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Hi Everyone,
Was just wondering what you all do about holidays?
After my disastrous holiday with my parents this year I have decided that next year I shall be going solo with my 2 girls.
I've been looking around at websites that specialise in group holidays for single parents, they're quite expensive but could probably scrape the money together if I start saving now for next year. Has anyone been on one of these?
Thanks lrh,
great suggestions. liked your idea about posting on the moneysavingexpert forum to get local tips.
I have got a tent and am building up my equipment, freecycle has been great for that. I'm a bit of a fairweather camper so going for longer than 2 nights makes me feel a bit anxious, especially with our unpredictable weather 
I think its more about being on my own with my girls that worries me, having always had either my ex or my parents to be there.
don't let that stop you - you are more than capable
Agree, it is very empowering to do it on your own. One of the first things I did after splitting from the boys' dad was to go away for a couple of days to a caravan holiday, showed myself I could drive there and cope with it all on my own, enjoyed the feeling I got from that!
I think I might take a deep breath and go to a campsite for a couple of days and see how I get on. We've been away in the tent twice now but both times my parents were there and my dad helped me with the tent!
I've got some more time off in August so I'll have a look at some local sites 
Woo hoo, you go girl! My daughter have been going camping for years now, we love it! Our favourite is a local site - so no moaning about 'how much further'!!
There is an outdoor pool, adventure trail and a camping shop - ooh I am getting excited just thinking about it 
Keep us informed wont you!
Thanks Anna, Your excitement is very infectious
I have just come across this:
If you are a lone parent visiting the north Norfolk coast with 2 children under 14, you can stay in one of our lovely glamping Tipis or in selected rooms in the Backpackers Hostel. Rather than paying for both children, you will only pay for 1, meaning you pay the 2 person price in a tipi or for a double room rather than a triple room in the backpackers hostel. August and September are wonderful times to visit the north Norfolk coast, especially our glorious sandy beaches (Brancaster & Holkham), cycling & walking in the local countryside, or enjoying fish & chips! Terms and conditions apply, so for more information or to book, please give us a call on 01485 210256 |
Thanks Anna,
That looks really interesting, my girls would love the teepee!
I haven't been brave enough to go on hols, just me and Z!!
We did sun hols with my sis and friend, that way I had someone to hang with in the evenings/take up some of the slack in the day! Couldn't even afford the Sun hols this year though, think it'll be a long time before we get another hols unless I can find a bloomin job that doesn't want me to work stupid hours!
Nat
Hello Natsplatt
Days out can be good or even a weekend away ie one night in a Travel Lodge.
By the way, I have edited out your son's name, we ask that these are not used on here, just to protect your privacy
hi well ive tuk my 3 kids away to canary islands, 3 tyms, on my own ad really gud tym, i really want to go away next yr, av save big deposit and book, i love goin abroad but so expensive, espec in school hols, and cant take them out school, espec my 14 yr old sonx
Yes, I think it is really unfair that you have to pay so much more in the holidays.
Hi kiera, I'd love to take my girls abroad but not sure I could afford it, especially as it would be in the school holidays which is much more expensive.
You're right louise it is unfair!!
i just tuk kids for a week in my mates caravan, stil enjoyed it, rather go abroad tho ,who wudnt, i love the sun and we dont get much in this country do wex
The scenery etc in this country is absolutely stunning, when I went to Wales I was really lucky as I had the only few days of summer we had this year. With children, if you go on a Uk holiday and it rains, you end up spending a fortune, so definitely worth considering a Butlins/Haven type holiday where there is entertainment for them. Mind you, I went with the boys when they were 10 and 15, and my friend came with 14 year old boy. It rained continuously. Only the 10 year old would join in anything, the other two were just AWFUL. We went to a museum one day and gave the three boys some money to go round the shops while we were in the museum (phew got rid of them for an hour). We came out and went for a coffee to a cafe, only to find The Three Musketeers sitting at the next table eating burgers and saying "Oh good job you turned up, Mum; we don't have enough money to pay the bill!"
Hiya I took my 7 year old to Croatia the last week of August , which was the cheapest week to go, an hour and 45 minutes on the plane, so easy to keep him entertained, package hols so rep waiting for us in arrival hall to advise where coach was. Booked a hotel on an island that was so small the were no cars ( so no passing weirdos ) to unnerve me. Hotel has a full soft play area with inflatables, kidsclubs 2 hours in the morning and another 2 hours in the afternoon... Whilst I went to the spa only £13 for 2 hours! 4 outdoor pools, 1 indoor pool and kids mini disco every night. My son made friends and so naturally us parents began to chat. Half board with as much free wine as you can muster.. The best bit is there is no euro in Croatia yet so we did lots on the mainland for cheap.. To be honest we were half board and the breakfast was so huge we just had a cheese roll at lunch or an ice cream ! For my first time on holiday alone with him I could not believe I did it, there was no issue with me being a single parent, children are welcome everywhere and not a hindrance like some places. My son and I bonded in a way I can't explain. Go for it.
Hi Debbie72,
Your holiday in croatia with your son sounds lovely. I think it may be a little out of my price range but I will have a look.
So far I have holidayed with my parents or taken weekends away with friends but still haven't plucked up the courage to go it alone. I would really love to have a week in the son.
sorry that should have said sun! having a blonde moment!
An easy mistake to make, pq (I have those moments a lot of late!)
I have being promising A that I will take her on an aeroplane just as soon as we can afford it (I haven't been out of the UK myself for the most shocking amount of time, but I've made that work for me as I'm having an ongoing love affair with Scotland!). It seems Croatia may well be worth considering...
Your holiday in Croatia sounds lovely :-)
If you want to know more, I posted on tripadvisor entitled " A must for single parents". Thinking of going back to Croatianext year , the only down side is the child prices are not available to people like me.... Need to have two adults sharing to get the child price. I am saving now for next summer !
It's so lovely to have a goal and something to look forward to
I have been looking at the holidays in croatia, they look lovely, I am very tempted.
aw i really want to take kids abroad next yur, so expensive ion holidays, then got pay deposit xive tuk them canary islands few tymsx
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this place is fab. Aimed at single women and their kids. Also ridiculously cheap and on a sliding scale.
| Annual Gross Income | Weekly Gross Income | Price per night | Children over two | Children under two |
| Over £25,000 | Over £485 | £30.00 | £10.00 per child | £2 per child |
| £18,001 to £25,000 | £346 to £485 | £25.00 | £10.00 per child | £2 per child |
| £12,001 to £18,000 | £231 to £345 | £20.00 | £10.00 per child | £2 per child |
| £8,001 to £12,000 | £156 to £230 | £15.00 | £7.50 per child | £2 per child |
| Up to £8,000 | Up to £155 | £10.00 | £5.00 per child | £2 per child |
Hello have found another centre for holidays, this time in the Yorkshire Dales. There is a subsidised rate of £20 per night available to lower income families. Please note that you cannot apply directly, someone such as the school, a charity or support organisation has to fill in the form and submit it for you. Here is the website
I think you can get quite creative with holiday plans
Here are my tips
Camping is quite cheap - borrow tents/equipment etc from friends - I have an attic full of camping equipment but would have been happy to loan it to any friends
If you don't mind moving about book Premier inn £19 rooms on outskirts of popular places (if you have a car) and then drive in to park and rides and visit favourite cities
Go on moneysavingexpert for tips but also to print vouchers for places to eat, money off coupons for attractions etc
I think when you are a single parent you have to think out of the box and do lots of research - if you post on forums of moneysavingexpert local people can give you tips on your destination
I am sure we can all come up with some other creative tips
Don't know what last minute bargains are about for this year but maybe you could do some research to give you an idea of what is out there and you may get lucky next year