🔗 Share this article

After the marriage concluded, I believed vacations being a solo mother would be easy. Quickly realized they were either extremely expensive, otherwise seemed only suitable for “traditional” families, or were so budget that I returned back even more exhausted than before I started.

Early Holiday Experiences

My first attempt, camping with friends, went well up until I had to pack up our shelter. Four hours of wrestling with the tent in the heat later, I hated camping. Next, the adventure holiday for single-parent households. Rappelling and caving were brilliant, but resting in a bunk bed wrecked my back. We tried a budget package in Tenerife, but the crowds of nuclear families were overwhelming, and pool-side conversations with fellow women died down because I didn’t come with a handy husband for their husbands to chat with. An excursion to Majorca with a friend and her kids was brilliant, but the cost was staggering.

Finding House-Sitting

Later, last autumn, an acquaintance asked if we’d look after her dogs in Devon as she went to a ceremony. For one peaceful weekend, we walked on the beach, and settled by the fire at night. This prompted to house-sitting for her friend in the region, and it also went well. Encouraged, I subscribed with an yearly £99 membership to join a house-sitting website, where, by caring for individuals' animals, you stay in their homes without cost. In just a couple of days, I secured a ten-day pet-sit within the county, looking after a labrador called Buzz while the proprietors traveled overseas.

Each day's walks gave us the opportunity to explore stunning natural settings.

It was our first assignment for unknown individuals, but all anxiety vanished the moment we reached at the beautiful four-bedroom house and encountered the calm Buzz, who lived for tummy rubs. Each day's canine strolls gave us the opportunity to venture into stunning scenic areas, and, once we came back, we were able to relax outdoors for meaningful discussions about our favourite “Ghosts” characters in the BBC sitcom. We avoided any pricey overrated attractions to traipse through – instead, we browsed bookstores, indulged to manicures, and went on paddling excursions. I felt more carefree and more joyful than I had for a long time, and noticed my bond alongside my child Polly deepen daily. I don’t hesitant to admit that I wept from joy. Life seemed possible once more.

Is House-Sitting for You?

Pet-sitting isn’t suitable for all. Some people want zero duties on holiday apart from choosing their upcoming cocktail, aren’t fond of pets, or perhaps feel odd about staying in a stranger’s bed, emptying the dishwasher, and putting out the trash. But the gentle rhythm of ordinary life, with employment removed and new places to explore, is perfect for me.

This prevents me from descending into complete idleness, which makes me feeling twitchy and strangely hollow. And, financially, house-sitting is a life-saver for a solo mother. Ten days getaway in a similar-sized house within the identical region we visited could cost me approximately £2,500 on Airbnb.

An Alternative Perspective

Regarding staying in a another person’s house, I found it nourishing. Although pet-sitting is a exchange, it’s also an act of trust among strangers and animals, that has unleashed my best self – my patient, loving and measured aspect, overflowing with appreciation for the people and places we discover. I have lined up another four days off, caring for a whippet in leafy Surrey, and, next year, I’d like to attempt house-sitting overseas. Due to a touch of innovative thinking, we are able to experience the globe from the coziness of home – it just turns out to be another person’s.