I've come away with my daughter (11) as a part of a group trip with similar aged dc. We've been to a well known tourist destination for four days. DD has had a fantastic time but I feel like my own parenting values are constantly compromised, I'm always making concessions and that my ideals are not the majority.
Examples -
My DD has a screen time limit. She is not allowed on social media. She is constantly pushing back and seemingly the majority of her peers have at least Snapchat. I hate phones. I feel that they rob kids of their imagination and their ability to communicate with each other. Everyday we'd come down to breakfast to girls sat on their phones rather than being with each other.
We have been in a food desert. Everything is highly processed crap. Obviously as part of a group it is more difficult but the food offer has been poor. Dd hasn't touched a vegetable in 4 days. I know that we're also away but even when home it is so difficult to find something on the run that isn't ultra processed.
Everywhere is full of absolute overpriced tat. It's supposed to be magical but all I can see is people paying over the odds to queue for hours, fake plastic and substandard service and goods. I find it so vulgar. I also feel like we have devalued everything. Things that you would once associate with quality have reduced in standard. What's the point in buying a beautiful cashmere jumper for £200 when you can get one from eBay for a fraction of the price.
I try not to get swept up in it all but it's exhausting to feel like I'm battling against new social norms which don't fit my values. Anyone else?