Some Top Tips for Holidaying as a Single Parent – Guest Post by Emily Jones

With summer finally here (or as good as) a lot of us are turning out thoughts to holidays. Below you will find a fab guest post from Emily Jones which offers some top tips and advice for single parents who are thinking of taking a holiday this year.

Being a single parent is one of the most challenging journeys you can undergo in your life, which is why you are more than entitled to enjoy your much needed holiday time.

However, sometimes the stress of expenses, guilt about being unable to provide the kids with as much as other parents or the absolute exhaustion from being the sole caregiver to your kids can get in the way of what you really need in a vacation.

Here are some tips for mums and dads who are struggling to know where to begin with a single parent holiday.

Where To Go

Italy

Who doesn’t dream of traveling to one of the most picturesque cultural destinations in the world?

Fortunately, it is one of the best destinations for a single parent household to travel to.

The laid-back atmosphere is perfect for a family, and you don’t have to stress about snooty locals, as Italians are known to be some of the friendliest people in the world – cafes and restaurants are extremely kids friendly as it isn’t unusual to see parents eating out with their kids late into the night (following a long nap after lunch).

If you’re keen on finding somewhere with a pool, and near the sea, you can find beautiful villas in Taormina Sicily Italy, which is near lovely beaches. Renting a villa offers all of you more space, a private pool, and the opportunity to cook food yourself in order to save money, and cater to even the fussiest of little eaters. A particularly good idea if you want to travel with grandparents or split the costs with another family.

Cornwall

You don’t have to go too far to enjoy a holiday by yourself or with your little ones. Cornwall is one of the most popular destinations in the whole of the UK, as it truly does feel like it isn’t a part of the same country.

It has everything- beaches and countryside – and comes complete with a whole wealth of activities for you and your kids to enjoy.

You will enjoy the beauty- your kids will enjoy helping to feed some of the countryside’s most well-behaved animals, and you can all sit together on the beach with a Cornish pasty or perhaps a Cornish ice-cream cone!

France

No holiday list is complete without the addition of France.

There are so many different places for you to enjoy with your family in this uniquely beautiful country. And, depending on your individual interests, there are different locations that offer something unique and well-suited to every family member.

From skiing in the Pyrenees, to beaching in the south of France, to absorbing the culture of Paris, there is truly more to do than one can squeeze into an entire lifetime.

If you are looking to relax by yourself and have a little much-needed me time, or give your kids a truly cultural experience to last a lifetime, France is the destination for you.

How To Do It

Cater to Your Needs

Make sure you are looking out for your individual needs when planning a holiday.

While some families might enjoy a trip to France, a local trip to Cornwall might suit you better. It is all about what works for you and your family.

Don’t spend more than you can afford just to try and compete with other families, the kids will have a great time so long as they feel they’re doing something special.

Research

Whether you go to France, Italy or a village 20 minutes from your home, make sure you do your research and you know what you are doing.

It is important that there are things to do with the kids once you get there, and that the location is safe- going to an incredibly busy destination at peak times means you may end up feeling stressed trying to ensure the kids don’t wander off into any big crowds. You only have one pair of hands and don’t want to spend the entire trip panicking.

Pack Light

Make sure you don’t bring more than you need.

It is tempting to bring your entire wardrobe when embarking on a journey, but you won’t use half that stuff and airlines are charging a fortune for bags. Take what you and your kids need and go. You will not regret it.

Think carefully about hand luggage too; allow the kids to carry their own light backpacks, and pack a small one for yourself – you don’t want to end up carrying loads of heavy bags and unable to hold on to the kids in a busy airport.

Go With the Flow

The most important thing to remember is that some things just don’t go as planned and that’s okay. I’m sure as a single parent, you are familiar with the feeling and you know that things work out for the best in the end. Plan to the best of your ability, but expect adventure. Know that that is okay, and all a part of the ride.

Enjoy it.