How to Survive a Full Day Alone with the Kids Without Losing Your Mind (3 Days Actually)

My heart started pounding, my pupils dilated, and my mind went completely blank the moment my wife dropped the bombshell—she was going on a three-day overseas trip for company retreat.

Three whole days. Just me and the kids. No backup.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I wanted her to go.

She had skipped the company retreat for six years because of the kids, and she deserved a break. But at the same time, what the heck was I going to do with these tiny humans for 72 hours straight?

I mean, I take care of them 24/7, but there’s always that little mental relief knowing she’d be home in the evening. Plus, our youngest was used to sleeping with her.

So, I did what any sane man would do—I panicked for a bit, then got to work.

I started getting my youngest to sleep with me in advance, so she could acclimate to my dad scent instead of waking up in the middle of the night wailing for Mommy.

Then, I plotted out a three-day survival plan. Not just for the kids—but for my sanity.

Fast forward to today…

Now, the kids and I have zero issues when my wife travels.

Ironically, she now feels sad because they handle her absence so well.

She was expecting heartbroken cries, but instead, she got kids waving cheerfully, telling her to “bring back snacks.” Talk about parenting irony.

So, what’s my secret? Keep them occupied.

The Ultimate Survival Plan for Dads Flying Solo

Any parent knows that a peaceful night’s sleep starts with burning off all that boundless energy during the day.

But the trick is finding that sweet spot—wearing them out without knocking yourself out in the process.

So, I stick to activities that I genuinely enjoy and, whenever possible, ones that allow for a bit of independent play.

That way, they stay entertained, and I get a moment to breathe (or sip a much-needed coffee). It’s a delicate balancing act—one part strategy, one part survival instinct, and a whole lot of caffeine (from tea).

Go Hiking

Walking? Too slow. Running? Too much effort. But cycling? Perfect. It’s exercise without excessive exhaustion, and an early morning ride pumps everyone with fresh dopamine.

Bonus: if you plan your route right, you can hit multiple playgrounds along the way, which leads me to…

Conquer the Playgrounds

For at least three hours in the morning, we go playground-hopping. Singapore has fantastic playgrounds—some with water play areas, indoor climbing structures, and even obstacle courses.

Best of all? They’re free. Just remember to bring extra clothes unless you want to carry a soggy, cranky child home.

Hit the Library

Our local library is a game-changer.

It has a kid’s play section, a tinkering room, and of course, shelves upon shelves of books. The best part? It’s quiet.

We can easily spend three hours there, and nobody complains.

Beach Day

Building sandcastles, digging trenches, chasing birds, otters sighting and collecting seashells—there’s no shortage of things to do at the beach.

Just remember to apply sunblock generously unless you want to bring home two cooked lobsters instead of kids.

We usually avoid swimming in the sea at Punggol, though. With its industrial backdrop of refineries, the whole place looks like Mordor. Nothing kills the beach vibe faster than an oil slick.

Food: Keep It Simple (or Let Someone Else Cook)

The girls have to be fed and meals and preparation can be a warzone if handled wrongly. With the limited mental bandwidth, exhaustion and lack of backup, it is best to minimize effort.

Let's pick our war carefully, brother.

Eat Out at Their Favorite Spot

For my girls, it’s Saizeriya—a budget-friendly Japanese-Italian place.

We can spend two whole hours there, making silly jokes and mixing random soft drinks like amateur bartenders. (Pro tip: Sprite + Grape Fanta = surprisingly good.)

Easy, Lazy Dad Meals

I’m all about minimal effort, maximum efficiency. Before my wife leaves, I prep some quick-fix meals.

One of their favorites: sushi rice which consists of diced crab sticks, sunny-side-up eggs, dried seaweed, and homemade pickles (carrots, cucumbers, Asian pear, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil). Toss everything with a bit of mayo and pickle juice—boom, instant meal.

Another go-to? Pre-packed frozen prata. Just fry it up and serve with freshly blended green juice so I can pretend we’re being healthy.

Indoor Fun: Surviving the Home Stretch

Sometimes, the universe seems to just conspirate to work against you. It may rain, the weather may get too hot, one of the girls is not feeling well, the bike broke down etc.

What if you have no choice but to stay at home? Yeah, I have that planned out too.

Let the Chaos Unfold: Painting & Face Art

We have a canvas, but why stop there?

One time, I let my daughters paint on me. It was simple, all fun and games (just lay there like a corpse while they are painting) until I forgot and answered the door looking like a walking Picasso piece.

Story Time Marathon (Hydration Required)

Reading to them is great… until my throat dries up from non-stop storytelling.

Pro tip: keep water and lozenges nearby. Also, prepare for frequent yawning—not from boredom, but from my brain literally running out of oxygen.

Final Thoughts: Did I Survive?

Absolutely. In fact, I kind of thrived. The first time was nerve-wracking, but now? My wife’s trips feel like mini-adventures for the kids and me.

The biggest lesson? Keep them busy, keep it simple, and embrace the chaos. Oh, and always have extra snacks. You’d be surprised how many problems can be solved with snacks.

So, fellow dads—if you ever find yourself solo-parenting for a few days, don’t panic. With a little planning (and a whole lot of patience), you will make it through. And who knows? You might even enjoy it.

Has your partner ever left you alone with the kids for an extended period? How did you survive? Drop your best dad-hacks in the comments!