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Lone parents

How do you manage a family holiday as a lone parent?

43 replies

minkulus · 17/03/2013 21:06

I have been separated from my husband since December and am just starting to get my head together enough to contemplate a summer holiday. Can I ask how other lone parents manage it, both in energy, logistics and financially?!
Are there any good companies that are geared up for cash strapped single mums? The ones I have seen are all very expensive!
Also my two are very different ages 2 1/2 and 8 so their interests and needs vary greatly!
Thanks for any advice.

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IneedAgoldenNickname · 17/03/2013 21:11

I use the tokens from the sun when they come out. Makes holidays affordable, and you can go to haven and places like that.
Or camping with the camping club.

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IntheFrame · 17/03/2013 21:20

Go with friends. Even couples like to have other children around to keep theirs occupied. Good for large villa type holidays.
I did smaller long weekend break things France to visit friends and Jersey (short flight )etc. That way your expectations are different to start and it's not too horrific to keep the children amused non stop for 3 days on your "holiday"

Cheap cruise - children entertained, somewhere new everyday (lots of ports have a beach).

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mumandboys123 · 17/03/2013 21:21

I do the same with the Daily Mail - you don't even need to buy the papers, just google the codes (don't know if that works with the Sun). We got a caravan for 4 days at the May half term for less than £80 this year. It's not my kind of holiday if I'm honest and I wouldn't choose it if I had more money available but the children always enjoy it. You're probably too late for this year but the codes come out in January so keep an eye out for next year!

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Earlybird · 17/03/2013 21:26

Just google single parent holidays. There are firms that specialise. Here is one (that I've never used, but have known about):

www.smallfamilies.co.uk

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IntheFrame · 17/03/2013 22:00

Bloody hell, just had a look at that website Earlybird. £1000 for me and the nipper to go to Tunisia with Small Families!! That's £200 more than for a week's cruise including Tunisia.

Right that's my new career - I can definitely do single parent holidays for less.

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minkulus · 17/03/2013 22:17

Thanks for the tips! Will have to look into the camping vouchers. As far as going with friends etc, I'm not sure who would want to come on holiday with us as I have mobility problems and probably not much 'fun'!!

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ninja · 17/03/2013 22:22

I went on a single with kids holiday last year - just a camping trip but lovely people. They do a lot based in the UK so not too expensive.

I also took my then 8 year old on a PGL where in fact a lot of the parents were either single of by themselves. Not great for your 2.5 year old or for you as you'd have to supervise them though I suppose.

I got a really cheap Pontins holiday as well, not glamorous but at the price ...

Have you got family that you can stay with and do day trips? Another plan of mine for this year.

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Kewcumber · 17/03/2013 22:30

singlewithkids - thay are great and we have even learned to love camping!

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smileymam · 18/03/2013 21:35

I was quite used to being alone with the children and I have a little touring caravan and often was away with the children on my own, albeit in the same place all the time, but my first holiday on our own was to butlins, kids had a fab time, they were 8 and 4 at the time, they joined in with lots of activities and I felt proud for taking them on my own. I booked two weeks before we went and got four nights for £120 bed, breakfast and evening meal. Caravan holidays are great for children aswell. I,ve always gone to sites with just a park and no club house or arcades the kids don't ask for what they cant see.

Hope you have a great time whatever you decide x

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iwantanafternoonnap · 18/03/2013 21:58

Camping is great. You'd be surprised who'd want to go on holiday with you. Just because you go with people doesn't mean you all have to do the same things in fact having a holiday where you all feel free to do as you please but also tag along is great. I went on a fair few camping trips as a single person, couple, part of a couple and child and now as a single parent.

Eurocamp are good as they have different activities for different age groups and you would get a break too with the kids in the kids clubs for a bit.

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lostdad · 19/03/2013 11:03

For a long time the answer to this question would be `I didn't'. Money went on little luxuries like eating, paying the rent and fuel (when my son was with me).

I went away for a couple of weekends after my parents gave me (and paid for) a Sun holiday in a caravan but that was it. I managed camping a couple of times too (which I've always done) but my son's mother did her best to stop that by asking it to be put into court orders that I didn't(!)

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minkulus · 20/03/2013 21:48

Oh lost dad, that seems rough. Is there any tangible reason she would do that; safety worries or distance etc? Separation and divorce can seem to bring out the vindictive in some Sad. Are you still able to have holiday time with your son?
Sorry to write and leave ( off to bed,) will be back tomorrow . Just wanted to acknowledge your reply and the sadness(?) behind it.

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minkulus · 20/03/2013 21:50

Thanks also for the tips from everyone. I am going to look into Butlins as I'm not sure my poor old back is cut out for tent camping!! I had booked a haven holiday before but just not sure if I can do it on my own. Thanks for the encouragement, I'm feeling bolder!
Night all!

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Kewcumber · 22/03/2013 11:05

singlwithkids don't just do tent camping! they do uk cottages, yurt and teepee camping (with beds) as well. I've met some lovely people and DS loves having so many childrne around.

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coribells · 23/03/2013 07:19

I've booked my self on a singlewithkids camping mini break in the New Forest. Just dipping my toe in the water, looks like they have some fab uk based holidays that don't cost too much.

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HerrenaHarridan · 23/03/2013 09:32

Op don't assume people wont think a holiday with you would be fun because you have mobility problems.

If that is true you need new friends!

Sharing accom with another family has lots of perks, really cuts costs and you can take it in turns to stay in with kids in eve. Make sure it's clear that you don't want to spend every min of every day together and make your own plans.

If your friends really are that rubbish, we'll go on holiday with you! My dd is 14 mo and loves bigger kids Smile

Are you involved with surestart, tge one up here have 2 caravans ( one adapted for wheelchairs) and you can use it for £35 for a week for everybody!

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Xenia · 23/03/2013 09:57

Depends on your budget. I take all 5 children skiing every Christmas and somewhere hot in the summer. That is obviously because I made wise career choices and never gave up work so am lucky enough to afford it.

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minkulus · 23/03/2013 13:08

Oh Xenia, not sure how to take that comment! I would love to have had a career and my children etc, but it wasn't for me. Each to their own and all that.

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minkulus · 23/03/2013 13:13

HerrenaH you might just be on! It's not that my friends are rubbish, it's just my guilt at holding them back prevents me from suggesting it. Also they have drastically different ideas of budget and that's a bit awkward!
I will take a better look at single with kids as it seems to get the thumbs up on here! Mind you I've got 3 weeks of easterholidays to get through first, in this weather!!

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susiedaisy · 23/03/2013 13:14

The last two years I've gone with my dc and my parents sharing a caravan, this year I'm hoping to go to London for a few nights in a cheapish hotel with a friend and her dc and do a few of the museums my friend had offered to drive which is a big help, the museums will be free and we will eat cheaply, so it shouldn't be too bad!

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HerrenaHarridan · 23/03/2013 13:46

Why not! We can pick somewhere approx in the middle of us both and spilt the deposit so we are both committed.

It would be an adventure.

I live near edinburgh, pm me if you want Smile

Yes I can see that the budgeting issue could be difficult but not insurmountable approach friend most likely to be interested and on your level and say something like

I really want to take kids on holiday this year but its so expensive and a little intimidating doing it alone, I bet it would be cheaper a if we split costs, I could probably afford x

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girliefriend · 23/03/2013 13:53

I have done a couple of the single with kids holidays and always had a good time. Dd loves having other kids about and it's a nice way to meet other single parents as well.

This year I have booked a log cabin for a week in may and we are going with another single mum and her kids. Next year I am hoping to take dd abroad, have started saving now!! The parkdean holidays look nice but better for value the further you can book in advance. The log cabin one I have booked is with a company called hurst view leisure ltd and costs £320 for 4 nights which split between me and my friend isn't too bad. They also had caravans which I think were £250 for four nights.

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wild · 23/03/2013 13:54

xenia are you a lone parent?
I have taken my dc camping, to festivals and to a log cabin in the woods. I like to go away at Christmas, in particular. Mostly I just enjoy being off work and spending time with them, it doesn't really bother me where

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wild · 23/03/2013 13:55

x post with girlie - the log cabin break was fab!

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BeGoodElliot · 23/03/2013 14:03

When dd was younger we did lots of Haven type holidays. The plus side being there was always some for of entertainment so even if I felt like a break/was tired I could sit with a drink and dd would happily play/watch a show/or whatever.

I also agree with going away with friends/family if that's an option especially if they have other children. This worked for us as I only have dd and worry she will get bored with just me!

Last summer we booked through lowcostholidays for a cheap all inclusive week in Spain. They do lone parent rooms where there is no supplement for only having one adult. Worked out really well, hundreds of pounds cheaper than for the same holiday with Thomas cook etc

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