9 tips if you go on holiday alone with your children

One thing you know for sure when you go on holiday with your children as a single parent: you are always short of hands. we get it. So: a few tips to make it a little easier.

1. Don’t go too far (the first time)

Carrying around twenty suitcases, going through customs (and having to take off your shoes at security too), sick children because of the flight: if you opt for a holiday with children in your own country, then you won’t be bothered by this at all. You just cram everything into the car and before you know it you are sitting in front of the mobile home with all your belongings. And you’ve already lost the kids because they’re busy with holiday friends who speak their own language. Fancy a bit of a claim yourself and parents who are in the same boat? Then choose a campsite for single parents. For example, De Blauwe Haan (Uffelte) opens the single-parent camping field in the summer months. More nice addresses? Check them out here.

2. Making friends

Sounds like a buyer, but it is important: take care of your children’s peers at your destination. Entertained children are an entertained mother. Oh, and if there is also an animation team that organizes fun activities, that is of course a bonus. Can you finally read that book?

3. Opt for a special single parent holiday

Whether it concerns an active group trip or a relaxing holiday in the sun, during special single-parent holidays there is always a tour guide who will take your children under their care. Everything is arranged down to the last detail, so that you only have to worry about rubbing your toddler. It’s fun too, because while your children are being entertained, you are drinking wine with the other single parents. The internet is full of single parent holidays, but here’s a small overview.

4. All inclusive

If you really want to cross the border to bake, book an all-inclusive resort. In countries such as Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt or Portugal, these types of hotels are very affordable and you don’t have to worry about anything: they cook for you, there is an animation team (check before you book) for the children and you gets the chance to finally start on that book. At the pool, with a drink in your hand. Extra tip: choose a room on the ground floor, so that your children are not ‘trapped’ in a mini room and you do not have to worry about the stone steps.

Also read: On your own on holiday with children: this is how you prepare >

5. Or let your kids choose the destination themselves

You have to dare, but really; you will be amazed by the nice ideas that you can’t come up with 1, 2, 3 yourself. Give them a framework (of course we all want to go to the Maldives or on safari in South Africa) and let yourself be surprised for once. Bet you won’t hear your kids all holiday?

6. Give them suitcases with wheels

If you’re going to fly anyway. Saves you mountains of lugging, and in line for the check-in or the transfer to your hotel, they can still sit on it.

7. Go with a single girlfriend

Shared sorrow is half sorrow, many hands make light work and many more clichés are true. But above all: it is always more fun with a girlfriend.

8. Preparation is half the battle

As a single parent, your budget is usually not infinite. Save by buying tickets online in advance for theme parks, outings or museums. Saves quite a bit of money (and time, because you don’t have to stand in line anymore – which is nice). For those who like to know where they stand: map out your holiday from day to day. This way you can prepare your children well for what you are going to do and you can already scour the internet together for fun. Oh, nothing is as changeable as a life with children of course, so don’t commit too much. Before you know it, you have very expensive boat tickets on a day when both children have diarrhea.

9. Get permission from the other parent

The Marechaussee checks quite strictly if you travel outside the Schengen area. So does the other parent also have parental authority over your children? Download the form here in advance, fill it in and print it out.

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