Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To plan a minibreak during DS school trip?

68 replies

MinibreakMum · 14/06/2023 18:08

NC as I’ve been talking about it at work and don’t want my usual posting name known.
In a nutshell, I’m a lone parent to 13DS, he has Sen but mostly functions well. Work full time and no family support, so everything usually falls on me.

Ds is due to take a 4 day school trip end of October this year to a European country, so I decided to use some annual leave to have a bit of time to myself. While browsing day trips and activities I came upon an offer for a minibreak in another country further from DS trip location than home, which I can just about afford with a bonus I recently got and saved. This is a dream destination for me, and as a solo traveller would be manageable to do the things I would like within 3 days. I would love to fit this trip in while DS is away (no problem travelling alone)

BUT when I think about booking it I feel anxious. Concerns are:

  • Being even further from DS than I would be at home if he had an issue on his trip and I wanted to get to him
  • the possibility of something going wrong with my travel, preventing me from making it home on time to meet him at school
  • MASSIVE amounts of guilt about spending this money on a solo trip when it could be used for a less interesting (ie UK) holiday for both of us, or even something he might need.

It was a split decision between my two co-workers whether they would do the same. Would you do this? Or am I mad and irresponsible to think of it?

opinions please!!

OP posts:
EVHead · 14/06/2023 18:11

I wouldn’t - what if his trip is cancelled? What if he’s ill and can’t go? What if he needs to come home early?

Is there anyone else who could deal with the above, if you’re away?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 14/06/2023 18:13

I think you should do it as long as you have a backup person to meet your son if you are delayed. Don't worry about the money since he is on a trip anyway - make the most of the time you have.

Lemonademoney · 14/06/2023 18:14

Is dad not about at all? Do you have active grandparents who could step in should need arise? I totally see why you are torn but I think it would be lovely for you to have this break for yourself.

funniestpersonyouknow · 14/06/2023 18:15

I think you should definitely to it - when are you next going to get a chance like this! And why shouldn't you do something that is just for you. If you can have back up person for your son just in case then hopefully that would put your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy your break.

Nordicrain · 14/06/2023 18:16

Do you have an emergency contact - his dad or a grandparent or a trusted friend? If not I probably wouldn't, but if you do (and make sure you have budget for an emergency flgith home) then go for it.

StillTryingtoBuy · 14/06/2023 18:17

Getting delayed abroad could happen whether he’s on a trip or not so I wouldn’t worry about that, you’ll need a contingency plan for sure. I would have back up plans in place and go for it.

AgentProvocateur · 14/06/2023 18:17

Make sure there’s someone that the school can contact in case of emergency, or if the trip finishes early/you get stuck overseas and then go for it and have the best time!

budgiegirl · 14/06/2023 18:17

It's fine as long as you have back up if there's a problem, his trip is cancelled or cut short, or if you are delayed getting home, and the school have contact details for the back up

StampOnTheGround · 14/06/2023 18:19

I think you should do it, sounds great!

BitOutOfPractice · 14/06/2023 18:21

Do it!

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 14/06/2023 18:22

Of your three concerns, number one wouldn’t worry me. Since you’re going for three days, I’m guessing it’s not that far (I mean, you’re not going to Australia I assume!). Number three wouldn’t worry me, provided it’s not putting your financial security at risk. Number two would be the one making me unsure, is there anyone you can have on standby as a back up?

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 14/06/2023 18:22

I only have one child and dh and I always arrange trips away when she's away on residential school trips!

GoodChat · 14/06/2023 18:23

It sounds like the perfect opportunity for a well deserved break to me

TiaraBoo · 14/06/2023 18:23

Do it!

User565394 · 14/06/2023 18:24

Could you get from your destination to his if you needed to?

DarkForces · 14/06/2023 18:26

I did it (although not abroad) and arranged for grandparents to be the emergency contact. Had a lovely time. I'd definitely do it again!

Mexicocalling · 14/06/2023 18:29

Do it! If your son is in a foreign country, it really doesn’t matter if you’re further away or just down the road - if anything happens all the school risk assessment and emergency plans will fall into place and you will be contacted by phone, things will be dealt with locally and if necessary the school and schools insurance will lead in making the arrangements to come home early. You will be assisting from the end of a phone… which you can do from anywhere whilst making your own plans to return early, if necessary. But it is EXTREMELY unlikely that anything will happen. The same as any holiday - book it and book travel insurance, and have a great time.

NewPinkJacket · 14/06/2023 18:37

The people talking about backup/his dad/other family members etc, may have missed this part of the OP...

Work full time and no family support, so everything usually falls on me.

SingaporeSlinky · 14/06/2023 18:42

I would do it.
Of your 3 concerns, it’s just no.2 you need to think about. Being in a country further away than at home doesn’t mean much. I cant think of any circumstances where you’d need to travel to that country (well just an emergency, in which case you can travel there from anywhere in the world if you have to).

Just ask a parent of one of the others on the trip (or a friend of yours) if they’d be willing to collect him when he returns, just in case you’re delayed for any reason.

Original poster
MinibreakMum · 14/06/2023 18:44

To add to the OP then, I do have an emergency contact (not the father) but they are usually uninvolved and it would be very uncomfortable and mortifying to have to ask their help, although I know they would in an emergency (and never let me hear the end of it later).

OP posts:
Favouritefruits · 14/06/2023 18:45

My SIL has just done this, my niece went to Spain for five nights so she went to Greece for 5 nights, if something happens you can’t get to your DC anyway without a plane journey so there’s no difference. Hope you get a good deal and have a fab time!

Globe22 · 14/06/2023 18:46

Go for it and enjoy yourself, I’d have done it myself if the occasion had arisen 😊

Ragwort · 14/06/2023 18:47

Do it but make sure you have a solid back up plan in case of emergency ... I know it's unlikely but I used to organise trips and trying to contact parents in an emergency was a nightmare... we once had to take a whole mini bus of kids to A & E .. only one needed treatment but no other back up available and contacts not answering their phones. Angry

Grumpyfroghats · 14/06/2023 18:47

I would absolutely do it.

Does your DS have any friends whose parents would be emergency contacts?

Spendonsend · 14/06/2023 18:50

Yes its only the risk of not being there to pick him up that needs thinking about. Is it a place with options if a flight is cancelled or a place which flies to all the big airports so you could do two flights home (like another local airport, or ferry or eurostar)

Swipe left for the next trending thread