Planning a big international trip sounds fun—until you’re juggling it between Zoom meetings, school drop-offs, and late-night emails. As a solo parent with a full-time job, here’s how I actually manage to plan complex travel (and stay sane-ish while doing it).
🕒 1. Start Sooner Than You Think You Need To
The earlier you start, the more options you have—especially for flights and hotels. I usually start researching 6 months out and booking by the 4-month mark. It helps me pace things and avoid last-minute stress.
⏳ 2. Use the Power of Microtasks
I rarely get long stretches to “sit down and plan the trip.” Instead, I chip away at it:
- 15 minutes to look at flights during a lunch break
- 10 minutes before bed to shortlist hotels
- A quick scroll of kid-friendly activities while waiting in the carpool line
It all adds up.
🧳 3. Outsource Strategically
I’m not above asking for help. Whether it’s using a travel agent, a pre-made itinerary, or asking ChatGPT for a list of things to do with kids in London (true story), delegation is your friend.
📅 4. Anchor Around Key Dates First
If you only have a fixed window (like spring break or summer vacation), set those dates early and plan around them. It narrows your choices in a good way and makes it easier to say no to FOMO.
✅ 5. Book What Matters Most First
Flights, hotels, and any time-sensitive activities (like Harry Potter Studios) get booked first. Everything else can be filled in later. It gives me peace of mind knowing the big pieces are locked in.
✨ 6. Accept That It Won’t Be Perfect
There will be moments where you feel overwhelmed, or double-booked, or you forget something. That’s okay. I remind myself that the trip doesn’t have to be flawless—it just has to be fun.
💬 Final Thoughts
Planning a big trip while working full-time and solo parenting isn’t easy, but it’s 100% doable. It’s not about having tons of free time—it’s about using the small moments to build something meaningful.
And when I’m finally sitting on a plane with my daughter, snacks in hand and adventures ahead—it’s worth every late-night spreadsheet and frantic to-do list.
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