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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Anyone been on holiday abroad with just the dc(s)?

66 replies

boredandrestless · 24/03/2012 09:04

I went to disneyland paris last year on a coach holiday and was all geared up for going abroad (beach type holiday) this year, just me and DS again on a plane this time, but I'm having a wobble in my confidence thanks to another single parent's shock and horror at the idea.

Anyone else go on holiday just them and their dcs or am i just some weird loner?
If you have done a plane holiday as the only adult did you manage it ok?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 28/03/2012 13:20

Crazy we loved Lanzarote last year, you'll have a fab time! Will have a look at the company you booked with.

smellyfeet · 28/03/2012 14:44

So sounds as if Lanzarote is a great place for families. I am looking to book something for DD and I in June too.

Maybee · 28/03/2012 14:56

I did it last summer with my 3ds aged nearly 2, 3 and 8. We went on a Siblu holiday to France so it was v child friendly. We had a great time. I nearly chickened out before as so many people said 'you're mad what if...?' blah blah blah. With good will family members tried to talk me out of it and almost did but the weather here at the end of June was awful so I went.We had great fun. True it was hard work at times but I still managed to relax and enjoy it. i met some nice people. I didn't remotely envy the couples as they looked stressed and harassed at times too. We are supposed to be going to Centre Parks Holland on 10 April but chickenpox is here so will have to see but I hope so. Try and be organised before you go and you'll have a lovely time.

Original poster

boredandrestless · 28/03/2012 16:36

Thanks everyone for your positive replies.

I today booked my holiday, we are off to Tunisia! [excited]

It's only a 3hr15min flight, and very good price wise considering it's at peak time.

OP posts:

smellyfeet · 28/03/2012 16:44

are you going to Tunisia on a package? which company?

Original poster

boredandrestless · 28/03/2012 17:03

Yes smelly feet.

I had vouchers for Thomas Cook so that's who I booked with. I have gone all inclusive just as it will be easier for me practically and budgetting wise.

Here is the link to where we are going:

www.thomascook.com/destinations/skanes/sahara-beach-resort/

OP posts:

Maybee · 28/03/2012 17:07

it looks lovely and reasonable.

Original poster

boredandrestless · 28/03/2012 17:27

I wanted to book something with pool slides for ds as he's very much 'on the go' and finding places on the beach with pool slides was looking very expensive! Ironically this is the first one I looked at and thought 'ooh I like the look of that!' so I'm happy that it worked out reasonably priced.

So who has some wise, going abroad holiday tips for me then?

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 28/03/2012 17:39

Yes, went to Egypt with DD when she was 8. It was fine. Not sure I'd recommend going somewhere like Egypt as a single mum, I got lots of hassle from local men so we ended up staying in the complex most of the time. Which was fine as it was a huge water park.

Somewhere like Spain, etc would be fine.

I also got chatting to someone on the Tripadvisor forum who was going to the same hotel at teh same time - another single mum. So we met up, was nice to have someone to eat with in the evenings, etc.

lottysmum · 28/03/2012 18:54

Looks really nice but not sure I would have opted for Tunisia on my own with child.....everything seems to have settled down their now....and I suppose with Thomas Cook you are fine because they would be very responsible in the event of further problems in the area....

I'm taking a group of single parents over to Marrakech at New Year and there are always extra issues to consider with these North African countries...they seem to have their moments!

Hope you have a super time.......

Original poster

boredandrestless · 28/03/2012 19:08

Well yes the uprising last year has affected the prices for this year and I did bear that in mind. However the holiday is protected and insured, and we will be spending I reckon 90% of the holiday on the resort site. If we do go on an excursion or two I will be respecting the Muslim culture and also being very safety conscious.

The bottom line is I cannot afford the super popular places, I wanted somewhere with pool slides that was on the beach, and wasn't too fussed on the destination as long as it had these and a short flight!

I hadn't thought of the tripadvisor forums, I will have to have a look on there too!

OP posts:

purpleroses · 28/03/2012 19:32

You don't have to tell local men that you're a single mum - I have a friend who's travelled a great deal in Africa and always wears a (fake) wedding ring for going out and about - if they see you with a child it's probably an even easier stunt to pull off - you can say if asked that your husband is meeting you later or something. I went on a Thomas Cook trip to Tunisia over 20 years ago with my parents and sister. Was very exotic for my family at the time, but we all had a great time. There are pleanty of organised excersions that they lay on (for extra cost mostly) which will be quite safe for you to do with your DC.

I'm feeling quite envious now....

VivaLeBeaver · 28/03/2012 19:45

Well I'm not actually a single mum, dh just hates holidays. So I have a wedding ring. Didn't stop the hassle, though to be fair a lot of it was just general trying to sell me stuff I didn't want all the time.

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 28/03/2012 21:18

I've looked at that hotel before bored as it looks lovely but discounted Tunisia because I thought I might get hassled if I went out and about, but the fake wedding ring idea is a great idea. Do you go in August? Please come back and let us know what it's like.

lottysmum · 28/03/2012 23:36

TripAdvisor is amazing.... I've used it numerous times with the holidays I arrange and managed to get budget prices for super accommodation ....

I think you will be fine and have a super time....Small Families have been taking single parents to Tunisia for many years because its affordable ...We had a big debate on whether to stay in a nice hotel outside of Marrakech or go with the authentic Raid at New Year but the families opted for the Riad....which has a heated pool and is so much nicer than a run of the mill hotel ...if anyone is interested there is still a room available that sleeps up to 3 £120 per person for 4 nights flying out on 30th December...11 single parent families are going with children from 6 to 16 years old....very much a laid back holiday with the benefits of a group price....

With all these holidays you just need to be aware of the culture....

Original poster

boredandrestless · 04/04/2012 22:33

I have just thought of a perhaps silly (?) question. When you are at the beach or the pool, on your own with dc, what do you do with bag/keys/money??

I'm going to an all inclusive resort so I don't need to be carrying loads of cash round all the time but will still need to carry some plus wipes, nappies, sun cream, sun hats, blah blah blah.

OP posts:

lottysmum · 04/04/2012 22:39

Not easy....as I found out the year before last when a watch was taken out of my beach bag by the pool....I hadn't planned to go in the pool and then my DD came out of kids club and persuaded me to go in .... I hid my watch at the bottom of my bag .... but someone must have seen me take it off...

Keys you can leave on reception and normally you have a wrist band when all inclusive so don't need any cash on you....hopefully no one will want to take the nappies etc

supernannyisace · 04/04/2012 22:48

I used to take my Ds on holiday as a LP when he was between the ages of 4 and 9. We had a blast. The first time was slightly daunting - as I was the only responsible adult - but to be fair, no different than being with XP - I ws always in charge anyway.

Since being with new DH - I have still gone away with DS - just me and him. It is nice to have time together. He is a teenager now- so won't want to do it for much longer.

ballstoit · 04/04/2012 22:58

Tunisia is lovely, very child friendly and both hotels we stayed in were immaculately clean . My DD1 was very poorly when we went with useless ex-H and the hotel were fabulous, arranged a doctor to visit and brought food up from the AI buffet for me so that I could sit with her while she slept.

I'm gradually building up to an abroad holiday, but have been too chicken to take all 3 on a plane without another adult so far. DC are 6,4 and 2 though so little ones a bit more of a challenge. We went away with extended family group last year and DC and I had a couple of days at the beach just the 4 of us. Have done weekends away in the UK and have really enjoyed suiting ourselves. I think the coach trip may be a good starting point for venturing further afield...you have inspired me, thanks

Original poster

boredandrestless · 04/04/2012 23:24

Ballstoit - That's how I dipped my toe in the water last year was by doing a coach holiday. It made it much less stressful as I had no idea how ds would cope with a long journey, he was an absolute angel. He is very 'young' for his age, still in pull ups,still doesn't sleep all night uninterrupted, but at least now I know he behaves on long journeys!

Lotty'smum - that's awful about your watch! I don't wear a watch but I do rely on my mobile for the time. May just get a cheap waterproof watch, then can leave phone locked in suitcase when we're just going down to the pool.

Supernannyisace - I do enjoy going away just me and ds too. It's nice you still get to do that, though I agree they won't want to forever. It's nice to take time just you and them to enjoy each other isn't it.

OP posts:

TheSecondComing · 04/04/2012 23:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

boredandrestless · 05/04/2012 08:29

Wow TSC you did do loads!

As a seasoned lone parent traveller do you have any tips for me?

Or can you answer my bag question of 22:33 last night??

OP posts:

TheSecondComing · 05/04/2012 09:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

supernannyisace · 05/04/2012 10:03

Re looking after valuables:

I just didn't take much out with me. Just enough euros to see us through the morning/day whatever. I don't wear a watch - and I didn't bother with my mobile.

I do remember burying my bag on the beach once though - as we wanted to go in the sea together. :)

You can get waterproof neck wallets and stuff though if you need to keep cash safe whilst swimming.

dolallylass · 05/04/2012 13:20

We went to Tunisia, Dar Khyam, Hammamet and there were loads of single mums there and the atmosphere was lovely, no one was frowned upon. I was really impressed and would happily go back if I ever have any money again ;)

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