Mum who holidays without her kids advises more parents to do it: 'You have to be happy first'
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A mum who holidays regularly without her children has said she has “no regrets” and encourages other parents to do so too.
Katie Smith, 35, often takes herself to Dubai for a holiday, and says she would live there if she didn’t have children. "I love it in Dubai - it's amazing fun. If I didn't have kids I'd live there," the mum-of-two says. "It's all about the nightlife because that's when it's not too hot. There are so many places to enjoy."
Smith, who is from the north-west of England, first flew to the popular holiday destination for a week alone in August last year, then for another 10 days in December and another week in May this year.
In October last year she also took her kids, aged nine and 11, there for a week.
"I love holidaying alone. You have no pressure, no one to look after, and you can do what you want when you want," she says. "I love my kids but I love being on my own too – and it's important for me and my kids that I enjoy myself. I'm more relaxed and happy so I'm more able to be there for them."
Smith adds that she doesn’t allow herself to feel guilty as this "just adds negative stuff to your life".
"You have to be happy first and then your kids are happy," she continues. "If you always put your children first you’ll be unhappy and depressed and then you’re no good to them.
"I used to be like that, but I've changed. If they mind, then I will take them next time, and that's fun too. Holidays have to be about mums too, and you should go all inclusive so you get a real break."
Smith says she often gets freebies when she’s holidaying alone as she had over 3,000 followers on Instagram and can post about the clubs she goes to.
While she used to fly via Emirates, Smith now opts for budget airlines to save money. "I used to spend £650 to £750 each way flying direct with Emirates," she explains. "Now I go via Greece, Bulgaria, Bucharest, or Romania and fly with Wizz Air, or Ryanair."
How common is it for parents to holiday without children?
Smith isn’t the only parent leaving her children at home to go on holiday.
A 2018 survey from Families found that 47% of parents would happily leave their kids at home to go on a holiday by themselves.
A separate survey from Thomson in 2014 found that 34% of parents with children under 18 take child-free holidays, choosing to leave their kids with their ex-partner or other family members.
A further 57% of respondents who currently holiday with their children said they would holiday without them if given the opportunity.
Nearly half (43%) said the main reason for a child-free holiday is to spend quality time with their partner, while 34% said they needed a break from family life.
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