Bit nervous about going away, just dd and myself

[GracieLoo]

I am taking my 4 year old dd away to the seaside for a couple of nights this weekend. I've always been on my own with her, but this is the first time I've taken her away by myself. I'm a grown woman so why am I suddenly so scared?

I doubt myself all the time, suffer with mental health problems, and while I was in a bit of a 'manic' mood, I booked this break after promising dd I would take her away. I'm now worrying about getting lost driving there, worried about the hotel, about her getting bored, or that I will get really low while I'm there and I'll be too far away for support.

I know I sound pathetic, I should be able to do this! But a couple of people have questioned whether I should be doing it, and this has made me more panicky.

I just want dd to have a nice time, to make up for all the bad times (that she knows nothing about, but I still feel guilty), but I'm worried I won't cope. Or that i won't want to come back to the same old crap as it might feel like an escape from it all.

Just wondered if anyone has any experiences, or advice, support, anything?!

I'm sure you'll be fine. I tend to get panicky before we go away as well, even though I have DH to lean on. I find if I make lists it helps as I can't forget anything.

Getting lost is nothing to panic over, just adds to the adventure.

I'm sure she won't bored as it's somewhere new and lots of places to explore.

I know it's hard but try to relax and enjoy yourself x

I took DD away a few months ago on a plan and everything! You will be fine. You don't have to do the housework for a week, no washing up and you can relax the routine a bit. Make sure you take something to do in the evenings when she is asleep and lots of stickers/dvd player/whatever she is into for the car journey and you will have a lovely time :)

*plane, clearly, although I did plan it

I'm sure you'll be fine and at least the weather is lovely . Your daughter is only little so whatever you do she will have a fab time just being in a hotel with mummy . I'm not a single parent but I've often taken my children away on my own ( usually theme parking) and we've always had great fun . Hope you have a lovely weekend

I felt quite scared the first time I went away with my dd on my own. I think she was about 4 as well, she's 14 now and we've had many happy holidays since. I think it's partly because you're used to being responsible for everything at home, being solely responsible for everything in an unfamiliar environment can be quite daunting.

All I can tell you is you're most likely going to have a fantastic time, but if it does all get too much, you can just go home.(I had to do this on our last break - my DD got food poisoning on the first day and after a sleepless night getting puked on, I threw the towel in.)

It helps me to remember that Britain is a small island and you're never that far from home.

Good luck!

Thank you for the reassurance. I'm sure it will be fine, there's just those niggling thoughts of what might go wrong.

I need to think of what I can do in the evenings, although I'll probably be so knackered we'll go to bed at the same time!

I thought I would be fine, I'm usually independent, and have even thought of going abroad before. But this feels better for now, knowing we can come home if we need to.

The first time I took DS abroad three years ago, I got lost going to the airport . Seriously, you'll be fine. Take a few of her favourite toys/books, take a good book for you and just enjoy it. I, too, had people questioning me going way with DS alone and saying I was 'brave' but I actually think they were a bit jealous of my independence. It was fab. Just enjoy it and make the most of the lovely weather.

I'm just back from a week abroad. DD is 14 but with ASD and LD. I felt a bit daunted at first, but she had such absolute faith in me to lead the way, etc, that I just got on with it.

We had an absolutely fabulous time. I downloaded some progammes onto her i-pad and she took a portable DVD player with her. Dinner usually lasted until about 9ish, so we just went back to our room and I had a couple of glasses of wine on the balcony (and MNed with the wifi) while she lay on the bed watching TV and we were both asleep by about 11 most nights

We both had a ball, and while I had an occasional pang of envy seeing the families there, it was only momentary.

I'm sure you'll have a fab time

(and I missed the turn off for the airport too but I just kept driving until the next exit and headed back