Was so excited… now I’m full of worry

29 replies

Rache8 · 30/12/2025 22:32

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently booked flights to a long-haul destination for spring next year. The flights were quite cheap, and I’ll be off work while DD will be on school half term too, so I thought it would be the best time to go. I’ve also reserved hotels, although I haven’t paid for them yet. DD will be turning 8 while we’re on holiday so I thought this is the perfect time to go.

I’ve taken DD on holidays abroad many times since she was 3, and we’ve always had a fab time. I’ve always booked package holidays with TUI or Jet2, but this time I booked the flights and hotel separately. We were both extremely excited, and I put together an itinerary with activities for her to enjoy.

Today, unfortunately, we received the news that my mum's neighbour, who was 19, passed away in a motorbike accident while on holiday. After hearing this, my mum said that she worries every time I travel with DD and that if something were to happen to me, DD wouldn’t know what to do. She also said that I should wait she's a teenager before travelling again.

I'm feeling so anxious and nervous after hearing these words from my mum and feel like I made the wrong decision and should cancel the trip. The excitement for our dream holiday hasn’t gone, but it’s now mixed with a lot of worry. I’ve spent the last few hours watching vlogs and reading posts from single parents who travel with their children, even though I’ve done this myself for years and we’ve always been fine. I just can’t seem to get these thoughts out of my head.

I guess I need some reassurance...

OP posts:

CarnationAndPoppy · 31/12/2025 11:40

Put ICE (in case of emergency) on your phone which your DD, like most of her age, will know how to use wherever you are.
Your mum’s over thinking and being excessively anxious.
Take your DD on holiday and have a fabulous time

LoveSandbanks · 31/12/2025 12:06

I’ve had several car accidents within half a mile of my home. I once hit a van, within sight of my house! A friend was killed in a motorcycle on his way to work.

Most accidents happen locally. Statistically your home is the least safe place to be - diy accidents etc. teach your child not to live governed by fear. Go on your holiday and have a fab time.

Original poster

Rache8 · 31/12/2025 15:16

TiredofLDN · 31/12/2025 11:39

Oh god I have a mother like this. Ignore ignore ignore.

Im a LP and travel alone with DS9. Nowhere long haul yet, but I’m planning a trip to either Mexico or Japan late in the year. Our next holiday is 10 days in Italy in May, travelling to a few different places. Never do package holidays.

It is in the back of my mind that things going wrong alone with your child is more complicated, and potentially more upsetting for DC than if you’re with another adult, but I (relented) and went on holiday with my parents earlier this year, and to be honest they were fucking useless when DS had suspected appendicitis, and in fact DM managed to turn it into a drama about her. So we’re back to traveling solo- and I’m pretty certain it’ll be much easier/ less stressful!

In terms of things you can do whilst you’re away to feel more secure (things that I do anyway)-

book accommodation that the reviews say is family friendly, and has 24/7 reception on site or similar - preDC I would have booked apartments etc. but now I look for small or midsized hotels or b&bs. If they’re family run- all the better! Just makes me feel like in an emergency we’d be more likely to get decent help. Also smaller accommodation means the staff are more likely to “know” your kid/ know you’re travelling as a lone parent
go out of my way to be chatty and friendly with hotel receptionists etc- I want them to know that DS and I are there, and have an idea of our routine, so that if they didn’t see us for a day or so, someone might realize
really good travel insurance
really good first aid/ medical kit, inc painkillers, antipyretics, rehydration sachets etc for both of you
always learn key phrases in the local language for day to day and emergencies - including (minor) health conditions both of us have
look up the A&E department for each place you’re staying, and make a note of the address in your phone, in the local language, so you can flash it at taxi drivers etc quickly if needed
make sure DC can use phone with emergency number etc. make sure they can navigate phone to call their other parent/ a grandparent/ aunt/ uncle/ friend or whatever in an emergency
Have a small card with a request for help written in the local language, in the very unlikely event that I am totally incapacitated, which DS knows is in the medical bag. I adapt according to where we’re going etc. but it generally says something like “I am here on holiday from the UK with my mum. I don’t speak [ language]. I speak English. my mum is very sick and we need help.” I feel like that might be enough for a competent adult to find someone who can speak English to assist, if they don’t speak English themselves. If you want to be really thorough, you could add next of kin details and contact number to that card
Make sure I have 2 photocopies of passports, travel documents, health cards, health insurance, DS’s inhaler prescriptions and asthma plan etc etc - one goes in suitcase, one goes in my hand luggage

it sounds like overkill but it works for us, and gives me enough peace of mind to actually travel relatively stress free…

Thank you so much for sharing all of this! It’s really helpful to hear your experience and practical tips. I’ve made a note of everything.

OP posts:

NewUserName2244 · 31/12/2025 16:16

I’m a single parent and I travel with my kids lots.

The only three safety things which I do are making sure the kids know my phone number off by heart (and that my phone works abroad); making sure I stay somewhere reasonably decent and making sure the know the password for my phone so they could ring their dad or my parents or someone in an emergency.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread