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After the marriage concluded, I naively thought vacations being a single parent could be easy. Quickly realized they were either extremely costly, or appeared only designed for “traditional” households, or were so cheap that I returned back more exhausted than before I started.

Early Holiday Experiences

The initial attempt, tenting with friends, went well up until I had to pack up our shelter. Hours of struggling with the tent under the sun afterward, I hated camping. Next, an adventurous trip for single-parent families. Rappelling and caving were fantastic, but sleeping in a bunkbed ruined my spine. We attempted a low-cost package on the island, but the hordes of nuclear families felt intense, and poolside chats with fellow ladies fizzled out because I didn’t come with a handy partner for their own husbands to chat with. A trip to Mallorca alongside a pal and her children was wonderful, but the expense was eye-watering.

Finding House-Sitting

Then, the previous fall, an acquaintance inquired if we could house-sit her dogs in Devon while she went to a wedding. For one peaceful weekend, we walked on the beach, and settled near the fireplace in the evening. This prompted to house-sitting for her associate in Dorset, which also went smoothly. Inspired, I paid an annual £99 membership to register on a house-sitting platform, through which, in exchange for looking after individuals' pets, you stay in their homes free of charge. Within a few days, I’d arranged a 10-day house-sit within the county, caring for a retriever called Buzz during the time his owners were abroad.

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

It was our first assignment for strangers, but any nerves dissipated the moment we reached the beautiful four-bedroom home and encountered the calm Buzz, who lived for tummy rubs. Each day's dog walks gave us the possibility to explore magnificent nature spots, and, once we came back, we could unwind outdoors for important conversations about our favourite “Ghosts” characters in the television series. There were any pricey overrated attractions to traipse through – instead, we browsed bookstores, indulged to manicures, and went on kayak trips. I felt lighter and more joyful than I had for a long time, and could feel the connection with my daughter Polly strengthen daily. I’m not afraid to admit that I cried from joy. Life seemed achievable again.

Is Pet-Sitting Right for You?

Pet-sitting isn’t suitable for all. Some people prefer no responsibilities on holiday apart from choosing their next beverage, are not into pets, or perhaps find it strange regarding sleeping in a stranger’s bedroom, clearing the dishwasher, and taking out the trash. However the soothing pace of everyday living, with work removed and new places to explore, is perfect for me.

This prevents myself from descending into complete idleness, a state that makes me feeling twitchy and oddly hollow. And, monetarily, house-sitting acts as a life-saver for a single parent. A 10-day break in a similar-sized house in the same area we visited would set me back about £2,500 via rental platforms.

An Alternative Outlook

As for staying in a stranger’s house, I found it enriching. Even though pet-sitting represents a exchange, it’s also an expression of faith among unfamiliar people and animals, that has unleashed my best self – my calm, loving and measured aspect, full of appreciation for the people and locations we encounter. I’ve already lined up an additional four days away, caring for a sighthound in leafy Surrey, and, next year, I hope to try pet-sitting overseas. Thanks to a touch of innovative thinking, we are able to experience the globe from the comfort of a home – it just turns out to be another person’s.