To take toddler abroad on my own?

[MummyGoingItAlone]

Please help me make a decision either way. I have a holiday booked in May for myself, now ex and our toddler. We’ve separated now and my first thought was to cancel the holiday and lose the £400 deposit. I’ve had a rubbish day and I’m thinking, why should son and I miss out? Am I mental to take a (would then be) 22 month old abroad alone?
The holiday is to the Canaries, all inclusive and everything (including beach) is with it the vicinity of the hotel. For £25 I can change it completely so could get a closer destination like Spain, so a shorter flight.

Please tell me either way if I’m mental or if I can do this?

Thank you in advance ☺️

I think it sounds like a great idea and you should go for it!

You can do it!

Definitely do it!

Go! Definitely

One single toddler? You'll be fine unless he's a particularly irritable one. It will be more of a fun adventure than a relaxing holiday though - expect to work quite hard on the flights and to some degree in the airport to keep him happy and calm and not disturbing anyone (or resort to screens if those keep him calm) but the rest of the holiday should be fine, especially if you don't mind him sleeping in your bed if he won't settle in the cot.

I would probably swap for the shorter flight, yes.

I flew with DD at 22 months but I was also 7.5 months pregnant at the time - I was very grateful to the lovely teenaged girl who offered to walk her up and down the aisle for me and chatted to her for half the flight! I've flown on my own with various combinations of 2 year old plus older sibling/s since and it's perfectly manageable as long as you are fully engaged with the task in hand and don't try to do anything that isn't focused on the children during the flights!

Definitely go 😀

I'd pay the 25 for a nearer destination in Spain. Lots of family friendly places to choose from. Personally I don't like the canaries I have been a few times and each time it gets worse. It's riddled with time share sellers, you can hardly walk down the streets without them hounding you. Have a look through places in Spain and see what will suit you and your son. You'll be well able to do it. Bring a buggy and push it to the aircraft door. Pack light and get a rucksack, that way your hands are not in use alot trying to manage bags.

I flew alone with my nearly 2yo DD to mainland Spain to visit my parents. The flights were hard work but I think you'll be fine! And if you can get a seat on the plane for your little one then do, even if they need to sit on your lap for takeoff and landing. Room to spread out will be much needed, especially if you do go for the canaries x

Sounds great. I’ve taken both of mine abroad alone (I have a dh, but I leave him at home with the other one). I took youngest one away the first time to Spain when he was 8 months. It’s lovely to have that time.

I’d definitely still go! Resort to the electronic babysitter on the plane and keep the extra seat your ex would have had so you have more space. I did a few transatlantics on my own with DD between when she was between 1 and 2 years old and they’ve all been breezy. All inclusive with a beach sounds perfect with a toddler and I’m sure you’ll have a great time together.

Of course, it'll be fine. I'd take either one of mine on holiday alone. Not both.

If its tui change it and go to tui family life in gran canaria x

Yes do it! But I agree with pps go to Spain. Enjoy!

Do it. And is there a creche?

Tui went bust!

Definitely go, make the most of it while you can take dc any time of the year. I’ve done it loads of times. 1 on 1 is easy

@CottonSock that’s Thomas Cook

CottonSock that wasn't Tui, it was Thomas Cook.

Go for it OP, I'm a single parent and have been taking DS abroad on my own since he was 2.

I think all 3 of you should go and have a lovely family holiday, showing your child that despite his parents separating you can still get along and be friends. Someone I know did this every year (5 yrs) until their child was about 12.

Obviously if you have separated because of DV then maybe go by yourself. You will be fine with your son.

Def go! Does the resort have a kids club? if not, I'd try to swap to one so you can have a few hours to yourself each day.

Oh I'm so confused! All the tui shops have closed where I am. So tui still exist after all...
Any way, we used the creche in a tui resort on Tenerife. It was the premium range called sensatori. British staff. Excellent place. Also did babysitting.

Don't swap to Spain. Stick with the canaries. The flight isn't as big a deal as many make out. It'll be fine, just load up an iPad.

Too many mosquitoes in Spain for my liking

Do it! I had a long weekend with my son in Rome when he was 20 months. We had such fun. Husband couldn't come, so we went on our own. It was actually really nice. I just went to bed at the same time as him, totally went with his schedule, but managed to sightsee, watch street performers, eat lots of great food and get in a few museums. I reckon an all inclusive beach holiday would be a breeze. And the flight isn't that long.

I do it fairly often. You'll have a great time!

Definitely go. On holiday with a toddler on your own may well be easier than if you had gone with your ex-dp. Lots of chill out time by the pool, on your own schedule etc. Do you have a friend who would want to go?