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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel daunted going on holiday alone as a single parent

30 replies

Agn · 05/08/2024 05:39

Previously have had holidays with my two children, who are on the autistic spectrum, and taken relative to help. Now relative is unable to come, I am having negative feelings at the prospect of managing everything myself 24/7 and having no adult company either. It would be the drive, the moving in, constantly being in charge, watching them in the water and just everything. I thought perhaps I could build a schedule around activities but the cost is just a bit ouch. The children are really looking forward to it and have been for a long time.

OP posts:
Lovingsummers · 05/08/2024 06:42

Agn · 05/08/2024 06:06

I thought a staycation was not leaving the uk? In which case it is a staycation! I am having chickens yes, but I don’t want to be a misery guts.

I have got to make the best of this and sometimes undergoing challenging situations makes you develop new skills and perspectives.

It is Center parcs and maybe there are things I can do to make it easier.

Show quote history

A staycation is where you stay home and just do day trips away from home - with no need for separate accommodation bookings. We did it one year and it worked out well, saved a lot of money too.

Original poster
Agn · 05/08/2024 06:06

Lovingsummers · 05/08/2024 05:53

Maybe another time you could do a stay-cation rather than go away? They can be fun too and take much less organisation.

I thought a staycation was not leaving the uk? In which case it is a staycation! I am having chickens yes, but I don’t want to be a misery guts.

I have got to make the best of this and sometimes undergoing challenging situations makes you develop new skills and perspectives.

It is Center parcs and maybe there are things I can do to make it easier.

OP posts:
TheKneesOfTheBees · 05/08/2024 05:55

I've been holidaying with just my DD since she was three years old (she's now early 20s!) - it is a bit different, I only have her and she has no formal diagnosis of anything (though I think she'd get one for ADHD if we had tried). It can be lonely at times, but it's also a great way of building a bond. I found lowering my expectations the best way to do it! I would've loved holidays that were full of visits and activities, but she is happiest just hanging out round the pool, and as she's got older mooching around the shops, so this is what we go with. But, in future years maybe shorter trips or just staying at home and days out might work better for you, we had years when we didn't go anywhere.. Good luck!

Lovingsummers · 05/08/2024 05:53

Maybe another time you could do a stay-cation rather than go away? They can be fun too and take much less organisation.

warmleatherette · 05/08/2024 05:48

Agn · 05/08/2024 05:39

Previously have had holidays with my two children, who are on the autistic spectrum, and taken relative to help. Now relative is unable to come, I am having negative feelings at the prospect of managing everything myself 24/7 and having no adult company either. It would be the drive, the moving in, constantly being in charge, watching them in the water and just everything. I thought perhaps I could build a schedule around activities but the cost is just a bit ouch. The children are really looking forward to it and have been for a long time.

I hear you. This is why I, as a single parent, no longer take holidays with my two. People eulogise holidays and I just think, yeah, if you had to pay for two other people's entire trip, with no guarantee they'd enjoy it or be grateful, you might be a little less keen. I wish you luck on your trip, and hope you glean some enjoyment out of it.

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