I HAD ONE OF MY MY BEST-WRIES BECAUSE I LEFT MY FAMILY BEBIND

Less than one hour into my Flight from New York City to Vancouver, I Knew I’d Done the Right Thing.

I was watching the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing” on the Seat-Back TV Screen, and wow, did it make me with Feel Good.

This was one of my first solo trips with my family SINCE MY KIDS WERE BORN IN 2008 and 2010. The others were briefs Visits to my elderly pars in the uk.

IT FELT Good to Be Independent

I were wounded by whining about how the journey was taching or demands for blankets, for which some budget airlines have been know to charge.

I’d also been spared the stress i’d absorbed from my ultra-cautious husband, who nicknamed “Travel dad” durying trips, about getting to the gate an hour beside boarding.

My Husband Always Took Charge of Trips. It was good to be more Independent and not relay on Him.

I recently saw a hilarius cartoon that showed a family achievement at an airport before it was ede built. The Prudent Father Had insisted they show up Early for their Flight. He Could have been my husband.

Somehow, i’d come to relete on Him to handle the passports and navigate the airport, which made me with subordinate and lazy.

I BOOKED MY VACATION ON THLESDAY AND WAS ON THE PLANE BY SUDAY. The flighs were Expensive Becuses they were Last-Minute, but I was between jobs. I wanted to make good use of my time before I returned to an office.

The Entire Trip Was Freeing. Although I was only in vancouver for four days, it felt great to make my own decisions with the Having to the family first.

My 30-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW LIVES IN THE CITY AFTER AFTER FROM OUR NATIVE UK, but he was of tied up with his at a five-star hotel and too busy to show me around.

I SELF-CONSCIOUS AS A LONE Traveler-but it didn’t Last Long

One of the highlights was my sea-watching tour on a zodiac. My son has haad a phobia of Open Water for More than a decade, so I grabbed the rare opportunity to ride on a speed boat.

I was self-conscious as the only passenger on my own. But as soon as we were Boarded, chatted to an Older Couple from Australia Enjoying a round-the-World Cruise. They told me about their experiences and how they next stop was Japan. The Woman Tapped with the Arm Wenever She Spotted Something Interesting, Like A Porpoise.

That Night, i Dined at My Nephew’s Hotel. Instead of Scolding My Husband and Children for Staring at their Phones in the Restaurant, Happily People-Watched while Sipping a Cocktail.

The Lone Sitting Next to Me Struck Up A Conversation. She was a law professor from Toronto who was visiting Vancouver for a conference.

IT’S NOT SELFISH TO LEAVE YOUR FAMILY BEBIND TO HAVE A SOLO BREAK

I was fascinated when she described her work. Then she asced with quests about my 30 -ear Journalism Career. I would never have engaged with a stranger if my family were there.

Unfortunately, of Flew Home the Following Day. This time, i didn’t watch a movie but spent ages looking at the photos – many were unflattering selfies – i’d takeen in vancouver.

Now I’m Encouraaging My Mom Friends to Follow My Lead. I’ve told say it is not Selfish. I Hope they’ll a well-earned solo break from the Daily Grind.

Do you have a story about solo travel as a parent? Please item details to this reporter at jridley@insider.com