Worried about being lonely on holiday with my son

chic chick wrote: »

Looking for advice or suggestions

Had booked a holiday with my son & boyfriend -going for 2 weeks. My parents were to join us for one of those weeks. Things have ended with my boyfriend & I have just found out my dad is now not well enough to travel so it will be just myself & my son who is 10 for 2 weeks.

My dads health is the most important thing however I’m not sure I can do a two week holiday on my own without adult company and I’m so afraid I’ll be lonely and then the holiday won’t be a holiday.

My son would be devastated if we don’t go. Im thinking it’s a case of me just sucking it up and making the best of the situation or are there suggestions anyone has for getting through the 2 weeks without feeling lonely.
It’s the lonliness that scares me

Appreciate any advice. Hope I have posted in the right forum also

Is there another family member or friend that could go for even some of the time?

chic chick wrote: »

It’s the lonliness that scares me

Op this is what you need to face then. Anything that you fear will control you and you'll never truly be free in life until you have faced those fears. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family, was abandoned by parents and carried the fear of being alone and abandoned into adulthood. I would dodge and duck this fear with everything I had, avoiding the big one: Going on holiday alone. But in the end life conspired to give me what I needed and it really was the making of me. I was forced to face that fear and for a few brief moments, it was terrifying. But then that passed and everything was amazing. The fear of being lonely was gone, and it stayed gone ever since. Which is massively liberating.
You are the adult here and you need to be an example for your son because if you carry the fear of being alone then he will take that baton from you and bring it into his own future. You have to face this Op. For your sake but also for the sake of your children. Don't try to distract yourself and don't try to rope anyone else into going with you. Face it. Trust me you'll be fine, it will be the greatest thing you'll ever do and when you come back you'll see the world in totally different light. You'll be fearless and take more risks which will open up avenues that you were never ever aware of.

Tell me how wrote: »

^^^^

Things have ended with BF I'm pretty sure as opposed to him just not making the holiday.....

:eek:

Apologies, I misread that totally. Will edit the comment. Thanks for alerting me.

I think if you fill your days with plenty of activities with him and then stick on Netflix in the evening, you won't have time to be lonely because you'll just fall into bed.
Use this holiday as an opportunity for quality one to one time with him.
He'll remember the memories.

I’m going to put my 2c in here and echo others who have recommended you actually try to enjoy the company of your son. I remember holidays with my parents (each separately and together as a family) from younger than 10 with incredibly fond memories. Like someone else said, one of the camping holidays I took with my Dad kickstarted a lifelong love of photography.

Not to bum anyone out but my Mum passed away when I was just 25. I wish more than anything we had more memories together, especially of holidays where we could both be ourselves. At 10, your son is starting moving from being a child to a teenager. Kids that age can be incredibly astute and funny and smart. Having your sole attention and being involved in planning some activities and maybe being in charge of photos and videos of the holiday would help build confidence and skills. Plus you get to learn who your son is becoming outside of the usual routines of work and school etc.

I know having zero adult company after he’s gone to bed etc is a bit daunting but maybe you just view this as a challenge to learn to meditate in the evenings, or get through a few books during downtime or whatever it is. It’s only 2 weeks, it won’t kill you even if you are lonely. It’s not reflective of your normal life.

Best of luck OP.

If he's 10,he'll probably go to bed the same time as you.
He won't be going to bed at sunset anyhow so you'll actually have very little alone time.
A deck of cards gives hours of fun in an evening and I am wholly recommended the card deck 'Uno', try Smyths or Tesco for it.
My guy is older than yours and we could pass an hour in stitches laughing playing that.

Roen wrote: »

You could always sit him down and explain that you might feel lonely in just his company for two weeks.

Could be a handy way out of the situation.

Gees, I'm not so sure. He might feel to blame for any time he thinks you're quiet.

Sorry to hear about your bf and Dad.

Definately do - sure you can plan things during the day and get out and about so if the evenings are quiet you will at least be physically tired in the evenings!

+1 for the kidsclubs,books and netflix - I'd say the evenings could be a little quieter as most couples wil be dining out or going out for drinks and this is much harder to do alone or with a child . Depending on your type of holiday and where you are going I 'd say your child could get a great kick out of eating out in the evening and seeing the way the athmosphere and dynamic changes at night - it could be great if you could manage to do this with him if the location allowes rather than having a big main meal at lunchtime. You might get lucky and find someone else single or solo to buddy up with whose child your child likes - they will be in the same boat!

Regardless, you have us all to keep you company if you get the blues - don't be a stranger! Between books, podcasts, documentaries online and maybe throw in a few day or night tours from a local agent and you will be ok!There is usually a travel place selling trips or excursions when you are on hols - will pace and break the time nicely and give you something to anticipate every few evenings!

Have a lovely holiday! Im sure your dad wil look forward to getting a few postcards in the post and hearing about your adventires when you get back - shoukd cheer him up a bit to know you will have enjoyed yourself despite the advance chaos and dissappointments.


+ Do you kindle?Can you borrow one?

And if you know you will be indoors at night - in an appartment or hotel wih balcony - plan to make it nice for yourself - bring a warm wrap or cardigan so you can sit ourdoors if by the sea and maybe pack a mosquito lemon candle or tea lights and get in some local delicasies or bottle of simething if appropriate with child and local figs or fancy fruits or breads and cheese and save them for a fancy evening treat - it will give you a nice flavour of the place and be something to look forward to doing and testing in the eveni g and not as possibly expensive as 2 meals out eery night.

Best of luck & have a lovely holiday.

Having brought my nephew on holidays with me to the sun twice, he was 9 and 10. We had the best time. He had a ball , met a few buddies at the pool and played with them, I was able to read a book and just chill. I did not bring him to the pubs at night but had a glass or two of wine while we had our meals!


I was away on my first solo holiday a few weeks ago and was slightly nervous but I got on fine. I had my iPad, I had audible on my phone also and listened to 2 books while I sunbathed, I went out for dinner alone and just relaxed. Your son is a great age to be with so I hope you enjoy your time together making memories.

Sorry to hear about the break up and I hope your Dad feels better soon.