🔗 Share this article

Following my marriage ended, I thought holidays being a solo mother could be easy. Quickly discovered they proved often extremely expensive, otherwise seemed exclusively suitable for “traditional” households, or else were far too budget that I returned home more exhausted than before I’d left.

Initial Holiday Attempts

The initial attempt, camping alongside companions, went well up until I had to dismantle our shelter. Four hours of struggling with the tent in the heat afterward, I hated camping. Next, an adventurous trip for single-parent families. The abseiling and exploring caves were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunk bed ruined my back. We tried a budget all-inclusive in Tenerife, but the crowds of traditional families felt intense, and pool-side chats with other ladies fizzled out because I wasn’t come with a convenient partner for their spouses to chat with. A trip to Mallorca alongside a pal and her kids was brilliant, but the cost was staggering.

Discovering House-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, a friend asked if we could house-sit her dogs within the county while she attended to a wedding. During a tranquil weekend, we walked on the beach, and curled up near the fireplace at night. That led to house-sitting for her associate in Dorset, and it proceeded well. Inspired, I subscribed with an annual £99 membership to register on a pet-sitting platform, where, in exchange for looking after people’s pets, you reside in their homes free of charge. In just a couple of days, I secured a 10-day house-sit within the county, looking after a retriever named Buzz while his owners traveled overseas.

Our daily strolls gave us the chance to discover stunning nature spots.

This marked our first sit for unknown individuals, but any nerves dissipated as soon as we reached at the gorgeous four-bedroom house and met the calm Buzz, who thrived for tummy rubs. Each day's canine strolls offered us the opportunity to explore stunning nature spots, and, after we came home, we were able to relax in the garden for important conversations about our preferred “Ghosts” personas in the television series. We avoided any expensive overrated attractions to wander around – rather, we browsed bookshops, treated ourselves to nail care, and embarked on paddling excursions. I experienced lighter and more joyful than I had for a long time, and noticed the connection alongside my child Polly deepen daily. I’m not hesitant to say that I wept from joy. Life seemed achievable once more.

Could Pet-Sitting Right for You?

Pet-sitting may not be suitable for all. Certain individuals want no responsibilities on holiday apart from choosing their next cocktail, are not into dogs or cats, or feel odd about staying in a stranger’s bed, clearing the dishwasher, and putting out the trash. However the gentle pace of everyday life, with work removed and fresh locations to investigate, suits me perfectly.

This prevents myself from descending into complete idleness, a state that leaves me experience restless and strangely empty. And, financially, pet-sitting is a lifeline for a solo mother. Ten days break in a comparable property in the same area we stayed could cost me about £2,500 on Airbnb.

A New Perspective

Regarding staying in a stranger’s house, I found it nourishing. Although pet-sitting is a exchange, it’s also an expression of faith between strangers and animals, that has brought out the finest version of me – my patient, caring and measured side, overflowing with gratitude for the people and places we discover. I’ve already scheduled an additional short break off, caring for a whippet within verdant Surrey, and, in the coming year, I hope to try house-sitting abroad. Thanks to a bit of creative planning, we can experience the globe from the comfort of a home – it simply happens to be someone else’s.