First holiday as a lone parent

[Misty9]

I'm at a caravan park for a long weekend (in the uk) and it's the first holiday since my marriage broke down. I'm so bloody lonely it seems I'm surrounded by happy families and I just feel so sad that this is how things have turned out.

How do other people manage holidays away as a lone parent? I'm so irritable and grumpy as not only do I not get a break but we're somewhere unfamiliar and everything is more stressful because of it. Does it get better than this? I'm not sure I'll bother again if it doesn't!

I did my first one recently. I'm not going to lie, it was hard work and there were times where I struggled both practically and emotionally. By the end of the week I didn't want to leave!

Id say keep your expectations low! Expect it to be difficult but enjoy the nice periods when they happen. Be organised and try to foresee any possible hiccups. I found if I planned the activities slightly and thought about what I would need, it became a bit easier. Try to factor in activity and rest times to give you all stimulation and a break. Enjoy the peace and quiet, get yourself a couple of good books/glass of wine/cake to enjoy when they're in bed, that's your treat for surviving the day! I looked back at photos I had taken as I'm sad, but it was nice to see that the kids were enjoying it and made it feel worthwhile.

I hope you've managed to enjoy the rest of your day. I know it's hard, but think of the lovely memories your children will have to look back on

This is why I hate going to these kind of things, not been on holiday yet but any event I seem to go to is full of couples with their kids, makes me feel even more alone

I’ve done three holidays since we split and have a sort of plan.

Day 1 is chill-out day, maybe a bit of exploring. days 2, 3 & 5 slow mornings and beach for lunch/afternoon. 4&6 are all day outings.
Evenings are bottle of wine, music/film/book, feet up. And yes, it is lonely but at least it’s off work and I get some rest.

Sorry to hear you are feeling lonely Misty.

I'm going to be doing my first little break with Dd very soon I'm very freshly broken up so completely empathise with you.

Will watch with interest at the tips etc. Awful. I'm dreading it and DD so excited.

We holiday quite a lot, it's a bit different because even when I was with exp he never came anywhere with us even day trips let one holidays so I'm used to it. I do think it will get easier for you though. The kids are always so enthusiastic that it makes up for it. I just sit and stare at my phone mumsnet while they are off joining in with entertainment. And of course a couple of wines. The bit that gets me is getting ready before and after, packing etc while sorting kids, cleaning up etc and things like setting up a tent for camping. It's then I sometimes have a little meltdown and get so sick of doing it all on my own but it is all worth it. Can you look around and see if there looks to be anyone else in the same boat. Maybe you could strike up a conversation, they may be feeling the same.

Hi OP. I've just got back from a week abroad with DD. And yes it was predominantly couples with kids. I spotted one single dad with 2 DS's, but that was it. DD refused to do the kids club so I had no time alone, but it was fun, mainly swimming, water park, and some reading of books. Although it was full on, it was lovely to be spending time with DD and not being at work!
I didn't bother to try and speak to other adults apart from a few mums when standing in the odd queue to pass the time of day.
Just got back, feel very refreshed. Enjoy

I was once a "happy couple on a family holiday", in reality we would have looked happy but we weren't holidays were always filled with arguments and resentment. I'm just back from my first single parent holiday, it was hard there were moments that I was worn out and wanted to scream lol but actually we had the best time, no arguments every move made wasn't wrong and we had lots of laughs and lots of fun. Try not to put any expectations on yourself and try to enjoy the moment. And remember it's only going to get easier each time you do it.

but at least it’s off work and I get some rest.

Hahahahahahaha.... I definitely get more rest at work!

Thanks all. Yesterday evening the kids plucked up the courage to do the evening entertainment and it was good fun. Today has been pretty full on with activities and lunch out, then the evening stuff again. But the kids have absolutely loved it and don't want to leave tomorrow - so I'm counting it as a success! I'll sleep for a week once they're with their dad they've been up so late that i then stay up late to get some downtime.

It's difficult to have slow days with ds as he needs occupying else he'd have meltdowns. He always wants to know what we're doing next and doesn't like sand or water much dd is so easy in comparison. Ds and I clash a lot no matter where we are, so I expect that, but hopefully the positives have outweighed the negatives. I'm not sure I could cope with a week though!