First holiday as a lone parent - advice please I am regretting the booking already!!!

[thesilverlining]

So I finally plucked up the courage yesterday to book a short break for me and the DCs - am now dreading it and worried that I will feel like a total loser being the only single mum on the site!

Anyone got any great advice on how to stay calm, happy and "non-lonerish" on my first holiday in 7 years - and my first ever as a singleton?.....

[exrebel]

hello silverlining, well done you for making this move.

I understand where you are coming from, I have been going to short breaks to Butlins and centreparc alone since my dd was 1, and still go back as soon as I can afford it.

At times, I have to admit, I got a bit sad and feeling like the only one alone while everyone else is in a group etc. But I got over it after a few moments, and I have to say I enjoy it and does not bother me at all. My dd makes friends with kids while she is there, and it got easier the older she got, as she can now find her way around butlins and I can sit there and relax and have the occasional chat with other parents.

I have sometimes gone away with the 'single parents travel club' and had a great time and made good friends. Once I advertised for company on the SPTC forum for one of my breaks and another single parent joined us for part of the holiday.

[thesilverlining]

exrebel - excellent! Its actually Butlins that I have booked for Christmas. Didn't want to be sitting alone in my new tiny lounge wondering what fun everyone with a husband was having!

I hope my DCs enjoy it at least - and if you keep going back it must be pretty ok!

[Spidermama]

I would have thought there'd be a good chance there'll be other singletons there.

Don't lose faith. You booked a holiday. That's great. Feel the fear and do it anyway!! I bet you'll be so glad you did.

Bon Voyage.

[thesilverlining]

thanks spider! :-)

[exrebel]

it is such a large resort with so many people... I have never managed to find other single parents to hang out with while there. I just had the occasional chat with someone sitting at the next table or while watching the children or a show.

Silverlining, just enjoy the holiday witout pressure and if you find a friend there is a bonus. Good luck.

you will not have a chance to sit in alone in your lounge! you can go out and stay late with your DCs at the evening family entertainment! and lots of liove entertainment all day long too!

[exrebel]

or maybe we should start the single parents at butlins club!

[thesilverlining]

oh yeah! that sounds great!!

[CarolineDB]

exrebel and silverlining....where do we sign up for membership....hee hee
xx

[Tortoise]

Well done for booking a holiday. You will have a great time. I have taken my 4 DC on a few Haven holidays. I do sometimes feel lonely watching other families having fun together but we still have a ball.

This year i have booked to go somewhere new. We are going to a holiday park in Dawlish Warren. I have never been there so it is a big adventure for us all. Getting nervous as the holiday gets closer but i bet we will have fun. It will be nice to have a break from the day to day stuff.

[thesilverlining]

oo tortoise let us know if its any good!

Why did KDS message get deleted?....I never saw it....

Caroline - that would be a laugh - I'll be asking random strangers now at Butlins if they are a Mumsnetter!

[Tortoise]

The deleted message was from a so call holiday company for single parents. Naughty trying to advertise for free!

[thesilverlining]

ah! That was very naughty!!