Single parent holiday - any tips?

[nutty123]

Hi,
I have a holiday booked and paid for in may to Turkey. Unfortunately my boyfriend decided to end our relationship in jan so I’ve decided to go alone with my two and a half year old.

I am a total wimp and the thought fills me with dread but this will be the only time I will be able to afford to go away.

Has anyone got any tips for travelling with a toddler and my worries about being a billy no mate on the actual holiday?

Thank you

I went on my own with my two dc I was really worried but it ended up been great. People talked to me and I found more friends on my own then I did as a couple. On the plane I ended up sat next to a really nice man who helped me DS was only 1 so he sat on my knee. I found that the air stewardesses and reps were more than helpful.

Thank you bekind it’s nice to hear a positive story.
Can I ask how you managed with the luggage?

Be kind to yourself on holiday as a single parent. Going to rest/bed at the same time as the dc will mean you actually manage a decent sleep so you have the energy to enjoy your time away from home. Don't over do it, don't make too many plans. Go with the flow!

I went with my DD4 last year. Just took 1 big suitcase with all our clothes in, a rucksack that I could carry for hand luggage and out & about on holiday, and DD took her rucksack with toys & activities for the journey etc - meant I could still hold her hand while pulling the big case and the othe4 bags were on our backs.
Portable DVD player with headphones, sticker activity books and loads of time by the pool or on the beach, we had a brilliant time. I took dvds and books for the evenings.

I’ve done 2 holidays on my own.
I had 1 checked in suitcase, a small hand luggage case, backpack with DD toys and a pushchair - only time luggage was a problem was getting it off at the other end of the twirly thing; I strapped DD in the pushchair and a man helped me drag it off the carousel - the transfer bus man then got it off the bus at the hotel and the hotel took it to my room for me.
Honestly, Turkey is lovely - that’s where we went. I met another woman who was on her own as well and we spent the week together with the kids - I only spent my first night alone and the rest of the time with her around the hotel & venturing out.
Please go! You’ll have such a good time :-)

I'm going on holiday with my DD7 in August. First time abroad with her on my own. Took me ages to book because I was so apprehensive but I'm now coming around to it being a fun holiday. Lots of 1-1 time and no miserable other half wanting to sit in the room all day. I'm sure you'll be ok, as I will. Here's to a happy holiday for both of us!

Well done nanda for booking your holiday. I hope you have a lovely time. This has been kind of thrown on me. Go on my own or lose the money.

finallyfree that’s what I’m hoping will happen as well. It’s the thought of not having any adult conversation for a week which is putting me off.

@nutty123 - I was worried I was going to be alone with no one to speak to other than my DD ... I couldn’t have been more wrong! Ha
Other families will see you are alone and befriend you - by the end of our week holiday we knew 2 families, so all 3 of us say together round the pool & breakfasts etc .... we also had 2 other families that we had coffee with and evening entertainment with - there will be someone there who you will buddy up with :-)

I also made 'friends' with a family who's DC were a similar age rep to my dd. Most of the other families there weren't English though, which sometimes made it harder to strike up conversation! Times when I knew dd would have some entertainment though, I took a book just in case.

I used a trolley in the airport. They had a seat in them for DS and at the hotel I asked a rep for help and she was more than helpful.

Yes been away every year on my own with my son, been born, sometimes more. No problem!

Turkey on the other hand, be prepared to be harassed may be wear a wedding ring, these men are total nuisances and spoilt my holiday. Sorry I know lots of people love Turkey too, just isn't for me.