Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To be panicking about holiday alone with DD

94 replies

Anonynony · 17/05/2014 07:39

This seemed like such a good idea at the time.
DD is almost 3 and we generally have an absolute ball together. Money has been really tight lately but a while ago I booked a cheap little holiday to Majorca for us, it was an excellent deal and had visions of us playing by the pool, strolling in the sun, eating out etc but everyone has put a huge dampner on it for me telling me I'm nuts and I'll be bored still stuck in in the evenings when she's in bed.

My plan was for both of us to have a sleep in the day so she can have a slightly later bed time and that I could read, relax or maybe even have one glass of wine on the balcony)
As money is tight I was going to do a shop in the local supermarket and buy breakfast and lunch stuff so that we'll "only" need to eat out once a day. I haven't really had the funds to buy "holiday" clothes but have plenty of dresses I'd wear here with tights that I can just wear without them and so does she (she has piles actually)

I'm just really starting to stress out that it's going to be a horrible experience as everyone thinks I'm absolutely nuts. Please put my mind at ease or am I really crazy?

OP posts:

blueballoon79 · 17/05/2014 09:38

I go on holiday with just my two children all the time and have done for years.
I actually prefer going on holiday with no other adults as I love to just do what me and my children want to do without having to accommodate anyone else's interests or plans.
I enjoy it, they enjoy it and the evenings aren't a problem either as I love to read and often don't get the chance so it's lovely to be able to indulge myself for a week or so with a lot of new books and the time to actually read them!

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 17/05/2014 10:08

He he I am a LP too with 2 1/2 yr old DD and you are all inspiring me to kick myself up the arse and get her a passport so we can jolly off to the sun next year!

NationMcKinley · 17/05/2014 10:30

I think you'll have a fabulous time!
I'd strongly suggest that those people who are being all meh about it are actually rather .........

Have a wonderful holiday with your DD

Jollyphonics · 17/05/2014 10:54

I took my 2 kids to Germany when they were 3 and 6, and this year we're going to France. The anticipation is scary, but Germany was such good fun, I'm sure France will be too. I get irritated with people who have the attitude that doing something like that is just impossible and unbearable, as if us single parents should just accept that we'll have no holidays unless a friend can come too. Load of rubbish. You'll have a great time.

Regarding the buggy - I think it depends on what you're planning to do. If you plan to do some fairly long walks or days out sightseeing, it may be handy to have the buggy in case DD gets tired, and also you can carry stuff in it. Also, if you're going to have ate nights the buggy can be handy for her to nap in while you're out. But if you really haven't used it at home for months, then I probably wouldn't bother.

fluffyfanjo · 17/05/2014 10:55

Another one here that holidayed alone when DS1 was 5.We went to Zante,loads of people said I was bonkers,some said I was brave.

We had a great time.I did find the evenings a little lonely,but as it was 20 odd years ago and there were no tablets or english TV available wayyyyyy back then.
Everyone else seemed to be in couples and I'm not mega confident with new people,but if you make the effort to be chatty and smiley you'll soon have other adults to chat to

I've actually noticed more lone parents holidaying abroad in recent years and some where as family friendly as majorca you'll probably meet others in the same situation.

Enjoy

Jollyphonics · 17/05/2014 10:56

Late nights not ate nights

Preciousbane · 17/05/2014 11:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Canthisonebeused · 17/05/2014 11:07

You'll have a great time I love holidaying with my dd, never abroad yet though as can't afford it. We do as we please stay up las late as we like or go to bed early.

You won't be bored, I've also in this country always met someone in similar position as myself on holiday and often meet up a couple of times in the evenings.

Bluestocking · 17/05/2014 11:12

I'm jealous! I have a lovely colleague who takes his young DD on sunny holidays - he and the DD's mum have separated. Father and daughter always have a fabulous time and come back freckled, rested and happy!

Dozer · 17/05/2014 11:19

Sounds like a lovely plan. People can be so weird, and rude!

HappySunflower · 17/05/2014 11:21

My dd is 3 and I'd love to do something like this. Your thread has given me the confidence to consider it once I have a bit more money!

Hope you have a lovely time :)

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore · 17/05/2014 13:02

I used to take DD on holiday (just the two of us) when she was growing up. We had a blast, just doing what we wanted to do. Long road trips driving to see things. We loved it and have loads of great memories (and pictures!).

I was thrilled to see her doing the same with her DS as he's been growing up although now that she's with a lovely partner, they all go together which is great too.

I still have 2 young DCs at home, and we're going on our first holiday together this summer. I'm looking forward to it. Playing with the DCs all day, and then relaxing in the evening with a glass of wine and a good book (I'm already loading books into my Kindle for the trip).

I don't mind being in for the evening - after all the playing and running about we're going to enjoy during the day, it's generally nice to be able to put my feet up in the evening.

Have a lovely holiday!

missymayhemsmum · 17/05/2014 15:08

Have a lovely time, take a couple of books you have been meaning to read, and enjoy having evenings with no housework and chores to do.

DavidArchersBoa · 17/05/2014 15:13

Oh you'll have a fab time. It never ceases to amaze me ho wnegative some people can be. They are just jealous of your chutzpah

Have a lovely holiday!

Ludways · 17/05/2014 15:15

Sounds like bliss to me, lovely days by the pool, the beach, walking, evening meal out then glass of wine and a book at night. I'd love that.

nochips01 · 17/05/2014 15:19

It sounds brilliant to me. We are going to Spain later this year at one of those all inclusive things. i would love to go with DS alone because we culd do exactly what you plan. DH is going to want to put him into the kiddie clubs and go out in the evenings.

Dayshiftdoris · 17/05/2014 15:25

I go away with mine alone and I find I am so tired because we swim all day (we only go to CentreParcs - son has ASD) that I am not far behind him going to bed. Mine doesn't even do entertainment as it's too noisy yet we still have an amazing time

But yes had same reaction... Especially when I did it at Christmas :-/

hmc · 17/05/2014 15:26

So you are going in a week? Do post and let us know how it is going. Am with the others, reckon you'll have a lovely time

BlackeyedSusan · 17/05/2014 15:54

even if you were going as a couple, you would either be stuck in together, one of you stuck in, or one of you going out alone.

KristinaM · 17/05/2014 16:05

Yes defo take the buggy, even if she doesn't use it much at home.

And yes, have a siesta between 12 and 2. Keep the LO out of the worst heat of the day. Then she can stay up later, there will be lots of other families eating out later with small kids.

Don't take a lot of clothes . She just needs swimwear, sun proof clothing and hats and a few dresses and cardis for evening .you don't need much different. Plus kindle and tablet.

Take pool toys etc for her. I would take an inflatable suit thingie for pool rather than arms bands, which she can remove. Watching her all the time in the pool will be the most stressful part of your holiday.

Take favourite films /Cbeebies on tablet plus spare earphones for gunpy meal times

Don't worry if she doesn't eat much. As long as she drinks enough she will be ok. Not too hot right now.

I have holidayed on my own with 3 small kids and it was great.

Katkins1 · 17/05/2014 16:08

I'm a single mum. Went on holiday with my daughter alone at that age.we had a great time. You'll have fun.

Clobbered · 17/05/2014 16:11

I'm about to go away for half term with my 13 year old DS, and I can't wait. I'd love to have done this with any of my kids when they were any age. It's fantastic to be able to be in your own little bubble and do whatever the two of you fancy. I think you'll have a great time. Enjoy and ignore the nay-sayers!

DotToDott · 17/05/2014 16:17

i went on holiday with 2 year old and then follwing year 3 year old DS alone. We had great fun- as you say they can take a nap in the hottest part of the day and that gives you time to sit in the sun and read/have a drink. when they are up and about you can play at the beach and muck about in the pool.

i find things are more relaxed abroad and it's not unusual for children to be out a bit later if you did decide you wanted a meal out or even to go to a bar or something with her.

please don't let people put a dampner on your holiday- even at night when she is in bed it will be nice to relax and watch tele or read and not feel guilty about what else you could be doing!

Pregnantberry · 17/05/2014 16:17

I think it sounds lovely and your friends sound like misery-gutses.

whatshallwedo · 17/05/2014 20:13

I think it sounds like a lovely way to spend a holiday. I'd love to take my dd who is 2 (lone parent) but I would be expected to have someone come with me to avoid offending them

Flip

1 2 3 4