🔗 Share this article

After my relationship ended, I believed vacations being a solo mother could be straightforward. Quickly discovered they proved either extremely costly, or seemed exclusively designed for “traditional” households, or else were so cheap that I came home even more knackered than when I’d left.

Initial Holiday Experiences

The initial attempt, tenting alongside companions, went well until the moment came to pack up the tent. Hours of struggling with it under the sun afterward, I developed a dislike for camping. Next, an adventurous trip for single-parent households. The abseiling and exploring caves were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunk bed ruined my back. We attempted a budget package on the island, but the hordes of traditional families were overwhelming, and poolside conversations with other women fizzled out since I wasn’t come with a convenient husband for their spouses to chat with. A trip to Mallorca with a friend and her children was brilliant, but the cost was eye-watering.

Discovering Pet-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, a friend asked if we could house-sit her pets in Devon while she attended to a wedding. For one tranquil couple of days, we walked on the beach, and curled up by the fire in the evening. This prompted to house-sitting for her friend in the region, and it proceeded smoothly. Inspired, I subscribed with an yearly £99 fee to join a pet-sitting website, where, in exchange for caring for people’s pets, you reside at their residences without cost. Within a few days, I secured a 10-day pet-sit in Sussex, looking after a retriever called Buzz during the time the proprietors were abroad.

Each day's strolls provided the chance to discover breathtaking nature spots.

It was the initial assignment for unknown individuals, but any nerves vanished as soon as we reached at the gorgeous four-bedroom home and met the gentle Buzz, who lived for belly scratches. Each day's dog walks gave us the possibility to explore stunning nature spots, and, once we returned home, we were able to relax outdoors for meaningful conversations about our favourite “Ghosts” characters from the BBC sitcom. We avoided any pricey overrated attractions to wander around – instead, we browsed bookstores, treated ourselves to manicures, and went on kayak trips. I felt lighter and more joyful than I had in years, and noticed the connection alongside my child Polly strengthen daily. I don’t hesitant to say that I wept with happiness. Life seemed possible once more.

Could Pet-Sitting for You?

Pet-sitting isn’t suitable for all. Certain individuals prefer no responsibilities on holiday apart from selecting their next cocktail, are not fond of pets, or find it strange regarding sleeping in a someone else’s bed, clearing the dishwasher, and taking out the trash. However the soothing pace of ordinary life, with work stripped out and new places to investigate, is perfect perfectly.

It keeps myself from slipping into complete idleness, a state that makes me feeling twitchy and oddly empty. And, monetarily, pet-sitting acts as a lifeline for a single parent. A 10-day break in a similar-sized property in the same area we visited would set me approximately £2,500 via rental platforms.

An Alternative Outlook

As for staying in a another person’s home, I found it nourishing. Although house-sitting is a transaction, it’s also an act of faith among strangers and animals, that has brought out my best self – my calm, caring and measured side, full of appreciation for the people and places we discover. I have scheduled an additional short break away, caring for a sighthound in leafy Surrey, and, next year, I’d like to attempt house-sitting abroad. Thanks to a touch of creative thinking, we are able to see the globe from the coziness of home – it simply happens to be someone else’s.