Think being a single parent and travel don't mix? Things are changing that will make a trip with the kids much easier.

Being a single parent trying to travel with your kids can be a very daunting task.  Not only do you have to worry about your kids, you have to come up with a way to occupy yourself.

Often times kids have a great time at family oriented resorts but the parent is alone.  Most of the other guests are usually couples or have no kids.  For a single parent this type of vacation can be a lonely experience.  Now, many resorts offer packages and rates geared to the single parent looking for more in their vacation than reading and watching the kids.

Top Picks:

Vacations for Single Parents at Travelocity. You can plan your trip on your own or get help and advice from one of their travel experts.

Orbitz Travel - Leading online travel company offering single travelers a wide selection of low airfares, as well as deals on lodging, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and other travel options.

These new offers are sensitive to the financial constraints of single parents, and come up with itineraries that are single-parent friendly at all levels, including costs and the chance to meet other like-minded single parents.  Most of the travel industry is geared toward the stereotypical mold of two adults and two kids.  These new programs realize that not every family falls into that mold.

They are trying to make the world of travel a better place for single parents.  With a lot of these programs if you want, you and your kids get to hang out with the same single parents and their kids every day.  You’re together, you take part in the same activities, it’s easy, fun and convenient.  Because not everyone needs the same amount of togetherness, most of these trips are designed so you can come and go as you please.

The other bane of single parent travel is the "single's supplement fee" charged by many resorts or package holidays.  This is an attempt to bring the room price up to the $300 per night price the resort wants for the room. The single traveler is charged the "per person" rate of $150 per night, but is also charged a supplement.  After paying this higher rate, sometimes the single parent gets a second blow: his or her child is charged full price, because two paying adults are needed before a child gets a discount rate.

Thankfully, all this is changing.  The single parent now has multiple travel options.  Even popular resorts like Beaches are getting on the game.  Beaches has declared May, September and October "Single Parents Month": no single supplement will be charged when parents visit with their kids. Dates are Mary 1 to 31, and as a bonus "September" starts early: from Aug. 15th to Oct. 31 2004, single parents can stay fee-free.