One of my biggest goals this year was to take my children away during the summer holidays as a solo parent. We had gone away almost every year previously and missed having a break last year. But, I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
Firstly, I don’t drive. So I had to be really particular about where we went. I needed to make sure that we would be able to, not only, get there, but also be able to find our way around and explore the area once we’d arrived.
Secondly, it needed to appeal to a range of ages and personalities. I would be taking all five children with me who range from 19 to 7, with vastly different interests and needs.
Thirdly, it needed to be affordable. I didn’t have an unlimited budget and I needed to make sure that we got value for money. The aim was to make memories, not spend a small fortune.
Ultimately, we settled on a week at a holiday camp in Great Yarmouth. There was plenty of public transport access, a regular bus service from the site to the main town and pleasure beach, activities on site for all of the children to enjoy, evening entertainment, a good restaurant, and a five-minute walk to the beach.
I know I’m not the first solo parent in the world to want to take their children on holiday, but I thought it might help if I shared some of the tips I found for making the whole process a little easier.
Six tips for holidays as a solo parent
1. Book in advance
This is useful advice whether you’re travelling as a solo parent or not. Booking your holiday and transport in advance can significantly reduce the cost. Booking your accommodation or holiday park ahead of time can also mean that you’re able to spread the cost; allowing you to budget more effectively.
2. Railcards
If you’re using trains to go on holiday, see if there is a railcard that will help. I have a family and friends railcard which allows up to four adults and four children to travel together. As long as a child is travelling, the cost of travel is reduced. This meant that it only cost £155 for all six of us to travel to and from Great Yarmouth rather than almost £300.
3. Check out local public transport
Whether you’re driving or not, it’s always a good idea to check out the public transport options. Most holiday camps will run regular shuttle services to and from the site, and local taxi firms are a great option for getting to your accommodation if you’re arriving by train.
4. Be selective about activities
I deliberately picked a holiday camp with lots of onsite activities. This meant there would be something for everyone to do, no matter the weather. With so many options to choose from, it can be tempting to book everything on offer. However, the additional costs for these activities can quickly add up. Make sure to think about what you want to do beforehand and book in advance if possible.
5. Schedule downtime
Don’t forget that holidays are meant for relaxation just as much as new adventures. You might feel as though you need to make the most of every moment, but there are memories to be made in downtime too. Try to schedule a day or part of a day to just relax. Whether you do this at your accommodation or on the beach is up to you, but you’ll be glad for the time to switch off and recharge.
6. Get the best accommodation you can afford
You might feel like paying extra for accommodation is a waste of money which could be better spent on activities and experiences, and in a way this is true. But, it’s a careful balance. Spending a week on top of each other can make arguments and bickering worse. If you’re going away as a family, it can often be a good idea to upgrade your accommodation where possible. This will give everyone a little extra living space, enabling you to have time to yourselves more comfortably.
One last thing to remember:
Possibly the most important thing to remember if you’re thinking about holidays as a solo parent is to GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. You might want to make every moment magical or feel you have to make it better than any other holiday. Perhaps you feel you need to somehow make up for the other parent’s absence. But you don’t. This is your holiday too. Card games, messing around on the beach, Mr whippy ice creams and exploring the local area are just as good for memory-making as expensive activities.
Arguments will happen, things will go wrong, and plans will change at the last minute. Take the pressure off yourself a little and you’ll find it much easier to enjoy your time away.
When push comes to shove, your children will remember the time they spent with you and the things that didn’t go quite right much more than they’ll remember anything else.