Abroad with only child and feel like I'm not entertaining enough??

Please don't take this sort of nonsense to heart.

I'm an only child. We never went on holiday with other families with kids, we always went just me, my Mum and my Dad and I loved it. We were a really tight unit and really enjoyed each other's company. We're still very close now. I have no memory of being bored as a child, especially not on holiday! I certainly didn't long for a sibling, it just wasn't something I ever thought about.

You sound like a lovely Mum and I would put money on your DS being a really happy kid.

TBH we’ve got more than one and all they do is annoy each other
right now. Literally like having a bunch of gacked up Muppets in the back of the car. They got on better when they were young but as adolescents they are hard work collectively. It’s been Bickerfest 2025 this summer.

IME it’s easier to entertain one than two and I reckon this idea that siblings are automatically bestie playmates is just that - a nice idea. Sometimes they are best mates (like twice a year lol) but in other cases they just annoy the shit out of one another! We find when one of ours isn’t about for whatever reason things are a lot more mellow and content. I have mates who have only one son and they take him all over the world and he’s a chill fella with lots of friends at home who seems to love being with his mum and dad. They do centre him a lot but tbh so do we and you can bet your arse whatever activity one kid desperately wants to do, another will bitterly hate 😂

I am glad to have the kids I do but I think the whole ‘only child is a lonely child’ myth came from a time when kids were left to their own entertainment by adults a lot more. Most parents (us included) that I know nowadays spend a lot more time with their kids than my parents ever did with me and my siblings, and holidays are more child centric too.

I am an only and have an only. I can remember making holiday friends at resorts as a child. My daughter doesn’t seem to, but we usually offer her a couple of sessions of kids clubs so she can hang out with people her own age, although she is growing out of that now. Last summer we went away for a few days with another family who have an only and that worked really well. It was a lot less work for the adults than other holidays as she had ready made entertainment.

I'm sure your son is having a lovely holiday and enjoying quality time and lots of attention from both parents! We have 4 and though they adore each other and have fun together, it also means that they sometimes have to go to an activity that might not be their first choice because it's more their siblings interest, or leave early because the toddler is fed up of playing at the beach etc. On our last holiday, my son made friends with a boy the same age who was an only child and he did look forward to meeting my son at the pool in the afternoon to have a friend to play with, but he also looked very relaxed and happy with his parents and I'm sure he had lots of choice and fun on his holiday. There is benefits and disadvantages to both, but we can't change it so just make the most of what you have, I'm sure he is a happy and well loved little boy.

I wouldn't worry too much. Your child is on holiday - thats a lot more than most will be getting this summer!

I have an only child and what I tend to do before any holiday, is research the area and plan out the week. First couple of days are usually lazy days by the pool, or a trip to the beach. We get plenty of inflatables and beach toys etc once we arrive.

Then we usually plan out a couple of visits ahead of getting there. We book tickets for the any zoos, water parks etc and we let DS know in advance the plan for the week ahead.

We always have a great time away and much easier planning and booking in advance so you have an idea on what you are doing each day.

I even do this now on non child holidays!

I often feel like this as have an only. She does make it known she would like a sibling but due to endometriosis and now my age that’s not happening so what can anyone do. We make sure we encourage her to make friends and do stuff with her.

I think that’s totally normal. I’d always wanted lots of children but we struggled to have any and then I couldn’t have more. I really idealised the larger families I’d see and it took me a while to adjust my thinking.

I feel super lucky to have been able to have my kids but my son’s pregnancy caused a lot of permanent physical issues. So my version of envious watching other families is seeing mums who can run around with their child and do all sorts of physical activities and whatnot. Am sure not every single family is spending every single weekend hiking and kayaking and riding bikes but sometimes it feels like it!

Kids like a mix. It doesn't matter if he has a week or two on holiday just doing things with family. Make the most of the chill time and enjoy it! And then when you get home, book a few camps and organise a few playdates for him. If he's actually bored or lonely, I'd take him to a playground where he can meet other kids, but as you say he seems happy enough, he may just be enjoying the down time and lack of pressure.

@Pondering455 OP can I just add - I have an only child and whenever we go on holiday she often makes friends with kids that are actually on holiday with their siblings, but they just don’t want to play with them! So there is absolutely no guarantee siblings would want to play even if they were there. Another thing - this is your little family, and your family holiday to spend quality time together, I’m sure your child gets plenty of child friendly time at home. People seem to have this notion that kids constantly need entertained in the pool or by the kids club, they don’t, they don’t need to be surrounded by plastic toys and a ton of other children to have a good time, being introduced to new foods/cultures and people will be amazing for them and trust me, he will be grateful later in life. I wish I had had the childhood I am able to give my child now! But I was one of 5….

DD is also an only child - I used to bring my nephew away with us on holiday (2 years younger, they’ve always been very close) for this exact reason. She was much happier with his company and they could easily spend an entire day simply playing with each other in the pool. When just DH and I took her away we needed to have activities constantly planned to keep her entertained, even at that she was often bored of our company and wanted somebody her own age to relate to after a few days. When she was older we allowed her to choose a friend to bring on holiday with us for the same reason. It made the experience more pleasant for everyone involved.

My two fight alot and it causes tension...sometimes just the one way easier! Plus it is as it is. You cannot magic in another child as much as you may want to. Your son will be fine.

I am an only child and I am okay :)

You invalidated your opinion by being completely fucking rude. Perhaps your parents ARE boring? Maybe you just have a greater desire for attention than other kids? Loads of factors play into people’s experiences.

Your reply was twatty.

That seems a bit unkind.

I think the fact that you're asking means you're a great parent! What does your child enjoy? Board games / throwing a ball in the pool? I would just do a bit of that. Enjoy your hols :)

I know a family with an only and they tend to go on holiday with another family with an only of a similar age.

What a beautiful message ❤️

Siblings are no guarantee of a good time, my two fight like cat and dog and are largely happier with our attention one on one. Parenting wise we constantly feel like we don’t have enough for both of time, there’s always a compromise. There are massive positives to being an only don’t forget.