My DM hasn't been on holiday for 12 years because she is worried about her house being left empty and unattended

[Mumholidayconcerns]

I'd like to ask for people's thoughts about this situation involving my DM. She is in her early 60s. She hasn't had a holiday abroad, or even a domestic break somewhere in the UK, for 12 years. The main reason she hasn't is that she is worried about her house being empty and unattended for a prolonged period of time - anything more than a couple of days basically. She doesn't have any close friends or relatives who live close enough to allow them to keep an eye on the house, or house sit for her, if she was to go abroad. I myself live around 80 miles away, so it just wouldn't be practical for me to travel there and back every day, which is what she seems to want.

I would assume that most people who go abroad on holiday, or are absent from their home for any other reason, have someone who can either stay in the house or at least keep an eye on things by visiting the house once a day or so while the owner or occupant (my DM in this case) is absent. As mentioned, my DM doesn't have anyone who is able to do this for her. She also doesn't speak to her neighbours, so she wouldn't feel comfortable asking them. Her house is flanked by two other houses on each side, and backs on to another house at the rear. She's had some difficulties with the neighbours on one side, has barely spoken to the neighbours on the other side, and only speaks to the neighbour in the remaining house once in a blue moon. I'm not quite sure what the solution is. I feel sorry for her as I think she could use a break. What would you suggest?

I think it's pretty clear the OP is really posting regarding her own dilemma and anxiety about going away. The mother is fiction. That's why OP says: I would assume that most people who go abroad on holiday, or are absent from their home for any other reason, have someone who can either stay in the house or at least keep an eye on things by visiting the house once a day or so while the owner or occupant (my DM in this case) is absent.

It sounds like she actually doesn’t want to go on holiday, so don’t worry too much.

“I would assume that most people who go abroad on holiday, or are absent from their home for any other reason, have someone who can either stay in the house or at least keep an eye on things by visiting the house once a day or so”

Would you really? Every day or so? I don’t know anyone who has people visit their house while they’re away at all, nevermind daily! Except for those who have pet sitters. I’ve never thought of it as necessary or even as something I’d want.

I have contact details for a neighbour so they can turn the house alarm off if it goes mad for some reason, but it’s never happened yet.

The solution is that she just gets on with it and goes away. The chances of her house being broken into is so minimal. If she really wanted to, I guess she could get some WiFi cameras and she (or you) could keep an eye on an app while she’s gone?

Well it’s her life. Burglaries aren’t very common anymore though. The rise in Ring doorbells etc and the fact that TVs and other household tech is generally not worth the hassle has brought risk right down. Easier for criminals to swipe a phone that’s worth as much as a laptop from a hand or bag on the street.

And quite honestly I’ve never had someone stay at my house when I go on holiday. I switch the lights off, lock up and forget about it. As do most people I know.