A mum, Ania Grabowska, says she faces online hate for holidaying without her two kids, explaining that travel is her passion and helps her stay sane.
Ania Grabowska, a 43-year-old teacher and mother of two autistic boys, Kuba and Maciek, faces many challenges.
To cope, she often travels to exotic places to avoid feeling overwhelmed. She says travel is a vital mental escape that helps her recharge and feel like someone else for a while.
“I travel to avoid going mentally crazy; it’s my way of dealing with stress.
“Life can be tough. I have my own worries about Maciek, but also those everyday, ordinary problems we all know.
“Travel recharges me with so much energy that when I return, I can once again fight for Maciek and for a better world for him.”
Ania said she receives a lot of online hate due to her need sometimes to fly off somewhere alone.
“I hear all sorts of comments, some absurd and sometimes downright malicious,” she said.
“People often don’t understand that when you have a sick child, you can and should take care of yourself to be in a position to help.
Ania says people call her “irresponsible” and accuse her of abandoning her children when she travels, which she finds untrue and hurtful.
She explains these trips give her the strength and peace to be a better mother. Living in Olkusz, Poland, she believes a bit of selfishness is necessary to stay sane.
While her solo trips (sometimes with her partner Marek) help her recharge, she still takes her two boys on family vacations whenever possible.
She explained: “I think it’s also incredibly valuable for the children to travel and experience other cultures and places, learn the language in natural settings, and gain memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.
“This is especially important for Maciek, who thrives in an environment of change and novelty.
“If we have a happy mother, the children are happy, that’s why it’s important to think positively about ourselves and find time to pursue our passions.
“I’m self-employed and have two months of vacation, which I try to make the most of.
“My teaching budget isn’t a fortune, but it’s enough to fulfil my travel dreams thanks to saving, planning, and buying tickets in advance.
“Travel is a strength and inspiration for the entire family.
“I travel most often with my partner and my children, mainly with Maciek.
“He’s not content with just packing; he wants to fly right away!
“Kuba, my eldest son, also enjoys travelling, albeit in a more leisurely way.
She added: “The most important thing is that everyone is happy, and so am I.”
Ania has traveled to many far-flung places, including the Dominican Republic, Zanzibar, the US, Bali, and most of Europe.
She’s planning a weekend trip to Dubai and South Africa in November, hopes to spend Christmas in Egypt with her son Maciek, and dreams of visiting Sri Lanka and the Seychelles next year though plans are still being finalized.
She added, “Careful planning and saving are essential. I buy my summer vacation tickets in December when prices are lowest. Despite my modest teaching income, I don’t let that stop me from chasing my dreams.”