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After the marriage concluded, I thought vacations being a solo mother could be easy. I soon realized they were often outrageously costly, or appeared exclusively suitable for “conventional” families, or else were so budget that I returned home even more exhausted than before I’d left.

Initial Holiday Experiences

The initial attempt, camping with friends, went well up until the moment came to pack up our shelter. Hours of wrestling with the tent in the heat afterward, I hated the outdoors. Subsequently, an adventurous holiday for single-parent families. Rappelling and exploring caves were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunkbed ruined my back. We attempted a low-cost all-inclusive in Tenerife, but the crowds of nuclear families were overwhelming, and poolside conversations with fellow women fizzled out because I didn’t come with a convenient partner for their own spouses to talk to. An excursion to Mallorca with a friend and her kids was wonderful, but the cost was eye-watering.

Finding Pet-Sitting

Later, last autumn, an acquaintance asked if we’d house-sit her pets within the county while she attended to a wedding. During a tranquil weekend, we strolled on the beach, and curled up by the fire in the evening. This prompted to house-sitting for her associate in the region, and it proceeded smoothly. Encouraged, I subscribed with an yearly £99 fee to register on a pet-sitting website, where, in exchange for looking after people’s animals, you reside in their homes without cost. Within a few days, I secured a ten-day pet-sit within the county, caring for a retriever named Buzz while the proprietors traveled overseas.

Our daily strolls provided the opportunity to discover stunning natural settings.

It was the initial assignment for strangers, but any nerves vanished as soon as we arrived at the beautiful four-bedroom home and met the calm Buzz, who lived for tummy rubs. Each day's dog walks offered us the opportunity to venture into stunning nature spots, and, once we returned back, we were able to relax outdoors for meaningful discussions about our preferred “Ghosts” personas from the television series. We avoided any pricey tourist traps to traipse through – instead, we browsed bookstores, indulged to manicures, and embarked on kayak trips. I experienced lighter and more joyful than ever for a long time, and noticed my bond alongside my child Polly deepen every day. I’m not afraid to say that I cried with happiness. Life seemed achievable once more.

Could House-Sitting Right for You?

Pet-sitting isn’t suitable for all. Some people prefer no responsibilities on holiday other than choosing their upcoming beverage, are not fond of dogs or cats, or find it strange about staying in a someone else’s bedroom, emptying the dishwasher, and putting out the trash. However the gentle pace of everyday life, with employment stripped out and new places to explore, suits me perfectly.

It keeps me from descending into total idleness, a state that makes me experience twitchy and strangely empty. Moreover, monetarily, pet-sitting acts as a lifeline for a solo mother. A 10-day getaway in a similar-sized house in the same area we stayed could cost me back approximately £2,500 on Airbnb.

A New Perspective

As for staying in a stranger’s house, I discovered it nourishing. Although house-sitting is a exchange, it is equally an expression of trust among unfamiliar people and animals, that has brought out the finest version of me – my calm, caring and balanced aspect, overflowing with gratitude for the people and places we discover. I have lined up an additional short break away, caring for a sighthound in leafy Surrey, and, next year, I hope to attempt house-sitting abroad. Thanks to a touch of innovative thinking, we can see the world from the comfort of a home – it simply happens to be another person’s.