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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset that we can't afford to take the kids on holiday?

190 replies

exactchange · 12/08/2015 22:20

We have no mobile contracts just payg, don't smoke don't drink much (have never been to the pub since we moved nearly a year ago), but we never seem to be able to afford to take our dcx2 to nice places for a treat - no beach, no playhouse, no weekend away, not even camping. I see pictures of my ds1 friends (and parents obviously!) on Facebook and see their happy little faces and wish I could give those kind of memories to my own children. I feel we are sheltering them too much, they need more life experiences and I worry it will hold them back as it has me (only been abroad one day in my life with school) and they deserve so much more. Am I being silly in feeling this way?

OP posts:
frumpet · 13/08/2015 20:56

Came on to offer the use of my tent if the OP was local and then saw the camp war Grin

frumpet · 13/08/2015 20:57

Where are you vaguely in the country OP ?

rosy71 · 13/08/2015 21:06

If your dp doesn't want to do things, can't you have days out with your dc yourself? My dp worked at weekends & in holidays until ds2 was 5 so I did loads with them myself. (We did always have a holiday too.)

Try travelling by train - you can buy a railcard for £15 (or free with Tesco vouchers) which gives you money off fares - or bus. Always more exciting than the car!

CalleighDoodle · 13/08/2015 22:02

Not rtft. We do sun static caravan holidays every year. We bought a tent and all the gear this year and have camped now four times, the last in my friend's garden, and the kids love it. The sun are doing camping for £1 from this sat. Theres loads of fun days in parka in the local towns to me over summer. All free.

TeresaGiudicesForehead · 13/08/2015 22:11

I've just booked (off the back of this thread) one of the Sun caravan holidays at Whitley Bay. We're just back from our summer holiday there and there are loads of lovely beaches there and swing/water parks that are free. We only spend money on food and ice cream really.

Anyway. We're going on the Easter holidays for three nights. Fri-Mon for 68 quid for the 5 of us.
Obviously there are fuel costs involved etc but if you put a fiver a week away in a jar then you'd have enough for a holiday in a year. We never used to go a holiday because we were too skint but I have just started putting odd change away as I find it and saving that way. After I've paid a deposit then all we need is our spending money.

I hope you and your family get a holiday OP.

whois · 13/08/2015 22:52

my lack of local knowledge is holding me back

You seem to have Internet access, surely Google is you're friend here! Or ask around neighbours and school parents etc?

I actually don't think camping is that cheap. We go because we like camping, not really because it's a budget option. You basically need a car (expensive) and loads of sites are ridiculously expensive.

You can get good deals on tents (I just got one that would do 2 adults and 2 kids) for £80 but I already have mats and bedding and chairs etc (and a car).

Loads of campsites are £30 a night. Not exactly cheap.

I defo think just doing day trips and making the most of local surroundings is good. Things like visiting a different (better?) park in the same city can be a huge excitement.

ssd · 13/08/2015 23:16

where do you live op, I'm sure we have camping stuff in the loft I would give to you?

Strogey20 · 15/01/2020 21:32

Hello guys I’m new to mumsnet.

Leflic · 15/01/2020 21:43

I never went abroad and I absolutely live for it now. As a result my DS has been abroad above the average all over the world , He’s not fussed and would rather stay at home or go to Wales.
So I don’t think it makes much difference,

Babyroobs · 15/01/2020 22:02

Just stay off social media , people seem to be forever posting pictures of holidays and days out. I have no idea how most people afford it especially with young kids. I hope things improve for you op.

Catapillarsruletheworld · 15/01/2020 22:22

Do the sun still do camping for £1 a night? That’s was great. We had one weekend away for literally £3. Obviously you need camping stuff, but you can buy second hand and once you’ve got it, it’ll last years.

We also used the camping for £1 a night, which you could use up to 4 nights I think, then combined it with another offer and had a whole week and Camel creek adventure park in Cornwall, including entry to the park for 4 of us for about £80. It was one of the best holidays we ever had, the kids still talk about it now. You got given the gate code and could just go into the park at night when no one was there, we also had breakfast several mornings in the big indoor play area, the kids had it to themselves!

We have had several years where we couldn’t afford to do anything, so I know how much it sucks. But there are some super cheap deals out there if you look hard enough.

belay · 15/01/2020 22:32

Our child is 13. He's had one 4 night holiday in a caravan when it was freezing and snowing. I would love him to have the same holidays my parents gave me. Lovely sunshine, swimming in a warm sea etc

SayFriday · 15/01/2020 22:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlueSuffragette · 15/01/2020 22:41

Sorry OP mot read the whole thread so not sure if it has already been mentioned. You could collect vouchers in The Sun newspaper and get a cheap holiday, think some are £8.50 per person for some of the deals. Not too sure but you could look into it.

BlueSuffragette · 15/01/2020 22:42

Oh yes lol just seen the date GrinGrin

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