Well done for asking for advice and wishing you lots of luck and strength. Just to say, don’t feel you are going to “drag” a friend there. I think you would probably find that if you do ask someone they would feel very touched that you felt you could ask them and want to spend this time with them. That’s what friends are for. If someone asked me I certainly wouldn’t feel like I was being dragged- to the contrary- flattered. Good luck. Whatever you decide to do I’m sure will go well because your children love you and will be thrilled to be having time with you.

I agree with supergirl who says you should turn it into an adventure. Where is the villa? Assuming it’s not on a desert island there must be stuff to do in the surrounding area. Get a guide book and do some planning for things to do with your kids when you get there. The advantage of being on your own is that you can choose what to do. Take them on walks, take them to the beach, or to see old towns. Learn some of the local language. Find a tour guide. I’ve been dragging my kids round stuff since they were tiny and we’ve always had a great time. Just do a bit of research and make the most of the experience.

I had a very similar situation two years ago.....how do you holiday with the kids as a brand new single parent?! The first time will never feel easy but you will be surprised how quickly you can turn what you fear is a negative into a positive adventure. There are a few companies out there that specifically organise holidays for single parents ..... "Single with Kids" is just one..... nice locations, good hotels and a reasonably sized group of other people who are also in the same position. It was a leap of faith the first time I booked but it turned out to be great fun, an instant peer group for the kids, some sensible adult company and a few friendships have developed. We've done a couple of trips with them but that also gave the confidence to organise some ambitious & exciting solo holidays too. You don't have to use a holiday company....find a few other local single parents and plan some adventures.

Kids are very resilient - we like to think they’d miss us but give them a pool and I’m sure they’ll be happy.
It sounds like you’re more worried about you, which is quite understandable. I would definitely take someone with you (nothing worse than being somewhere new on your own if you’re feeling down) - do you know anyone with older kids who would benefit from a holiday but have some time to help you out?
Best of luck x

@*onlyboys2*, I am very sorry to hear of your situation this summer and although I am not in the same situation as you I can understand how tough that must be.

Why not change the narrative? It will be hard this year but every year will get easier?

You re not on holiday on your own and daddy is missing. This year you and your kids are going on your first adventure.

Research the area well. Turn every sightseeing into an adventure, you re not a confident swimmer? Be a team. Work on everybody’s strength. Decide the 3 of you on some rules poolside and in pool and give some responsibilities to each of your kids, etc.

For work reasons (i can have time off and he cant), I always have 2 weeks with my kids before my husband joins us.
For the 4th summer in a row I take them on a road trip through France. I keep the costs low, we build an adventure, everything we do or see is either spooky, thrilling or sometimes “boring”: we building it in our head. But it is like we are on the Island of Adventures and I must say as much as I love when we are the 4 of us, I realise that the road trip is what I will carry on doing for as long as I can. We are now a proper team and we each play on each others strength. This year they are starting to take ownership of the activities and places to stay. Next year they ll build the route.

Embrace it, you ll have a lot of fun.

Good luck

Hi Onlyboys2, I am sorry to hear you are feeling alone and sad. I was in a similar predicament about 5 years ago and decided to still go and invited a friend. I also worried about the kids, but they, to be honest, were too little (3 and 5) to think about it too much and just had a wonderful time thinking it was a special/different holiday with Mummy.
It was healthy for me to get away and amazing to have my best friend there with me. For me, having a friend there helped both emotionally (with having someone to chat to in the evenings) and practitically (with the kids).
If you do decide to go away, I hope you have a great time.

Are grandparents coming with an option? At least in my case - also being a first summer for me - that is what I am doing. Figured the more crowded and love around, the better. Good luck - always happy to chat!!

As I find myself newly single at the start of the long summer holidays, in amongst everything else I am panicking about what to do for my children. We have a 2 week villa holiday booked and can’t get much money back but I don’t think it’s that practical for me to take two very young children to a villa when I’m not a confident swimmer. I also think I may feel very sad and alone. Even if I can drag a friend it will be very obvious to all of us that Daddy is missing and it’s not the same as last year.

I’d be interested to know what others in my position have done? Thank you