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

[boredandrestless]

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?

i booked a holiday for me and ds4 for end of may first week in june for 2 weeks through thomas cooks website for only £550 for just the two of us, this is our first holiday abroad just the two of us i was the same as you and the more i thought about it or let other peoples comments bother me the more i stressed about it but ive just stopped stressing and im looking forward to it i do everything here myself so why will it be any different abroad
enjoy yourselfs im sure you and the ds will have a blast :)

I'm taking my 3 DC abroad this year on my own-they are 14, 10 and 7 and I'm soooo looking forward to it. We went away last year in our caravan in the uk, ex had been down there for 1 week on his own with DC and I took 2nd week and had a brill time and mad lots of new friends. Go for it-don't let anyone talk you out of it :)

I've done 2 trips to Marrakech, the first when dd was 14 months we had such a lovely time I extended our stay. The second trip was when my dd was 38 months. I've also done shorter trips to Cornwall but I realised on our last trip in Jan that dd wants to go on holidays where she will meet other children to play with. I look forward to our holidays as a chance to spend quality time together and am quite happy to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine. The first trip to Marrakech was planned like a military operation and I think it paid off because all of my lists and pre reading made me feel confident I could deal with any situation and I felt totally prepared. I think it's a good idea to go places you have already been to so you know what to expect and try to choose somewhere where the local people love children, as is the case in Morocco. The website delicious baby is full of handy tips for travelling. Once you have taken the plunge you will wonder what you were worrying about. Have a lovely time!

I'm hoping to take DS (5) to Turkey this october on my own.
My DD (13) doesn't want to come, she hates wearing swimwear and being too hot, so she is going to Scotland with my mum instead!

I've taken them on holidays by myself before, but never abroad, so feeling a little bit nervous along with excited.

Hope you have a lovely time!

Savy, if you don't mind me asking, whereabouts are you going?
£550 such a brilliant price, I'm tempted to bring the hol forward

Yet another tread i am glad i am glad i accidently found !!

I am taking 3ds to Spain AI in august and and feeling a bit jittery about it now....

Have felt an LP even while with xdh..no holidays ever...NOW WOW!!

Went to legoland last year 2 days 1 night in hotel and 1 day trip to Calais.

Suddennly felt brave enough this year to do the BIG ONE..also 9 nights in spain is the same price as 2nights eurodisney(where i really wanted to go but couldnt justiy the price !!)

My boys will be on travel 11/9/8/yrs but not brillient swimmers so not sure if i will be reading many books by pool..plus i have got terrible V veins but i am willing to put them on show for my wonderful supportive lads who deserve this holiday at last.

Helpful spending money tip.....Any "chores" they do for me gets paid but the money goes in the EURO pot ...and tooth fairy money and pocket money....
I am quids in with 3 happy little bunnies

Happy to see more single parents who are holidaying with their dcs this year!

Well I have almost paid off the remaining balanace on my holiday.

I definitely won't be going in the summer holidays next year, but I was very limited as to when we could go away this year and unfortunately it had to be august which is mega expensive, then DS declared he wanted water SLIDES, which bumped up the price even more!

Mine is AI so I won't need to take too much money, just a bit for tips, excursions, and the odd souvenir.

I do so much more in terms of days out and holidays since becoming a single parent. SUrprisng what you can do with a little money when it's just you, and there is no man frittering it away!

sorry NoVeggiesBeforeEggies just seen your message im going to greece a little island called alykes in zante

Took DD (then aged 7) to the Ile de Re last summer and it was the most fantastic week we could ever have had. Went cycling, swimming, fishing and pony-riding and it was so brilliant to have that time together with no routines or anywhere we had to be/things we had to do!

As other posters have said, by that age kids are quite nice companions and although I was a bit concerned about whether there would be other children around her age for DD to play with, in the end that simply wasn't an issue as we spent every day out with bikes cycling to different villages, spent the day between beach, woods, cafe and pottering around (and several donkey rides!!) and got back around 6/7 pm. DD was quite happy then to read a book then play a game after dinner or go for a stroll to the local cafe. She did have a play with some other English kids on the beach some days but never complained of being bored when she was just with me : )

Would love to go somewhere again this year just with her but can't afford it so have been talked into a week in devon with my mum....

Paid the remaining balance off my holiday today - excited!

Habibti yes I think this age they are good companions - how long do you reckon I'v got before he turns into Kevin the Teenager??

Soooo glad I found this page. Made me feel so much better about going to Rhodes in 3 wks with my 15yr old.. Never done it before and was soo nervous till I read the above. You guys are an inspiration :)

Ive been abroad twice now with my dd took her to America last may I was petrified but it turned out to be the best holiday ever so far, be brave and just book it once you do it there's no going back, let me know how you get on if you take the plunge ?

A bit late to the thread on this one, but I take DS away on holiday every year - just him and I and we've had a great time, every time.

We've mostly been abroad (Greek Islands, Balaerics, or Canaries for shorter flights) - opted for half board hotels close to sea and shops. Met lots of lovely people around the pool and at dinner - so still get some adult conversation. DS has made friends he has stayed in touch with the last few years, he also did some swimming lessons when he was very young one year with First Choice and last year was the first year I could safely read a book by the pool. An evening stroll with them breaks up how long you end up being in a hotel room/apartment with them, but whilst they're asleep I've enjoyed being on the balcony with a book or just enjoying the scenery.

It can be tiring and hard work at times, but overall very worthwhile and fulfilling. We are off to the Balaerics for a week this summer and then next Spring a trip of a lifetime - tour of West USA and onto Hawaii - he'll be 12 and has wanted to do this for a few years. My life savings are being plunged for it, but I'd rather spend the time and money doing this trip with him, than alone when I eventually retire!

I hope you booked it.

Hi Bluepenny, yes I did book it and it's all paid up. Tunisia in August for a week all inclusive. I can't wait!

I'm a little worried about the practicalities of lugging suitcases and a wheelchair but I'll figure it out. Luckily my ds IS mobile so he will probably have to walk while we have the suitcases and bags with us. I've done this before but not in a busy airport in a foreign country!

That really is a trip of a lifetime you have planned for spring - I would love to do something like that.

So nice to hear everyone's positive stories of holidays just them and their dcs.

Excellent. I hope you have a fabulous time and it might be worth speaking to the Tour Operator to see if you could be helped at the airport - they are usually very good with wheelchair users.

The baggage side is the worst bit, but I've always found other passengers willing to pull cases off the conveyor belt (whilst trying to keep DS back and safe). I try to travel light and take Travelwash to do handwashing/washing ice cream/drink stains out. AI is good for the budgeting too.

Our trip next year is happening a year earlier than planned due to DS's Dad emigrating - I felt he needed something to look forward to and focus on. I have yet to approach his new school that he starts in September for the week off we need before Easter and am worrying about that. Going for the exceptional circumstances reasoning and fingers crossed!

It's great to see so many LPs holidaying with their dcs too - have seen 1 or 2 LP Dads too.

Another single mum who has been away every year with DCs. Sometimes we go just us & other times I travel with a single family tour operator. I would recommend Small Families & Mango.

bored tell the airport and airline about the wheelchair.

We used to travel with DB who was either on crutches or in w.chair. We always either got our own "pusher" who dealt with suitcases and/or chair (and a very fast check in) or were taxied to the plane in a golf buggy I was a bit but DB loved it. And it made travelling easy (better than once he managed without walking aids.....

you do get on first and off last though so can be a bit tedious waiting...