Anyone been on holiday abroad with just the dc(s)?

[boredandrestless]

I went to disneyland paris last year on a coach holiday and was all geared up for going abroad (beach type holiday) this year, just me and DS again on a plane this time, but I'm having a wobble in my confidence thanks to another single parent's shock and horror at the idea.

Anyone else go on holiday just them and their dcs or am i just some weird loner?
If you have done a plane holiday as the only adult did you manage it ok?

My cousin did last year with her 2 boys 12 and 6.
Depending on the age of your little one.
Not a weird loner at all! How brave!
She spent time reading and realaxing by the pool and met a lovely couple.
If I had the pennies this is something I would definitely do.
Go for it and have a lovely time you deserve it :)

Thanks for reply

My son is 7, he has autism but is fairly compliant and he's a good traveller as long as he's been very prepared for it all in advance. He pleasantly surprised me on our holiday last year. I can't imagine I'll get much reading by the pool done but I'd like a bit of hot weather!

The negative reaction yesterday really shook my confidence, I think I'm just so used to doing everything on my own it didn't occur to me to feel put off but now I have little doubts going on.

I took my DS to South Africa twice (once when he was 8 months, the next when he was 2) and it was fine. Honestly, give it a go, I'm sure you'll have a fab time and have lots of lovely memories.
It's nice going without the DP and I found there's so much less stress without having to please him as well (not that I'm with him anymore )

Don't be put off! You'll have a great time, I've done it for years with my two, the first time was to Florida when they were 7 and 10. We had the best holiday ever. Go for it

Not a lone parent but an expat who spends the hot summer travelling around with two dc . They're seven and ten, and I actually find it a lot easier without DP.

Aw no dont have doubts, I didnt see your post yesterday but I guess people are just giving their views on how they would feel but I think its down to the individual. I think its very brave and well done to you for doing everything yourself, this is something that is new to me and its very hard.
Like you said your little boy is a good traveller and I honestly think as soon as you are there you will be fine, maybe not the relaxing by the pool but lots of lovely sunshine and entertainment for your little one.
Stay positive and go and have fun :-)

The convo yesterday was a RL one with 2 other single mums I know. One was very negative, the other said it was nice I actually enjoyed my child's company. Both of the other mums like to be very sociable whereas I'm usually happy in my own company but not a hermit), honest.

Thanks for these further replies.

I now need to actually find a suitable holiday that won't bankrupt me! The amount of options is giving me a headache.

I've done it with two DCs aged 3 and 6 the first time. I was a little worried, but it was fine. Just be well prepared - stuff to keep them entertained on the flight, work out what you need as hand luggage, what to check in, etc. You'll be fine.

I've also done a cross country journey including the underground with DS(5), DD(18m) and my arm in a sling - had DS pushing his sister in her buggy and me with my good arm dragging the suitcase and large rucksack on my back - we managed, and DS got sweets given him off little old ladies who told him what a good boy his was :)

Kids are a good icebreaker, and if you're happy in your own company too, you'll be fine. A neighbour of mine used to go all over with her DD. 7's a great age for going places, reasonably civilised and good company. Took my just my DS youth hostelling at 8 and it was lovely. He went to bed in the evening and I sat up chatting to others in the hostel.

I'm thinking of going on holiday with just the DC this year. In fact I thought about it last year too, but chickened out

It's quite difficult actually booking the holiday, but once you've been and come home I'm sure you'd feel really proud of yourself. Plus if you travel on your own you tend to meet more people than you do if you're in a couple / group just hope you meet nice people and not random wierdos Go go go for it!

Do it do it! After I separated from their Dad I booked a weeks holiday for me and the DDs who were the 2 and 3. My Mum hijacked saying I would never manage on my own and booked herself onto our holiday :( Never regretted anything more. All the lovely people I could have been meeting I didn't get to talk to as my Mum doesn't mix well

Definitely go for it!
We went abroad last year with my parents and DD aged 1, and there was a lady who used to take the next lounger to us who was on her own with two young DCs.
We got to know her really well and my lovely dad entertained her kids in the pool, her DD loved 'looking after' my little DD and we used to help out carrying things and keeping an eye on their things.
We were all inclusive and she was self catering, so we 'sneaked' more than a fair few ice creams and drinks their way.
People are usually friendly on holiday - I like talking to people from all walks of life and would hate to think of anyone feeling lonely on holiday.

I took my DD away on my own about 5 years ago....it was our first trip abroad...so I do understand how you feel...and I had similar circumstances where a friend had made me question whether it was the right thing to do.....

We went to a kids club resort in Menorca and it worked out really well...my daughter loved going in the kids clubs and I just chilled for a week....

I organise single parent holidays now ....but this year I'm having a week just with my dd at the end of one of the holidays and I'm really looking forward to it...my dd is 10 and such good company...although when we are away
with other single parent friends she just goes off and plays with the other kids.......

I like both ...holiday's with other single parents and holidays with just us two....

I,m going on my owen with three children this year.

expat here too - and take my kids away on my own quite every year from when they were 3 and 9.
Have been to Borneo, Thailand, Hong Kong and Tokyo. On a beach holiday they always find other kids to play with and I supervise from the deck chair. Kids were quite happy to play on the beach everyday and I did lots of reading, easier than with DH as he would have been bored after 2 days.
City breaks can be harder with organising buses from airport etc, but fine if you research everything in advance.

Wow thanks for all these replies! You've all really boosted the idea back up, and reminded me why i actually prefer doing stuff just me and DS.

• Holidays with ex revolved around him drinking, then sleeping it off
• Tried a weekend away with my mum inviting herself along but she was her usual shockingly late self (DS was crying thinking coach would leave her, coach driver was fuming, everyone on coach was muttering) and I vowed never to do that again.
• Invited friend and her dcs up to half of our caravan holiday last year and although it was nice to have her company, her dcs seriously played up and as it wasn't my own child it grated even more than had it been my ds playing up. (I may repeat this though with caravan holiday as friend and her dcs are nice, and me and ds think a lot of them).

I've left finding a suitable holiday in the hands of the lady in thomas cook, going to go back in on Wednesday and see if she's managed to find something.

I was looking at holidays for groups of single parents funnily enough, but then was given these vouchers, so may do that another year.

I took DD (8) to Italy on my own last year, I was a bit worried. We didn't go to a hotel with a kids club, but there were are few kids around, who she made friends with. We hung out with another family for the last bit, at least for meals, which was good.

I really enjoyed spending time with just her with nothing to do around the house, and it really improved our relationship. I occasionally felt a bit sorry for myself surrounded by couples, but that soon passed, as obviously not all couples are actually enjoying each others company anyway! I ate in the hotel each night to make food easier, although we ate out some lunchtimes.

Your friend's comment probably says more about her than about you!

were a few kids around!

Hi Bored, I've taken DS (now 5) abroad to beach holidays on my own twice. I've been a lone parent since I was pregnant and as I've always done everything on my own, so it never occurred to me that I wouldn't manage, despite some comments before going that I was 'brave' .

The first time, we went to Ibiza when DS was 4, and although the hotel was nice the resort was dead and very isolated. On that holiday, I learned that night flights and tired 4 year olds don't mix well . Last year we went to the First Choice Holiday Village in Lanzarote, which was perfect (only booked 4 weeks in advance and got a great deal). I literally didn't want to come home, in fact DS was talking about it today and said 'Mummy when we went to Lanzarote you wanted to live there forever, didn't you?'. Yep .

I would never entertain those single parent holidays where you're obligated to spend precious holiday time with complete strangers. I work, DS goes to school, so as we only get weekends together, a holiday is our special time together and I don't want to share it with anyone else. Like you, I prefer it to be just me and DS.

As for your friend's comment, well some people really don't like doing things by themselves. I have friends who won't even go shopping alone which I find hugely amusing. I've always been quite independent and like my own company. You sound similar so you'll be fine, and you'll come back tanned, refreshed and with increased confidence.

One thing I would say though is once your Thomas Cook lady has found you some deals, double check the same deals online as they're usually cheaper, plus you can get cashback by booking via a cashback website. I actually find TC quite expensive, so try some other travel agents' site too - First Choice, Holiday Hypermarket, Thomson, Jet2Holidays, Direct Holidays, Sunshine.co.uk, IceLolly.com, Travel Republic, Travel Soon, etc. Some of the cheaper holiday sites now offer ATOL and ABTA protection so you're covered just as well as if you booked with a high street agent.

Half the fun is browsing for the holiday imo . Don't forget to send your friends a postcard .

I have been to abroad three times with my three DC. They're primary school aged. It's been brilliant each time. I'm a very independent person and it sounds like you are too.
(Also, I have travelled abroad alone twice when my exh has beens on hols with our DC).
I have had some negative remarks about this from people (mostly from people that I don't know very well) - along the lines of "oh, it must be so difficult doing that on your own". But everyone's different and we had a lovely time!!
The best thing is being able to do what we want without having to compromise with another adult.
I've found it really helped my confidence and gives me loads to talk about once back home.

Amaris - I remind myself that not all the famillies/couples are happy too, and like you say it's really nice to be away from the household chores and just spend time together.

SKWK - unfortunately I can only book in Thomas Cook as I have £500 of vouchers to spend in there! I thought they were a bit dearer but nothing I can do really. They can price match with their own website's prices but that's about it.

The person who made me wonder with her comments is like the person you know who doens't like to be on her own. I need to stop letting other people's comments bothering me, and just tell myself that different people have different viewpoints, likes and dislikes.

Astrid - I do love that I don't have to compromise and can just suit ourselves, it's one of the reasons I can't imagine living with anyone again. Like you say everyone is different, turns out I'm independent and like my own company!

Well if you have vouchers then TC it is! Wish I had £500 in vouchers, I'd be down to my local branch like a shot to book something!

I can't imagine living with anyone again either, and the part of holidays that I love the most is being able to do whatever we want with no compromising. In Lanzarote last year, we had days at the beach/pool, took the bus to the local town to browse the market, and went on an organised excursion to the Volcanoes where we also rode camels. Most evenings we strolled into town, with only a couple of evenings spent at the hotel bar watching the entertainment. You can please yourself when it's just you and the kids.

Let us know what you book - I'm always looking for inspiration for our next holiday!

i've been doing it since the kids were one! we rented a house by the british seaside for three weeks! it was brilliant. we go back every year now and the kids love it. the longest we've stayed is a month, more usually we stay two weeks. i'm happy with my own company, the children meet other kids on the beach, we get our own routines going. also travelled with them alone and long haul to the US a few times since they were three (though put up by friends). travelling absolutely fine. i really enjoy it. go for it. and you will feel very proud of yourself afterwards!!!!

I've been doing it since dc were 3 & 6, used to drive down to Bergerac to stay at a friends house for the summer. More recently we've been going camping in the Loire valley. It's got easier as the dc have got older.

Ive been abraod with my 4dc and we loved it not for over a year though , make sure have book for the evenings

But have took all 4 of mine away and even just the younger 2 and youngest has sn .Was quite suprised by how well it turned out and how we manged with trains and luggage and getting through London .

Am of To edinburgh On Monday for a mid week stay

I took my 2 younger DDs to a quiet resort in Ibiza when they were 9 & 11. Played in the pool ALL day EVERY day. Absolutely bloody wonderful. Was v nervous about doing it all on my own til I remembered I usually did most of the childcare anyway and it was only the EXH's domineering traits that meant only he was capable of looking after money/passports etc. Actually shed a tear (of happiness and relief!) as the plane took off.

It's been too long - four years! - but have finally booked another holiday abroad for August to Lanzarote. Using Directline hols, can convert £20 Tesco vouchers into £100 off the holiday :D