How Solo Travel Can Make You a Better Parent (and How to Plan It)

Being a parent in the Philippines often means juggling many roles. You’re a partner, caregiver, house manager, budget planner, peacekeeper, teacher and more. When you’re wrapped up in everyone else’s needs, you end up forgetting to take care of yourself. Even when you want to, acts of self-care, such as taking a day off or indulging in solo travel, can trigger serious parenting guilt.

But once you get over the crushing anxiety of booking some me-time, a child-free trip can be surprisingly powerful for your parenting. Solo travel doesn’t have to be glamorous or mahal. It’s about stepping out of your everyday routine to recharge, so you can be a stronger, calmer, and more confident mom when you return.

According to a study published in Current Issues in Tourism, women who manage multiple responsibilities—such as work and caregiving—reported that solo travel helped them reconnect with themselves away from daily family and work demands. While younger women often travel alone for exploration, middle-aged women, including mothers, found greater emotional clarity and personal growth through solitude.

The same study notes that solo travel can also serve as a coping mechanism for moms who are overwhelmed with the changes that come with parenting, such as a new birth or even separation from a spouse.

Still can’t get past the hurdle of your parenting conscience? Here’s why and how even a quick weekend break can benefit not just your well-being.

How Solo Travel Can Help Parents Recharge and Parent Better

The hardest hurdle when it comes to solo travel? Giving yourself permission. Once you do, you’ll appreciate how a little self-care can turn you into a better parent.

Solo travel is not about escaping your family. It’s about replenishing your energy so you can show up better for them.

1. You discover and strengthen your confidence.

As a parent, you often feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Tama ba ang ginagawa ko? Tama ba ang desisyon ko? Tama ba ang payo ko?

However, when you travel alone, everyday decisions, such as planning how to get somewhere, choosing what to eat, or solving small problems, become entirely your responsibility. This kind of independence boosts self-esteem because you remember you can do things on your own. And that, for the most part, no matter what you decide, things end up okay.

For parents, this renewed confidence carries over when you return home, helping you feel more capable and less prone to second-guessing yourself. Your kids will also benefit from seeing you calm and put-together.

2. You get a break from everyday stress.

This is perhaps the most obvious reason to indulge in some solo travel. After all, even parents need the occasional day off!

Daily routines in a busy home, such as balancing chores, work, kids, biyenan problems, and financial concerns, can wear you down. Fortunately, a trip offers a break from that constant mental load. Without the usual responsibilities, your brain gets space to relax and reduce stress—benefits you’re sure to get with solo travel, according to a 2025 Maharishi International University study.

Further research on solo travel also consistently shows improved emotional regulation and greater life satisfaction. Even short trips can act like a “mental reset button” so you return calmer. Fewer breakdowns in front of your kids? Win!

3. You build resilience and problem-solving skills.

When you travel on your own, unexpected things can happen: buses are late, Google maps fail, tickets go missing! Handling these situations builds resilience and teaches you to think on your feet and be resourceful.

Travel can strengthen your ability to adapt, your emotional resilience, and your decision-making skills. These are tools you can also use when parenting gets tough, like managing tantrums, handling school issues, or adapting to new family phases. After navigating through delayed flight plans and translation woes, negotiating between two fighting toddlers becomes a breeze.

4. You learn to be present and mindful.

Admit it, Mom and Dad. Sometimes, you parent on autopilot. Child-rearing can be overwhelming and sometimes you just try to get through. Solo travel pulls you out of survival mode. Instead of rushing between tasks or reacting to everyone else’s needs, you become more aware of your surroundings, thoughts, and feelings.

This kind of mindfulness has benefits, such as better stress management, clearer thinking about your priorities, and greater emotional awareness.

When you come back home, that presence can help you be more patient with your children, especially on hard days.

5. You connect with others in new ways.

It may seem surprising, but traveling alone often leads to more social interaction, not less. When you’re on your own, you’re more likely to talk with locals, other travelers, or people you meet along the way. These new connections can broaden your perspective and help you understand different ways of life and family dynamics.

These experiences can help you become more empathetic, bring new ideas back into how you raise your children, and appreciate diversity and cultural differences.

According to the aforementioned Maharishi International University, solo travel unlocks unique opportunities for self-discovery, meaning-making, and psychological growth. Knowing there’s a world beyond your everyday life can help you raise globally curious kids too!

8 Solo Travel Tips

Plan a trip that is doable for you. You wouldn’t want your vacation to be just as overwhelming as staying at home.

If the idea of traveling alone feels exciting and scary at the same time, that’s completely fine. Most Filipino parents are experts at planning trips for everyone else, but rarely for themselves. Solo travel doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a bit of intention and preparation, it can be doable and surprisingly guilt-free.

1. Start with a local getaway.

First tip? ‘Yong madaling puntahan! This leaves you less room for excuses about not going away.

You don’t need an international flight or a complicated itinerary to benefit from solo travel. In fact, starting local is often better. Choose a nearby province, beach town, or a quiet city two to four hours away by bus or car. Even a staycation can do the job, provided your kids don’t start banging on your door. Shorter travel time means less exhaustion, lower cost, and fewer “what if” worries—perfect for first-time solo travelers.

2. Keep safety simple and smart.

Safety doesn’t require fancy gear or extreme planning. Let your family know where you’re staying and when you expect to be back. Book accommodations with many recent reviews, preferably those with front desks or on-site staff.

In your travel bag, always store your phone, a power bank, and just enough cash for the day’s itinerary. Have photocopies of your ID and tickets stored separately from the originals. Make sure to have travel insurance, too! These small preparations go a long way to help you feel calm and confident throughout the trip.

3. Set clear, practical intentions before you go.

Instead of big emotional goals, keep your intentions simple and realistic. Ask yourself questions like: “Gusto ko bang makatulog nang maayos?” or “Gusto ko bang makapag-isip nang tahimik?” or “Gusto ko lang bang walang nangungulit sa akin for one weekend?” Having a clear intention helps guide your decisions, so the trip feels purposeful without pressure.

4. Journal or take photos.

You don’t need a fancy journal or aesthetic photos. Writing a few sentences in your phone’s notes app or taking simple photos of meals, views, or quiet moments can help you reflect later. Recording what made you feel calm, happy, or relieved helps you recognize what you actually need in everyday life, not just while traveling.

However, you don’t have to keep posting in real time. Posting less (or after the trip) helps you stay present and reduces pressure to “prove” that the trip was worth it. This is your break, not a means for content creation.

5. Schedule rest on purpose.

Don’t wait until you’re exhausted before resting. Intentionally block time for slow moments each day, like a long breakfast, an afternoon nap, or a quiet walk. Treat rest as part of your plan, not a reward after doing something productive. Giving yourself permission to slow down is often the hardest part, but it’s also where the biggest benefits come from.

6. Limit your daily to-do list.

Avoid packing your travel itinerary! Choose just one main activity per day and let the rest of the day flow naturally. This keeps the trip restful instead of turning it into another task to manage.

7. Decide ahead how often you’ll check in at home.

Separation anxiety can disrupt your R&R. Agree on a simple check-in schedule with your spouse. Perhaps once in the morning and another at night will suffice. This reassures your family while also protecting your headspace. Constant messaging pulls you back into the mental load you’re trying to take a break from.

8. End the trip gently.

On your last day, don’t rush or overplan. Give yourself time to pack calmly, reflect, and mentally prepare to go home. Ending the trip gently makes it easier to carry that calm energy back into your daily life.

Mom and Dad, solo travel doesn’t need to be difficult. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself and your kids will enjoy the perks of a healthy, happy parent, too! Tried traveling alone? Share your experiences on the ParenTeam Moms and Dads Facebook Group.