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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

I'm thinking about doing a single parent organised holiday, has anyone tried these? Looking especially for low budget and suitable for a toddler.

80 replies

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 21:55

Title probably says most of it! Probably need it to be in the UK at least for this year. All the ones I've come across so far seemed more geared towards older kids and I'd quite like to go when it isn't school holidays as its usually cheaper too. Anyone been on this type of break? Was it ok?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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fairyfly · 19/02/2008 21:58

No....... but i have seen loads on Gingerbread sites and if you search for single parents sites you see many advertised. I am starting to really fancy one myself. I'm not sure you would get any official ones out of the school holidays as nobody could be seen to be doing that. I would go for it if i were you. It would be a great adventure.

bethoo · 19/02/2008 21:59

on your own? that sounds like a nice thing to do. i know i am drifting here from the subject and i apologise but have you thought about going with another single parent with similar age kiddy?
back to subject what about a nice b&b in the countryside for lots of fresh walks somewhere near the beach?

Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 22:03

Ah fairyfly had forgotten about gingerbread am a member too so will look there, I saw one somewhere that said toddler special but can't find it now!

Bethoo I quite like the idea of meeting new people. Somewhere near the beach is the kind of thing I'm after, I would quite like a park type thing with different things going on but a group to basically be with iyswim?

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Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 22:09

ps yes possibly on my own or may ask a friend and her DD if they fancy it. Probably just me and DD though. She's only 17m so no need for it to be in school holidays for us but I can see that they may not get enough people then so that could be why I don't seem to come across them.

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fairyfly · 19/02/2008 22:12

I would actually prefer to do it with people i didn't know. I think when you're a single mum you need to get away without any hassle from home iyswim, a proper break. It also has the advantages of opening up your circle of friends which is fantastic when you want to keep busy.

Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 22:19

Yes that makes sense. I thought about my options for a holiday and then started thinking about this type and it just seemed a good idea. My friends without kids would probably want a different type of holiday and I also think holidays can get a bit tense if people have different ideas of what they want and at least with this type you probably arent sharing accomodation so can come and go as you please. Am warming to the idea more and more actually..

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fairyfly · 19/02/2008 22:26

oh go for it, it's a way to do things that you would have done child free, a chance to take a gamble and meet others. In a relationship you have to discuss where and when and how etc. Hope you get some posts on other people who have done it. I think the best bit is if you meet lunatics you can always laugh about it all.

goingbonkers · 19/02/2008 22:29

Hi. I've been looking online at holidays that specialise in SP families as well and unfortunately they tend to be VERY expensive! The one's I found online were around £800 per adult, £650 per child. Think that includes food/activities but I wouldn't want to be so tied to their timetable, and if you opt out of a day trip you've then got to pay for food etc twice. It seems to be much cheaper to go on a package hol. UK hols can be just as expensive as a week abroad. Cala Ferrera (part of cala d'or in majorca) was perfect for kids of all ages. I went last year and will def go again. Let us know if you find a company that truly is affordable as it's something I'm interested in too.

Otherwise - lets all get together and meet up somewhere random!!!! Could be interesting!!!

Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 22:40

Thats a good idea Goingbonkers! The ones I saw were expensive too. I LOVE Cala D'or, me and XP went there pre DD and its somewhere I'd definately like to go back to. But DD has a medical condition and it just wouldn't be sensible to take her abraod till she's older and I'm a bit more confident with spotting when she is in trouble etc, especially not without my parents or someone else who knows about it too. So UK for now at least, quite fancy Bournemouth or similar as its not too far from me. Will have a look on gingerbread but if anyone else comes across one or has the energy to organise one let me know!

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fairyfly · 19/02/2008 22:43

Well i have a holiday to egypt booked for two adults and my two boys.
I'm going alone now though, so if yo can pay for your kids you're welcome

terms and conditions apply

goingbonkers · 19/02/2008 22:50

Another alternative is Center Parcs. If you can find someone to go with it really brings down the cost as you pay for the lodge, not per person. I'm going for the 1st time in march with another SP and her DS, and a Married friend and DS (leaving her DH behind, poor thing!) It's cost just under £100 each ('each' being parent & child jointly) for the week, sharing a 3 bedroom lodge. If you take your own food to cook/eat in it won't be too expensive. My sister goes all the time and their family love it. There's loads for the kids too. If you book online when they have deals on its well worth it.

Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 22:53

Thanks fairyfly(we may have x posts though) hope you have a good time. Just been on gingerbread site and they had a link through there january newsletter to get 3 months free membership to single with kids' holiday club. The holidays were all UK and looked very reasonable and not TOO organised as in you are together as a group but don't have to do everything together. So looks good. Couldn't see one that jumped out at me but am going to keep an eye on it as they also do weekends away and day trips so might be a good thing to do to check that its fun.

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Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 22:56

Centre parks type thing sounds good actually although I think you'd have to get on pretty well if sharing the accomodation, cooking together etc. Worth considering though thanks for the suggestion. Am also thinking that that kind of break could appeal to friends who don't have children too as would be something for everyone? Hmm...

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goingbonkers · 19/02/2008 23:02

The 3 of us that are going don't know eachother that well! We met when our DC's were born at the baby clinic and used to meet for coffee. We don't see much of eachother now as we all work diff days but we did do a spur-of-the-moment over night stay in Scarborough last spring and we had a great time! We were all tempted to call in sick for the rest of the week and stay a bit longer but instead we settled for booking a longer hol at center parcs! We are all very different ages/backgrounds but it really works with us! Give it a go!!!

Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 23:12

Have only got the one friend who is a single parent but may speak to her about a break and maybe some other friends without kids. Would still love something organised though in a similar type place. Will keep you all posted if the perfect thing comes up.

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Original poster

used2bthin · 19/02/2008 23:14

Ps goingbonkers I meant to add that sometimes not being too close can be in your favour. Went on a holiday with a friend I hadnt seen much of in years once. We got on really well actually because we had loads to catch up on and were too polite with eachother to argue!

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goingbonkers · 19/02/2008 23:24

Lol! I think we're still at the polite stage in the friendship so should be ok. Sometimes think we're all too polite as it's always "Where do you wanna meet?" "Don't mind, you decide" "No, it's ok, you decide!" Then we never actually decide anything!!

I guess somewhere like CP you can go and do your own thing if you want as well so no need to agree! The kids are all same age tho so will prob enjoy similar stuff. Will let you know how we 'get on'!

And yes, please do let us know if you find anything. Have a look at Mango (online). They seemed the most reasonable and do UK hols not restricted to school terms. (They have special tot times as well for littlies)

goingbonkers · 19/02/2008 23:26

PS that's mangokids.co.uk (Don't know how to set up a link!!!)

goingbonkers · 19/02/2008 23:30

Just had a quick look at mango actually and there's one that sounds quite nice in Pembrokeshire. £195/adult and £140 (i think)/child. Includes all meals for 5 days. Quite tempted myself!!

shelleylou · 20/02/2008 00:23

Pontins are doing a toddler special look at it for me n my ds works out at about £400 for 7 nights. Watches holiday fly out of the window

nappyaddict · 20/02/2008 07:43

pontins have got their £60 4 night breaks back. there's a link on here already somewhere if you search for it. i think a few of us single MNers should all go!!

Original poster

used2bthin · 20/02/2008 08:00

Thats a good plan nappyaddict, I'll have a look at pontins and mango in a bit. The toddler special sounds good too. Am getting more and more into the idea of a holiday like this. Haven't rally had a break since DD was born and it was this or visiting people I thought of. Definately worth trying one anyway.

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Original poster

used2bthin · 20/02/2008 08:14

Shellylou I can't find a toddler special on Pontin's site, was it something they sent to you? I only looked at may and june though.

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gillybean2 · 20/02/2008 12:12

Do you have a lone parent group near you? We have no gingerbread near us and I asked my health visitor etc but there wasn't anything. But then i recently found a new lone parent group in my area and it's been brilliant. I has also grown like mad in the few months since it set up last summer.

They have organsied a week away at Easter for all the members, staying at Pontins, couple of day trips to theme park and cinema. Originally they talked about sharing with another family so we could cut the costs and it's be around £75 for the week, but our fab leader managed to get a grant and so all the accomodation is going to be paid for and we will get our own challet!

It's really worth looking for a lone parent group in your area. And if there isn't one how about getting together a few friends and setting one up? We meet monthly at the local indoor play centre and have regular events, some for everyone (cinema trip), some for just the adults (meal out), some for just the dad's (bowling) or mum's (pamper night).

If you can't find anything like that then i would suggest mangokids as someone else said, not tried it myself but have heard good things about it.

Otherwise Pontins or Butlins with others. It can be difficult meeting other adults when you are on your own, so I can understand why you want to find a lone parent holiday. Alos i've done Centre Parcs and it was fab for my son and i enjoyed it too, but i couldn't find anyone to share a villa with so found it worked out quite expensive with just 2 of us in a 4 bed villa. If my sister had been more understanding and not wanted to 'spend time as a family when we go on holiday' ie meaning just her and her husband with their kids then it would be easier for me. Hopefully you'll have more understanding family!

Hope you have a fab time wherever you go
Gilly

shelleylou · 20/02/2008 16:24

It was on a website. was sure it was pontins but i cant find it now either. I looked at august thinking it would be cheaper. Really want to take my ds on holiday lol but ive got 2 find somewhere accesible as i dont drive. Thinking about it i think it may have been on the mango website in august at torquey. I'll have a look for it and let you know for deffinate.

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