Planning a Single Parent Holiday
These days single parent families are more the norm than the old school two point four children and because of this parents face new challenges every day.
Something you might not consider a challenge if you're not a parent is the prospect of taking your child on holiday by yourself.
For those of us with children and a partner choosing a holiday, making sure the accommodation is safe and decent and arranging four people's suitcases is enough but for a single parent it is much worse.
The single parent holiday is a relatively new phenomenon but tour operators have been fighting to win over this new market for a few years now.
The lone parent faces a few daunting prospects on a typical package holiday: single supplements if they want their own room, the feeling of being surrounded by couples and 'happy' families, keeping their child safe when in a foreign country and finding activities to please both adult and child.
For many parents the thought of holidaying with their beloved offspring keeps them going through the long days at work and the sleepless nights.
The holiday can be ruined though by bored children, a parent in need of adult company and the emotional turmoil of coping alone.
Luckily the options for the adventurous single parent and their children are now abundant.
There are several single family holiday operators, adventure companies with single parent departures and group family holidays.
A great option is the group adventure trip where you and your children will be accompanied by other families with similar aged children and their single parents.
This gives the added security of other adults and new playmates for both children and parent.
When planning a holiday here's a few key things you should take into consideration: 1.
Destination - choose a safe destination, a place used to tourists and with a good reputation.
Egypt holidays are ideal as there is plenty to see and do, millions of families visit every year and the locals are very family orientated.
2.
Choose a reputable holiday company.
Check out their credentials and make sure they are ATOL and ABTA registered, (this will protect your holiday and your money).
Ask how long they have been running, how many families they take away each year and how they accommodate single parents.
3.
Choose an appropriate trip for your family.
Ask your child if they want a beach holiday o if they would like to do something more exciting, like rafting in Croatia or mountain biking.
If you would rather have a beach holiday, try and find something in between, with a bit of activity and some rest time.
4.
When you've chosen a destination ask about single room supplements, the ages of other children on the trips you're interested in and the safety policy of the company.
5.
Check the visa and vaccination requirements of your destination.
Some countries have interesting policies regarding single parents so make sure you check at least 6 weeks prior to departure with the relevant embassy.
India for example require written permission from the other parent allowing your child to travel.
6.
Ask your chosen holiday company if there is a way to contact other parents going on your trip.
It is often nice to get to know them prior to going and gives you the chance to make sure they are people you will enjoy hanging out with.
Perhaps even jump on the Facebook page of the company before booking and engaging their other travelers.
7.
Don't worry.
Once you know you have booked with a good family holiday operator, your passports and visas are ready and vaccinations have been obtained as necessary, sit back and relax ready for your trip.
Early I mentioned Egypt holidays as a good single parent option.
There is a range of things to do in Egypt, from the tours of the pyramids to sailing the Nile.
There are lots of families on holiday here all year round and despite the small risk of a day of dodgy tummies, children love it.
Riding a camel, exploring the ancient tombs and statues of ancient Egypt and snorkeling in the Red Sea are all family friendly activities and sure to prevent boredom.
If you have time and the money, take an overnight boat cruise down the Nile on a traditional felucca.
Sleeping on a boat and helping the captain is what dreams are made of...
at least for 10 year old boys.
Something you might not consider a challenge if you're not a parent is the prospect of taking your child on holiday by yourself.
For those of us with children and a partner choosing a holiday, making sure the accommodation is safe and decent and arranging four people's suitcases is enough but for a single parent it is much worse.
The single parent holiday is a relatively new phenomenon but tour operators have been fighting to win over this new market for a few years now.
The lone parent faces a few daunting prospects on a typical package holiday: single supplements if they want their own room, the feeling of being surrounded by couples and 'happy' families, keeping their child safe when in a foreign country and finding activities to please both adult and child.
For many parents the thought of holidaying with their beloved offspring keeps them going through the long days at work and the sleepless nights.
The holiday can be ruined though by bored children, a parent in need of adult company and the emotional turmoil of coping alone.
Luckily the options for the adventurous single parent and their children are now abundant.
There are several single family holiday operators, adventure companies with single parent departures and group family holidays.
A great option is the group adventure trip where you and your children will be accompanied by other families with similar aged children and their single parents.
This gives the added security of other adults and new playmates for both children and parent.
When planning a holiday here's a few key things you should take into consideration: 1.
Destination - choose a safe destination, a place used to tourists and with a good reputation.
Egypt holidays are ideal as there is plenty to see and do, millions of families visit every year and the locals are very family orientated.
2.
Choose a reputable holiday company.
Check out their credentials and make sure they are ATOL and ABTA registered, (this will protect your holiday and your money).
Ask how long they have been running, how many families they take away each year and how they accommodate single parents.
3.
Choose an appropriate trip for your family.
Ask your child if they want a beach holiday o if they would like to do something more exciting, like rafting in Croatia or mountain biking.
If you would rather have a beach holiday, try and find something in between, with a bit of activity and some rest time.
4.
When you've chosen a destination ask about single room supplements, the ages of other children on the trips you're interested in and the safety policy of the company.
5.
Check the visa and vaccination requirements of your destination.
Some countries have interesting policies regarding single parents so make sure you check at least 6 weeks prior to departure with the relevant embassy.
India for example require written permission from the other parent allowing your child to travel.
6.
Ask your chosen holiday company if there is a way to contact other parents going on your trip.
It is often nice to get to know them prior to going and gives you the chance to make sure they are people you will enjoy hanging out with.
Perhaps even jump on the Facebook page of the company before booking and engaging their other travelers.
7.
Don't worry.
Once you know you have booked with a good family holiday operator, your passports and visas are ready and vaccinations have been obtained as necessary, sit back and relax ready for your trip.
Early I mentioned Egypt holidays as a good single parent option.
There is a range of things to do in Egypt, from the tours of the pyramids to sailing the Nile.
There are lots of families on holiday here all year round and despite the small risk of a day of dodgy tummies, children love it.
Riding a camel, exploring the ancient tombs and statues of ancient Egypt and snorkeling in the Red Sea are all family friendly activities and sure to prevent boredom.
If you have time and the money, take an overnight boat cruise down the Nile on a traditional felucca.
Sleeping on a boat and helping the captain is what dreams are made of...
at least for 10 year old boys.
