First holiday abroad

[MissBehaving1000]

Hi All.

I've been toying with the idea of having a holiday abroad with my little one for ages, and I've finally bitten the bullet and booked it!

Just a week, on a Spanish island going self catering. There's a kids club, entertainment etc and the resort sounds quiet and relaxed.

I'm excited, but nervous at the same time as not only is it my first holiday abroad with my little one on my own it's the first time I've ever travelled without older family members or friends.

I'm interested to hear from other lone parents that have done it, or will be doing it this year too.
How did you find it or how are you feeling about it, and any tips?

It's the last year I'll get to go in term time before school starts in September, so wanted to make the most of a cheaper holiday before we're restricted to only going during school holidays.

Thanks

It's been a long time since I was a lone parent but I wanted to say well done for going ahead and booking your holiday. I hope you have a lovely time and find some like minded people. I would not have had the courage so good on you.

Ah thank you @Absolutepowercorrupts

It's taken me a good while to get to this point so I just hope my decision to go away was the right one!

It will be nice to escape the usual daily grind and experience something new and fun for both of us.

I took my daughter to both Ibiza and Minorca as a lone parent, and we had an amazing time. I wish I could have bottled the experience up, as the quality time with her, doing different things, really was amazing.

I booked places with kids clubs but she wasn't interested (she was 4 and 5 the times I went), she wanted to be with me all the time. We alternated from beach to swimming pool daily, did a few boat trips, took busses to random places.

I have to admit, you do stand out as a lone parent. I could easily spot the other lone mums/dads when sat watching the evening entertainment. One woman became a bit over-friendly and I couldn't get rid of her. But in the majority you'll find even couples/families will talk and engage in conversation, usually if your little one makes friends with other little ones.

You'll be fine, enjoy every minute.

Ah that's lovely.
My tips would be take it easy and don't expect too much. Maybe silly to say but if dc is going through a tantrum stage then it will still happen at a lovely holiday destination (even an expensive trip to Disneyland !).
Take Calpol and any other meds you may need as won't be able to pop to the shop easily if one of you is unwell.
Stock up on snacks for the room.
Take some books/kindle so you can put lo to bed and read on the balcony (with a small glass of wine) if lo is tired.
Download to tablet favourite kids programmes if you want to chill out in the room.
Have a wonderful time!

Op great advice from springiscomingsoon
I hope you have a really great time and enjoy your holiday

MissBehavingBadly1000
Fantastic.! Really great to hear you are doing this. I am sure you will have a great time.

My advice is a word of caution that can hopefully stop anyone in the circumstances of LoneParenthood having their holiday screwed up by modern myth.

If someone other than yourself has PR for your child . You MUST get a letter of consent UNLESS you have residency set out in a court order . (In which case you can take your child abroad for -normally- 28 days without anyone's permission. - but check your order for specifics)

If someone else DOES have PR and you either don't have a court order or a letter of consent is not forthcoming, now is the time to apply for a specific steps order to allow for you to leave the country with your child in the summer.

It's £215 if you are on a good salary. But always fill in the 'help with fees' form as the allowances are quite generous and full fee grant or partial fee grant are available. It's not something you need a solicitor for.

Please don't listen to all the 'Ive never been stopped' or 'I've gone for years and never had a problem '. It IS the law. The offence is Child Abduction and very serious / but worst of all - imagine your child's disappointment at being turned back after all the excitement of getting to the airport. - Awful And happened to my sister last year on her way to Ibiza- having gone their with her kids for the last 4 yrs without incident. So sad for everyone.

If no one else has PR then you are free as birds - just don't forget LOs birth certificate to prove it. !

Happy holidays.

Thanks everyone for your replies, it's great to hear from others who've done this and there's some really useful ideas and tips which I hadn't even considered!

The point about lone parents standing out at night though is my main worry, just think it'll be depressing sitting on my own whilst other families are there together having fun.

My daughter is outgoing though, and makes friends easily so I'm sure she'll be up dancing having a great time! And that's all that matters really.

Hopefully as pp said, I'll get chatting to others and the sound of retiring early to read on the balcony with a vino sounds appealing

Thanks all. Roll on summer!

@MissBehaving1000 it really isn't depressing standing out, I didn't mean it like that. I just could identify them because I was one of them. And if anything it gave me faces to try and catch at the bar, or around the pool, to strike up a conversation. But as I also said, you'll probably get talking to other families. Maybe the first day or two you'll feel a little "out there", but it won't last. You'll enjoy it.

Well done it sounds great! I've travelled quite a bit with DD but usually met up with friends in Europe so never had a holiday entirely on our own but we're going at the end of the year and I can't wait. Do come back and let us know how it went (I sound like Cilla Black!)