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After my relationship concluded, I naively thought holidays as a solo mother could be easy. I soon realized they proved often extremely expensive, or appeared exclusively suitable for “traditional” families, or else were far too budget that I returned home more exhausted than when I’d left.

Initial Holiday Experiences

The initial endeavor, camping alongside companions, was fine until I had to pack up the tent. Four hours of wrestling with the tent under the sun afterward, I developed a dislike for camping. Next, an adventurous trip for single-parent families. Rappelling and caving were brilliant, but resting in a bunkbed ruined my back. We attempted a low-cost package in Tenerife, but the hordes of traditional families felt intense, and pool-side conversations with other ladies fizzled out because I wasn’t accompanied by a convenient partner for their spouses to talk to. An excursion to Majorca alongside a pal and her kids was brilliant, but the expense was eye-watering.

Discovering House-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, a friend inquired if we could look after her dogs within the county while she went to a wedding. During a 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, which also went well. Inspired, I paid an annual £99 membership to register on a pet-sitting website, through which, by caring for people’s pets, you stay in their homes free of charge. In just a couple of days, I secured a ten-day house-sit within the county, caring for a labrador called Buzz while his owners traveled overseas.

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

This marked our first assignment for unknown individuals, but all anxiety vanished as soon as we arrived at the beautiful four-bedroom house and encountered the calm Buzz, who lived for belly scratches. Each day's canine strolls offered us the opportunity to venture into stunning scenic areas, and, after we returned home, we could unwind in the garden for important conversations about our favourite “Ghosts” personas in the television series. There were no pricey tourist traps to wander around – instead, we perused bookshops, treated ourselves to nail care, and embarked on kayak trips. I experienced lighter and happier than ever in years, and could feel the connection with my daughter Polly deepen daily. I’m not hesitant to say that I wept with happiness. Things felt achievable once more.

Could House-Sitting Right for You?

House-sitting isn’t suitable for all. Certain individuals want no responsibilities during vacations apart from selecting their next cocktail, are not into pets, or perhaps feel odd about staying in a someone else’s bed, emptying their dishwasher, and putting out the trash. But the soothing pace of everyday life, with work stripped out and new places to explore, is perfect for me.

This prevents me from slipping into complete inactivity, a state that makes me feeling restless and strangely empty. Moreover, financially, house-sitting is a life-saver for a solo mother. A 10-day break in a similar-sized house in the same region we stayed would set me back about £2,500 on Airbnb.

A New Outlook

As for residing in a another person’s house, I found it enriching. Although house-sitting is a transaction, it is equally an expression of trust between unfamiliar people and animals, which has unleashed my best self – my patient, caring and measured aspect, overflowing with gratitude for the people and locations we discover. I have lined up an additional four days away, caring for a sighthound in leafy Surrey, and, in the coming year, I hope to try pet-sitting abroad. Due to a touch of creative thinking, we can experience the globe from the comfort of home – it simply happens to be someone else’s.