Survival Strategies for Solo Trips with Kids (From a Military Spouse Who’s Been There): Why the Entourage 2.0 Is My Favorite Travel Stroller

Traveling solo with kids can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re outnumbered. As a military spouse, I’ve had to do a lot of trips on my own with little ones - sometimes cross-country flights, sometimes long drives, and often with more gear than I thought humanly possible to carry. Over time, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the difference between a stressful, tear-filled day and a smoother, manageable adventure.

Here are the strategies I rely on most:

1. The Right Stroller is Everything

I’ll be the first to say it: the stroller you choose can make or break your trip. Some people swear by tiny, lightweight travel strollers, and I’ve tried that route. Honestly? It just left me with one more thing to struggle with. They’re awkward to push when loaded down, the storage is almost nonexistent, and worst of all, my kids were uncomfortable. Nothing makes a long travel day harder than a miserable toddler who doesn’t want to sit in the stroller.

That’s why I invested in the Austlen Entourage 2.0. For me, it’s the best single to double to sit-and-stand stroller, and it has changed the way I travel. I can load it up with my large suitcase, two full-size car seats, and still have room for my 1-year-old to sit comfortably. My 4-year-old can even hop on the sit-and-stand option or help push, which makes him feel included (and makes my life easier). The stroller is long when fully extended, but the genius is that I can retract it to the middle stage or fully compact it when I don’t need all the extra space.

And here’s the kicker: for a stroller this versatile, it’s not too heavy. At six months pregnant, I can still get it in and out of my trunk without a problem.

2. Pack Light… But Pack Smart

It’s tempting to bring everything “just in case,” but trust me, every extra item is something you’ll regret hauling later. Instead:

Pack outfits that mix and match (and roll them to save space).
Limit toys to one or two small comfort items per kid.
Bring only the essentials for feeding, diapers, and comfort — you can almost always grab extras at your destination.

The Austlen Entourage 2.0 helps here, too. Its storage basket is huge and easy to access, even when both seats are attached. Instead of juggling backpacks and bags on my shoulders, I can stash everything underneath and keep my hands free to wrangle kids.

3. Snacks Are Your Best Friend

Nothing derails travel faster than a hungry child. I pack twice the snacks I think I’ll need - easy, no-mess options like fruit pouches, crackers, and granola bars. I also keep them divided into individual bags so I can hand one over quickly without digging through my carry-on. The stroller’s snack tray for my older one has been a lifesaver, especially on long walks through airports.

4. Plan for Security and Boarding

Airports are stressful, especially when you’re solo. A few things that have helped me:

Wear slip-on shoes and pack light layers for both you and the kids.
Keep documents (IDs, boarding passes) in a single pouch that’s easy to grab.
Gate-check the stroller and car seats -- don't risk having the airline lose them in transit, and they'll be there for you when you get off the plane.
If offered, take advantage of family boarding. Having extra minutes to settle in is worth everything.

And yes, I always gate-check the Entourage 2.0. Some people worry about larger strollers at the gate, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that for two minutes than suffer through the entire trip with a flimsy stroller that doesn’t actually help me, or wrestle with overhead bins when I'm dealing with two kids.

5. Embrace the “Entertainment Bag”

Each kid gets their own small backpack or pouch with travel-sized activities:

For toddlers: coloring pads, stickers, or a new toy they haven’t seen before.
For babies: a couple of small toys and teething rings.
And yes -- I’m all for screen time when traveling. Load up a tablet with shows, movies, or games and don’t feel guilty about it.

The beauty of the Austlen stroller here is that I can stash these “entertainment bags” in the storage basket and hand them out one at a time, instead of letting the kids unload everything all at once.

6. Give Yourself Extra Time

This is the golden rule. Everything takes longer when you’re solo with kids -- getting through security, bathroom breaks, even just walking down the terminal. I try to arrive at the airport earlier than I think I need to. Rushing is stressful, and stress spreads to the kids fast.

7. Lower Your Expectations

This one took me a while to learn: solo travel with kids isn’t going to be perfect. There will be tantrums, spills, and unexpected delays. But if I go in knowing that, I can roll with it better. I remind myself that the goal isn’t to have a “picture-perfect” trip, it’s just to arrive safely and sanely. Everything else is a bonus.

Traveling solo with little ones isn’t easy, but it is doable. With the right mindset, some smart planning, and gear that truly works for you, like the Austlen Entourage 2.0, you’ll not only survive, you’ll prove to yourself just how capable you really are. Military life teaches resilience, and travel is just another place to practice it.

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