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Following my relationship ended, I believed holidays being a solo mother could be straightforward. Quickly discovered they proved often extremely costly, or seemed exclusively designed for “traditional” families, or were so budget that I returned home more exhausted than before I’d left.

Initial Holiday Attempts

My first endeavor, tenting with friends, went well up until I had to pack up the tent. Hours of wrestling with the tent in the heat later, I hated the outdoors. Subsequently, the adventure holiday for solo-parent households. Rappelling and caving were brilliant, but resting in a bunk bed wrecked my back. We attempted a budget all-inclusive on the island, but the crowds of traditional families felt intense, and poolside conversations with fellow ladies fizzled out because I didn’t accompanied by a convenient husband for their own husbands to talk to. A trip to Mallorca alongside a pal and her children was brilliant, but the cost was eye-watering.

Finding Pet-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, a friend asked if we could look after her dogs within the county while she attended to a wedding. For one peaceful weekend, we walked along the shore, and settled near the fireplace in the evening. That led to pet-sitting for her friend in Dorset, and it proceeded smoothly. Encouraged, I paid an yearly £99 membership to join a house-sitting platform, through which, in exchange for caring for people’s animals, you stay at their residences free of charge. In just a couple of days, I secured a ten-day pet-sit within the county, caring for a labrador called Buzz while his owners traveled overseas.

Our daily strolls gave us the opportunity to explore stunning natural settings.

This marked our first sit for unknown individuals, but all anxiety dissipated the moment we arrived at the gorgeous spacious home and met the calm Buzz, who thrived for tummy rubs. Our daily dog walks gave us the possibility to explore stunning scenic areas, and, after we returned home, we were able to unwind in the garden for meaningful conversations about our favourite “Ghosts” personas from the BBC sitcom. We avoided no pricey tourist traps to wander around – instead, we browsed bookshops, treated ourselves to manicures, and went on kayak trips. I experienced lighter and more joyful than ever for a long time, and could feel my bond alongside my child Polly deepen every day. I’m not afraid to admit that I wept from joy. Life seemed possible again.

Could House-Sitting Right for You?

Pet-sitting isn’t for everyone. Certain individuals want zero duties during vacations other than choosing their upcoming cocktail, are not fond of dogs or cats, or perhaps feel odd about staying in a stranger’s bed, emptying the dishwasher, and taking out the trash. However the gentle pace of everyday life, with employment stripped out and new places to investigate, suits me perfectly.

This prevents me from descending into complete inactivity, which makes me feeling restless and oddly hollow. Moreover, financially, pet-sitting is a life-saver for a solo mother. Ten days getaway in a similar-sized property in the same area we stayed could cost me approximately £2,500 via rental platforms.

An Alternative Outlook

Regarding staying in a another person’s home, I found it enriching. Even though house-sitting represents a transaction, it is equally an act of faith among unfamiliar people and animals, which has brought out the finest version of me – my calm, loving and balanced aspect, overflowing with appreciation for the individuals and locations we encounter. I’ve already scheduled another four days off, looking after a sighthound within verdant Surrey, and, in the coming year, I hope to try pet-sitting overseas. Due to a bit of creative planning, we can experience the globe from the comfort of a home – it simply happens to be another person’s.