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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Really1 · 17/05/2014 20:30

I've just come back from a holiday abroad alone with 2 dc, one 4 and one 2... Had an amazing time!
Kids were sooo well behaved & I had the least stressful holiday I've ever had with the kids because it was just me & them & no one else to get in the way x

turdfairynomore · 17/05/2014 20:41

I'd definitely bring a buggy. I brought one until my DS was 5 and looooong out if it at home!! It was handy at night as he could sleep if we'd been out a little later. It was also a godsend during the day when walking in the heat wasn't fun! Most often though it was used as a pack horse for the beach stuff/picnic/enough junk to keep every child on the island afloat!!

cestlavielife · 18/05/2014 00:24

If its lightweight buggy take it, for carting stuff towels etc to pool or beach and if you go out.
Sea may still be cold in may,

HillyHolbrook · 18/05/2014 00:45

I think this is a lovely idea! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise, especially if your DD is a little love and you have a ball together!

My aunt has two 'spirited' children little horrors and she braved taking them away on her own. They're 4 and 7, and even she had a nice time despite being terrified. They were more well behaved because of the new environment and lots to see and do, she was really surprised actually! We all were, we were expecting her on the next plane home knowing her girls. They're not naughty, but they're hard work.

I think you and DD will have a wonderful time, everyone will fuss over her too, so long as she does her best smile she might even get free desserts

Expatmomma · 22/05/2014 05:43

I have been a single mom for 5 years and one of the best things has been going on holiday with my 2 DS.

Having suffered tense holidays with my EA ex holidaying without him was like a total liberation.

Funnily you start noticing all the miserable couples when you are no longer one!!!

We have had the most wonderful times on holiday together.... And I have taken them to the USA alone a few times now.

The first holiday I was worried before we left ....but
I did it and they loved it. It's good to show our kids that we are capable of traveling with them.

Sounds like you will love it too.

There are bound to be other single parents too... I met 2 lovely single moms in the USA when camping and we would share a glass of wine after the kids were in bed. We stay in touch and are meeting up there again this summer!!!!

None of that would have happened with my grumpy ex!!!!

So seize the opportunity and enjoy your trip who know what adventures you will both have!!!!!

Delphiniumsblue · 22/05/2014 07:18

Don't be put off by such negativity! You are home alone with her and all it means is that you are alone with her in lovely surroundings with sun!
I have been abroad as a single mum with children and enjoyed it.
It was a good idea at the time, it is an even better idea as you get near- go and enjoy! Come back afterwards and let us know how it went.

Melonbreath · 22/05/2014 07:34

You'll have a great time

Melonbreath · 22/05/2014 07:34

Drinking wine and reading a book is my idea of a holiday anyway.

babyinmyarms · 22/05/2014 08:06

It sounds wonderful! I am a single mum and can't wait to go on our first holiday just me and DD.

This is the type of thing memories are made of, you will both have an amazing time.

Marnierose · 22/05/2014 08:12

My mum took me away all the time and we both loved it. She would often make friends with someone else with children. If not she was happy to buy some wine and snacks and enjoy her book in the evening while we went to bed. We would also have later evening meals out and she thought it was important for children to learn how to act in restusrants from a young age. When we were toddler age we would just get tucked up in the pram and sleep at the restuarant.

Op just go and enjoy. You will have a lovely time. :)

Eliza22 · 22/05/2014 08:13

I think you're a great mum and the two of you will have a lovely, lovely time. Don't listen to the doom mungers. The plans you've made are thoughtful and I went to Menorca with my son, when he was little (5) and he met other kids by the pool and had a fantastic time, playing all day. He had a rest in the afternoon and stayed up a bit later, too. Seriously, it's not that complicated. It'll be great!.

When you come back, let us know how it went?

Littledidsheknow · 22/05/2014 08:21

I'm jealous! I wish I could go, just me and one DC! You'll have plenty of fun together and also 'me' time for you. Majorca is a great place for children: lots to do and they're made welcome there, too.
You'll have a great time.

JockTamsonsBairns · 22/05/2014 10:01

I took my Dd to Menorca on my own when she was 4 - we had the most wonderful time I could've imagined. Such a laid back lifestyle, so child friendly, plenty to see and do. She's 16 now, and we still talk about that holiday - it is such a special memory for us both! She remembers being able to have an ice cream every day, playing by the pool, and staying at the beach until the sun went down.

I've no idea why you're getting such gloomy reactions from others. Perhaps they're envious? Or not at ease in their own company? There's nothing boring about sitting on your balcony with a glass of wine, a good book, people watching, watching the sunset in the evening. Sounds like complete bliss to me.

I would definitely recommend taking a buggy with you. I did, and used it for long walks, naps when out and about. If you're planning boat trips, you might be out for the whole day. Even if you don't use it for naps, it's handy to have to transport all your stuff to the beach, or your shopping back from the supermarket. Not sure how tight your finances are, but we bought a very cheap one from argos - and left it at the apartments reception for others to use, as we weren't going to need it again. Something like this one

Have a brilliant time!

Iwillorderthefood · 22/05/2014 10:12

I have not read the whole thread, buggy is definitely a good idea. I am not a single mum, but took my two DDs to butlins on my own last year. They were 3 and 7. We got to go out in the evenings, and when my youngest needed to sleep she climbed into the buggy and fell asleep. My older one is much more able to stay up late, and this way they were both happy. Also with both of them up a bit later, we got to have some mini lie ins (8.30 on some days!).

You might make some adult friends, and want to go out a bit in the evening. Spain is not like here, and restaurants and so on are not phased by having little ones up later. Maybe you can even go look at the stars with your little one. You will have a great time.

Iwillorderthefood · 22/05/2014 10:15

To add on to what a pp said regarding buying a buggy, you could also check out local charity shops who often have buggies for sale. There are frequently old maclarens for sale for around £10 - £20.

DavenotChas · 22/05/2014 12:13

Don't stress out! Some of my favourite holidays were with just DD1 and I. Download loads of books to your kindle so that you can read away to your hearts content when she's sleeping. There are lots of child friendly restaurants in Majorca with activity areas so she'll have loads to do while you take the time to relax with a glass of wine. You'll have a blast!

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 22/05/2014 13:28

I'm a single parent and have taken my DS abroad twice, once to Ibiza when he was 4 and then the Lanzarote the year after. I had people tell me I was 'brave' for taking him on holiday on my own but the way I see it, it's not that much different from daily life anyway, apart from the location changes (and I'm not at work ). If funds would allow I'd take him abroad every year. He's almost 8 and I'm looking to get a last minute deal this August - I fancy Majorca myself .

Along with the other suggestions I'd say to take some books/toys for her to have on the plane and don't forget her favourite teddy/doll to sleep with at night. You'll have an amazing time!

stinkingbishop · 22/05/2014 14:02

It will be super. It will have its moments, but normal life does too. Think of it as the first year in a great tradition of Team OP/DD Adventures. I took my DS all over the planet as he was growing up and it was AMAZING. He's 20 now, has very fond memories, and we're even abandoning the others and going off for 6 days this summer on our tod (at his request) driving up the west coast of Scotland .

BB01 · 22/05/2014 15:43

It will be fantastic. Majorca is beautiful and so family friendly. Your friends are definitely jealous or just can't do-ers

My SILs always harped on about how difficult it is taking kids on hol and that as soon as we had our first we'd realise going abroad wasn't worth the hassle. Well they were wrong - holidays are what you make them, surely

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