tall in spaces where we might be the only ones who look like us—and absolutely judged for it. ~Kenya Wright
My child has dyslexia and dyscalculia. The fancy programs in the US or UK? Not happening because of costs. We found one in South Africa: same quality, way cheaper. Bonus: it is a very friendly time zone for travel in Europe. ~EW
This is one of the biggest mental weights of solo travel parenting: the education piece... figuring out how to make sure the children’s learning needs are met (especially when their abilities, interests, and learning styles are so different). What I thought their education would be, to what it became, is dramatically different. Every choice, whether online classes, hubs, projects learning, or full-on unschooling was all on me to figure out… and not only that, but to plan, research, find resources, and fund. No small task by any means. It’s in those moments that I really feel the difference between being a solo parent and being part of a couple. When you travel as a family unit, there’s someone to share the decisions, to talk through the worries, to pick up the slack when you’re tired or unsure. As a solo mum, I carry it all, every doubt, every spreadsheet, every “am I doing this right?” conversation that never actually happens out loud. I make the final call, every time, because there’s no one else to make it with me. There are times I’ve had to remind myself that education doesn’t only happen in workbooks (thankfully, as they won't fit in the suitcase!). Still, it can be lonely carrying all the responsibility. No parent/teacher meetings, no school events, no clear milestones to reassure you you’re on track. But the worldschooling community has helped fill many of those gaps for us. Other parents who get it, who share resources, ideas, skills etc, not to mention reassurance when you need it most. We all know what it feels like to wonder if we’re doing “enough” -- and then there are the days when I see how capable the girls have become... confident, curious, adaptable, and I realise we’re doing ok. ~CD
2024 Popup in Baku Azerbaijan with Chess / Mini-Book Museum / Contrasting Architecture
Safety Concerns
Some of us might just think, “that’s simple, just travel to known safe areas” when visiting unfamiliar countries without another adult for backup. But it’s not just physical safety concerns.
Solo parents need plans in place for what happens in the case of an emergency. What if the parent has an accident or needs surgery? What if the parent breaks an arm and cannot carry groceries? Who’s available for emergency childcare?
Health and safety take on a whole new meaning when you’re travelling solo with kids. Every time someone gets a fever, every dodgy meal, every twinge of pain, I'm the one who has to stay calm, assess the situation, and decide what to do next. Figuring out medical care is part of travel whether you are a solo mum or not. But for me, the biggest thing has always been what if it’s me who gets sick? Especially if I get really sick or have a serious accident. I’ve had to make contingency plans, having local emergency numbers available for the girls, back-up families who they could contact for support, help, & advice. Making sure they know the process if need to use medical insurance for treatment. Making financial provision for both medical care and to get them to a place or with people they will be safe with and can care for them if needed. Copies of documents with friends should they be needed. It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but as a solo travelling mum, you must. ~CD
I don’t have parents or someone to check in with a text. There were a few years that I could have died, and no one would have known. ~JL
Because my daughter doesn’t have a father, I don’t have to deal with parental permissions and all the stress of a custody situation. I always have her birth certificate and passport with me when we travel, just in case. I have a will and Power of Attorney ready. But what do I do when I travel in a foreign place and something serious happens to me? The person who would take on my estate and guardianship always knows my travel plans and I carry their information with us. But there’s still the concern of what would happen in the moment. All I can do is trust my girl will be safe. ~Kara M
I’m generally actively taking notes of where the closest medical facility is located, figuring out transportation and whether or not it is wise to be out after dark/if transport ends at any particular time; I don’t hesitate to order a car if walking feels unsafe or I just don’t know an area well enough to make a judgement one way or the other. I travel with remedies for various ailments. I watch to see if there are any cultural differences concerning women and children. We’re not fear-based travelers and find the vast majority of locations to be entirely safe, but we do talk about situational awareness, keeping your “head on a swivel” in questionable situations, looking ahead, and considering the outcome of different choices (e.g., take the shorter dark alley path or walk around the block). Legitimacy/safety of tourist activities: We once found ourselves in a questionable fishing boat in Mexico that travelled a long distance across the open ocean to a sea cave where we were handed helmets and a pool noodle. We were told to jump in and swim through a tunnel with a very strong tide and rising waters that threatened to push us into the ceiling of the tunnel (hence the helmets). The guide was more interested in getting himself safely through the passage and paid little attention to his guests. I had to be very vocal in demanding he help my son, who was not yet a teen, get to safety as I did not have the strength to get myself through the current and help my son. We were absolutely breathless on the shore once we arrived safely. The thought of what could have happened in that situation still haunts me. When traveling solo, it’s definitely recommended to think things through and not be naive about what an experience could potentially be like. ~NDP
Buddies around the World -- Shots from Normandy, Agadir, & Astana [2023, 2025]
Co-Parenting, Sometimes with a Reluctant Ex
Though some single parents have supportive exes who appreciate the experiences their kids have abroad, not all ex-partners see the value. In fact, some might go out of their way to make travel extremely difficult for solo parents.
Then, there’s the custody stuff. If the other parent isn’t on the birth certificate, you’re lucky: no consent letters, no legal drama. But if they are, and they have rights, you need proper paperwork in place to travel. Otherwise, you risk being accused of parental abduction. It’s stressful and bureaucratic and one more thing to sort before you can even think about booking flights. ~EW
When I meet other solo parents, we talk about the exes. It’s hard for me to find out that other exes support worldschooling while mine does not (and has no good reason not to be supportive). I’ve kept the same surname as my ex… it’s a name I hate and obviously want to change. However, my son also has that surname and sharing a last name with him has made travel much easier for us. I’ve not had any questions going through borders. My ex is not supportive of our travels. He makes it very difficult for us, and we restrict our travel to shorter trips to appease him. If I ever needed to ask for permission for a longer trip, it would take ages to get him to comply. ~JL
I carry a notarized letter from my husband giving me permission to take our son everywhere we travel that is outside our passport country. I’ve never once had to show it, though my son has been questioned to verify he belongs to me. I keep my notarized, permission to travel letter updated in the same way I keep my passport valid. I use “Law Depot” for the convenience of their templates that make it easy to change the specifics of where we are traveling. I make copies of this letter and carry my son’s birth certificate, our marriage license, copies of all our passports and driver’s licenses (my husband’s as well). I separate the copies into two different plastic document folders and put them in separate carry-on bags, one of which is my son’s to ensure he has identification if we’re separated! It’s also worth mentioning that I travel with a travel-safe recommended by a retired police officer who I met at a world school event. It’s been a worthwhile investment to secure all our documents and other valuables. This is the exact safe: https://www.harborfreight.com/personal-portable-security-safe-64079.html ~NDP
Social Pushback or Misunderstanding or Resentment
Sometimes family members, peers, or even strangers may question the decision to worldschool. This can create emotional strain and self-doubt, even when the parent is confident in their choice.
Sometimes people try to relate to being a solo parent and say things like, “I’m basically a single parent because my husband works all week”—I don’t even know where to begin explaining how they can’t understand. ~JL
Sometimes there’s an underlying tension or misunderstanding I notice that has to do with the difference between married solo-travelers and single-parent solo-travelers (and also married couples who are critical of separating family units). Certainly, there are differences in the level of support and contributions between the different types of families traveling, both financially and emotionally. Still, it feels like a comparison and slight resentment that someone else’s situation is more difficult because of X Y or Z. Other times it’s an assumption that a marriage is unhappy and that the solo-traveling spouse is avoiding the other. ~NDP
Rome Playground | Lantern Fest Chiang Mai | Lisbon Sunset [All 2025]
Balancing Work and Worldschooling
Many solo parents juggle remote jobs, homeschooling, and travel logistics all at once.
And here’s the part I don’t talk about often: it can feel isolating. Most worldschoolers don’t work long hours. They have time to hang out, explore, be present. I’m working. A lot. I miss things. I skip things. I join events during lunch breaks or after hours. I’m always trying to balance it all, and sometimes it feels like I’m the only one doing it this way. ~EW
And then there are business decisions and related tasks that need to be made while traveling that sometimes require me to wear multiple hats at odd hours of the day and still be up and ready to go the next morning without a second adult to take over. I always make sure to extend our travels so that there are days built in to rest and acclimate. ~NDP
Even moving "slowly", it's hard sometimes having to always seek out the things you're comfortable with in every single city you decide to visit (e.g., finding organic food/meat, high quality supplements, chiropractic care if needed, etc.). Since I'm a full-time remote worker -- some of my solutions are to stay a minimum of 6 weeks (nothing shorter) and for travel days to be on weekends - hence the 6-week timeframe because I lose weekends. I do some of the shopping on a weekend as soon as I land, unless I land in a country where the markets are closed on Sundays! ~KF
As a full-time author doing this, work-life balance gets a bit tricky since my office is wherever the Wi-Fi works. I’ve written novels in cafés, airports, and hotel bathrooms while my kids slept. I’ve done podcast interviews while all three kids have food poisoning—vomiting, fever, diarrhea, etc. It can be chaos. But it’s ours. ~Kenya Wright
Maintaining a Feasible Budget
Not everyone earns US$ or EU€ or GB£, and for single-earner families this means much more plotting and planning ahead. It’s doable but takes time and energy to manage.
I earn in a currency that doesn’t stretch far in most of the places we travel. I also do not have child support, no benefits, just me. I work remotely as a climate analyst, which is rare for single mums. Most don’t get flexible corporate jobs. I’m lucky, but also permanently tired. To make worldschooling happen on my budget, we get creative. My daughter wants to learn French? We look at Morocco, not Paris. If we want to see Paris? We pet sit. I don’t just click Airbnb, I basically do a PhD in apartment hunting. And I’m good at it! Once I looked through local listings meant for displaced employees. Finding deals is my superpower. I help other families save money, too! On top of that, I’m trying to build something of my own, a business that could give me more freedom, more time, and maybe even a bit of breathing room. But building a business while working full-time and parenting full-time? It’s a slow climb. I’m still figuring it out. And yes, I sometimes envy the stay-at-home mums who travel without juggling meetings, calls, and deadlines. ~EW
Ipoh's Upside Down House | Montreal Playground | Sarajevo Hugs [2025]
Emotional Fatigue & Limited Adult Connection
Constant decision-making and caregiving without regular breaks can be exhausting… not to mention social time for the parent can be scarce when interactions revolve around their children.
There have been times when I realised I hadn't had an adult conversation in days. There’s often no one to share the quiet evening glass of wine with, no one to vent to when you’ve hit decision overload, no one to debrief after a hard day. There have been nights where I’ve sat on a balcony after the girls are asleep, watching the world go by and feeling that ache for adult connection. It’s a different kind of loneliness, because you’re never truly alone, but you’re always the only grown-up. ~CD
Definitely, it can be exhausting being the only adult managing the needs of a child for an extended period of time. It’s gotten easier as we move through the teen years. There’s little to no space for my own self-care beyond the usual day to day like showering, caloric intake, etc. without feeling guilty that my son is bored and lonely. I do incorporate my own interests in our sightseeing while traveling. It’s a delicate balance finding activities that satisfy us both. It’s best in a group with other kids my son’s age. That way if we’re at a site/activity that is not of interest to him, there is less likely to be boredom or complaining, and I am not guilt ridden that I’m wasting his time making him wait for me to fulfill my own needs. ~NDP
I don't always get to experience or participate in the events when in community due to working full-time, which was sometimes challenging especially when my daughter was younger and needed more guidance. She's grown so much that she can now move about a city on her own or with a friend. Another challenge is not always having the opportunity to meet with everyone in the community. It's easier during month long events but a bit harder during 1-week events. ~KF
There’s also an invisible fatigue that never fully leaves my bones. Lots of doubt too. I’m constantly questioning myself. Am I giving the kids enough structure? Enough stability? Enough preparation? Did this decision ruin their lives? I've learned to choose peace over perfection. I also got a digital nomad therapist three years ago who helps me remain mentally balanced and decently sane. ~Kenya Wright
There have been times when I second guessed everything. When I looked at friends back home, with their tidy routines, celebrating passing exams and getting places in college... and I've wobbled, wondered if I was doing the right thing. Was I giving them enough structure? Enough social time? Enough challenge? Too much challenge? Those doubts creep in mostly late at night, or when either they or I got frustrated by something I couldn't explain as well as a teacher could (thank goodness for google!). ~CD
HOW HUBS HELP
In their own words, these solo mums share some of their best reasons how finding worldschool community helped their family's journey:
Challenge Our Beliefs: Finding other traveling families helped me break out the mold that my ex built telling me that I can’t do this… meeting solo parents and other worldschoolers continue to show me that I can! ~JL
Kids Have Community: During hubs, the kids self-organize. They move in packs. And if one disappears, there’s always the WhatsApp group: “Anyone seen my kid?” Usually someone replies, “Yes, with us,” or I get a message: “Mum, I’m alive,” with a blurry selfie from some random corner of the town. Sleepovers happen, kids show up for breakfast while I’m on a call with the Singapore government, pretending to be in my hometown, and someone asks if I’m calling from a church because Greek music is blasting in the background. Just a regular day of a worldschooling single mum. ~EW
Making Connections for Future Travel: Earlier this year we met a fulltime traveling family at a worldschool hub, and they said they’ll be in Morocco, so my son and I plan to join them. In the meantime, we met another solo mom/kid at a popup who are also interested in seeing Morocco. We’ll go together and share accommodation. This is our first time seeing preexisting friends in other countries and intentionally traveling with another solo mum family. My son is so excited! ~JL
Making Connections for Future Travel: If there’s one thing that has made this life possible for us, it’s community. Travelling solo with my girls has felt isolating at times, no extended family nearby, no built-in network of friends, no regular routines to help us feel grounded. Our friends may well be scattered across the world, but with a bit of intentional planning, and a bit of extra effort, the fact that some of our best friends are often on the opposite side of the world has become a non-issue. ~CD
Validation: It’s so nice to meet a bunch of people and immediately realise we share the belief that travel is important and will make it work one way or another (school holidays, other diverse ways to travel). It’s so important to have others that know this is worth the effort. ~JL
Support Network: And there have been times when it’s all caught up with me, the burnout, the decision fatigue, the travel fatigue. Moments where I’ve thought, we can’t keep going, we need to stop. Nights where I've cried and cried, where I've felt so alone. Wondering why and is it worth it. Thankfully, at those times, I’ve had the best worldschooling friends who’ve “caught” me. They’ve given me somewhere soft to land, to breathe, to recharge. They've been on the end of WhatsApp for calls/video catch ups, or often in the next apartment down. When you’re travelling as a solo mum, community is everything. It’s the difference between barely coping and surviving those hard times. ~CD
Support Network: I have learned meditation and exercise are key components of stress management but at the heart of my stress management strategies, as is the community of friends and “chosen family” I’ve created. They lift me up when I’m down, they provide suggestions, they remind me of my goals, and love me for who I am. So, while I have no one to help at 3 a.m. when my daughter has a fever that spikes or when I am ill, I feel more supported than I ever did while married. ~Kara M
Multiple Layers of Support: There is tremendous value in the support I’ve received in hubs: help in identifying new locations to travel to; being in close proximity to other families who share a similar lifestyle and are supportive; exposure to differing worldview, parenting styles, cultures, and backgrounds of other participants; companionship for my only child and myself. Comfort/safety in numbers and the opportunity to spend time separate from my son, he with his peers and me with other adults. ~NDP
Multiple Layers of Support: We show up for each other. Sharing teaching resources, passing on leftover groceries, or helping you navigate a medical system in a new country. We swap skills, share stories, and create small, temporary villages wherever we are. It’s community built on generosity, trust, and empathy. And it’s not just the practical help, it’s the emotional support too. Knowing there are people who understand the highs and lows, who celebrate your wins and gently lift you when you’re struggling, makes all the difference. We may all be moving in different directions, but the connections run deep. ~CD
Community: Because what I’ve learned most is that solo doesn’t mean alone. There’s a global sisterhood of mothers carving out their own unconventional paths. We may not share blood, but we share understanding. When we find each other, it’s like exhaling after holding your breath for too long. ~Kenya Wright
You Get Adopted. Not officially, but by the community. Especially if you have an only child, people just take you in. Last week, my daughter had a cold, I worked nonstop, and instead of grocery shopping on Saturday, we took a day trip. By Sunday at 1 a.m., we had no food, no toilet paper. She messaged her friend: “I need food and toilet paper.” Five minutes later, it was at our door. I didn’t feel like the best mum, but also wow. We made it work. ~EW
You Get Adopted: My kiddo gets to participate in many of the activities (even if I can't) because ultimately another parent will take her under their wing (that has been the single thing that I've been most appreciative of!). ~KF
It's the Best: It’s hard. It’s full-time work, full-time travel, full-time parenting. But it’s also the best. And we wouldn’t do it without community. What do I love most? When families live close and kids roam between houses like it was in the 90s. No WhatsApp scheduling. Just teens knocking on the door asking, “Can your kid hang out?” ~EW
Not Alone: For me, worldschooling stopped being about just travel or education a long time ago. It became about community. Where can we find community for all of us, where are our friends heading, where is there a pop-up hub that we can use as an anchor point for all the other wonderful families we have met throughout the world to come together? That’s what makes this lifestyle sustainable for us, knowing that even though I travel with just me and my girls, I know we are not alone, even when we are thousands of miles apart from the friends we have made, and those friends are just as willing to be intentional about coming back together at every opportunity we can. ~CD
Circles of Friends: Melaka | Ipoh | London | Lisbon x2 | Sibiu [All 2025]
SELF EMPOWERMENT
There is no doubt in my mind that solo parents have found their calling and know their efforts are making a huge difference for their families and themselves. I love to hear it in their own words:
So with the good and the bad, I would never trade this life. My children have learned that stability doesn’t have to mean stillness—that freedom can look like us: loud, brown, joyful, complicated, and brave. And that makes all of this worth it in the end. ~Kenya Wright
And yet, travelling solo means I've been able to form some of the deepest friendships I could have hoped for. Other worldschooling parents who get it have shown up for me without me needing to explain. That being said, being a solo travelling mum means I have had to be a bit braver, I have had to look for opportunities to make connections, create the opportunities and take them when they are offered. Those connections have kept me going. They’ve reminded me that being strong doesn’t mean doing it all alone 100% of the time. Knowing when it’s time for me to reach out, ask for help, and be supported. Because no matter how much I love this life, there are days when it’s heavy. ~CD
Travel changes you in ways you can’t predict until you are in it. It’s not only the history and culture of the travel location… but connecting with others in community where this change happens. I’ve lost count of the interesting individuals I’ve met and the stories I’ve heard while traveling that have permanently altered my perceptions of humanity and broadened my worldview for the better. It’s the people you travel with who share these experiences with you that are remembered fondly. ~NDP
Could I be just a single mum, not a worldschooling single mum? Honestly… not really. You get used to the rhythm. We have a home base, but if we stay there more than two weeks, something shifts. We start casually browsing flights, checking out new hubs, asking “Where next?” And before we know it, we’re packing again. ~EW
Additional Strengths to Celebrate
And let's not forget they're doing this on their own. Whether they have support from home, or not, solo parents are forging a path of self-growth:
Courage – Stepping outside the “normal life script” is already bold, but to do it alone without an adult partner, takes extra nerve.
Adaptability – Solo parents must be master problem-solvers, figuring out creative solutions to obstacles many of us do not need to navigate alone.
Resourcefulness – Solo parents are adept with stretching a budget, reworking logistics to match their work needs, and making the most of what they have to support their children alongside their travel goals.
Self-Reliance —The ability to make all the decisions (without external input) means solo parents are continually practicing trusting their own judgment.
Community Building —Solo parents know the value of support networks, they naturally prioritize & contribute to communities and build networks for their children (and hopefully themselves, too).
Role-Modeling Strength & Resilience—The kids get a firsthand view of independence and determination… real-life scenarios are excellent teachers.
Rome l Almaty | Sarajevo | Rome [2025]
Building a Support Network
I highly encourage solo parents to create a strong support network. Connecting with like-minded families can ease the mental load, provide companionship, and build confidence to continue the journey.
Speaking with experienced solo parents, whether online or in person, can offer valuable insights. Consider joining Facebook groups focused on solo parenting & travel to share experiences, ask questions, and even find potential travel companions. Here are some groups to check out:
And consider joining worldschool hubs and other places where traveling families gather. There are some pointers in these blogs:
So, to all the solo parents out there: keep exploring, keep learning, and most importantly, keep being so freaking awesome! Hats off to you!
What else do you want to add? Please comment below:
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