To go away on a long weekend break on my own…

[Crispychillifriedbeef]

So we live overseas, two small children.

I’ve booked a solo mini break for 3 days away. Boutique hotel, spa etc. It’s an hour flight away in a different country.

Husband is fine with it, our nanny can help as he often has to work late or go out in the evenings.

I’m looking forward to it as I have some chronic health conditions and I’m looking forward to some alone time. However, when people have found out I’m going ALONE they are shocked.

“Can’t I come with you?”
”Is it safe on your own?” (Yes!)
“You’ll be lonely and miss your family.”
”Your kids will miss you I could never leave MY kids.”
“Why do you want to be on your own? That’s weird.”

I love spending time on my own! In my twenties I was airline cabin crew and travelled all over the world. I was also happy to go and do things on my own in whatever city I was in.

It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If your DH is fine with it and you think it will be good for you then go for it. If other people don't enjoy their own company that's not a you problem, next time just don't tell anyone then you won't have to deal with their unsolicited opinions! Have a lovely time.

I don't think I would personally enjoy it, but you are absolutely not unreasonable for doing it if that's what works for you and your family. Have a wonderful time away!

I love a solo trip, it’s a great thing to recharge.

Love a solo trip - enjoy!

Have a wonderful trip

I have a solo week booked next month

Solitude so precious ❤️

Sounds lovely! I'm single so I do lots of things alone and some people just don't get it. Has anyone called you brave yet?!!

They are envious of your freedom and independence to be able do it I reckon.

Sounds like heaven to me! Good for you. You've inspired me to add something similar (but very cheap!) to my plans for this year. 💐

Just looking to go away on my own for a week. Somewhere hot! But I have grown up DC so slightly different. I'm happily married but he doesn't want the hassle. So here I come sunshine...

Go for it, YADNBU! I love going places by myself.
So many people though -"Oh, I could never do that."
Last time I went somewhere by myself it was to a local tribute night thing in a pub. Which I was quite happily enjoying by myself until the next table decided I had to sit with them.
Lady - "Are you on your own?"
Me - "hi, yeah, good night isn't it?"
Lady - "oh, come sit with us"
Me - "aw thank you, but honestly I'm fine" more than fine enjoying my own company, what's not to like?
<disappears for 5 second, comes back>
Lady - "no come sit with us, it's not right you're by yourself"
Me.... 🙄
Ended up sitting with them just to shut her up 😂
Felt like Shirley Valentine lol
I mean, people mean well but they sometimes seriously don't get it.
Some of us love our own company.

I am taking my notebook as hoping to get some inspiration for my novel!

I have a few other mini trips planned over the next couple of years like this. I love our family holidays but sometimes a need time on my own. Okay I need a LOT of time on my own.

I'm counting the days [54] til my OH goes back to the UK and I can have a good long week and a few days home alone.

Surely you encourage your husband to go on a solo trip like that too, to spend time to recharge and have time for himself for leisure only, far away from the family.

Of course but he has no interest in going as he has already travelled extensively in his 30s. He just wants family holidays.

Personally, it wouldn't have been something I wanted to do when dd was young - I worked full time so wanted to be with her when I wasn't working and she wanted to have her mum (I did have weekends away when she was a teen and didn't want anything to do with me!).

But if you'll enjoy it and your dp and dc are fine about it (if you have a nanny, then they'll have 2 attachment figures at home) then go for it and ignore what others say.

I regularly did from when dc were 6 months old! Did everyone so much good.

Yes, of course, I do it all the time. At least once a year. No nanny, no family help, dh just adjusts his schedule to pick up all the load. I’ve been doing it since my teen was a toddler.

I went to Spain last year. I’ve walked part of the Camino de Santiago. I’ve been to all sorts of UK and European city breaks. Also been on longer jaunts to the US and Australia.

It’s lovely. I’ve done my time travelling with friends. They are hard work. I don’t have energy to deal with someone being fussy about where to eat dinner or wanting to go get drunk when I just like to sit and drink tea and read my book. I don’t want to spend a weekend with my friends, anymore than I want to drag my children and Dh off on a spa break. 😂 It’s lovely to go on your own.

Sounds amazing but I love having time alone which is a rare thing now that WFH has happened.
I’ve been to festivals alone and love just walking around going exactly where I want to and listening to bands that I want to.

Jealous, the lot of them. Even people who genuinely don't enjoy solitude are jealous of those that can and do. It must be awful to be so dependent on others literally all the time. Ignore and enjoy!

I used to follow a singer and was in an active fan group when my own children were young. I woukd meet up with fans for some of the gigs and made some great friends. If id waited until the kids were older, I’d not have these wonderful memories. I had very little self-confidence at the beginning and I blossomed, becoming much more resourceful. Of course, these were brief and intermittent trips.

I love time alone @Shedmistress I completely get you! I love time in company too. I’m used to having brief, UK-based breaks - my OH isn’t remotely interested.

My joined-at-the-hip friend’s OH isn’t well and she had to drive and park to get some shopping on her own and found it overwhelming as they always do everything together. You do need to be able and comfortable, in doing things alone

OP - I have the same reaction from “friends” / acquaintances and I simply don’t tell them now. If they want to be glued to their families / spouses, that is fine. As long as your own OH has it all in hand and is happy, it’s nothing to do with anyone else. I applaud you

I have!
” I went to the cinema on my own.”
“ Ooh you’re so brave, I couldn’t do that.”

I left it there…

I hasten to add that THEY called me brave, not the other way round!

Currently in Lanzarote on my own and it’s heaven. Totally able to recharge in a way you can’t with anyone else. Go for it and enjoy

I also live abroad and have 2 small children (2 and 4 weeks)

Currently breastfeeding so not in my ‘able to leave them era’ but honestly I can’t wait until I can!! Already contemplating local staycations for the random night when baby is no longer breastfed.

Enjoy the break, no one wants an overstimulated, exhausted mum!!

Some people just don’t enjoy their own company sadly.

I have had solo holidays since splitting with XH. They are adults now but I still go away alone, in my sixties. I like going away with my DC, alone, or with different groups of friends.