Holiday alone with child?

[23Elfie]

Hi all, I've been a single parent for about 7.5 years and we've holidayed with friends and family the last few years.
Currently on holiday with parents, Dsis and her other half.
Parents didn't come with us last year due to one having an injury so just me DC and sis/partner.
This year we've all gone and it's become very apparent how much I've forgotten what it's like to live with my parents. DM is a clean freak and can't stop herself from tidying allll the time, re stacking the plates we've washed up, re hanging the swimming towels etc because it's not up to her standards. Worst of all trying to tell us what to do like we are children. Last night DM was wasted before dinner (decided to sit outside to read a book with a bottle of wine and proceeded to drink the lot even though she knows she's a lightweight) was very rude to restaurant staff then carried on drinking and being obnoxious. Sis jumps on any opportunity to get hammered and so dad decides if he can't beat them join them. Now I'm not boring and have no problem with them letting their hair down on holiday but we are at a well know British holiday park which is really for the kids. So there are a pair of drunk 60 somethings plus a drunken almost 40 year old shouting and swearing around kids. DD and I take ourselves off to the entertainment.
We made a point of getting back and into bed before they all did. Which would have been fine if they then hadn't had an almighty row when they got home which really upset DD. I gave the lot of them a telling off and sent to bed.
This morning was ...fun...not.
Everyone seems to be ok now but it's totally killed the holiday vibe, I was trying my best to be smily and happy and not let my irritation towards my mum show. Today DD and I took ourselves off to the beach and had a lovely half hour on our own before we were joined by sis and then mum.
We are all tripping over each other in the accommodation too which isn't helping.

Would it be bad after all these years if I say next year DD and I are going on our own? For context parents have helped me out financially a lot since I've been on my own and are loving grandparents but I can't deal with being treated like a child and certainly can't put up with drunken abusive behaviour in front of DD.
What would you do?

Of course you can go on your own, being able to do what you like just the two of you sounds perfect.

I was a single parent until DD was eight and always look back fondly on the little breaks we had just the two of us. I used to go to a fairly local holiday park, no stress as not far away, but still felt like a break and change of scenery.

Do t feel bad about them helping you financially, that is not related to holidays so try not to be guilt tripped into anything.

My mum treated me like a child on holiday too (the one time we went with them) although it's nothing new. Because I wouldn't bring a jacket out for my toddler (she had a cardi in her bag I knew what I was doing for my baby obviously) she decided she'd punish me (I was about 32) by saying well you're not coming in the car then we're going for the day out without you. I don't drive so everyone had gone without me.

In the end I worked out the bus and went and enjoyed the day just me and my baby.

She did never realise what she did. It always sticks out to me that incident.

Just go by yourself with your child and have a good time

Thanks for your replies ladies xx
I've told my mum that we will be going on our own next year. Played it as they have a 2 week break already booked abroad at the beginning of the school holidays (going with friends who work in schools) and sister has a wedding abroad that 'I didn't think you'd be going on 2 holidays with that expense'. Bit of a cop out but saved an argument (aka if I get going I won't stop and then that'll cause more tension) and then from there I'll just be saying we have already booked something each year or maybe attempt a weekend with them if I'm feeling brave. Xx

You are too nice op - think l would have been tempted to tell them exactly why l didn't fancy going away with them again!

I've been taking my three on holiday alone since my youngest was two. Just tell them you feel ready to face it alone now and thank them for all the extended family holidays, we must do it again some time... But don't, it will be just as bad as this time! Film them at their worst and them keep it to remind yourself if you start to think it might be a good idea again!

This is why I keep family holidays to the absolute minimum amount of time I can. Too much hard work.

At that age it's perfect to try something different like a city break - my DD's loved it when we went to Madrid, unfortunately the waiter introduced them to mocktails! City breaks are harder work on the legs and pocket so not as long

My husband works away, so although I’m not a lone parent and she isnt 3YO yet, I’ve already taken her on a solo holiday. I found it a lot easier only having to juggle the wants of two people rather than three.

I'm not a single parent and I take one child away just me and her. Definitely good bonding time. You're an adult and can absolutely go and do a holiday without the rest of them. If it helps, go somewhere your dd would love but parents wouldn't? Any special interests of hers you could go for? My dd would love to go fossil hunting on the jurassic coast for example.

I’m not a single parent but due to work and child requirements i often go away with one of the kids, its great having less people to consider!

Thanks for all the replies 😀 we've looked at going to Butlins, she's not got a particular interest as such but she does love swimming and sports activities like wall climbing, netball, team games etc. It's good to hear so many of you have done solo parenting trips and survived to tell the tale this gives me confidence! X

How old is she? Sorry if I missed it but if she's the right age look at PGL or similar. We had some great holidays with them when I was a single Mum.

She's 8? I've heard the name PGL before but don't know much about it, I'll look it up, thanks!

I’m a single parent to a 7 year old DD and we have done lots of UK breaks just the 2 of us - butlins, other caravan parks, air bnbs near the beach etc.

I’m on a tight budget for holidays as I work term time only and so like to use my school holidays off to take DD away.

when we have gone abroad we have always gone with friends or family to split the costs of the accommodation as I’ve found it near impossible to find accommodation for 2 people (we are happy to share a double bed) at the child focused holiday parks with water slides that she likes - eurocamp etc.

I’m not keen to drive abroad so I’m wondering about switching to city breaks as well, or staying in a 2 bed apartment and .paying for entry to water parks etc

I took DS to Lanzarote when he was 18 months, on my own. Lovely time :)

If you want company of other single parents then I highly recommend campmates - they do camping holidays in the new forest all thru the summer. People got to read books cos their kids were do busy playing! And everyone sat round the campfire at night with wine to chat. Just brilliant