Last summer, after much back and forth, I decided to strap up my boys and fly across country to meet up with my husband in San Diego.
His 2-week training trip for work was the perfect invitation for a reduced-cost family getaway, as our accommodations would be completely covered.
Through a stroke of last-minute luck, I managed to purchase very affordable plane tickets for myself and my oldest son, as my one-year old was still eligible for the fly-free status.
The second phase of my adventure was to figure out how to pack light for myself and my two children.
When you are flying solo with your children, one of the things you have to be particular about is your luggage.
In my opinion, the summertime is one of the best times to travel because you're free of excessive outerwear, you can pack light, and, if you pack strategically, you can limit yourself to one bag.
Remember, if you're traveling stateside, you usually can find a washer and dryer to handle your laundry, thus limiting excessive clothing.
However, if you're protesting doing laundry while on vacation and can't fit everything in one bag, this may be one of those times where you'll have to pay for convenience and peace of mind.
Lugging multiple bags on the plane while holding the hands and arms of vibrant little boys is one juggling act I don't suggest.
Here are a list of things that helped me survive my single parent flying adventure:

1. Got a ride from a friend who was kind enough to drop me off in my vehicle and park it back at my house.
   
2. Dressed myself and the boys in flip flops so I wouldn't have to worry about tying laces once we made it through security
3. Loaded a movie on my IPOD for my oldest son to watch.
   
4. Pre-made my toddler's bottles.
   I honestly don't appreciate the fact that TSA agents want to actually handle the child's bottle so that they can get a drop of milk to test it.
   They should let the moms handle the bottle and shake a drop of milk for them.
   If my son didn't drink organic milk, I'd forego packing filled bottles and just purchase milk for him in the airport.
   
5. Checked in my carry-on luggage and stuck with a baby bag and large purse.
   
6. Left the car seats at home and instructed my husband to rent a couple from the car rental agency.
   Interestingly enough, a lot of people travel with their children's car seats so many of the rental car companies have new car seats.
   So you don't have to be compulsive (like me) and get the heebie jeebies thinking about your child sitting in someone else's seat.
   
7. Strapped on the baby carrier.
   My toddler was at the carrier's weight limit but we made it work.
   There are carriers on the market for bigger children if you can appreciate the convenience of them and overlook some of their bulkiness.
   Having one definitely helps to free your hands.
   

By the time you survive the security check point and are sitting at the gate, you have accomplished arguably the largest feat of your trip.
I knew I had well over 6 hours of travel time ahead of me but I felt more than relaxed (although I didn't look it).
I happily requested to sit in the rear of the plane so that I could be closer to both the stewardesses and the bathroom.
I flew on Delta and the stewardesses on my flight from San Diego to Atlanta were the absolute best.
They saw me holding it down with the kids and provided me with extra cookies, a free pair of headsets for myself and my 5 year old, a complimentary glass of wine, helped me maneuver my toddler into the hobbit-sized bathroom, and provided a big dose of southern charm.
Their hospitality made a huge difference in my plane ride.
However, having pleasant flight staff these days is the luck of the draw.
The staff on my connection from Atlanta to San Diego weren't quite as hospitable.
At least they were the first part of the trip and not the last.
They set the bar low enough to where I didn't have any expectations for my next round of stewardesses.
By the time I returned home, after having to fly solo again with the kids, I felt like I had conquered the "traveling alone with kids" world.
All in all, I'd rather not do it, but at least I know now that I can do it.