To ask if you take your children out alone

If it's hard work I'd go with DH until they're a bit older and stick to smaller days out when it's just you. These answers aren't really relevant as all DC are different, the thing to go by is how much 1-1 focus your own DC need to make the day enjoyable and whether 1 person can manage that amd have an enjoyable day without it just being stressful.

Completely depends on the children, their ages and where you’re going. I couldn’t take my baby and eldest out to a big day alone as my eldest has additional needs and found the days generally overwhelming and it would always end with a meltdown I couldn’t manage by myself with a baby. Now they’re both a bit older (neither babies or toddlers) I can do it as my eldest can articulate when they need to leave.

Before we realised my eldest had additional needs and wasn’t just a “terrible 2”, people were pretty rude that I found it so difficult. Be kind to yourself and do what works for you.

Yes, I take them away for weekends/short breaks by myself too (I have 3). Have done this since they were babies/toddlers.

There's only me and her, so yes, all the time.

One of my happiest memories comes from when my children were both nursery age, so didn't have to be there. If it was a sunny June or early July day, I'd very occasionally ring in and say we weren't coming in, rearrange my freelance work, and we would drive down to the coast for the day. I felt sorry my husband was in the office, but I wasn't going to miss some precious beach time in the sun.

Yes, as does DH. It's easier now they're a bit older (preschool & primary) but i still took them both out even when the youngest was a baby. I wouldn't take them swimming by myself but now my eldest is a competent swimmer I probably would.

I took DD to a theme park when she was 5, and to London for a show when she was 6, however I made that easier to navigate by booking a hotel very close to the theatre so we didn't have to traipse across the city. That said we did go for a wander and got a bit lost, but Google maps saved the day 😂 I admit I don't know if I could have handled 2 though, doing those trips. I probably would have waited till they were a few years older.

Of course!
Why should what they get to do be restricted to having 2 adults present all of the time.
(Excluding any possible medical/safety requirements etc).

I go on lots of adventures with my 1 year old and 3 year old and did during my maternity leave too.

We go on days out to far away national trust places and on Hikes or to visit far away friends.

I’m so grateful for the memories and the time we get to spend together.

In some ways I find those day trips easier than when we do a big day out with DH because my expectations are different. I expect to have to do everything and I think generally the expectations are lower if I’m on my own. I still enjoy it though and the solo trips come with a sense of achievement.

Yes! Always have done and often find days out just me and kids (there are 3 of them now, but often took my 2 nieces as well so would be 4/5 children and just me) more chilled as DH is always stressed about crowds/leaving early before traffic etc and doesn't let them play for long in the playgrounds because eg "we've come to see the animals not play in park - could have done that at home for free" whereas I'll make a day of it happy to let them play as long as possible and tire them out maybe even get dinner on way home and take their pjs in car so if they fall asleep on way home easy transfer to bed!! But I used to be a childminder and work in preschools so was used to wrangling multiple small children!

However, if it was a theme park I would go with DH as sometimes one child might not want to do a particular ride and it wouldn't be fair to make all the others miss out or if one needed the loo while in a queue etc it's just easier to split up and do some rides separately.

I generally try to avoid it. My kids are quite hard work. Looking back I suspect me and my older sibling were similar. One is ND with a diagnosis and the other is likely ND but without. Both stubborn and the younger one always thinks they know better than adults about everything. Both constantly asking questions, and will happily say what they see whether their opinion is welcome or not. One is socially immature and still has the odd tantrum in public (year 7) but looks like a teen.
I'm thinking of a trip to the West End in the summer for us to see 'Oliver'. It's just one train line for us now, and I'd like to take both, but think it will have to be a family trip with DH too.

Yes. Whilst we love days out and holidays as a family, DH and I can often have different work schedules or different interests. I often take DC for a little weekend away without DH. I don't drive due to health, so managing three on public transport can be a lot, but it's worth it.

Yes, all the time, especially when they were pre-school and I was at home with them all day, I actually found it easier to head out for the day than try and keep them entertained at home. I've taken 3 under the age of 10 to Paris for the weekend on my own, that was pushing it a bit 😂

This reminds me of that post called ‘when do you stop sitting in the back seat of the car with the baby’ it took a few posts but it turned out the mom was sitting in the back seat beside the baby car seat for every journey. The baby was not a newborn, this was their way of life.

It was really amazing to most people here. As this is.

Why on Earth would I ask? They're half of me, I had a very pivotal role bringing them in to the world. I carried them and birthed them. Absolutely they come on big days out with me. I have even taken them away for 5 nights. I don't ask. It's a case of giving some notice and saying between x and y dates, me and the children are away in <rough area eg forest of dean>.

Took my 3 to Disneyland Paris this summer on my own, including driving there via eurotunnel. Was quite proud of myself tbh.

Why on earth wouldn’t I? It would be incredibly restricting to wait til another person was available, even if in a relationship.

We both work FT so big days out happen at the weekend when we're all together. But yes, now they're a bit older (youngest is 4) I would if it suited and DH wasn't available. When they were little I wouldn't have bothered as I wouldn't have enjoyed it.

Yes, if husband is working or doing something else. And he takes them for days out if I'm working or have plans with friends.

I did because DH worked away. When they were old enough, they took a friend each too. It worked really well.

Depends! I've taken them to London/ museums etc without dh, but bigger things e.g. Disney, dinosnores at the nhm, centre parcs, longleat, holidays etc have always been as a family. Not because I couldn't do them alone, but neither of us would want to miss out.

No I don't. We always do big days out as a family. Partly because I had twins so both kids wanting to do the same stuff. Partly because I don't drive. Mostly because we enjoy going out together and money is tight so don't do loads of big stuff.

Yes. I prefer it if a friend comes as it's more fun for me, but if none are free I'd just go anyway. I did avoid London unless DH was with me until youngest was out the buggy as I couldn't manage the buggy on trains/tube on my own, but other than that went most places. Our local theme park has a lot of family rides so DS didn't mind too much not going on stuff DD couldn't.

Why? It's a completely normal question

Never even crossed my mind that I shouldn’t be doing this. Have been all over the place with my two, including many holidays and trips abroad.