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After the relationship ended, I believed holidays as a solo mother would be easy. Quickly realized they were often outrageously expensive, or seemed only designed for “traditional” families, or were so cheap that I returned back even more exhausted than before I’d left.

Early Holiday Attempts

My first attempt, camping alongside companions, went well until the moment came to pack up the tent. Hours of wrestling with the tent under the sun afterward, I developed a dislike for the outdoors. Next, the adventure holiday for solo-parent households. The abseiling and caving were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunkbed wrecked my back. We attempted a low-cost all-inclusive on the island, but the crowds of traditional families felt intense, and poolside chats with other women fizzled out since I wasn’t come with a handy partner for their own spouses to talk to. A trip to Mallorca alongside a pal and her children was wonderful, but the cost was staggering.

Finding House-Sitting

Then, last autumn, a friend inquired if we could house-sit her dogs in Devon while she attended to a wedding. For one peaceful couple of days, we strolled along the shore, and settled near the fireplace in the evening. This prompted to house-sitting for her friend in Dorset, and it proceeded smoothly. Inspired, I subscribed with an yearly £99 membership to join a pet-sitting website, through which, in exchange for caring for people’s pets, you stay in their homes free of charge. Within a few days, I’d arranged a 10-day house-sit within the county, caring for a labrador called Buzz while the proprietors traveled overseas.

Each day's walks gave us the opportunity to discover breathtaking natural settings.

It was our first sit for strangers, but all anxiety vanished as soon as we arrived at the beautiful four-bedroom house and met the gentle Buzz, who thrived for tummy rubs. Our daily dog walks offered us the possibility to explore magnificent scenic areas, and, once we came home, we could unwind outdoors for meaningful discussions about our preferred “Ghosts” characters from the BBC sitcom. We avoided no expensive tourist traps to traipse through – rather, we perused bookshops, treated ourselves to nail care, and went on paddling excursions. I felt lighter and more joyful than ever in years, and noticed my bond alongside my child Polly strengthen every day. I’m not afraid to admit that I cried with happiness. Life seemed achievable again.

Could Pet-Sitting for You?

Pet-sitting may not be suitable for all. Some people prefer no responsibilities during vacations apart from selecting their upcoming beverage, aren’t fond of pets, or feel odd about sleeping in a someone else’s bedroom, clearing their dishwasher, and putting out the trash. But the soothing pace of everyday life, with employment removed and fresh locations to investigate, is perfect perfectly.

It keeps me from slipping into total idleness, which leaves me feeling restless and strangely empty. And, monetarily, pet-sitting acts as a life-saver for a single parent. A 10-day break in a similar-sized property in the same area we visited would set me back approximately £2,500 on Airbnb.

A New Outlook

Regarding staying in a stranger’s home, I found it enriching. Although house-sitting is a exchange, it’s also an expression of trust among strangers and animals, which has unleashed my best self – my patient, caring and balanced side, full of appreciation for the people and places we encounter. I’ve already lined up an additional short break away, caring for a whippet within verdant Surrey, and, next year, I’d like to attempt house-sitting abroad. Due to a bit of innovative thinking, we can see the globe from the comfort of home – it simply happens to be someone else’s.