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Following the marriage ended, I naively thought vacations being a solo mother would be straightforward. I soon realized they were either outrageously costly, or appeared only suitable for “conventional” families, or else were far too cheap that I came home even more knackered than when I’d left.

Early Vacation Experiences

My first attempt, camping alongside companions, was fine until I had to dismantle the tent. Four hours of struggling with it in the heat later, I hated camping. Next, an adventurous trip for single-parent households. The abseiling and caving were brilliant, but resting in a bunk bed wrecked my spine. We tried a budget all-inclusive in Tenerife, but the crowds of nuclear families felt intense, and poolside chats with other women died down since I didn’t come with a convenient partner for their husbands to talk to. A trip to Mallorca alongside a pal and her kids was wonderful, but the expense was eye-watering.

Discovering House-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, an acquaintance asked if we could look after her dogs in Devon while she went to a ceremony. For one peaceful weekend, we walked on the beach, and settled near the fireplace in the evening. That led to pet-sitting for her friend in the region, and it also went smoothly. Encouraged, I subscribed with an yearly £99 membership to register on a pet-sitting website, where, in exchange for looking after people’s pets, you reside at their residences without cost. Within a few days, I’d arranged a 10-day house-sit in Sussex, caring for a labrador named Buzz while his owners traveled overseas.

Each day's strolls provided the chance to explore stunning natural settings.

It was the initial assignment for unknown individuals, but any nerves vanished the moment we reached the beautiful spacious house and met the calm Buzz, who lived for belly scratches. Each day's dog walks gave us the possibility to explore magnificent scenic areas, and, once we returned home, we were able to unwind outdoors for important conversations about our favourite “Ghosts” personas in the BBC sitcom. There were any expensive overrated attractions to traipse through – instead, we perused bookstores, indulged to nail care, and went on paddling excursions. I experienced lighter and more joyful than I had for a long time, and noticed my bond with my daughter Polly deepen every day. I’m not afraid to admit that I wept from joy. Life seemed achievable once more.

Could Pet-Sitting Right for You?

House-sitting may not be suitable for all. Some people prefer zero duties during vacations apart from choosing their next beverage, aren’t into dogs or cats, or feel odd about sleeping in a someone else’s bed, clearing the dishwasher, and taking out the trash. But the gentle pace of everyday living, with employment stripped out and new places to explore, is perfect for me.

It keeps me from descending into complete inactivity, which makes me experience twitchy and oddly empty. And, financially, house-sitting acts as a life-saver for a solo mother. A 10-day getaway in a similar-sized house in the same region we visited could cost me back approximately £2,500 on Airbnb.

An Alternative Outlook

Regarding residing in a another person’s home, I found it enriching. Although pet-sitting represents a exchange, it is equally an expression of faith among unfamiliar people and creatures, which has brought out my best self – my calm, caring and measured aspect, full of gratitude for the people and places we encounter. I’ve already lined up another four days off, caring for a sighthound in leafy Surrey, and, next year, I hope to attempt pet-sitting overseas. Due to a bit of creative thinking, we can experience the world from the comfort of a home – it just turns out to be someone else’s.