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After the marriage ended, I believed holidays being a single parent would be straightforward. I soon discovered they were either outrageously costly, otherwise appeared only designed for “traditional” families, or else were so budget that I returned back more exhausted than when I’d left.

Initial Holiday Experiences

The initial endeavor, tenting with friends, was fine up until the moment came to pack up our shelter. Hours of struggling with the tent in the heat afterward, I developed a dislike for camping. Next, an adventurous trip for single-parent families. Rappelling and exploring caves were brilliant, but resting in a bunk bed wrecked my back. We tried a budget package in Tenerife, but the crowds of nuclear families were overwhelming, and poolside chats with other ladies died down because I wasn’t accompanied by a handy husband for their own spouses to chat with. An excursion to Majorca alongside a pal and her kids was wonderful, but the cost was staggering.

Finding House-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, an acquaintance asked if we could house-sit her dogs in Devon while she went to a ceremony. For one tranquil weekend, we walked along the shore, and settled near the fireplace at night. This prompted to pet-sitting for her associate in the region, and it also went well. Inspired, I subscribed with an yearly £99 fee to join a house-sitting website, where, in exchange for looking after people’s pets, you stay in their homes free of charge. Within a few days, I’d arranged a ten-day pet-sit in Sussex, looking after a retriever called Buzz during the time the proprietors traveled overseas.

Each day's walks gave us the chance to explore stunning natural settings.

This marked our first assignment for unknown individuals, but any nerves vanished as soon as we arrived the gorgeous spacious house and encountered the calm Buzz, who thrived for tummy rubs. Our daily canine strolls gave us the opportunity to venture into stunning nature spots, and, once we returned back, we were able to unwind outdoors for meaningful discussions about our favourite “Ghosts” characters in the television series. There were any pricey overrated attractions to traipse through – rather, we browsed bookstores, treated ourselves to nail care, and embarked on kayak trips. I experienced more carefree and more joyful than I had for a long time, and could feel the connection with my daughter Polly deepen every day. I don’t afraid to say that I cried with happiness. Things felt achievable once more.

Is Pet-Sitting for You?

Pet-sitting isn’t for everyone. Some people want zero duties on holiday other than choosing their upcoming beverage, are not into dogs or cats, or feel odd about sleeping in a stranger’s bed, clearing the dishwasher, and putting out their bins. However the gentle rhythm of everyday life, with work removed and new places to explore, suits me for me.

This prevents myself from descending into total idleness, a state that makes me feeling twitchy and strangely empty. Moreover, financially, house-sitting acts as a lifeline for a single parent. A 10-day break in a similar-sized property in the same region we visited would set me back approximately £2,500 via rental platforms.

A New Outlook

As for staying in a stranger’s house, I found it enriching. Although house-sitting represents a transaction, it is equally an expression of faith among strangers and creatures, which has brought out my best self – my calm, loving and balanced side, full of appreciation for the people and places we encounter. I have scheduled another short break away, caring for a sighthound in leafy Surrey, and, in the coming year, I’d like to try pet-sitting abroad. Due to a bit of innovative thinking, we are able to see the world from the comfort of a home – it simply happens to be someone else’s.