To use DCs Xmas money for a family holiday?

[Ooooophhh]

Last year we stayed in a fantastic holiday cottage in our favourite place to hide away which had to be unfortunately cut short.
We have booked our 2 week summer holiday this year so it is not that we aren't going on holiday this year.
However, I have been snooping online and discovered a brilliant deal on the cottage for 1 week over half term. It will cost us in the region of £300 for 1 week in the 5* accommodation-money we don't have at the moment . But, DCs who are toddlers, received money for Christmas totalling this amount. They don't need anything so we were planning on paying the cash into their bank accounts, but I'm now wondering whether to use the money for a family get away instead.
Am I being selfish and indulgent to use their money for this? I just want a change of scenery and nothing to do for a week!

I think it's fine. There's nothing better for kids than family time and new experiences.

But why does it have to be family time in an expensive 5* cottage that only the parents will appreciate or remember?

I feel people are being overly judgemental and a bit unfair - this should be a safe space to harbour your thoughts and I can certainly see why you've come to Mumsnet to ask.

You're human and you need rest and good things in your life too but I don't think is the best way to get it - you may upset those who gave you the money.

The healthy medium would be finding a holiday that suits toddlers better but also may have something for you too. I think it's important to have financial discipline on this matter and know it's ultimately for the toddlers benefit and not yours.

But that's not to say you don't deserve time away and a break - I hope you get it!

If you can’t afford £300 of your own money for a week away then I’d think you’d be silly to spend your children’s money .
You can have a lazy week at home with a few days out . Save your money for something you may genuinely need in the future .

No sorry, I think you need to show your children how to save [you need to learn this also]

No, come on.
If you haven’t got £300 now it’s likely that that money is going to be useful to them down the line.
It’s not this holiday or more stuff is it, like you’re saying

It’s this holiday or them having savings that they can use as they get older
For experiences they’ll actually remember, or for things they need for school college uni if you can’t afford them.

Spend time with them at home, do some little picnics, take them the park
What would you be doing at that cottage that you can’t do at your house?

No way!
I had some money for my kids put aside from Xmas ready to pay into bank, and a workman came who wanted paying in cash so I used it as it was to hand, but I instantly bank transferred the same amount into their savings account, but still felt mighty guilty at the time.

@Ooooophhh I would do it. You’re not selfish, they’re getting a holiday fgs! Why don’t you set up a DD for £10-20 a month to them to repay and it will be back in their accounts before you know it. Don’t listen to people on here who are telling you that you’re being mean, you’re not.

I’m shocked and it takes a lot to shock me and people agreeing that it’s okay to do.
Yes it’s nice having a holiday but use your own money not your children’s!

Jelly I've seen it on here a few times over the years...people asking "Is it ok to use DD"s birthday money to buy a new carpet?" and so forth. Explaining it away with "Oh she's only three and doesn't need anything"

and "A carpet with benefit her too"

I mean for God's sake! Why not just spend all the child's money on the food shop! That benefits them too!

It's no wonder so many child stars sue their parents for misappropriating their earnings!

I would pay for half of it with there money but I wouldn't pay for you and your husband with there money :/

Williams that's just as bad! As a parent, you're meant to pay for their holidays...not them!

What?? Definite no.

If your children were older would you still think it's okay to use their money to fund a family holiday?

If they were older I imagine they would not be so pleased at you spending their money for what you want.

You are taking advantage of their age. There are other things that they would enjoy more.

Haven’t RTFT but I would suggest you ask the people who gave the money to your DC.

Unless, of course, you will be able replacing it very soon.

If u want to then im sure your children will enjoy it. One year i got my kids new beds with their xmas money. Now some are older i let them save some a buy things but when they are little its upto u. I give money to other peoples children would never expect them to ask me if it was ok what they spend it on, its upto them.