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Original poster

Help Single parent & Xmas

37 replies

Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 24/10/2023 21:02

Hi , single parent with one dc at home .

I use to love Xmas and always made an effort but I’ve spent most of my parenthood as a single parent .
Two older kids have left home now.

Im now at the stage I really really wish i had a fast forward button . I do feel sad I feel like this but every year it’s just been me and the kids.
I feel it’s a lot of pressure with just me and wee one now . Dc would love it to be a big family celebration ( so would I ) but just not going to happen .

Anyway I would like to go away over xmas . Any ideas where would be best . ???
I have a young child who is on side . Original plan was to go away before xmas then have a quiet one (haha) at home .
The closer it gets though the more I just don’t want to do xmas this year.

Maybe it would be nice somewhere else . ?

Anyone Been in this position ?

Any ideas ?

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 24/10/2023 21:04

What’s the budget? Butlins is open at Christmas?

Hibambinos · 24/10/2023 21:06

Centre parcs is lovely with its Christmas wonderland

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 24/10/2023 21:10

Tbh not a too tight budget as we have agreed they have enough toys and would prefer the holiday .
Took dc away to a caravan site ( their request ) just dc and me for a few days for their birthday . I felt so out of place .
Dc then became unwell first night and we had to return home. We were both glad to be home again sadly.

We did good away on our own in may and had a great time abroad and met new friends/families.

Im just so unsure if actulay going away over Xmas eve and Xmas day .

OP posts:

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Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 24/10/2023 21:13

I mean so out of place as it was all groups of more than one adult

OP posts:
fussygalore77 · 24/10/2023 21:37

We love to be away over Xmas, w have done eurodisney a few times. It's been the best Christmas's we have had. Both kids wanted hotdog on main Street for Xmas lunch, so that's what we did!

We've done it when the youngest was 5, 7 and 9 ( oldest is 5 years older)

We love the time as a wee family, atmosphere is amazing and it's incredibly festive!

We are going this Xmas, it's around 5 k for 4, with the meal option, I've also booked 3 x character dining options ( a breakfast, lunch and dinner) spread over the 6 days.

Mumblechum0 · 24/10/2023 22:00

We've (do and I) had a few Xmas in Morocco, which is excellent because you can just completely forget about Xmas. Warm, sunny, playing tennis, swimming, wandering round marrakech or trekking in the mountains.

I hate Xmas and just love to be able to swerve it

Sugarfree23 · 24/10/2023 22:01

Would you not see your older kids at Christmas too?

Nothankyou22 · 24/10/2023 22:05

UK butlins or a lodge like hoseasons, abroad DLP or Canary Islands.
I say every year I’m going to go away as feel pressured into spending it with parents when really I don’t wanna leave the house but that’s boring too but they have Christmas at their dads just before or after so don’t travel.

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:02

fussygalore77 · 24/10/2023 21:37

We love to be away over Xmas, w have done eurodisney a few times. It's been the best Christmas's we have had. Both kids wanted hotdog on main Street for Xmas lunch, so that's what we did!

We've done it when the youngest was 5, 7 and 9 ( oldest is 5 years older)

We love the time as a wee family, atmosphere is amazing and it's incredibly festive!

We are going this Xmas, it's around 5 k for 4, with the meal option, I've also booked 3 x character dining options ( a breakfast, lunch and dinner) spread over the 6 days.

So go away and forget it xmas .

Rather than go away and do Xmas elsewhere ?

This year we went away and yet was same price for own adult child as it would be for two adults and child that annoys me . Lol

OP posts:
fussygalore77 · 25/10/2023 11:04

We did stockings, and had a tree etc so it's was still festive and definitely Christmassy

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:06

Sugarfree23 · 24/10/2023 22:01

Would you not see your older kids at Christmas too?

This year is diff . We live hours apart they have new gfs this year and doing their own thing (understandable )
Could see them on Boxing Day but the idea of going away is high up there .

Family dynamics make Xmas very much “on my own “ I feel with my youngest as they are getting older thats hey notice the lack of “family” around on Xmas day abs very much we are on our own .

OP posts:
shivawn · 25/10/2023 11:08

How old is your youngest?

I think Centre Parcs or Eurodisney as suggested by previous posters are both good ideas but might depend on age and interests.

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:09

fussygalore77 · 24/10/2023 21:37

We love to be away over Xmas, w have done eurodisney a few times. It's been the best Christmas's we have had. Both kids wanted hotdog on main Street for Xmas lunch, so that's what we did!

We've done it when the youngest was 5, 7 and 9 ( oldest is 5 years older)

We love the time as a wee family, atmosphere is amazing and it's incredibly festive!

We are going this Xmas, it's around 5 k for 4, with the meal option, I've also booked 3 x character dining options ( a breakfast, lunch and dinner) spread over the 6 days.

I think I’m looking to be around other people.
Either getting away from it all or in the same boat, so Idealy other single parents.
Mayebe looking for a miracle .lol

OP posts:
Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:12

shivawn · 25/10/2023 11:08

How old is your youngest?

I think Centre Parcs or Eurodisney as suggested by previous posters are both good ideas but might depend on age and interests.

They are 8.5 at the moment .
Would love euro Disney I did have a quick look at centre parcs last night . Will look further .

OP posts:
Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:13

Nothankyou22 · 24/10/2023 22:05

UK butlins or a lodge like hoseasons, abroad DLP or Canary Islands.
I say every year I’m going to go away as feel pressured into spending it with parents when really I don’t wanna leave the house but that’s boring too but they have Christmas at their dads just before or after so don’t travel.

Wish we were invited to parents lol
Step mum of 35 years doesn’t ask us .
Had that debate few months back and it’s not her job apparently

OP posts:
fussygalore77 · 25/10/2023 11:21

I love center parcs, and have done Xmas there. I find Disney much more busy, festive etc I'd do Disney on own with kids I wouldn't be as keen on centre parcs.

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:32

fussygalore77 · 25/10/2023 11:21

I love center parcs, and have done Xmas there. I find Disney much more busy, festive etc I'd do Disney on own with kids I wouldn't be as keen on centre parcs.

Ok Thankyou . 😊
will lol into euro Disney now

OP posts:
fussygalore77 · 25/10/2023 11:37

Eurodisney is full of families- big, small etc all shapes and sizes, couples etc and honestly you are so busy and it's so full on and exciting you really won't feel like you stand put as a single parent family if that makes sense.

WaitTheNoo · 25/10/2023 11:51

Disney for sure! We're going this year but a few days before.

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:57

fussygalore77 · 25/10/2023 11:37

Eurodisney is full of families- big, small etc all shapes and sizes, couples etc and honestly you are so busy and it's so full on and exciting you really won't feel like you stand put as a single parent family if that makes sense.

Yes makes sense .
Exactly the plan I had in mind .
We had euro Disney as an idea for maybe next year anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 11:58

WaitTheNoo · 25/10/2023 11:51

Disney for sure! We're going this year but a few days before.

I’ve messaged rhe girl who booked my last holiday so just waiting her getting back to me .

You sound exited , have you been before ?

OP posts:
Topsy44 · 25/10/2023 11:59

I am a lone parent and went to Euro Disney with my DD (aged 11) in the Summer for 3 days 4 nights. I know it wasn’t at Christmas but it was one of the best holidays I have done with my DD. As pp has said there’s so many different family set ups there and it’s so busy that you really don’t feel out of place at all. I do understand that feeling as I’ve had it before on holiday with DD but I didn’t feel it at EuroDisney.

I think it would be a great choice for Xmas!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/10/2023 12:09

Dubai or Madeira - Madeira has lovely Xmas light and celebrates it more as it's a Christian country

Original poster
Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 25/10/2023 12:14

Mumblechum0 · 24/10/2023 22:00

We've (do and I) had a few Xmas in Morocco, which is excellent because you can just completely forget about Xmas. Warm, sunny, playing tennis, swimming, wandering round marrakech or trekking in the mountains.

I hate Xmas and just love to be able to swerve it

Sounds amazing . How women friendly/safe is it ?

OP posts:
Loubelle70 · 25/10/2023 12:18

I was a single parent, I would have loved to go away at xmas but had enough worry about affording to buy presents and where that was coming from. Until DD got older and I was in a well paid job oc we stayed home.
I would do morocco.

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