Single moms and "vacations"?

Question

I am a single mom of a 12 year old. We have only been on vacation once with my family when she was little

I work fulltime and we get by..like most people though we live from pay check to paycheck. Not that she or we are lacking anything because she is not.

I feel horribly guilty because all her friends go on vacation-especially in the summer and I really can't afford to take her anywhere. She says she understands but I think she gets sad about it.

I know she she be grateful for what we have especially in this economy but I don't want her to look back and be like we didn't do anything.

Does anyone ever feel this way?

Answer 1

I'm married, with two incomes and feel this way a lot of the time - lack of money and time (my hubby did not have vacation time for almost two solid years).

If you are able, take a day or two off here and there and explore your own city - go to a museum, a park, zoo, that you have not been to in a while - and make a day of it - take pictures - let your daughter take some too.

Another fun thing - if you can afford it - is just go stay at a nearby hotel for a night - something with a pool - so you can "get away" without spending too much money.  We've done this in the past, and will probably do the same soon - it's a way to get out of your natural surroundings, have some fun, not have to face those piles of laundry and dirty dishes, and just chill for an evening - you could even make a night of it, and turn it into a slumber party, and have your daughter invite a friend for the night - order a pizza, and have fun in the pool.

Good luck!  You are doing great.

Answer 2

Yeah, I feel guilty about it and my son is only 8.5 months.  I wanted to take him to the beach so badly this year, but I just can't afford it.  I know he doesn't know any better, but it just makes me worry about what I'm going to be able to do for the future.  I want him to have fun and be able to go on vacations and such, but if the economy keeps going like it's going, I don't know if I will ever be able to take him on a really good vacation.  

It sucks.

Answer 3

We feel that way, and we are married!

It's truly because we go paycheck to paycheck, too - I'm a SAHM, and I feel TOTALLY the same way you do - that niggling little guilt....  but you know what, if we could do differently, we would... and I think our child knows that. He is 16 now, and we really only had one real time away - to a city not that far away actually, that could have been counted as a holiday. Otherwise we have travelled a bit for family weddings.

I ask my son sometimes where his friends are going on holidays, and he tells me - and I know he wishes we could go away, too. But it's just not possible.

We just make their lives as good as we can - at home!!!

So, stop with the guilties, mom! We're raising good kids, here, holiday or no holiday!

Answer 4

do you have a local state park that is close? remember kids remember quality time that we have with them also.

Answer 5

Yeah I feel the same way. I am single mom of two boys and I am pregnant again of course. I never took my boys on vacation and I feel bad. Staying home and everyone else goes on vacation is feeling like left out. I hoping to try to save some money so I can take the kids on vacation in teh future to see want I can do.

Answer 6

my mother is like this to.

we cant afford anything

extra now. ]: she works

24/7 and our friends like

work 2 hours a day and

afford anything they want.

i tell her that i understand

to. i dont want to make her

feel bad. but i guess

she knows i really dont

understand or something.

]: good luck and god bless.

i know you want the best for

your daughter.