New Years Eve abroad - all advice gratefully received

[subs]

am a lone parent with a sixteen month old... i now know what all my friends and family are doing for new years and not one has invited us and i have no child care possibilities, so...

thinking about going abroad. somewhere with sunshine, but not scorching, and only a reasinably tight budget...

questions are:

1. where should we go - would prefer not to got to a concrete jungle, but if i could avoid lugging a travel cot, it would be great

2. any advice for travelling alone with a scarily fast toddler

3. how do you cope with being alone on hols?

any other relevent tips gratefully received
thank you

Hi subs, I'm sorry to hear you will be on your own, if you want to go abroad have you tried looking on lastminute.com, I have never used this site, but i know friends who have and have got some good deals there. As for travelling with a little 'un i find those little pots of playdough brilliant for my dd, they're really cheap to buy and keeps her amused for ages, especially if you have to stay put on a seat for a while, and colouring books and pens. I have travelled to Ireland a few times on my own to see family with my daughter and i have found that if other people see you on your own with a child they try and help in whatever way they can (perhaps i've been lucky in this). At this time of the year, the best place to go may be the canaries. I hope some of this may be usefull to you.

Would Centre Parks be an option? No sun but at least swiming pool & activity area. Should be other children so easy to strike conversation with other parents. They have cots & high chairs in cottages. Good luck

lovely thoughts and ideas, thank you
never been to centre parcs before - will look it up
and canaries has potential - anyone been there?

Hi Subs

I been to canaries normally in winter but not over new year.Really enjoy it .would recommend staying in a hotel as normally much better facilites.Especially if you are going on your own.

any where in particular?

Message withdrawn

Ive been to Fuerteventura in winter before (not NY though) it was fab, weather was lovely, beaches white and sandy and had a lovely relaxing time, this is the quieter of the four canary islands though and can be windy which can bring the temperature down, so this might be worth bearing in mind, although most hotels have organised entertainment.

Just think that you are incredibly feisty to even consider holidaying alone with a toddler! You will need a holiday to recover when you get back!

Moondog, if you're a single parent you have 2 choices.

1. Be feisty,
2. Sit at home and be bored to death.

Subs, I would definitely look for a place that has some sort of childcare option, then you can have a bit of time to yourself.

point taken about childcare, but unfortunately current situation (ie noone to help with maggie) means she not great at going to people she doesnt know - but i was thinking about practicalities like having a space with two rooms or a balcony so when she asleep i can still read at night, or sunbathe or whatever...

any hints form you wise single mums out there?

That's definitely a good idea subs, especially if you don't think she would go to childcare.

I'm in the US, so can't really recommend anywhere specific for you.

Yes, I know what you are saying Kate! (I am aware of your circumstances.)I have had a taste of it, being at home on my own for three years working f/t, dealing with dd, the house and dog whilst dh was abroad (and no close family nearby.)

It was very very difficult....

I agree with what you say. One needs some time in the day to oneself, so without at least some childcare it isn't going to be restful is it!?

(Incidentally as a (for now) SAHM I stay up at night after the family has gone to bed, because it is literally the only time I get to myself!
Dh doesn't really get that, bless him!)

yes me too! and then curl up in bed wondering why i didnt goo to bed at seven for once so i not tired - crazy!

Aren't there organisations specifically catering for single parents? Sure I've seen them discussed in the newspaper travel sections!
Don't 'Gingerbread' do this?

It would be worth you checking out the Lonely Planet website too. they have a section called the 'Thorntree' and one branch is devoted to children and the issues of travelling near or far with them. I have seen loads of posts there from people in similar situations.

oooh - that sounds brill
thanks

I wake shattered every morning (not helped by breastfeeding hungry baby in the night) but wouldn't sacrifice these precious moments to myself if you paid me!