Aussie mum’s $25 Kmart tip for travelling to Bali solo with kids

An Aussie mum is sharing her top tips for travelling to Bali solo with two young children – including packing a $25 Kmart item.

An Australian mum has been flooded with praise online for sharing her top tips for travelling solo with young children to Bali.

Ashlee Greaves took her two daughters, Valerie, 4, and Harriet, 1, to Ubud and Seminyak earlier this month on her own and was initially frightened about doing so, but quickly realised it was not as scary as she thought it would be.

One of the decisions she credits for the success of the trip is buying a $25 Kmart stroller and at the end of the holiday, leaving it behind.

“At times my 4-year-old hated walking so would pile both children in and off we would go,” the Adelaide mum shared in a Facebook group popular with Bali tourists as part of her list of top tips.

Ashlee Greaves travelled to Bali with her daughters Valerie, 4, and Harriet, 1. Picture: Supplied

The $25 Kmart stroller she used. Picture: Kmart

She said she found the footpaths in Seminyak to be great and while Ubud’s were not so flash, it was still doable with a pram. Next time, she said she would even consider taking a double pram so both kids could be strapped in.

Ms Greaves had no idea her simple post would be so well received, gaining thousands of likes and hundreds of comments in support.

Ahead of the trip, the nervous mum had posted in the same Facebook group asking for advice about travelling solo with young children and was disheartened by the negative response it received.

When she not only conquered the trip but had an amazing time, she went back to the group to share her own advice.

“I didn’t expect it to get much of a reaction at all. Maybe a few likes. It’s nice to know it has inspired parents to take their children overseas alone, even if they’re not single parents,” she told news.com.au.

“Sometimes it’s hard for the whole family to get time off work together and it’s important that mums or dads alone see they’re capable.”

The Adelaide mum was initially nervous about the trip but had a great time. Picture: Ashlee Greaves

Ms Greaves’ other tips included hiring a driver and a nanny, which she said was perfect for her day out to Kuta water park Waterbom Bali so she could take her four-year-old down the slides.

She also found most restaurants had high chairs and the staff loved spending time with her children so she “often got to eat in peace while my children were paraded around”.

“Everyone in Bali were so great, friendly and helpful, especially once they noticed I was alone with the two littlies,” she wrote in her post.

She added: “Who cares about routine. Go to bed at 10pm one night? Great. Take it easy and have zero expectations. Kids only eat steamed rice, hot chips and a bucket load of tomato sauce for a whole week? Also great! They’ll survive!”

Ms Greaves said her most important advice was to ask people to take photos. Picture: Supplied

She said most restaurants had high chairs. Picture: Supplied

Ms Greaves said her most important piece of advice was to ask people to take photos of you with your children.

“You take plenty of your kids but it’s so special to have some photos together,” she said.

Hundreds of comments praised Ms Greaves for giving her kids the opportunity to holiday in Bali and having such a positive attitude about travelling as a solo parent.

“You’ve given me confidence to do my solo trip with my 4-year-old, thank you,” wrote one mum from Perth.

“Knowing you can do anything as a solo parent is the best feeling in the world and an achievement. I hope to do this with my girls next year will definitely keep your nanny and driver info,” said another.

“Fantastic of you to take the time to write this, I’m sure a lot of people considering what you did will find this useful,” added one Queensland woman.