Taking children away on your own

[SpinningFloppa]

I took my kids away for the first time over night yesterday on my own and honestly it was just the most awful and stressful experience ever! I don’t know how people manage this and for longer (a week or two) I spent the whole time stressed, and never want to do it again. I was considering taking them abroad but absolutely not. Honestly need a break myself after this break (not going to happen) I don’t know how people manage this and enjoy it? It’s very hard being the only one responsible for everything. I often see posts from people saying they took their children away alone and had the most amazing time but it was anything but! I feel bad for my children as our first time away was such a disaster.

Definitely don’t rule out future holidays op.

what would be your budget for, let’s say, a long weekend uk coast hotel? Or air bnb?

Single parent, 4 young children and no driving license?

I would definitely say that before next holiday - spend the lonely on getting your license. Will make life so so much easier and holidays too

It gets easier. X

I’ve gone away a lot as a LP but it’s totally different with my one child compared to your four!

I think what I would recommend in future is either booking a whole property - house or flat - or else a private room at a Youth Hostel (some will sleep 6).

We’ve stayed a few times at Eurocamp abroad which is brilliant as we get our own bedroom and have a place to chill, as well as access to a swimming pool, restaurant etc. There are some with 3 bedrooms which I think have two twin beds and a double, which could suit your family. There is a section on the website for “car free holidays” which lists campsites close to an airport. I’ve stayed at one in Austria and also on Lake Garda in Italy and will be going back to Italy again next year. Austria, fly to Salzburg, bus to Salzburg train station (20 mins), train to Bruck Fusch (90 mins) and a 15 minute walk from there to the campsite. Lake Garda, fly to Verona, bus to the lake (60ish mins) and then a short walk from the bus stop to the campsite. Both have a swimming pool, kids clubs, restaurant on site and a supermarket within walking distance.

Another idea is Campmates who are a camping holiday operator especially for single parent families. I haven’t been myself but have heard very good things about them. I’m pretty sure they even have pre-erected tents and have regular activities to join in with.

@SteakExpectations

Austria, fly to Salzburg, bus to Salzburg train station (20 mins), train to Bruck Fusch (90 mins) and a 15 minute walk from there to the campsite.

exhausted just reading that

@Midpmcoffee Haha! I just got back yesterday from that very campsite and it’s lovely while you’re there but agree, it is a bit of a faff. The journey to/from the one near Rome (camp Fabulous?) is worse and I would not recommend as a car free holiday!

And add in 4 young children

no I’m not planning on driving. I live in London and don’t need to / want to drive, I’m happy to get trains to places if I need to go further. Camping isn’t my kind of thing if I’m honest.

I go to the same place every year with my kids. I know that might sound a bit rubbish but it helps us all relax. We all know where we are and what to expect , it saves so much stress. It's actually liberating. We'll expand our horizons when they're older or I've got some adult support.

OP, taking them abroad on a package holiday is SO much easier! I was widowed with two babies, and took them abroad all over Europe from when they were 4 and 5 years old.
You have people to meet you at the airport and direct you to your coach or taxi transfer, you have a rep available 24/7 in the resort for any problems, a kids club in the hotel if you want some time to yourself, excursions (eg to water parks, wildlife reserves) pre-bookable, etc etc. Hotel reception staff are usually fluent English speakers and very helpful. The weather is more reliable, and there will be a safe kids’ pool.
If you go on a package deal for a few years, you will soon build the confidence to make your own arrangements online. I’ve taken my DDs on city breaks to Seville and Prague , arranging my own flights, accommodation, restaurants and transfers, and it all went v smoothly.

Agree with @Babdoc an all inc package so way easier then gets the dc trained in travelling so you can be more adventurous as they become more experienced.

I am sorry it was so grim, perhaps they would have got used to it if the break was linger, but I can quite see you might not want to repeat the experience. I ended up staying solo at a holiday destination with two young dc and the hotel couldn't offer me any dining option other than a 5 course meal. I had no way of getting the kids to a restaurant as no car seats (I had gone on the train and walked to the hotel). I think I had snacks and milk for them, and just made do with crisps and a very expensive g and t from room service!

I don't drive either! Look up Dawlish Warren.. loads of holiday parks, mostly within a 5 minute walk of the train station and the beach. It's really lovely.

Abroad really does seem easier now that I think about it! Unfortunately my 10 year old doesn’t want to go on a plane and has said he wouldn’t come if I went, he would stay home apparently 🤦🏻 So not really an option sadly.

Thank you I will look it up.

10 year olds don't get the option to stay home or to dictate what the rest of the family does.

He’s undiagnosed asd and has anxiety so it wouldn’t be fair to force him, also how would I physically force him anyway 🤔

How come not diagnosed?

diagnosis man means support, even medication

which may eventually open up yours and your children’s world to holidays…. Fun holidays that is!

What kind of a budget would you have for a holiday op, of say a week?

He is on the waiting list it’s just years long where we are.

Ah what kind of a budget for week in UK?
or France (ferry)

Hadn’t really thought about it tbh the money was given to me hence why it was only one night as everything else was fully booked and I hadn’t made any plans to go away anywhere (I assume most places are booked up months before and I booked 2 weeks before we could go so could only find one night) my birthday falls in the October half term so I thought If this was a success we may go away again in the half term but I don’t fancy it now it would have only been in the U.K. for 3/4 days (wouldn’t do a full week)

budget really is your starting point
if we have no idea, then difficult to suggest options that may work and appeal to you