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Following the marriage ended, I believed holidays being a single parent would be easy. Quickly discovered they proved often outrageously expensive, otherwise seemed only suitable for “traditional” families, or were so budget that I returned back even more exhausted than before I’d left.

Initial Holiday Attempts

My first attempt, camping with friends, was fine until the moment came to pack up the tent. Hours of wrestling with the tent in the heat afterward, I developed a dislike for camping. Next, the adventure holiday for solo-parent families. Rappelling and caving were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunkbed ruined my spine. We attempted a low-cost all-inclusive on the island, but the hordes of traditional families were overwhelming, and poolside chats with other women died down since I didn’t accompanied by a convenient husband for their husbands to chat with. A trip to Majorca with a friend and her kids was brilliant, but the cost was eye-watering.

Finding Pet-Sitting

Then, last autumn, an acquaintance asked if we’d house-sit her pets in Devon while she attended to a ceremony. For one peaceful weekend, we walked along the shore, and settled by the fire at night. That led to house-sitting for her friend in the region, which also went well. Encouraged, I paid an annual £99 fee to register on a pet-sitting website, where, by caring for people’s animals, you reside in their homes without cost. In just a couple of days, I secured a ten-day house-sit within the county, caring for a retriever called Buzz during the time the proprietors were abroad.

Our daily walks provided the chance to discover stunning nature spots.

This marked our first sit for strangers, but all anxiety dissipated as soon as we arrived at the gorgeous four-bedroom house and met the calm Buzz, who thrived for tummy rubs. Each day's canine strolls offered us the possibility to explore stunning scenic areas, and, after we returned home, we could relax outdoors for meaningful discussions about our preferred “Ghosts” characters in the BBC sitcom. We avoided no expensive overrated attractions to traipse through – instead, we perused bookshops, treated ourselves to manicures, and embarked on paddling excursions. I experienced more carefree and happier than ever for a long time, and could feel the connection alongside my child Polly strengthen every day. I don’t hesitant to admit that I wept from joy. Things felt achievable again.

Could Pet-Sitting Right for You?

House-sitting isn’t for everyone. Certain individuals want no responsibilities during vacations other than choosing their next cocktail, aren’t into pets, or perhaps find it strange regarding sleeping in a someone else’s bed, emptying their dishwasher, and taking out their bins. But the gentle pace of everyday life, with work removed and fresh locations to explore, suits me perfectly.

This prevents myself from descending into complete idleness, a state that leaves me experience twitchy and strangely empty. And, monetarily, house-sitting is a lifeline for a solo mother. A 10-day getaway in a similar-sized house within the identical region we visited would set me back approximately £2,500 on Airbnb.

An Alternative Perspective

As for residing in a stranger’s home, I discovered it enriching. Although house-sitting is a transaction, it is equally an expression of faith among strangers and animals, that has brought out the finest version of me – my patient, loving and balanced aspect, overflowing with appreciation for the people and locations we discover. I have lined up an additional short break away, looking after a whippet within verdant Surrey, and, next year, I hope to attempt house-sitting overseas. Due to a bit of creative planning, we are able to see the world from the coziness of home – it simply turns out to be someone else’s.