Kids on the coast

 
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that 15% of all children in 1992 were living in single parent families, and that number was growing. During the 10 year period between 1986-1996 “the number of one parent families in Australia increased by almost 50% from 311,800 to 467,200”.
“Over this period, one parent families as a proportion of all families with dependent children increased from 14% to 19%,” it reports.
 
Although the balance between money and time is always tenuous, when it comes to single parent family holidays, getting the right mix is crucial. The ABS says single parent families are statistically surviving on much lower incomes which means your holiday budget might be tight. It may be difficult to juggle between getting time off work, squeezing your vacation into half the school holidays and coordinating with the other parent. Throw in travel logistics and it’s no wonder that many single parents find it all too hard and opt to stay at home.
 
Unfortunately, as the number of single parent families increases, the travel industry struggles to keep up with most family holiday packages based on ‘twin share’ rooms and are designed to meet the needs of two parents travelling with two children. Just look at the majority of family entrance fees at attractions and you will see how they lean towards the traditional family unit. Holidays with Kids says the most common mistake made by the travel industry is assuming that the travel needs and desires of single parents are exactly the same as those of two parent families. “Single parents often seek different agendas and must be twice as organised, twice as patient, and twice as creative to have a successful and fun trip with their kids,” it says.

If your last holiday was taken as a traditional family, it came with inbuilt companionship. One of the biggest things to decide before booking a single parent family is the level of social interaction required. Taking the kids to a Fijian resort may sound fine and dandy, but if you end up glued to your room after 8pm bedtime, and the bar is full of honeymoon couples, you may regret the decision. Kids, also, may need a little space. Remember, they don’t often spend 24 hours a day with you and, even though you love time with them, it might be good to plan a little time apart at a kid’s club or make sure there’s in-room entertainment available.

Single dad, Greg Brennan recently signed up for one of the few packaged single parent family holidays available (to Fiji with BYO Kids) “I wanted to go on holiday where there was a chance for social interaction for me and the kids,” he says “and since I have a hectic lifestyle, I chose a holiday where it was organised for me.”

Organised packages are a wonderful way to meet the social needs of both single parents and children but Greg was dubious at first. “There were only two men and six women,” he says, “I was concerned that perhaps single parents would get together and complain about their situation but they were a great bunch of guys and I really recommend it.

“I think those people who go on these type of holidays are those who are moving on with their lives.”

You don’t have to sign up for a package holiday to interact with others. Go on holiday with the grandparents, visit other relatives, enlist another family or, if you only have one child, take along one of their school friends. Two kids are far more easily entertained than one, but make sure you discuss the division of holiday costs with the parents of the other child first.
 
Making a single parent holiday work starts with good planning and organisation. Do your research. Get on the web and find out about your intended destination, talk to travel agents dedicated to family travel and, if your kids are older, enlist them in surfing the web. Find out what is important to your kids. Do they want time by a pool? Do they want to be really active? Do they want time by themselves, or prefer more quality time with you? Do they like cold climates or hot ones? Would they like to join with others or go it alone?

By getting the kids involved you become a team and the end result is more likely to meet all your needs. There’s another positive side effect too – your kids feel more responsible for the holiday and you might just find they are willing to carry bags, read maps or even help cook meals in your self contained holiday apartment.

It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of planning a holiday and forget the legal logistics. If you have a family court order, make sure your plans fit within its requirements. If you are planning to go overseas for the first time, the kids will need a passport, which needs to be ordered well in advance because Australian Law requires both parents to sign the passport application.

Leah Squires is the director of BYO Kids and has dealt with many disappointed parents. “Unfortunately we have had to cancel quite a few holidays at the last minute when the other parent refuses to let the kids go,” she says.

Organising single parent family travel can be challenging yet we could all use a break from time to time, and creating quality memories with your kids might be just what you need. Where there’s a will (and a little forward planning) there’s a way!

BYO Kids top holiday picks for single parent families
 
Drive a campervan around New Zealand – distances are short and your home is self contained

Learn to ski together – lodge packages are all inclusive and you’ll meet other skiers

Cruise the South Pacific – many cruise ships charge a price per cabin not per person

Club Med inclusive holidays have 168 locations to choose from and fun family activities

Paradise Resort, Gold Coast – join in the next single family holiday package

Cabins in holiday parks where you can interact with other campers
 
For teens, learn to dive together in the Whitsundays or sail on a live-aboard boat

Join a cycling tour in Europe together

For more advice on single parent travel options phone BYO Kids on 1300 296 543 or visit www.byokids.com.au