To feel guilty that I'm not taking kids on holiday this year

[Peachsnowpop]

We had a huge over the top holiday last year and we're still paying for that (£15k ish holiday). We go away every year abroad but this year we need to knuckle down and clear debt. We'll still have great days out but there's no 2 weeks away in an AI

My children have never had 2 weeks away in an AI.

Surprisingly, still alive.

YANBU not to take them no. We have never had a holiday costing more than £2k but still aren't going this year, unless you count a few weekends camping.

YAB a bit U to have got into debt going on holiday last year though... Where the hell did you go for £15K? Assuming not 2 weeks' AI?!

My kids only had two holidays in the UK when they were under 16. Didn’t do them any harm

YABU! No one needs a holiday every year. Time off work and school yes but you don't need to be in a tacky AI resort.

I’ve been abroad twice in my life and the other years my mum tried to take me to the coast ect... as a kid I was always happy and grateful now as an adult. I don’t think your kids will be affected and clearing debt sounds sensible after 15k

Mine have never had 2 weeks in an AI (or any time in fact!). DH and I wouldn’t enjoy it so we don’t go, I don’t think they’re deprived.
We do days out/city breaks/the occasional cottage by the sea.

Better to show them you are being responsible paying off debt.
Can't believe you spent so much and are still paying it off. Where's the fun in that?

I think it’s mad to get into debt for a holiday but sensible to try to pay it off rather than adding to it.
You’re doing the right thing. There’s nothing to feel guilty for and your kids will be fine.

My kids are 13 and 11 and have only had one 2 week holiday. They are happy with camping with friends, UK breaks and the odd one week trip abroad. It's not exactly a big deal.

I wouldn't go in to debt for a holiday. How can you justify it?

My DD has never had a holiday abroad, nor even a weeks holiday in the UK. The most we can afford is maybe a weekend away and some years not even that. She’s fine.

Without being rude OP, I think you need to realise that not having a 2 weeks AI holiday is not a childhood problem.

well if you are still paying for last year's holiday I'm guessing it was a once in a lifetime type holiday for 15k so I really would worry about not going abroad this year as it's more important to clear the debt but if you wanted to go away could you go camping/ glamping type thing?

Me and my husband place huge importance on travel abroad with our child, we're in a very fortunate position to be able to do so. However, he is 6 now and he knows that it takes many months of saving by us to allow that. This years holiday is costing lots because for us it's the dream trip and so next year there will be no holiday savings left to go any where other than in our caravan (which is still more than many kids get). There are kids in his class that have never seen the seaside and so will I feel guilty next year? Not at all. Do your kids get fed and clothed? Do they have a warm home and clean bed? Toys? Love? I'll bet of course they do and so they have everything they 'need'.

Another one whose kids only had 2 UK holidays when they were all little. It really didn't make any difference.

My children have never left the country and they are fine. This year we are off to a caravan for 3 nights. But that's it.

I don't think children mind what you do it's us adults that find it hard.

House swap? We travel lots as swap house and car with other families so flight only. You need to be quite relaxed and live in an appealing area yourself but it's changed our lives tbh.

We are having a caravan holiday. Very simple. But the kids love it! Swimming pool. Football pitch, pub, beach.

Kids don’t need 15k holidays.

My DSD is 7 and DD is 4. They’ve NEVER been on a family holiday in their lives. We simply can’t afford it.

Don’t feel guilty.

Sounds as if you could not afford the £15K holiday, and as a result will have to miss out for the next few years.

Your choice.

Not sure why you are bleating on here really OP.

We travel abroad a lot and save for holidays, but have never (and I doubt will ever) do 2 weeks AI. My children aren’t scarred.

Ds has never had a holiday abroad. He’s had two holidays to Devon when he was tiny.
We both work full time and have to split the holidays between us so he isn’t in holiday club too much.
I miss holidays. Before ds we used to have one or two a year.

It's hard, but you are doing really well to be firm on clearing that debt and not pushing it further. The holiday is done now, no point going on about the expense, but next time maybe try saving first instead of going into debt?

We still have a few days of decent weather in this country, you can still have a few cheap days with the kids more or less locally. I don't know how old your kids are, and where you live, but you can still have some holidays.

I don't think kids of any age really care about AI and luxury vacation, that comes later.

We have various friends and family coming to stay over for a weekend or so, and we do the same. Kids love to spend a few days in another house, especially with other kids, and it doesn't cost much.

Is this a wind up? “No 2 weeks AI ”?

And you’re in debt from a £15k holiday from last year? How many people did you pay for ?

I'm confused. You've spent £15K on an "over the top holiday" last year and are now sad that this means you can't go away this year. Am I missing something or did you not realise this when spending the money at the time? Surely you knew you would have to pay back all the debt when you booked the massive holiday?