A friend of a friend, who’s a single parent, has just taken the plunge and, for the first time since her husband died three-and-a-half years ago, booked a summer holiday abroad for her and her two young children. It was a brave step, not least because she was worried about being the only single mum on the beach, surrounded by happy families.

To ensure that didn’t happen, she booked a 10-day package to the Balearic Isles with Mango Single Parent Holidays (www.mangokids.co.uk) which, as its name suggests, caters only for single-parent families. Whilst still daunted by the prospect of travelling overseas on her own with the children, she knows she will have the company of others in the same boat.

Many divorced single dads are not as organised as this woman when it comes to arranging a summer holiday. They may have lots of ideas, but actually booking something tends to get left to the last minute – either because they’re too preoccupied with work or they don’t really fancy/are too scared by the idea of holidaying alone with their kids.

My advice is to bite the bullet: organising something now is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, you get to go where you want to go rather than settling for second best; secondly, it gives you and the children something to look forward as a unit and, thirdly, you are demonstrating to your ex-wife that you are a responsible and hands-on father.

Assuming you want to maintain a civil relationship with your ex, booking a holiday well in advance will provide you with more than a few Brownie points: Your former partner will no doubt be planning her own summer holiday with the children, so will greatly appreciate knowing which dates to avoid. She will also like knowing when she’s going to be free from being the main carer so that she can plan something for herself – whether it’s a week at a health farm or a child-free break with friends.

Dads who are dithering because they don’t know where to go or what to do could take their cue from the single mum who’s plumped for a holiday package dedicated to single parents. As well as Mango, there are other holiday companies dedicated to the single parent. So, however anxious you are, there are viable options out there.

For single fathers, the prospect of spending quality time with your children and reinforcing the bond between you should be grasped with both hands. So the time to get your finger out is now.