Single parent holidays

[Needanewadventure2021]

So im really missing a holiday and would love to take my DS away next year, who will be 8.

I am a single parent have been all his life. He has been away 4 times before and absolutely loved it, however I have always travelled with my parents. They don't overly help but its the security for me. For example they can watch him whilst I'm in the shower so I don't need to worry about balconies etc or on the beach one of us is able to stay with our belongings whilst someone is in the water with him.

I would really love to take him on my own but worry about the obvious things and also it being lonely for him. We only ever go self catering and prefer this to be honest. Holiday Villages are too busy for him. Busy places can cause sensory overload so I'd be looking at something quiet and low key really which we are used to.

But its getting over the going alone with him. I must sound pathetic but I want to enjoy it rather than constantly worry.

Guess I'm hoping someone will come along and tell me to just go for it and stop worrying x

He is 8? Does he has special needs? Fwiw I took my 4 kids to The beach alone (10 and under) and just left our stuff on the sand. No one touched it just brought important things like phone/bank card with me. As for him being lonely book somewhere with a kids club?

I’ve taken my three away a few times inc Disneyworld.
Be a bit lonely in a villa, I’d do a hotel for just the two of you.

Stop worrying and just go for it ;)
8+ was great for going abroad for us - old enough she could entertain herself a bit but was also good company in the evening. Mine loved kids clubs, so we did that a lot, she liked joining in the evening entertainment etc. If we went to the beach, I took one of those waterproof phone lanyard things to put my key/phone/cash in. I taught her some card games so we could play around meals, while having a drink after dinner to extend time out of the room a bit.
Best thing I did at that age was tell her a budget and dates and she looked for options then we chose from her top 3.

www.mangoholidays.co.uk try these they do a great holiday in Devon. You will meet like minded adults and the kids all get on. I love going on holiday as a single mum and meeting other families/parents

I've been on self catering holidays just me and ds from age 8. Before that we also went with family which was great when he was young. As he got older and life got busier with activities /friends I found I really wanted to go away just the 2 of us for some time out. I just always pick somewhere there's plenty to do that we both enjoy. Last holiday (2019) we hired bikes and did some exploring, tried some water sports, had a waterpark within walking distance and we stayed in a complex with pools, games tables, tennis courts and a lovely little bar/restaurant that had decent music at night. Oh and we took ipads obviously
Absolutely go for it, they grow up so quickly, different types of holidays will suit different stages. I'm looking forward to going on some city breaks with ds now he's a teen, hopefully!

I just posted a question about holidays in the holiday forum. I am about to become a single parent and am trying to work out how I’m going to rebuild my life.

My partner and I have done a lot of Neilson activity holidays in the past but I’m feeling apprehensive about doing them alone. I wondered if any single parents had experience of Mark Warner too.

They might be a bit busy for you but Neilsons have great kids clubs and feel very safe in terms of leaving stuff on the beach or by the pool etc.

I’d love any thoughts anyone has too. My kids are 5 and 7.

I took my then 2 year old away abroad myself and immediately booked for the following year when we returned.

We had a lovely time. Go for it OP.

Thanks for all your comments. The last few days I've been feeling more confident about it. Its one of those things I need to do, to get over it I think. I know we will be fine. I manage absolutely fine at home so why not abroad.

I'm a worrier and my mom made a comment today that I've tried to push aside but it is there in the back of my mind now. She basically said wouldn't you worry that something happened to you and he would be out there on his own. The thought honestly makes me feel sick! Highly unlikely but now she's planted that seed which was not one of my worries.

I'm really grateful for the positives experiences though. As before she made that comment I kept looking at him thinking why am I worrying, we can totally do this

Google single parent holidays, there are a few. I also fancy PGL holidays in the UK. If you have a package deal you'll always have the back up with the rep etc.

I know how you’re feeling - I used to take my daughter away with my mum and enjoyed having that safety net. When DD was 8 I wanted to take her to Florida and my mum didn’t fancy it so I bit the bullet and took her alone! We loved it and have done many trips since (some with my mum and some alone).

I had the same concerns as you but I think 8 is a good age to start. Like previous posters said I’d recommend somewhere that has lots of things to do but you know what works best for you.

So pleased to read so many positive experiences

I haven’t taken my dd abroad but we have had cottage holidays in the U.K. when she was younger. I have also taken her on city breaks to visit museums and this summer we went camping twice! I have had similar anxieties before going but honestly i have never felt unsafe or that I needed another adult present.

Book something and have some fun, it’s been a rubbish couple of years and they grow up so fast.

I did it for the first time this year with 7 and 3yo. I only found it hard because the 3yo is at a tricky stage and they bicker.
Would you consider camping or glamping? I always find campsites good for being with people in a non-pressured way and my boys always love it.
If I had older DS alone I’d probably do things like city breaks, walking holidays or maybe even something like a kayaking holiday or an adventure like going to Iceland. I’d LOVE to go away with just older DS actually - they become such good company around 8.
You can do it! Bet you’ll love it and it’ll be the start of many wonderful holidays.

I don't know how my son would deal with Camping really. I've never been a fan so haven't considered it.
I'm 99% certain I'm going to book. Everything is so expensive though now though isnt it. And I bet it's going to get even more expensive.

What sort of things do the two of you like? What are your biggest nerves about?

For what it’s worth, I really rate places like Switzerland and particularly Austria for independent holidays with kids. Not cheap but the infrastructure is excellent and people are usually pretty helpful. If you and your boy are outdoorsy then some of the Austrian lakes in summer time are gorgeous - swimming, water sports, high ropes, good walks in the mountains (with cable cars up too!) and the buses and trains are just excellent. Where we usually go (Zillertal or Achensee - though no big lake in the Zillertal) it’s an easy bus/train ride to Innsbruck which is lovely and walkable and not too crowded.

But could you build your confidence with some mini breaks in the UK?

Where are you in the UK? Belgium, the Netherlands and western Germany are really easy by Eurostar so you don’t have to worry about airports. And DS1 and I had a lovely long weekend in Lille when he was 7 when we went for the women’s World Cup - it was a great place to explore.

I've not travelled to many countries at all. I personally love the idea of adventure and being quite active but I was brought up going on beach holidays which suited us as kids and my parents enjoyed the relaxation away from home life. I've only ever travelled to Greece with my DS. Probably because it's what I'm used to as a child. He is a water baby so absolutely loves the pool and sea and is more than happy with this. I dont mind that kind of holidays either really. I'm so busy at home juggling everything it's nice to just have some time for peace and relaxation.
I will admit though because I have never been on any other type of holiday other than a beach holiday I wouldnt have a clue where else to look.
We don't get to do much at all in this country. I have to save hard which is why I choose to take us abroad when we go away as its mega exciting for him and such a break away from out real life

I agree with you that being abroad is much more exciting! When DS1 and I were in Lille in 2019, we got caught in a downpour and ducked into a department store and he just loved looking at how different everything was. Ditto supermarkets.

I get that it's so hard to know where to start! Greece is lovely and so relaxing for a holiday. As I say - I really love the lakes in the Alps, but the Italian lakes are also lovely and you get a good mix of things to do.

One thing we keep meaning to do with our kids (postponed twice thanks to the pandemic) is take the train from London and do an interrail-style holiday.

I've been taking DS abroad since he was 3 alone. I started with a short flight and I have done long haul since.

I always look for a child friendly hotel and kids always make friends easily. I try and research the hotel and surroundings and I usually join the Facebook pages to read all the tips and questions regarding the hotel.

Go for it OP. You will be fine.

If you’re looking at Europe Jet2 offer single parent discounts, it’s not much but helps.

I’ve traveled a lot with my daughter and it was often cheaper for the same package for two adults and two children. Outside Europe Virgin holidays offer a discount on some destinations, you usually have to ask for it, on their chat box or on the phone.

TUI have a £200 code off for single parents at the minute too.

Hiya OP ime this is one of those situations where once you're in it you wonder why you were worried. I felt the same before I took DS away for the first time but actually what I found was

• most people in most places are nice. There are very few situations you get into as a mother with a child where someone would actively want to give you a hard time or indeed do anything other than help if you need it. This includes eg if you leave your things on a beach, especially in a family resort type beach, most people won't steal them and most people would stop anyone who tried to do so.
• most resorts/cities in Western Europe and North America have facilities and infrastructure that's easy to navigate your way around because it's a similar set up to the UK
• you interact with your kids completely differently on holiday when it's just you and them and your relationship deepens. It's absolutely awesome being able to do just exactly what you all want to do every day without anyone else or any other arrangements to consider
• you totally feel way more confident once you've taken the plunge

Agree that Jet2 is a decent company. They're great about cancellations and generally very pleasant to deal with.

I prefer going abroad because I find especially in the southern European countries people are so nice to kids and so it's less stressful. Also I like the weather!

I've been looking at holidays on Jersey. I've heard great things but the prices are around £800 more with them than with Tui and Tui give you £200 at the moment.

However I definitely feeling more confident about taking him on my own. Just need to find somewhere reasonably priced.

Its such a shame about the prices on Jet2. They are considerably higher

If tui is giving you a better price then go for them. I've only ever flown with TUI, not done a full holiday, but they were fine and they've got all the accreditation and insurance etc.

Jersey is nice. Lots of older people and families, lovely place.

Our last holiday was with TUI and though they don't seem to have handled the pandemic the best they were ok when we went. And their prices are what I am used to normally paying anyway with their £200 off. I've looked at other operators and I'm really shocked at how expensive they have become to the point I would say we will be priced out in future if they stay that way. Jet2 have rocketed. What I also find unfair is how much more you are charged being a smaller party. Even with their single adult discount im still paying more. But then I suppose that's how it's always been for me and holidays.

Just need find somewhere now

I am in the same predicament.
I have nobody to go on holiday with and my daughter is 9
I am so nervous that I will be targeted by unsavoury people as you hear so much negativity within the media.
It kills me watching my daughter watch all her friends go on holidays and we don't.
I wish I had the courage some of you ladies have x