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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

Holidays

15 replies

Gumnast2014 · 17/02/2015 18:14

Hi,

I am taking my ds 9 to Egypt in April. Panicking a little about the balance of allowing him independence and ensuring I am looking after him. It's a big park with water slides should I be following him on every ride? The football field which he will want to play on is about 500 metres from the bar and I don't think I will be able to see him. Should I stand beside him or let him out of my sight.

I'm worried I am lazy but also want to relax what would you all do?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Starlightbright1 · 17/02/2015 18:34

I don't think this is a question anyone can answer as there are so many variables.

I have just come back from the canaries with my DS nearly 8. I told him I would assess what he could and couldn't do once there... I had to take into account..how well he could follow instructions, how well he could swim, how far the pools were from me.

who he would be at football pitch with? I let him go off with Kids club staff and told him where to meet me..Told him if I wasn't there I was at bar or loo so wait for me

Original poster

Gumnast2014 · 17/02/2015 18:45

He would probably be alone. Football mad. But there is only so much standing round!!

I also want to have a rest too. He is a great swimmer but I just feel that I will be panicking unless I can always see him and may not be worth it

OP posts:

HeadDoctor · 17/02/2015 18:50

At 9 and in a foreign country, I wouldn't be letting him out of my sight unless he was in a supervised kids club.

Iflyaway · 17/02/2015 19:33

Make friends with the hotel workers... reception, bar & restaurant staff, security, room maids, gardeners.... (Just be friendly).

In my experience they know when you arrive that you are M&S (mum & son) alone, so they will look out for you.

They love kids and you will be well looked after - of course, take normal precautions...

Original poster

Gumnast2014 · 17/02/2015 19:36

Really head? Even to go to loo?

I can see that he will meet a friend and want to go off with them and I will be anxiety driven.

Stressed already!!

OP posts:

Iflyaway · 17/02/2015 19:39

Oh, and of course be friendly with the swimming pool guys. You can step back with a book mobile, laptop etc. and be in the area.

Egyptians are lovely! And they love kids! like most of the people in the world and trying to make a living

Original poster

Gumnast2014 · 17/02/2015 19:48

I needs the longest reins ever

OP posts:

VinoTime · 17/02/2015 19:54

I'm taking my (will be by then) 8yo dd on holiday to the Gran Canaria for 2 weeks in the summer. Can't wait, but I am a bit jittery because it's the first time we've been abroad for a beach type holiday by ourselves.

Because of this, I deliberately booked a slightly smaller hotel setting that seems to be run by a family. The pools are all right next to each other and the sun loungers right next to the pools. I figured I could sunbathe and keep an eye on her easily enough that way. She's a fairly confident swimmer but I'll be making sure to get her some extra practice before we go just to ease my nerves. DD's very independent and sensible so I really shouldn't need to worry, but I do and I will!

Take it small steps at a time. Say he wants to go on a slide, tell him that's fine, but he's to come right back and check in with you as soon as he's come down. Maybe get him a waterproof watch - Yes DS, you can go play on the slides, but be back in 10 minutes to let me know you're alright, etc. Make sure he knows exactly where your sun loungers are each day, tell him exactly where the boundaries are as to where he's allowed to be, and make it clear that he needs to ask you before going off to do X, Y or Z. Maybe try and make friends with some other parents - you could take it in turns to keep an eye whatever friendship groups are formed for an hour at a time?

MozzchopsThirty · 17/02/2015 19:54

Assess once your there.

I let my 10 year old off to do stuff or get drinks or play with friends.
But the complex is fairly isolated and he's sensible so the risk is less

You can't eliminate all risk and you both need to have a holiday

susiedaisy · 17/02/2015 20:00

I agree with headdoctor. Apart from supervised kids clubs I would watch a 9 year old child at all times especially in the water. Ive never found holidays with small kids relaxing at all. You can't just lie back on the sunbed and assume he will find you if he needs you IMO. Will he be happy to go in a kids club a few times to give you some time out?

HeadDoctor · 17/02/2015 21:09

I'd let him go to the toilet or I'd ask him to stay close by if I needed to go. I'm generally a laid back parent - they play unsupervised on our cul de sac and I let them go to the park for half an hour but abroad and around water? No I'd worry too much to relax.

Original poster

Gumnast2014 · 18/02/2015 13:57

Do you honestly think it will be worth it? It's going to be really tough and probably too much to manage on my own.

OP posts:

MozzchopsThirty · 18/02/2015 18:40

Dear god woman grow a pair, don't let people put you off.

I took 3 kids to florida this year, on my own, hired a car, did the parks etc and then drove 3 hours to visit a friend in west palm beach

A holiday is always worth it

Starlightbright1 · 19/02/2015 19:54

Yes it will be worth it..

As I said up thread I just came back with my DS.. I was stressed about lots of things before I went ...

I now feel very chilled out there and since I came back . I picked up more travel brochures today.

He is 9 so a lot more responsible than a toddler who could fall in the pool.

Relax, plan on what you can oranise and decide once there the same as if you took your DS somewhere new in this country.

Tia2005 · 21/02/2015 17:18

Hi I've just come back from Egypt with my 9 year old daughter I let her go get a drink and on water slides by herself sometimes but I always made sure I could see her , there is always kids clubs if u want to relax

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