single parent families on holiday

[crispeater]

How do you do it??

i mean i was thinking of going on holiday with my 2 1/2yr old girl and 4 mth son but what happens when my toddler wants a wee? i've got to either leave my boy on his own (thats soooo not gonna happen), take everything including buggy into the toilet if possible. or let her wee herself lol

why does it have to be so darn difficult. i wanted to go to greece but how on earth am i supposed to deal with that on a plane? i cant rely on the stewardess to hold the baby lol and if im in a restaurant i still have to take everything with me.. same thing if i wanted to do the 9.50 sun holidays. i've been single since i was 16 weeks pg with ds and i've only just realised this can be a problem lmao

how does anyone else deal with it?? :confused:

[helen21]

I dont know anyoine that would take too small children on holiday alone, and i certainly wouldnt, have you not got a friend that maybe would like a holiday too?

[Jay-Jay]

It's a long shot but you could ask the airline at check in for seats nearest the loo. I'm sure the air stewards would watch one of them while you dashed to the loo... if not then it would be a case of taking them both with you (hmmm.. not much room in those plane toilets!)

In a restaurant you would just have to take your toddler for a wee before the meal arrived and hope that she lasts through the rest of the time.


Is there no-one who would go on holiday with you? I know it's a long shot but a friend, sister, your Mum....?

[Spendless]

Not a single parent but I have a hubby who works away from home a lot.I have a 3 year gap between my 2. At that age in the U.K I used the disabled toilet a lot:o so I could fit everyone in.

If your travelling on plane by yourself and you or eldest need loo, I think you're going to have to ask for stewardess' help, sitting with the baby/children till you return. You might also have to eat at places where they take your order fom your table or go self-catering.

Not much help i'm afraid. Hopefully someone else may have other ideas

[crispeater]

i now dont have 1 friend that doesnt have children. i must be in that age bracket now lol
i went on holiday a few times with my mum and my daughter plays one against the other and she knows grandma will give in if mummy is out of earshot!! no matter what i say i get ignored so im not going down that route again as it will just create an arguement.
i think i will bite the bullet and try the sun holiday and see how i go. if it gets too much we can either stay in the caravan or drive home lol

:D

[Js_Other_Half]

I could be wrong, but you may need to have some sort of car seat on the plane for your daughter? I seem to recall a lot of publicity about this a couple of years ago - obviously it only applies if there's one adult and 2 children - not enough laps to go round...lol.

[Jay-Jay]

I could be wrong, but you may need to have some sort of car seat on the plane for your daughter? I seem to recall a lot of publicity about this a couple of years ago - obviously it only applies if there's one adult and 2 children - not enough laps to go round...lol.

Children get their own seat when they're 2 years old and children under 2 have to sit on a parents lap so she should be fine with the two children. AFAIK It would only be a problem if she had two children under 2.

[Prudent]

Even with older children it can be very tiring going on holiday as a single parent - and the evenings can seem long once they go to bed. When your children get a bit older you might benefit from a holiday tailored to single parents. An organisation called care for the family (and I should imagine there are others) run these.

I liked the look of their holidays because they deliberately do things to make it a holiday for the adults too, like taking in your lugguage and having a night where the parents go out for a meal without the children. You can join in lots of organised activities and best of all the food is all included. I am looked at this option last year (but then ended up doing other things for family reasons). For a week break with accomodation, activities and food it cost just £200 for both myself and daughter! Will probably go this year as I love meeting new people and its a great price.

My daughter is now a teen, but an only child. I think she needs other company on holiday. I don't feel I can afford to take another child with me, so this is a good option in that respect too.

[Counting_Pennies]

How about going to a resort that is family friendly.

Mark Warner holidays are all about families, in fact you couldn't get much more child friendly if you tried.

That way it is only the flight you need to worry about. The rest of the time in the resort there should always be a willing helper.

[Becles]

I took my two to Scotland on my first single parent holiday when they were 5 and 3. We hired a static caravan and they really enjoyed it.

I was worried about filling the evenings in. However, it's a really good break for you too. Don't know about you, but I find when they go to bed, I'm ironing, tidying up and generally still working. You haven't got any of that to do on holiday, so it's an excuse to watch TV, read magazines or get lost in a good novel! It actually does you the world of good as you come back really refreshed and full of beans!

I think a static caravan holiday would be less hassle for you. There's no flying and no change of food, climate etc., so easier for the little ones to handle. They are really comfy inside, have a TV and a decent sized kitchen if you want to make your own meals.

Hope you get something sorted out :)

[BernadetteN]

I have 4 kids aged 9, 7, 4 and 5 1/2 months, and also childmind a 7 year old and 18 month old. I manage to take all 6 of them on the bus to play areas, and have taken 4 of them on days out without my husband (he's often working abroad). It's all to do with being prepared, organised and forseeing problems such as how to take 6 kids to the toilet together! I always make sure the older 4 of 6 go to the loo before going out anywhere. I always carry drinks and fruit or savoury snacks with me and always have the changing bag ready to go out. When I get on the bus with 6, I use an umbrella fold buggy and backpack for the youngest 2, and commonly get someone offering to watch the small kids whilst I carry on the buggy and pay. Take up offers of help willingly.

Places like Butlins or Haven are ideal if it's one adult with several children, far less scary than going to Greece. However, I've travelled by plane with a maximum of 2 children under 5 and have found even budget airlines do help, if only in small ways, by allowing you to board first. I would be a bit apprehensive of flying anywhere unfamiliar though, that's just me.

If you are really on a budget, the Travelodge do £10 per night rooms and sometimes include London hotels at £10. I've taken the 3/4 kids to London a few times on my own - the hardest thing there is getting on the tube with a buggy and entourage of other kids, much easier with the backpack.

Hope you find something suitable.

[yeovilmac]

I took my four-year-old twins on holiday to Weymouth in October on one of the Sun's £9.50 holiday deals and stayed in a static caravan.

Like someone posted earlier, just relax, get yourself organised and go for it. Take a good book for the evenings, maybe let them stay up a bit later if you're a wee bit lonely and enjoy the time in different surroundings.

By the way, can I give a big up for these type of holidays? They rarely are actually £9.50 when you add on the entertainment passes and if you are liable for electric, bedding etc and I just went with the twins but had to pay for four but the memories I have of the four days we spent together were worth £600, let alone the £60 I ended up paying....

[Rikki]

My youngest was two, the other one was eight when I went on my first single parent holiday. It worked really well. But the two year old was toilet trained and walking without a pushchair.

[black-saturn]

I've always took my two on holiday on my own every year. I started when the youngest one was about 9 months old and just carried on. My tip is dont go during the main weeks as the places will be crowded (whether its the UK or abroad). If you have a buggy choose a site with good facilities for the disabled as this will mean pushchair access is good and there will be a lot of disabled loos. If I was on a plane I used to wait until the baby was asleep (doesnt take long on a plane) and then call the stewardess and ask her to just stand there until I came back from the loo. Doesnt take long. Dont be afraid to ask for help. We might be lone parents but were not martyrs.

Butlins do a specific week of the year aimed at lone parents but I cant find any info on it now.

Also are you a member of Gingerbread as they can sometimes offer subsidised holidays and you might meet with another lone parent who you could go on holiday with.

[SillyHilly]

Our local lions club do free holidays for people such as yourself and as you go with a group of people there is always help on hand. My friend has been on her own with her son and couldn't wait to go back.

[Peakma]

When I was about 19 ,I saw an add for a free holiday....I was between jobs and it sounded good.I followed it up.It was two guys who climbed together regulary.One of them had a three year old son,and his wife had died of cancer 4 months earlier.They were offering to take someone as the nanny,pay for flights and food any trips etc, in exchange for looking after the son whilst they climbed( which was most of the day,often met up for lunch and they'd climb again after) .With one day off from any childcare.I met up with them and we seemed to get on o.k so I decided to go for it ( I had worked as a nanny previously,but not trained).It worked out really well,I went away with them about 4 times,the little boy was lovely,it was so sad about his Mum,he talked about her a lot, and even asked if I'd be his mummy now-I'm going off topic, and I have a tear in my eye now,being a Mum myself these days.)
Anyway, I think it was quite brave of them and me to do this,but as it happened it worked out really well.And didn't cost much more to take me along.People will proberbly say " it might turn out to be a crazy person or pervert etc, but in reality it's not that likely,and you can ask for references etc.
Maybe you could do something similar, it's a bit of a long shot, but the right person might be out there,a student Nanny or someone similar may value the experince and be a god send to you.Or an older retired lady who's desperate to be a grandma,you'd pretty much know straight away if you met up for lunch whether you'd click or not.If you were to do this make sure your both aware of the deal, such as hours you'd expect help, Who pays for food ,time off etc.If you got cheap flights and did self catering.
I know it sounds like a slightly ridiculous idea, and may be too expensive an option, but for me it worked really well,we took it in turns going out in pairs at night, or took the son with us, or stayed in and drank lots of wine.
I think you could just go alone but it would proberbly be really hard work, you'd proberbly come back needing a holiday more than you do now! another option would be to find another single Mum in the same situation, who would like to go with you,at least then you can take it in turns going to the loo, watching the bags on the beach etc.You never know you might find a new best friend.Good luck I hope you get some sunshine,it's really hard when the kids are so small,but they grow up too quick, I have 3 and my youngest is 2.5 , and I'm already missing having a baby( I must be mad)!

[No1Alicat]

Hi!
I've been on my own with my 2 (now 9 and almost 3) since before youngest was born. We have had lots of different types of holidays - camping, caravanning, rented cottages, a week in Spain, a house swap. The worst was when we arrived in Cornwall for one and found the accommodation was flooded - as it was half term, it looked for a loooong time like we wouldn't find anything else!!! They've all been on the cheap and have had their balance of fun and practical issues - but I wouldn't miss holidaying with them for the world, so my suggestion is just go for it!
I belong to an organisation called the single parents travel club - it's £7.50 per family per year and we have lots of days out, get togethers and shared holidays, on a variety of budgets. It's a great way to meet people in similar situations and we've made some really good friends through it. The web addy is www.sptc.org.uk It's much nicer to meet up with other people for a holiday and we always take turns to help each other out with the practical problems you describe!
We also enjoyed a great holiday with a travel company that specialises in single parent holidays - www.mangokids.co.uk (and there is a similar one called www.smallfamilies.co.uk) They aren't 'cheap' holidays, but they are good value for money - we went to Spain with Mango last year, paid for on a 0% interest credit card and it was worth every penny. (Partly because we barely spent anything while we were there - the children all were happy just laying with each other around the pool/on the beach and the parents found it v relaxing.) Well worth a try. You have a rep who is with you for the week and makes sure everything goes smoothly.
The NCT also have a houseswap register which costs £30 to join per annum and you can then arrange as many houseswaps as you wish - the advantage being you go home-from-home and don't have to cart equipment around like pushchairs and highchairs because you use each others stuff. I can get you a link for that if you are interested.
I certainly find it more enjoyable travelling or meeting up with another family if nothing else because it's nice to have someone to natter with once the little'uns are in bed.
Good luck and happy hols!
Alison
x

[Smiley_Mum]

I took an 18 month old and a three year old to Luxembourg, two flights with a break at Gatwick, by BA and they were very helpful. Just check before you board flight that little ones are toileted/changed etc. Take plenty snacks/juice/drinks etc. You'll probably have an idea of when your little one needs the loo from routine at home. My oldest one was happy colouring etc, with crayons etc and the flight attendant offered to sit with him while I took the wee one away to change. Don't stress about it. I initially worried like you did about things as it was first time I'd taken the kids away anywhere. Things do work out though. When I came to get off the flight at Gatwick, the buggy ended up going straight through to the carousel, instead of coming airside to the plane. So, I had to take all our luggage, sit an 18month old on the trolley too and have the three year old alongside on a wrist harness. The flight attendant came along a little bit but couldn't come right through due to checks and stuff. People along the way were helpful, could see I was struggling a bit and offered to help. People will offer to help, unless they are blind or just plain ignorant etc. When in France in the summer I had a very heavy suitcase along with four other pieces of luggage and two kids, 4 and 5 year old to go down three flights of stairs, along a subway type section and then up another two flights of stairs to catch a train. I had two French guys offer me help, one carried the suitcase and the other took all the other other bits of luggage and I had the kids. It was quite a way and it was great to have the offer of help. People will offer to help you. Don't worry about it, ok. Go on your trip to Greece and don't fret. Good Luck. Things will work out.

[across]

i just want to say it is hard enough planning holidays when youre not a single parent so i admire all of you and hope you all have lovely holidays! :T