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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Is it crazy to take my 3yo on holiday by myself (not single parent just desperate for some sun)

35 replies

Needaholidayplease · 02/01/2022 15:56

My OH has no annual leave left for various family emergency reasons. I'm desperate for a bit of sun and am considering going alone for a week to canaries or similar with our 3 yo. Is this mad? I can't decide. I love holidays more than life, but is this ridiculous?

OP posts:
Ibizafun · 02/01/2022 15:57

U less you go somewhere with a good crèche not sure you'll have much of a holiday...

Catch32 · 02/01/2022 15:58

Ohhhh I'm following too. DH hates holidays and wants to keep annual leave for seeing his family. Keen to know whether a holiday on your own with a little one actually feels like a holiday at all?

Original poster
Needaholidayplease · 02/01/2022 16:00

@Ibizafun

U less you go somewhere with a good crèche not sure you'll have much of a holiday...
Ha yes I hear you. I think I'm so sun starved that even chasing a kid around in half warm weather appeals right now. But it might be the 2nd of January blues
OP posts:
RedLemon · 02/01/2022 16:02

Not necessarily. I’d do it in a heartbeat if it was a 5 year old. But would you be happy to let the agenda be based on keeping 3 year old happy? Would you enjoy it? I’m thinking early nights, no wine, lots of portable entertainment/distractions, no chance of you reading a book or snoozing in the sun or basically even going to the loo unaccompanied….

junebirthdaygirl · 02/01/2022 16:04

Is there a friend,sister, mother who would go with you so you would get a little break for the pool supervision and also some adult chat?

vastgrandupgrade · 02/01/2022 16:07

Can the 3 yo stay at home with OH?

pjani · 02/01/2022 16:08

I don’t think it’s crazy at all. I would keep your expectations low and go somewhere very kid friendly, with a great pool, waterslides, games etc and enjoy the sunshine and bonding time with your DC. I bet you’ll miss your DP and home by the end but that’s part of the benefit of a holiday - a new perspective on how cosy and nice home is!

oviraptor21 · 02/01/2022 16:10

When are you planning on going? Canaries is not reliably warm yet.

Paperyfish · 02/01/2022 16:13

Sounds good to me. If you are already doing the childcare then why not do it some where warmer, with fun distractions and all inclusive catering? Pick some where with kids friendly attractions and you’ll have a great time!

Kaffiene · 02/01/2022 16:19

I would say it depends on what you love about holidays? Just back from 5 days in Spain with my nearly 4 year old. It was so nice to do the same shit in a warmer place 🤣
I am also toying with the canaries for some actual sun, just dreading the longer flight. I found the travel absolutely exhausted DS & he used his buggy a lot which he doesn’t do normally. Go for it

Original poster
Needaholidayplease · 02/01/2022 16:20

Thanks for the comments! Was thinking end of Feb so yes, may have to go further afield than canaries for proper warmth.
Don't mind early nights and balcony wine with my book. Just wondering if I'm being naive about the reality of being responsible 24/7 abroad with my son, although obviously single parents manage it all the time. Food for thought!

OP posts:
Starcaller · 02/01/2022 16:22

Three is usually when they can go to the kids clubs, so that might be an option for you to get some time to yourself each day and fun for your DC too if they enjoy playing with other kids.

Snoken · 02/01/2022 16:39

I did lots of holidays with my two kids when they were younger on my own. They are only two years apart but we went at least once a year on our own as my husband is a bit of a workaholic. We went to Barcelona, Nice, NY, Morcco, Denmark (Legoland and Copenhagen) all before the oldest was 6. I didn't do the big hotel complex with kids clubs as it's not my thing but travelling alone is absolutely fine as long as you make the trip about the kids and don't have expectations of sitting on a sun lounger for hours and going out late at night. It can actually be nicer than going with another adult who might be expecting to do more fun things.

StarryNightSparkles · 02/01/2022 16:42

I done it when my dd was 3. DH couldn't get annual leave so I booked a last minute deal and hopped on the plane. It was a fantastic holiday with lots of lovely memories. My tip would be to pack light with a easy foldable light buggy.

C152 · 02/01/2022 16:43

No, not crazy at all. I took my son away by myself from when he was 6 months onwards (if I didn't, we'd never have a holiday!). As long as you're realistic with yourself about the fact that a holiday with a 3 year old with be nothing like a holiday by yourself (or with another grown up). You need to plan your day around what both you and your child can take. e.g. at 3, I knew my son could put up with me browsing in 2 shops or an hour in a musuem. It would then be time for us to play in a park or a cafe or even just walk outside admiring the scenery. There was no point trying to make him do more than he could at that age. So every day we agreed I would do one or two things he wanted to do, then it was my turn, so we both did something I wanted to do; then it was his turn etc. I kept his bedtime routine the same i.e. dinner, bath, story, bed at the same time as usual; so I had evenings to read / watch tv / plan the next day etc. Sometimes hotels have childminders, so depending on where you stay, you may be able to get a childminder to look after them while you have dinner in the hotel restaurant.

As long as I didn't try to cram each day full of things, it went well.

InTheLabyrinth · 02/01/2022 16:47

It's fine as long as there is stuff to keep the 3 yr old happy.
And, as you say, a balcony (or maybe a sofa, given the time of year) for wine and a book in the evening.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 02/01/2022 16:49

Do it … Tenerife is high 20s at the moment.

LostForIdeas · 02/01/2022 16:50

Not an issue as long as you plan it around the child so it’s as easy in you as possible iyswim.

I’ve travelled with both my dcs when they’re that age and younger. You’re not going to get a week relaxing in a sun thinking of nothing but you can a fantastic week of sun, warmth and easy time.
It probably helps that my dcs were always easy outside the house than at home! (And didn’t have an issue with sleeping if not in their bed etc…)

HappyHedgehog247 · 02/01/2022 16:52

I used to take my 3 year old away as a (then) single parent. The trick is to keep it as simple as possible. It’s not like a holiday without a 3 year old but it’s still better than no holiday. Obviously depends on your own child and how you find it solo.

HappyHedgehog247 · 02/01/2022 16:53

We would do play park every day, coffee out with coloring books or little toys etc, walk on beach collecting shells etc.

Continentalmama · 02/01/2022 16:55

I just got back from a weeks 'holiday' with my 14 month and 3yr old. We had fun, particularly my 3 yr old who went to ski school for a couple hours each day but it didn't feel like a 'holiday' in the relaxing unwind sense, more like parenting in a new and exciting place. I only went because they both reliably sleep through the night and we stayed in my parents apartment so had all of the necessary things. I'd say go for it but get a self catering place where you have a place to relax/watch tv/read after little one is in bed. My biggest concern was getting covid and therefore having to isolate there alone with the kids, that's def something to consider.

Justtobeclear · 02/01/2022 17:13

I’ve just started looking into going somewhere with my nearly 5 year old twins for the first time. I’m nervous but have decided to start looking at all inclusive options in popular resorts (Majorca etc) so I can take them out if I want but if it’s been a stressful day I won’t need to worry about food etc. it feels a bit daunting but I can’t really figure out why!

Paleodiet · 02/01/2022 17:35

There are companies which organise holidays for single parents & children. Quite expensive but good for companionship.

Polmuggle · 02/01/2022 18:29

I think it depends on why you've got annual leave left but your partner has used all his on family emergencies?

Original poster
Needaholidayplease · 02/01/2022 18:43

@Polmuggle

I think it depends on why you've got annual leave left but your partner has used all his on family emergencies?
His family - elderly parents who live several hours drive away so he's had to hop back unexpectedly. Also, I work part time tues- Thurs and for some reason, so much leave accumulates! I think I get all the bank hols in lieu or something. He wouldn't mind me going, it's just whether it's worth the faff
OP posts:
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