I stood at the airport gate, suitcase in hand, pretending I wasn’t checking my phone every three minutes for swim updates or updates in general. I was headed on a girls’ trip for just a couple days with my best friend to unwind, laugh, and simply worry about “me” for a change. But behind my excitement was a heart that ached, a mind running wild with “what-ifs,” and the ever-present tug of motherhood.
As a mom to a neurodivergent child, stepping away feels more layered than most people can understand. The routines. The safety. The emotional regulation. The meltdowns. The attachment. It’s not just leaving your child, it’s leaving a part of your identity behind and hoping everything holds together while you fill your own cup.
And even when things are going well at home, you still feel it…the mental check-ins, the guilt, the missing them even when you’re laughing over brunch or sipping something fruity on a beach. But here’s the truth I’ve learned: Do it anyway because I have to! I deserve to! Because taking care of myself is taking care of him.
Why Traveling Without Your Kids Is Necessary: Especially For Moms Like Us
Self-care is not optional when you’re raising a child with different needs. It’s a lifeline. And while taking your time to get out of the car and working out is great, sometimes you need something more, like a reset.
Just like working out helps my body and eases my stress, traveling helps recharge my soul. It gives me a moment to breathe, to connect with other women, and to feel free, even briefly, from the constant mental load.
And when I return, I’m not just refreshed…I’m a better mom. A more present wife. A clearer thinker. I return with renewed patience, fresh energy, and love that’s somehow grown deeper in just a few short days.
5 Tips for Traveling Alone as a Mom to a Neurodivergent Child
Prep, But Don’t Overwhelm Yourself Leave notes, schedules, and routines with whoever is helping, but also give yourself grace. They don’t have to be you…they just need to be kind, patient, and attentive.
Choose the Right Support System
Whether it’s a partner, parent, or trusted friend, make sure your child is with someone who knows and respects their needs. That peace of mind is everything.
Create a Check-In Plan That Works for You
Choose what keeps you grounded without hijacking your entire trip with anxiety.
Pack Your Comforts, Too Bring something familiar
Like a dinosaur, a playlist, or a picture that brings you calm when the emotions creep in.
Remind Yourself of the Bigger Picture You’re not abandoning your child. You’re modeling self-care. You’re teaching that mommies matter too. That love includes rest, balance, and coming back whole.
This journey of parenting isn’t just about showing up, it’s about how we show up. And sometimes that means stepping away, even when it’s hard, so we can come back with arms wider, hearts fuller, and spirits ready to face the next beautiful, messy day.
To every mama who’s struggling to say yes to herself, I see you. Take the trip! You deserve the sunlight, the laughter, the rest. Your baby will still be there when you return, and so will your purpose: stronger than ever!
Raising My Wired King 