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

I don't have a problem with people spending a large sum on a holiday. We did it a few years ago - big trip to the Far East, kids had an amazing time and still talk about it regularly. Didn't go into debt for it though - saved for 6 years so we could afford it. Currently saving for a safari in Tanzania.

I had both holidays abroad and holidays in the UK over the course of my childhood and overall preferred the staycations.

Sensational views, activities, great accommodation. Although if you aren't careful they can become as expensive as a holiday abroad!

I despair. There are parents around the world who feel guilt because they cannot afford to FEED their children

Agreed!

There are many parents in the UK having to queue up at food banks.

@op, I am not sure if you are just being a GF, but your stupid face and “lol” really makes me think that if you AREN’T a GF, you are incredibly ignorant. Ick.

There are parents around the world who feel guilt because they cannot afford to FEED their children

what does that have to do with anything? Parents want to do the best for their children, and yes we live in a rich country where no one is starving, we have "free" health care, free education, and no bombs are falling on our heads.

it doesn't mean we should all live in a cave and its wrong we want to give our kids a happy childhood

Presuming that op went to Florida.

My dc are 7 and 14 and we have been abroad many times.
This year though we have things that need doing/buying for the home, new sofas/ decorating etc therefore we will not be going abroad.

I haven't for one second considered that it would negatively affect my dc.

There are children in both of their schools who have never left the country.

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't the majority who do 2 weeks AI, more the minority.

More and more people are choosing "staycations" than ever before.
And obviously there are some who can't afford that.

We don't have the 2 weeks AI we used to adore prechildren anymore. It's far too much hassle with 2 children and travelling. We now prefer to do 3/4 UK breaks, we have some stunning places to visit in this country and the dc get educated and have fun also.....

I feel zero guilt they don't get a hot fancy holiday and proud they get lots of mini breaks (usually a Monday to Friday with a week in August) and we don't have to work a gazillion hours to afford it.

And my dc really look forward to the little breaks we have. That's the point for me.

Did you go to Florida OP?

We’ve taken two young DC a couple of times and it’s easily 10k so I can imagine with 5, and a bit more spending, 15k could happen.

It’s amazing to have holidays like that, I can’t wait to go back, but equally, I loved camping. It was truly one of my best holidays and I’ve been lucky enough to go to a lot of amazing places. Could you camp this year?

Even if it was Florida, I’d struggle to spend 15k. We went last year (in the school holidays) and it cost no more than 7 for 4 of us, including travel, accommodation, food and tickets (although I’m fairly frugal and we didn’t stay in ‘posh’ accommodation- still on-site Disney, though).

Yes it was Florida and Hawaii

I very much doubt that you actually think not going abroad for. two weeks ai is going to harm your dc in any way, so what is the purpose of the thread?

The first time I went abroad I was a teenager and funded it myself. I'm fine. My 3yr old hasn't been abroad yet. I'm sure she'll survive and will thoroughly enjoy our uk based family holiday later in the year.

are you in the UK OP?

Ah, the added Hawaii bit makes sense at the 15k total now (sounds amazing, by the way!!). We won’t be having a holiday this year either, but the kids love day trips.

i'd love to know how you get 5 people to Florida and Hawaii for 15k..... OP? who did you travel with, sounds like an absolute bargain

There are parents around the world who feel guilt because they cannot afford to FEED their children

What the hell has that got to do with anything? so the OP should feel guilty for taking her kids abroad because some people cant feed there kids?! not the OP fault!

OP- kids will be fine, i had lots of holidays abroad as a kid but there was some years we didnt go and i never thought anything of it!

Hawaii and florida sound amazing though!

Why do you feel guilty? I’d hope my children didn’t expect fancy holidays every year and especially those we were still paying off. I’ve not been away with mine for a few years as we just can’t afford it. I’m on my own with 4 kids so it’s too expensive to go abroad and at home we go to my mums but even then it costs money so not been since 2016 Easter hols. We do loads of free things here but hoping to save for a week somewhere next year. Before I split from kids dad we did Florida, was amazing and kids loved it still talk about it but know it was v expensive. Am glad they’ve been away somewhere even if it was years ago
Couldn’t have been paying for it afterwards though! That would have stressed me out.

Why so much looking down noses at an AI hol? We're taking our two year old this year and can't wait for it - big pool, lovely food, few drinks, guaranteed sunshine, plenty of time to relax and play...?!

I wouldn't feel guilty if we couldn't afford to go though, we'd just save for the following year, or year after, after, after that if we'd managed to rack up 15k debt on the last one!

I went on an AI once. Never again. Give me SC any day, it means I can eat when and where I want.

Holidays are pretty important to me and I'd feel sad if we couldn't take the dc away at least once a year. But that hasn't always needed to be expensive - when I was a single mum on benefits we had a great time going on Sun holidays to stay in a caravan, or staying in youth hostels - sometimes we couldn't afford a full week away let alone two. I don't think it's worth getting into debt for a holiday - we're much better off these days and we can afford expensive long haul holidays, but always paid for from savings. I think it's worth looking at cheaper options rather than an AI holiday, instead of not having a holiday at all, e.g. camping, deals on Groupon or YHA activity breaks.

There are parents around the world who feel guilt because they cannot afford to FEED their children

What the hell has that got to do with anything? so the OP should feel guilty for taking her kids abroad because some people cant feed there kids?! not the OP fault!

It’s fine to take your children abroad, quote obviously . What I take issue with, is the op’s fucking face at not being able to do 2 weeks AI this year as she went on a £15k holiday last year. It beggars belief. Boo fucking hoo love .

I wouldn't go on holiday with young kids unless it was AI.

*quite obviously

Can't you ditch the AI and take your kids to actually see some culture?

Why would going AI mean you couldn’t go and see some culture?

Can't you ditch the AI and take your kids to actually see some culture?

Are you assuming you can't do both?

Some people have a very odd idea about AI.

I have been to some AI hotels that open the gates to allow guests out of the complex daily - usually at set times, say between 2-5pm, so plenty time to visit the local area.