Living in a bubble

Easterisfinishedthough · 2026-04-09T19:16:51+00:00

Is there anything wrong with it? We live abroad in a wealthy area (just average ourselves) it’s a lovely community from around the world, crime is low, the sun shines most days. A friend moved back to the uk and part of her reason was that she felt like she was living in a bubble. I know what she means, but equally, is there anything really wrong with that? especially when bringing up children?

Original poster

Easterisfinishedthough · 09/04/2026 20:30

Anyone else in a bubble or think it’s a nice way for kids to grow up

OP posts:

ImFinePMSL · 09/04/2026 20:34

I don’t think “living in a bubble” really exists.

I find people who say they “live in a bubble” to be quite antisocial and ignorant. If they don’t live beyond their “bubble” they must not get much real life experience.

Original poster

Easterisfinishedthough · 09/04/2026 20:51

ImFinePMSL · 09/04/2026 20:34

I don’t think “living in a bubble” really exists.

I find people who say they “live in a bubble” to be quite antisocial and ignorant. If they don’t live beyond their “bubble” they must not get much real life experience.

Very social, just away from the *Real, outside world in a way. The kids are safe, unaware, have clean roads, big houses and beauty all around them for the main part

OP posts:

canklesmctacotits · 09/04/2026 20:56

I think that living in a bubble is okay UNLESS you have children. Children need to live in the real world, because they need to be exposed to risks and diversity and danger and different situations. That's how they'll learn to live independent lives as adults.

Parents who talk about, or place excessive emphasis on keeping their children "safe" tend to be the ones who raise anxious children. It's easy to keep them wrapped up in cotton wool, rely on buying into a specific environment so you don't have to teach them things or have awkward conversations or see them learn tough lessons - you let the community do that for you. But you're doing your children a disservice. They'll pay the price for it later on, assuming they can't keep themselves in the bubble for the rest of their lives...and can raise their own children in that bubble to (or how else can they pass on these skills?).

As for adults choosing to live in bubbles: up to you really. I couldn't, personally, and left as soon as I could. It's totally artificial, to me. My life felt preposterous.

Pinkmoonshine · 09/04/2026 20:59

I think it’s fine so long as you educate your kids about others’ lives. Travel a bit, watch films, read books and make a deliberate effort to show them how other people live. Easier said than done though.

Original poster

Easterisfinishedthough · 09/04/2026 20:59

canklesmctacotits · 09/04/2026 20:56

I think that living in a bubble is okay UNLESS you have children. Children need to live in the real world, because they need to be exposed to risks and diversity and danger and different situations. That's how they'll learn to live independent lives as adults.

Parents who talk about, or place excessive emphasis on keeping their children "safe" tend to be the ones who raise anxious children. It's easy to keep them wrapped up in cotton wool, rely on buying into a specific environment so you don't have to teach them things or have awkward conversations or see them learn tough lessons - you let the community do that for you. But you're doing your children a disservice. They'll pay the price for it later on, assuming they can't keep themselves in the bubble for the rest of their lives...and can raise their own children in that bubble to (or how else can they pass on these skills?).

As for adults choosing to live in bubbles: up to you really. I couldn't, personally, and left as soon as I could. It's totally artificial, to me. My life felt preposterous.

I think whilst children are small and innocent it’s ideal, I realise this will have to change when they get a little older

OP posts:

Original poster

Easterisfinishedthough · 09/04/2026 20:59

canklesmctacotits · 09/04/2026 20:56

I think that living in a bubble is okay UNLESS you have children. Children need to live in the real world, because they need to be exposed to risks and diversity and danger and different situations. That's how they'll learn to live independent lives as adults.

Parents who talk about, or place excessive emphasis on keeping their children "safe" tend to be the ones who raise anxious children. It's easy to keep them wrapped up in cotton wool, rely on buying into a specific environment so you don't have to teach them things or have awkward conversations or see them learn tough lessons - you let the community do that for you. But you're doing your children a disservice. They'll pay the price for it later on, assuming they can't keep themselves in the bubble for the rest of their lives...and can raise their own children in that bubble to (or how else can they pass on these skills?).

As for adults choosing to live in bubbles: up to you really. I couldn't, personally, and left as soon as I could. It's totally artificial, to me. My life felt preposterous.

Where were you?

OP posts:

TeenLifeMum · 09/04/2026 21:00

Reading threads on here about how people know others on benefits choosing not to work etc feels like I must live in a bubble. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t work. I do think you generally mix with like-minded people.

Ritaskitchen · 09/04/2026 21:04

It depends what you mean by a bubble. Mine grew up in a bit of a bubble - safe country, international school, affluent area. Diverse - but not skin color diversity.
I think it’s been great for them - they speak another language, they have another passport, they have a wider more open view of the world than their English counterparts. They learnt to travel in public transport alone much younger than in the uk. So it holds no fears for them. At 13 they could navigate an airport alone.
Were they street wise ? Not particularly . But they also were not stupid.
So it depends on the bubble. But a parent should give their child every advantage available to them if it’s possible and practical.
There are also downsides to a bubble I’m sure. But parenting plays a greater role. And bad things can still happen in a bubble. Money can cushion/hide/disguise a lot of dark stuff. From abuse to neglect. It exists in the bubble too.

ImFinePMSL · 09/04/2026 21:22

Easterisfinishedthough · 09/04/2026 20:51

Very social, just away from the *Real, outside world in a way. The kids are safe, unaware, have clean roads, big houses and beauty all around them for the main part

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Which is fine.

But there’s going to be a time when your children grow older and they’ll leave the “bubble” and learn about the big wide world and current affairs. A “bubble” won’t prepare them for real life.

SweepLovesSoo · 09/04/2026 21:24

I went on holiday recently to my dh’s home country and we met up with some of his old school friends who live there and live in a gated community. They shop there, socialise there, the kids go to school inside the gated community. When their kids were talking to our kids about walking to school, going to the shops, theatre, skate parks and what have you it was clear that these kids never did anything ordinary like that or anything on their own. With my dc, if they get interested in astronomy or in dance or whatever that can be expanded on. I just felt a little bit sad for these children, even though they probably had a nice life, it all seemed a little bit controlled.

sunshine244 · 09/04/2026 21:29

Depends what sort of bubble? A gated community in a country dependent upon slavery, as just one example, would be highly problematic.

JustAlice · 09/04/2026 21:34

Posh area in the UK + private schooling give the same sort of bubble to many so I wouldn't really worry. People are actively seeking it here actually.

moderndilemma · 09/04/2026 22:01

Take a step back from your 'bubble' and look at what your children are experiencing.

Is it an expectation that one particular class or colour or nationality are in their position of privelege? With anothe class or colour or nationality providing the 'service'?

Is it that you (the priveleged) have to gate yourselves off from others, and not mix with them? Does that install a sense of safety in the gated community and fear of all the rest?

Do your dc ever mix with other children who do not have their privelege? If not, how will they learn genuine compassion. How will they learn that 'Oliver' who lives in poverty, is likeable, loveable, intelligent, funny, worthwhile?