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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

Holidaying alone? With kids?!

41 replies

Really1 · 19/12/2013 17:19

Has anyone done a holiday alone with kids?
I'm thinking of doing a 5 day all inclusive holiday next year for me and the kids around May/June time.
Dc1 will be just 4 and dc2 will be 2 and a half.
I'm thinking of a short ish flight eg Portugal or Spain, all inclusive resort geared up for kids with kids clubs etc so that I get a little bit of respite myself. Just a bit of sun sea & sand plus all inclusive food and ice cream for all of us!
Am I nuts?!?! Has anyone done this alone before?

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MissWinter01 · 19/12/2013 17:25

DO IT!

I did it with DD in May. She was 22 months at the time. We had a ball go for it. Booked up for Ibiza (quiet side of the island) next year. All inclusive is def the best option.

Think my family thought I was mad for doing it, while at the airport I thought I was too haha. But honestly it was so worth it.

Original poster

Really1 · 19/12/2013 18:22

Eek did you? Did you meet anyone there to kind of tag along with or just go it completely alone?
I'm not really bothered about meeting people as I just want quality time with the kids but I'm not sure if il feel to isolated on my own?
Did you feel safe enough?

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MissWinter01 · 19/12/2013 18:29

We went completely alone but we met loads of lovely family's and old people (we attracted them in hoards lol) to chat to in passing in the evenings. Be prepared to be asked why you are there alone haha, people can be right nosey sometimes.

I've got to admit I felt safe within the complex but not outside the complex but this was purely down to the one day we did venture outside I was warned by a local not to be out alone with DD. We also had to walk past approx 60 unlicensed taxi's all with the drivers (men) standing around the car's in group. Needless to say we hightailed it back to the complex. However in saying that we were in Tunisia in a pretty quiet part but the complex was huge so we didn't get bored. Because of this is part of the reason I have chosen Ibiza next year, I want to explore where I visit and did miss this last year.

We went for a week and that was probably enough and I was ready to come home by then. I didn't feel isolated at all though, little one's keep you on your toes and you will speak to people.

You should honestly go for it. Failing that come to Ibiza lol.

queenofthepirates · 19/12/2013 18:34

We've done it loads! My DD and I normally go for an apartment so we can come and go as we please and it's been so much fun. We've holidayed with friends and family as well but much enjoy the mum and DD holidays ( well I do, DD in only 2yo).

Do it!

coldsocks · 19/12/2013 18:40

Yes, we've always gone on holiday on our own as I raised ds as a lone parent since birth. I never really bothered with other families, we just enjoyed our time together and usually went to places where there were lots of activities/theme parks/museums to visit. We did all inclusive in the past but I prefer making our own arrangements these days.

Spain is lovely and very child-friendly.

Monetbyhimself · 19/12/2013 19:31

Me. My kids are a bit older now and we went half board in a quiet resort. Met a couple of other single mums on the flight. Was great. Loved it and will definitely be going again. It was really funny listening to couples narking at each other about whose 'turn' it was to apply the sunscreen/ watch the kids/get in the pool.

makemineapinot · 19/12/2013 23:32

Go for it! Have holidayed alone with my dc's for years now - first holiday without ex was so liberating, even as a lobe parent on a European campsite! You'll love it!

Original poster

Really1 · 20/12/2013 06:25

Wow I didn't realise so many people did it!
I do love the idea of doing it alone as I think it would be quite liberating for me too!
Have any of you been with more than 1 child? I'm just wondering if 2 kids under 4 will be too stressful and I won't actually end up enjoying it!!
No, I think if we stick to 5 days & go all inclusive to a child orientated hotel we should be ok!

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Minime85 · 21/12/2013 12:16

this thread really interesting for me. I'm recently separated and would love to go abroad- should costs allow- in the summer. but I was worried about what if I was ill or had an accident . also I dont travel well as I have tummy troubles so worries me. but this thread makes me think I should just go for it.

MissWinter01 · 21/12/2013 13:47

You definitely should. There are what ifs in every situation but maybe if you book through an agent you'll feel better in the added security of having an English speaking rep. Do your homework on where you are staying and I'm sure you'll have a holiday to remember x

paneer · 22/12/2013 16:24

I've been overseas with DD quite a few times. We also camp quite a lot.

There are also a few companies out there that specialise in holidays with 1 adult families.

Do it!

VivaLeBeaver · 22/12/2013 16:43

I've done it loads. Mainly camping in this country.

But also a week AI in Egypt. I actually got chatting to another single mum on the tripadvisor forum who was in the same hotel at the same time so we hooked up as kids were the same ages and that was good.

Other families by the pool were friendly and chatty.

But I'd have been happy without this. Happy in my own/dd's company. Can read a book and sunbathe while she's in the pool.

I could have got the holiday cheaper by booking it direct but paid more to go with Thomas Cook. Just the security that if something did happen the reps are there to help.

Me and dd are off to Central America next year on our own, no tour company this time. She will be a teenager by then so bit more sensible.

octopusinasantasack · 22/12/2013 16:46

Go for it, if the alternative is not having a holiday then you should most certainly do it. I've done long haul flights on my own with children several times, it's fine.

paneer · 22/12/2013 17:49

Viva, not wanting to wish her life away but I am so looking forward to doing more adventurous holidays when DD gets older. Quite of your Central America trip.

VivaLeBeaver · 22/12/2013 17:52

I am very excited by it!

Monetbyhimself · 22/12/2013 18:50

Sounds amazing Viva. I would quite like to take the kids in a camper van through Europe in a couple of years time.

BlackDaisies · 23/12/2013 00:49

Can anyone recommend a company/ resort?? I would love to do this next summer with my two, but everywhere I look the prices seem extortionate (thousands!)

Original poster

Really1 · 23/12/2013 07:20

Watching for recommendations as I've been looking and a lot of places still charge full price for the kids as they will both be over 2!

Blackdaisys the sensotori resorts are supposed to be amazing for families with children. The closest is Tenerife I think but having had a look the cheapest i could see at the mo was £1900 for the 3 of us for 5 nights in May... I'd like a little cheaper if poss.. Oh & that's full board not AIC

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paneer · 23/12/2013 07:56

www.smallfamilies.co.uk/destinations.html

Original poster

Really1 · 09/01/2014 19:35

Eek so I've taken the plunge & booked a week at holiday village tenerife in May! Free child place so that's a bonus & it's All inclusive. Hope a week won't be too long! My nearly 4 year old can't wait already!

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NigellasDealer · 09/01/2014 19:43

yes i have done it a few times to Greece, think last minute October deals.
Greece was really good with small children. some of the other young families can be a bit snotty with single mothers but hey what's new? we always met a few friendly faces in our accommodation usually. the greek people were lovely to the children. Last time we went we inter-railed it and stayed on a campsite which was by far the most sociable option for me anyway.

Monetbyhimself · 09/01/2014 20:44

Brilliant. You'll have a blast!

DarkKnight123 · 09/01/2014 21:24

Really - I dont know your budget but a foreign holiday for children so young? If you were to a week at Butlins you'd have all the kids clubs and stuff for a fraction of the price.

ParenthoodJourney · 09/01/2014 21:28

What's wrong with taking a young child abroad !? Definitely more culture and experience than butlins! My DS much preferred barbados aged 3 to butlins aged 4

NigellasDealer · 09/01/2014 21:31

besides to be honest you would probably spend more on getting to and staying at Butlins that you would on a last minute package deal.

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