{
  "id": 11680776,
  "title": "I left my husband and 3 kids for the first time for a work conference. I added 2 days at the end for some solo travel.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/i-left-my-husband-and-3-kids-for-the-first-time-for-a-work-conference",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T12:11:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/solo-travel-without-family-work-conference-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At nearly 38 years old, the author embarked on her first solo trip for a work conference in Dover, Delaware, in September. She worried about the responsibilities of leaving her three children and her husband behind. However, she also relished the opportunity to do things on her own terms and make time for herself. The author was initially anxious about the logistics and emotions of traveling alone, especially with only a work connection to rely on. However, upon reflection, she realized that having company eased her nerves significantly. The idea of taking care of others while traveling made her feel less confident in her ability to enjoy solo travel. During her trip, she navigated confidently, using Uber with safety precautions and turning on location-sharing features. She found herself surprisingly responsible and well-prepared for all aspects of her trip. Despite occasional forgetfulness and a tendency to run late, she managed her time effectively and felt more in control as the trip progressed. The author stayed in Wilmington and explored several beautiful estates and gardens. Although she initially felt lonely, she found companionship through interactions with strangers and her hotel. The conference provided ample opportunities to connect with others, which alleviated any feelings of isolation. In her free time, she indulged in her personal interests, such as watching movies, reading audiobooks, and exploring local attractions, like America's Chateau Country. She toured three elaborate du Pont family mansions, an art museum, and enjoyed breakfast at the iconic Hotel Du Pont. This experience reinforced her belief that solo travel is a freeing and self-indulgent choice.",
  "summary": "A work conference was my first solo trip, and I was nervous about leaving my husband and kids. I ended up loving it, and explored for two extra days.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}