Going abroad

[Xztop]

I'm have my first holiday abroad next week as a sole parent and I am worried sick. Besides the whole Covid drama I feel so anxious and I dont want other families looking at us and feeling sorry for me that I'm alone. Anyone done it and how did it go? Any tips?

Yes, every year from when my DDs were about 7 and 8.
Tips: Go to hotels, not self catering villas. Less lonely and no chores.
Use a package tour company - English speaking reps at airport and in resort to help you if you have problems.
Book a few excursions so you meet the other adult guests, and can sightsee safely with a tour guide.
Avoid countries like Tunisia, where the local men will wait outside the hotel to hit on unaccompanied women. Not only did I get propositioned as a 44 year old widow, so did my 9 year old daughter. The creep shrugged and said he thought she was 12. And he was a member of the hotel staff!
Take something to entertain you and the kids in the hotel room, such as board games and books (depending on age, of course). You can’t really leave them alone in the room to go to the bar at night, so you need something to occupy you and them.
Take a basic child first aid kit including calpol etc. Easier than trying to find a foreign pharmacy near your hotel and explaining what you want.
Once you have successfully managed a package holiday with support from reps etc, you will soon have the confidence to book your own holidays and make your own arrangements.

Thank you so much for answering! I've booked it as a package and also have excursions booked. To be honest even when my husband was around he was no help so I suppose this one wont be much different!!

Nobody will be feeling sorry for you! If anything people will think you’re a star for giving your DC a great holiday but mostly people won’t really give you a second thought as they’ll be too busy enjoying themselves. The first time I took my 3 abroad on my own I felt a big sense of achievement as my ex had always been the ‘responsible one’ and made me feel like a bit of a liability. Realising that I could do the adulting by myself was a massive confidence boost. And it was so nice not to have to pander to another adults whims - if my kids wanted to spend all day by the pool, that’s what we did. If they wanted to walk to the ice cream shop, that’s what we did. Ex would’ve moaned at the expense or got fidgety by the pool all day. It was a brilliant holiday!! Enjoy.

Yes. I have done this lots since mine were tiny. We’ve had some lovely holidays and so will you. Try to analyse what exactly you are so worried about and make a plan. If it is logistics (managing multiple small kids and luggage etc) then make a plan around how you pack etc. If it is others judging you - really let that go. Honestly when you have been on holiday have you ever really been interested in the backstory of anyone else? And if anyone does show an interest, they will see you as the superhero you are. Like pp said the only thing you need to plan for is the evenings. Something you can all do in the room, or something you can do quietly in the room after kid(s) are asleep

Ahh no one will look at you & feel sorry for you ❤️
Take the DC to the entertainment that the hotel / resort puts on at night, get round the pool or beach during the day, kids will naturally make friends, you might get 5 minutes peace and you may end up talking to other parents, enjoy your holiday