To use the kids Christmas money to get me through January?

I don't see the issue if you can guarantee you'll pay it back. I've been in the position you're in now when my kids were small, borrowed some Christmas money from them, paid it back on payday, job done.

I am sorry, but I don’t see the problem with this. I have to admit that in the 70s, when the children were young, DH and I, on occasion, had to use DCs present money to feed the family. (No food banks then). They have had it back several times over! Deposits for both to buy houses, etc. I don’t feel guilty. We weren’t spending it on ourselves.

Definitely @TakeMeDancing nobody talks enough about pensions - everyone is going to be old and unable to work one day.

I would use the money to top up your income - personally would use it for food and items the kids really need that you are short of.
its a tough time money wise.
pay it off when you can - it’s being put to good use now to help them.
Hope 2025 is a good year.

Absolutely OP .As long as the children get it back at some stage ,which will happen eventually and before they need it then I cannot see a problem. HNRTFT so not sure what their ages are .

Agreed; he has some valid points, but I wouldn’t recommend that anyone blindly follow his advice.

December is a uniquely expensive month for most people tbf.

I mean he also tithes 10% to the church and is a republican, but like all critical thinkers I take what I like and leave the rest!

His plan is solid, once you’ve anglicised it.

@darkmorning I think you should do what you need to do. I dont consider it "stealing". I imagine like most parents you use all your money to the benefit of your children. You provide everything for them and make sacrifices yourself so they don't go without. You aren't going and treating yourself to something you're putting food in you cupboard and fuel in the car. Pay the money back when you can but don't beat yourself up over it.

You need to reconsider what you are putting into your children's savings and prioritise your credit card bills.

You should pay the highest interest cards off as quickly as possible and then the next and so on. Your children shouldn't have savings from your money when you don't enough have £100 rainy day money.

I hope 2025 is the year you reorganise your finances.

Dave Ramsey needs to be followed with a grain of salt….he advises against putting into employer-matched pension funds until AFTER all debt is paid. That’s insanity—it’s free money. Whatever I put into my pension, my employer matches it x2…if I put in 1%, they put in 2%; my 2% is matched with 4%….it maxes out at my 6% and their 12%…that’s 18% of my salary in total, of which 12% isn’t coming from me. 12% of free money year on year. I would be stupid not to take that 12%, but that’s exactly what Dave wants people in debt to do.

Don't get a credit card whatever you do, especially if you are not great at managing money. The last thing your kids need is a constantly worried/snappy mum because she's in debt. Use the kid's Christmas money, it's not a massive amount and they are too young to know, money won't mean anything to them at their age and you have literally years to pay it back with interest. Don't beat yourself up about it, it's an easy time of year to overspend, especially if you are entertaining. Just budget better in future.

What a bunch of nosy people digging into your finances. You have said you will pay it back, I understand feeling guilty, I would too but it’s not money they will be spending in the next few weeks so don’t stress about it.

Honestly I wouldn’t think twice about this.. December is super expensive. I’m not in any debt except for mortgage and I usually put around £500 into savings per month but I’ve found myself short of cash at the moment. If I had £100 in my account for the kids of course I’d put off paying it for a week or 2. They don’t need it til they are grown up. I’ll easily be able to pay it back in January where there are no presents to buy or meals out etc

I’d say absolutely do it if it’s going to avoid you going into credit card debt. MN is full of high earners who have no idea what it’s like for some people in the COL crisis

Wow pure hysteria @darkmorning - why are you asking on Mumsnet? Borrow the savings money, pay it back next month.

But you know you need to do something about your crappy relationship that you can't even ask your dp for help....

I spent much of my adult life being in debt, and juggling money until pay day, but I would never have borrowed money intended for my daughter, and would have always used my credit card to get through the month instead if I had reached my overdraft limit. Would it be an option to increase your overdraft if you are worried about using a credit card?

Please see my post from 9:23

Some of the judgemental posts are incredible on here! OP is asking if she should temporarily borrow her preschool children's money for a few weeks until she gets paid, she's not asking if she should sell the kids to a travelling circus!
If some of the self righteous posters here berating you for not having a savings pot of your own etc have never been in a situation where you're struggling sometimes because of a blip in cash flow then good for them because they're very fortunate . Or liars.
Yes, you maybe should rethink putting £100 away for your children every month if it then leaves you short but that's up to you.
I do worry that there's maybe an issue with your partner and that's why you don't want to discuss him (fair enough) but I hope you can see what you maybe need to do there too.
Go to see the in-laws. Have a lovely couple of days away and all the best for 2025

This all day long. You need to protect your family and have a decent buffer. Failing to do so puts you at risk of losing your home.

Then husband needs to tell his parents you two are absolutely skint after christmas and higher bills/less income than expected, and you can't afford to travel. If they want to help get you to their party by paying for a tank of fuel, then that's the only way you can afford to come.

Why are you sorting and worrying about all this to please him and your family? He needs to be taking some responsibility here, especially since it's beyond your budget to see his family. And you're talking about borrowing money his family gave their grandchildren.

January is always a killer month

I’ve done this when the kids were smaller. They needed to eat more than they needed money in their savings accounts.

Always paid it back at the end of January.

The rules for gifted money is our house (and still are now they are teens) is 60% into savings the rest they can budget/spend how they like.

It’s fine as long as you pay it back

Please consider all your options. Talk to citizens advice, see if you can get any legal advice. There are some worrying comments you have made, such as trying to make sure the money is saved for the kids so it can't be touched, not wanting to talk about your partner, the mortgage not being yours (assuming there is a mortgage).

Do use the money if it will help you now, but I don't think this is a long term solution and sounds like you need support in coming up with a plan for your future and that of your children.

When I give money to my adult DC now, I don't care whether it is saved or spent, I trust them to do what is in their best interests.
I don't give with strings attached.