Family holiday - without DH

[madamovaries]

Am wondering if other couples are considering/ planning for one parent to take the kids on holiday and the other to stay at home?

Because of coronavirus, lots of my friends seem to be doing this because they've been on top of one another with schools closed, and both been working from home. But I am nervous that it's a lot of work on your own away with the kids! Has anyone done this before - and do they have any tips?

DH hasn't been able to do much work in lockdown so it would allow him to catch up on work too, whereas I'm more used to working in a noisy environment!

We were considering this, I was going to take the DC for a few days to the Canaries/Majorca before the Spanish quarantine happened. DH is a keyworker and wouldn't be able to get the time off, but I'm fortunate to have a very flexible WFH job and the DC have been here since March.

Mine are 7 & 9 and fairly low maintenance so I was confident that I would have been fine, and would have done it had circumstances allowed.

We're all off on a UK week away at the end of the month so this would have been in addition to that.

I have done a few trips away with kids but without DH. I did go with my dad, but had seperate rooms and I was responsible for the Kids.
My kids were 3 and 6 the first time I done it and it was a very chilled week. The kids had a great time and I can’t remember feeling especially stressed. I had another adult with me so things like nipping to the toilet or going for a swim I could do and it helped having someone to talk to.
The second time i done it I was able to use the kids club for a few hours half the week which meant I got some time just to read a book.

I've done this before but not since lockdown and its been fine. I always get a hotel with things on site including food and things walkable as I don't drive. Atm with covid we did self catering but our one had a pool and mini golf / crazy snooker on site so that could still have worked.

Not because of Corona, but I did this every summer for 5 years.
It's hard work, but also really enjoyable.
How old are the kids? That makes a big difference!

I’ve done it and it was fine. We had a holiday let near the beach. It was actually more relaxing than having DH with us.

I've done this. First time out holiday fell though as monarch went bust few weeks before half term .. DH wanted similar policed holiday with nice beaches, decent flight times etc.. There was nothing to be had, he didn't believe me but made no effort to find either... I found a different type of holiday.. He refused to come.. Was shocked I went without him! 🤔😜
It was hard as they were 7&5.
Have done each year since if find a decent deal... Easier as get older... We normally go for 4-7days

Yes it would vary on age of kids and quantity of kids. Very young children in nappies I wouldn't.

I’ve done this with my parents but not alone.

I wouldn’t want to do it without another adult, partly due to hard work, partly as I’d get lonely.

If my parents weren’t available or weren’t keen, I would definitely consider teaming up with another mum plus kids for this kind of holiday.

I have also seen mum plus kids on holiday without the dad in hotels with kids clubs, which obviously reduces the workload a lot.

Yes, I'm currently in Tenerife with my 7 & 8 year old girls. DH is at home working.

I have traveled alone with the girls before, so it's not unusual for me. However we're here for six weeks this time, which is a long stretch on my own with them.

It's fantastic though, after four months of lockdown we are enjoying some freedom. It feels very safe here and I'm enjoying a break from the cooking/cleaning and just having fun with them rather than being stressed and maybe a bit shouty.

I wouldn't with babies or small DC, but if your DC are all over the age of about five then yes. I've travelled alone with mine several times and they're really good. They behave much better when it's just me, because they know they have to carry their own stuff and be helpful! Totally depends what you're planning on doing though and whether you feel confident enough to do it.