I’m a married mom of three — taking eight solo trips a year makes me a better parent

A mom leaves her husband and kids at home while going on EIGHT solo holidays a year – and says it ‘makes her a better wife and mother.’

Huda Alvi, 39, loves to travel and has spent her 30s prioritizing ‘me time’ – calling her solo holidays “an act of self-love.”

She jets off for up to five nights at a time and can spend up to $5k on each trip – from solo backpacking around Costa Rica and Colombia to jaunts to Paris, France, and dreamy cruises exploring Vietnam. 

The mom of three makes sure she fills each trip with culture and adventure – whether it’s paragliding in the mountains of Guatemala, Mexico, or exploring Costa Rica on the back of a quad bike. 

Huda says her solo trips make sure she’s a better wife and mother as she’s more fulfilled, better rested, and ‘fills her cup back up.’

Huda, a lifestyle entrepreneur, from Toronto, Canada, said: “My husband understands that travel is part of my DNA.

“I don’t need his permission to book a solo trip as he knows that I need to do it as part of my wellbeing. 

“He and those around me see the effects traveling has on me – it makes me a better mom and wife I’m more refreshed and emotionally available.

“To me, it’s an act of self-love because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

“There is something freeing about traveling alone because you can tailor a trip to you and explore at your own pace.

“Some people may find it strange that I leave my kids and husband to on holiday alone but it doesn’t bother me.

“I refuse to listen to society telling me ‘You can’t do that because you’re a mom.’

“I’ve got four trips planned for 2025 and I can’t wait.”

After going through a divorce at the young age of 22, Huda moved back in with her parents in Toronto, Canada.

While working as a realtor she navigated being a newly single mom of two. 

“Being from a Muslim background, divorce was and still is considered a taboo subject,” Huda said. 

“I felt a sense of failure when I got divorced and it took a toll on my confidence.

“But I focused on myself and my children and built it up brick by brick.”

After meeting her now husband, Yehhia Bub, 42, a firefighter, in October 2007, the pair got married in August 2012.

They live together with Huda’s children – aged 17 and 19- and Yehhia’s son, aged 18 – in Toronto, Canada. 

Huda’s solo traveling began in November 2018 with a five-hour flight from Toronto to California, US, where she road-tripped from Malibu to Los Angeles and Monterey. 

Since then Huda has explored Morocco, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Vietnam, and Paris.

She said: “Travelling in my 30s is the best thing I’ve ever done.

“It makes life more fulfilling and I’m more sure of myself now than ever.

“Backpacking around Colombia and Costa Rica was one of the most incredible experiences because I had to keep my wits about me.

“When traveling solo, you’re not truly alone, I love to talk to people and make friends as I go.

“To stick to my budget when I’m traveling, I keep money in envelopes labeled ‘food’, ‘activities’ and ’emergency’.”

But Huda and Yehhia make sure that they take at least two trips a year alone without the kids to “keep the spark alive”, as well as one big trip as a blended family. 

“I love solo traveling, it’s something I’ll never story doing, but taking trips with just Yehhia and I is just as important.

“It helps keep us connected and the spark alive.

“We’re going to a festival in Tulum, Mexico in January next year to feel young again.

“Me and my daughter have started taking trips together with Portugal last year and Italy this year.

“It’s great for us to spend one-on-one time together and is building her confidence with traveling. 

“It even inspired Yehhia and his son to take a road trip from California to Las Vagas this year!”

Huda documents her travels on social media and has over 97k followers on TikTok where she shares her tips for solo traveling as well as her activity recommendations. 

In 2016, Huda and her sister, Sana Alvi, 35, set up the travel company, The Girls Trip, which helps women in their late 20s, 30s, and mid 40s solo travel. 

“I don’t care what others think and I’d recommend any moms who are curious to do the same, to just book that trip,” Huda said.

“That’s why me and my sister launched our own travel company, to show women how empowering it is. 

“It doesn’t have to be far, you can always build up distance with time.

“I want to show my kids the importance of independence and to take trips for yourself.

“Solo traveling might not be for everyone but it makes me feel alive.

“All in all, it’s not the quantity of trips, it’s the quality of the trip and what you get out of it.”

Follow Huda and Sana @the.girls.trip on Instagram

Huda’s adventures:

Luxury cruise to Halong Bay, Vietnam: $300 per night

Motorbiking around Costa Rica: $20 per day

Massage at the Dior Spa, Paris, France: $442 

Paragliding in Guatemala, Mexico:$100