Does anyone take their kids on holiday by themselves?

[allgonebellyup]

I have taken them on several uk holidays by myself and we always have a fairly (!) good time. We usually just go and stay in a cottage somewhere for a week.
When we have gone abroad we usually take my brother or a mate of mine with no kids.

I have just booked a week in ibiza for just myself and the dc in August. Was excited...but now just thinking i am crazy - and everyone there will look at me with pity and think im crazy too??!!

[ChasingSquirrels]

I haven't, I have gone with with my mum or with both mum & dad.
But, as the boys get older I am looking forward to doing so - although equally we all have a great time with my mum, and she enjoys it just as much - I am looking at booking a week in UK in May and mum was all quiet when I was talking about it, until she eventually asked if she could come, and I said of course if she wanted to.

And of course everyone won't look at you with pity!

[gillybean2]

Only if you let them! It'll be fab and you'll have a great time.

[gillybean2]

And yes, I've taken my ds on holiday (including abroad) lots of times. Sometimes just us, and sometimes in a group with other lone parents. Always been fine though with other families it does mean you have company yourself. Ds always seems to manage to find a friend regardless.

[lucie19]

yes we've gone away a few times just the three of us. Last year we went camping eldest helped me put the tent up and then they both found friends on site to play with. I also got chatting to some of the fellow campers and got invited to barbeques etc. I've found camping to be quite a good thing to do on your own because people are very friendly and helpful.
We are planning to go to spain this year I've been offered a friends villa for a few days in an english area with again lots of children and friendly residents.
I find making friends with people around me helps with the need for adult company and getting the kids out of your hair for a bit. No one looks on you with pity :)

[compo]

Honestly no one will think twice about it

when I was young my dad was self employed so mum took us on holiday
we went to Greece, Minorca , Crete
it was lovely

Have a great time!

[Mum72]

Yes every year for 3 to 6 weeks. Usually camping. Its hard work but fun. Would deffo recommend it.

Have not been abroad on my own with the kids tho. Am considering doing so.

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

I did last year - took my DS's to Edinburgh for 2 weeks (stayed "with" my brother - but it was a place to crash at night and not much more......) and then Liverpool for 1 week straight after.

Loved it.

Went on the train with the pushhair, a 65ltr rucksack, a pull along suitcase (that DS1 was in charge of) and a school backpag that was used as a day bag

At some point I want to buy a tent and do the camping thing - maybe into Europe as well

[allgonebellyup]

Thanks. Am slightly dreading the flights as the return home one is at 1.30am! i couldnt afford the decent-time-of-day flights!!

[Megletitsnow]

Not yet. Although we might be on our own for part of this years Cornwall summer holiday (my stepmum has TT tickets so is coming home mid-week ).

TBH I'm not too worried about Cornwall as we know the area well and know all the nice service stations to stop at on the way.

I would love to take the kids somewhere like South of France or India when they are older but we are sticking with rainy Britain for a few years.

[allgonebellyup]

So most of you stick to UK then... i am a fool, arent i??

(It was a bargain at £450 for 7nts in August so i couldnt say no!)

[aristomache]

I've taken mine on holiday in the uk lots, but like you am thinking of booking overseas this year

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

I only stuck to the UK this year as I can't afford to go abroad yet (need to renew my passport, get one for DS3, and renews DS1 and 2's......which costs almost as much as a holiday)

[ChasingSquirrels]

of course you aren't a fool!
Last few years since ex left we have had a cottage or caravan holiday in May (all with my mum) and have been to Spain for 10 days in August - 1st year with my mum, last year with mum & dad and this year with my mum.
We have also had a number of 1 or 2 night breaks in a travelodge with a friend and her 3 kids.
Post a link for your bargain!!

[DontLetTinselDragOnTheFloor]

I have taken the 3 SmallDragons on holiday, long haul, by myself 3 times now. The first was when DD was only 6 months old. Its fine.

Its a little tricky juggling their needs with your own - eg toilet trips at meal times, one wanting to go to the pool, the other then needing the toilet (can you tell how I spent a lot of my holiday? :))

[allgonebellyup]

oh God, you just reminded me about renewal of passports!! shit!!!

[BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree]

yup allgone - those passport renewals are a killer

[corlan]

You're not a fool at all.I've taken my kids abroad a few times on my own and we have all enjoyed it.

I try to do a mix of things they want to do and things I want to do to keep everyone happy.
The hardest part is in the evening, if we're all in one room I can't get my youngest to go to sleep until I turn the lights off, so you never really get any time to unwind at the end of the day.

I don't think people will look on you with pity or as being crazy. I admire you and I hope you have a wonderful time!!

[PaigeTurner]

OP you'll have a great time.

I spend a lot of time in Ibiza (for work and play) and intend to take my newborn son over there this summer on my own.

There are babysitting services I can recommend if you fancy a night on the tiles.

And don't forget that you only have to check in and hour before departure in Ibiza airport so not so much waiting around, hopefully.

[ChasingSquirrels]

make sure you get (or renew) your EHIC cards as well (old E111 replacements). You can do it online.
Have just done ours as mine and ds1's expired in Oct, and ds2's next Jul.

[allgonebellyup]

Thanks!

[elastaelf]

AGBU, Good for you, it is nerve wracking the first time you do it but I'm sure you will have a good time.

I regularly go all over the world with mine. Since my ex left we have been skiing in the US and europe and I have taken several long haul trips with my boys who are 11 aand 9. I have had parents come up to me and say how brave I am coming all this way with the kids by myself, but I dont give it a second thought. I did take the kids all the way to australia on my own once when we were married so I am used to it.

We all stay up late and get up late. At night or early in the morning I often sit out on the balcony with my ipod, a glass of wine or a cup of tea and read. I have given the kids emergency numbers in their mobiles so they have them in case they ever needed them but we have never had a problem

[CubaCat]

Hi Allgone,
After much umming and ahhing I booked a holiday for me and DS (4) to go to Ibiza this September just gone. It was great! We had a brilliant time doing stuff together and even took the bus to Ibiza town (other side of island from where we were staying) for the day for a bit of sightseeing. You'll love it, just do a bit of preparation and you'll be fine. I was worried how I'd cope with two suitcases, two hand luggages and a tired 4 year old, but I managed - and the feeling of pride at having done it on my own was immense!

We had night flights too and tbh I vowed I'd never do them again until he was older as DS was upset at being woken up when we got there (and on way back) but you'll be fine and as you say, much cheaper than day flights. Sounds like you got a bargain - do you mind me asking where you're staying, what board basis and who you booked with? (PM me if preferred). I didn't think I could afford to go abroad in the school hols (he starts school next week) but with bargains like that I might manage it!