For some, going on holiday with your kids can be a hectic experience, but this single mum can’t recommend it enough.
Alicia Tunnicliffe, who quit her job to explore Asia with her five-year-old daughter, described their recent trip as “the best time”.
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The 23-year-old said she was initially afraid to take her daughter Milani abroad.
After trips with Alicia’s parents, the couple left for Tunisia for a week last year.
Alicia’s adventure in Africa made her realize that traveling abroad as a single mother wasn’t as overwhelming as she thought.
She decided to go away for a longer period of time. She quit her job as a real estate agent and decided to explore Asia.
To save money for the backpacking trip, the couple moved in with Alicia’s parents.
Although her family called the idea “crazy,” the Devon resident and her daughter left for Bangkok in early June.
Alicia says she has found “freedom” traveling with her daughter and that they are having “a great time.”
She shares how her perspective on traveling as a single parent has changed.
“Just a year ago I was terrified, now I’m not,” she says.
Alicia explained that she would like to continue traveling with Milani while the trip was still possible.
“I enjoyed the vacation week, but wouldn’t it be nice if we did a little longer?” she said.
“I want to become a teacher and will start studying in September [so] I thought I should just do it now.”
She said she had saved “every penny” to make the trip while she still could.
To make the dates work, Alicia pulled Milani out of the shelter for the rest of the year.
She said the school has been very supportive and told her she would not be fined.
What school fines can parents receive?
The main issue that can get parents fined is truancy.
Currently, the local council decides whether a parent will be fined if their child misses school.
However, from August this year, the school will be responsible for determining the fine for absence when a child has missed 10 or more lessons for unauthorized reasons.
The fine is £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. This fine applies to EVERY parent.
It is the first time since 2012 that the fine has been increased, and this is in line with inflation.
If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within three years, they will automatically be charged the higher rate of £160.
The maximum number of fines is two within a three-year period.
If this limit is reached, prosecution or a parenting order may be considered.
According to the official government website, There are only five reasons why your child should be absent from school when school is in session.
These are as follows:
- Your child is too sick to come that day
- You have requested and received prior permission from the school to allow your child to be absent that day due to exceptional circumstances.
- Your child cannot go to school that day because it is a day on which you participate in religious practices.
- Your municipality is responsible for arranging your child’s transport to school and transport is not available on that day or has not yet been provided.
- You are a Gypsy/Travelling family of no fixed abode and you have to travel for work that day, which means your child cannot attend their usual school
After exploring Bangkok, mother and daughter traveled through Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui.
They then hope to travel via Vietnam and Malaysia.
Alicia said she was surprised at how smoothly the couple’s journey went, despite a few setbacks along the way.
“We left Bangkok and showed the lady our passes and she said we were at the wrong airport,” she explained.
Milani has adapted better than me.
Alicia Tunnicliffe
“But we were still able to arrange a flight.”
She also described how well Milani has adapted to life on the road.
“Milani has adapted better than I have,” Alicia said.
“She didn’t complain about the heat as much as I did. I threw her in the deep end and she just kept swimming.”
Alicia said Milani’s favorite moments were visiting Pig Island and the cat café in Bangkok.
There is so much she is learning. She is aware that not everyone has the luxury that we have.
Alicia Tunnicliffe
The young mother has managed to organize activities during their travels that are specially tailored to her and her daughter.
“Some say it’s a great idea, but you don’t have any freedom,” Alicia explains.
“I totally disagree. We went to a beach club on Love Island recently.
“One day we do something she wants to do, and the next day we do something I want to do.”
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Alicia said she feels like Milani learns more during the trips than she would at the front desk.
“She’s learning so much,” she said.
“She is so careful in traffic, she realizes that not everyone has the same luxury as we do.
“Not everyone can pack their bags and travel the world.”
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Alicia expressed hope that Milani would continue traveling as she grows up.
She added that she wants to use her experience to inspire other single parents to travel with their children.
“Even if you’re from the Midlands and you’re taking your child to Cornwall, it’s time to get away from your phone,” she stressed.
“You show them something different than at home.”
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