need your advice about a holiday alone

[ratbunny]

sorry, I am not a lone parent (yet)

this is a result of this thread

what is it like going abroad alone?
ds is 14 mo, and has food allergies so we can;t eat just anywhere. this is my main concern, and that he has recently been ill (d&v).
and just how I will cope without another adult for support (or not, as it has been with dh)

please be frank about your experiences..

oh sweetheart xxx (((((((((((((((((((((rb)))))))))))))))))

i have been single parent for 6 months now and i willnot deny that at at times it has been hard, especially when dd was ill and then it was my turn. i caved in and asked him to take us to hospital (for dd) and again when i had bad bad bad migraine - he had her anyway but i didn't know how long the effects would last iyswim. i hated asking him.

however, don't solely listen to those people who say for you to stay with your dh/dp for the sake of your children - your happiness counts too and if, as by the sound of things, you are unhappy then your ds will pick up on that young as he is. it is far better for you to leave and to not expect yourselves to immediately be happier - you have to learn how to get through days when you are grieving (cos that's what it is) for the end of what you thought you might have with dh. as things go along you will gradually see days where there is light and days where there you may see nothing but twilight or even darkness. you will get through this ratbunnyxxxxxxxx

i have had good advice from gillybean if it helps xxx

gingerbread (an organisation for lone parents on 0800 018 5026) may be able to help you and offer advice as will citizens advice bureau about the legalities and practicalities of you new and ongoing situation xxx

My son and I are vegi. I have travelled with him a lot but diet can be an issue if we eat out as he's extremely fussy as well as us being quite strict vegi's. I tend to book self catering, or places that have a fridge in the room so we can at least have cereal and sandwiches if nothing else. Milk cheese and bread can all be kept in the fridge.

I also tend to take him to english speaking countries, america, new zealand or places in the UK.

A friend of mine has a child with a nut allergy. They go to Portugal every year but stay in an appartment owned by their uncle and do everything self catering.

If you go to a non english speaking country get a list of phrases which you can use to help get the point across to the airlines and hotels. This isn't fool proof by any means though, a colleague of mine also has a child witha nut allergy, she said that they often get lots of understanding nods and agreement in a restaurant only to have the icecream come out covered in nuts and similar. You have to be really careful if you eat out and it's an allergy that could potentially be fatal. I always take food for my son to have on the flight as he refuses to eat the adult vegi meal food, and they don't do a children's vegi option. You do have to dump any uneaten food before you get off the plane in places like USA and New Zealand though, so don't take to much if the country you are going to doesn't allow you to bring in food stuffs.

Personally I would say self catering is better for your own peace of mind, plus tends to be cheaper anyhow.

Travelling on your own isn't really an issue I find. As a single parent I am used to having to deal with everything on my own and having no support, not even when I'm ill or jet lagged or simply too tired and need to sleep. You just get on with it as you have no chioce in the matter. If you really feel you need support do you have a sister or can your mum come with you perhaps?
Gilly