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After my marriage concluded, I thought holidays being a single parent could be straightforward. Quickly discovered they proved either outrageously expensive, or seemed only designed for “conventional” households, or were so budget that I returned back even more exhausted than when I started.

Early Holiday Attempts

The initial attempt, camping with friends, was fine up until the moment came to dismantle the tent. Four hours of struggling with the tent under the sun afterward, I developed a dislike for camping. Subsequently, an adventurous holiday for solo-parent households. The abseiling and exploring caves were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunk bed ruined my spine. We tried a low-cost all-inclusive on the island, but the crowds of traditional families felt intense, and poolside conversations with other ladies fizzled out since I wasn’t come with a handy husband for their husbands to chat with. A trip to Mallorca alongside a pal and her kids was brilliant, but the cost was staggering.

Finding Pet-Sitting

Then, last autumn, a friend inquired if we’d house-sit her pets in Devon as she went to a ceremony. During a peaceful couple of days, we strolled on the beach, and settled near the fireplace in the evening. That led to house-sitting for her associate in the region, which also went well. Inspired, I subscribed with an yearly £99 membership to register on a pet-sitting website, where, in exchange for looking after people’s pets, you stay in their homes free of charge. In just a couple of days, I’d arranged a 10-day house-sit in Sussex, looking after a labrador named Buzz while his owners were abroad.

Our daily walks gave us the opportunity to explore breathtaking natural settings.

It was the initial sit for strangers, but all anxiety vanished as soon as we reached the gorgeous four-bedroom home and encountered the gentle Buzz, who lived for tummy rubs. Our daily canine strolls offered us the possibility to explore stunning scenic areas, and, once we returned back, we were able to unwind in the garden for important conversations about our preferred “Ghosts” characters from the television series. We avoided any pricey tourist traps to wander around – rather, we perused bookstores, indulged to nail care, and embarked on paddling excursions. I felt more carefree and more joyful than ever for a long time, and noticed the connection alongside my child Polly strengthen daily. I’m not hesitant to admit that I wept with happiness. Life seemed possible again.

Could House-Sitting Right for You?

House-sitting may not be suitable for all. Certain individuals prefer no responsibilities on holiday other than choosing their upcoming cocktail, aren’t into pets, or feel odd about staying in a stranger’s bedroom, emptying their dishwasher, and taking out their bins. However the soothing rhythm of ordinary life, with employment removed and fresh locations to investigate, suits me perfectly.

This prevents myself from slipping into total idleness, a state that leaves me experience twitchy and oddly hollow. Moreover, financially, pet-sitting is a life-saver for a solo mother. A 10-day getaway in a comparable house in the same region we stayed would set me back about £2,500 on Airbnb.

An Alternative Outlook

As for staying in a stranger’s home, I found it enriching. Although house-sitting is a exchange, it is equally an expression of trust among unfamiliar people and animals, which has brought out my best self – my calm, loving and balanced side, overflowing with appreciation for the people and locations we discover. I have lined up another short break off, caring for a sighthound within verdant Surrey, and, in the coming year, I hope to attempt pet-sitting overseas. Due to a bit of creative thinking, we are able to see the world from the comfort of home – it simply happens to be someone else’s.