First Holiday Alone with LO

[NewXBea]

I've been a long time lurker and very occasional poster, but couldn't have got through the last few years since my exH walked out and left me holding the baby without the help of Mumsnet.

So I wanted to post a good news story.
Me and DS (4) are just back from our first foreign holiday just the two of us! Five days camping in France and it was absolutely amazing. i'd really encourage anyone considering this to go for it. I was nervous about everything! First time to hire a car by myself (didn't even have a credit card), finding the campsite, with a very talkative 4 year old distracting me all the way. Who would we talk to? would it be lonely.

But it was just wonderful. People were so friendly, met families in the tents near us, spent ages by the pool, actually hanging out with my LO!
And when he finally went to bed exhausted by all the fresh air and the sunshine, I got to drink a peaceful beer by myself and read a book in the evening.

Will be planning another trip soon!

Thanks all mumsnetters for all your support, as you all helped me get there in some way :)

Well done. That's a big journey. Where did you go in France? I have only camped once or twice in the past few years. I know that feeling of being afraid you'll be alone on holiday. It is also just the pressure of doing it alone: the packing, finding the hotel, organising the day trips, catching the plane on time etc. It can be daunting being in a "family" environment surrounded by bug families mums dads grandparents etc ... it can make you feel even more alone. When my son was two or three yrs old, he would join other families on the beach because he liked the big family groups. he doesnt do that now so much but is still very social. I've had those fears too of feeling alone on holiday. But there are lots of single mums on holiday too. I've met them. I like taking my son on holiday. I'd like to take him walking on the pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostella. We recently rented a car in morocco and drive down to the Sahara. That was our biggest adventure yet. Congratulations on your French camping trip. It's a challenge and an achievement. I now prefer going alone with my son as we can please ourselves what we do.

Well done and glad you had a fantastic time. I love camping with just me and DS.

Wow! Yay! I would do this with my 2 in the blink of an eye but I can't drive yet. Just learning. Unless a campsite a taxi ride from an airport somewhere, don't think I'll be able to do it til I get my license! If anyone knows of a place (preferably France) where airport near coast, please let me know!

Did you hire one of their big tents? x

Fantastic news - glad you had a great time - what wonderful memories you have made.

That sounds really wonderful! Might give me the courage to do the same some time my little boy!

Yay! I went to Italy with my 2yo and we had a brilliant time. We rented a car and stayed in a nice flat with German neighbours who spent ages playing hide and seek with the LO. Brilliant food and we spent lots of time tucked up in bed with me reading her stories and her chattering away in her funny little language. Just wonderful and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Yes, Snoopy, I did it the easy way and hired a ready set up tent. Not sure I'd have managed otherwise! It also made it so much more relaxing.

I went to this place: www.camping-indigo.com/en/le-moulin-indigo-campsite-france.html - I don't think you could do this one without a car, but have a look at their other sites, there may be another one that is closer to the airport. with their ready set up tents, there is no reason you'd need a car, though you would of course be more limited in doing day trips.

CiderwithRosie - go for it! You wont regret it