A mum has revealed she’s jealous of friends who can afford better family holidays than her, leaving her feeling “like a failure”.
The anonymous poster led to the British parenting forum. momsnet and explained that he dreads school holidays.
She explained that “everyone” she knows has more money than she does, and that her weekends in Wales make her feel “small and ashamed” compared to her luxurious ski trips and holidays in Dubai.
The mother said she knows she should be happy for her friends, but instead, she “feels like a failure that she can’t give her children these experiences.”
However, many other users were baffled by the mom’s post, writing: “You’re just making yourself miserable, which your kids will notice… Kids don’t mind big fancy vacations, it’s us adults.” those of us who are!’
A British mother has revealed she is jealous that her friends can take their children on better holidays than her, which has left her feeling ‘like a failure’ (file image)
The anonymous poster turned to Mumsnet to ask if he was being unreasonable by resenting his friends.
Explaining her feelings, the mother wrote: ‘I dread school holidays. Mainly because everyone we know has a lot more money than we do, resulting in an endless stream of Instagram or Facebook posts about skiing, Dubai, Thailand, you name it.
I know I should be happy for them, but I feel like a failure for not being able to give my children these experiences.
“I do my best to avoid social media, but inevitably this topic comes up in the conversation.”
She ended the post by writing: “I feel small and ashamed that we are going to Wales for a long weekend.”
“I know there are people with much bigger problems than this, but I’m a little worn out feeling skinny and jealous.”
The post racked up more than 200 responses, with other parents understanding and saying they understood, but others questioning why it bothered her.
One user said: ‘Don’t feel jealous at all. I bet your children have so much fun going to Wales and they don’t even have the slightest idea of doing anything else.
‘Other people do fun things and you do your thing. I’d be proud to take my kids out to do fun things, so no more “embarrassing” nonsense.
Other users were sympathetic to the parents’ situation, drawing on their own experiences in the comments.
Another said: ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.
‘There will be people who don’t even go to Wales for a long weekend. Try to make the most of what you can do. I’m sure your children will have fond memories of those times, even more so if mum/dad has a positive mindset on the trip.’
A third added: ‘We can’t even afford a long weekend in Wales. I don’t feel bad about it though, it is what it is. We do a lot of nice things and my children are happy.’
But while some Mumsnet users comforted the mother, others questioned why she was upset about the situation.
One user questioned his finances, writing: ‘Is there a reason you can’t afford the vacation? What is the obstacle to earn more?
‘I mean, if you don’t work through the election or you can’t be bothered to go to college to be able to afford these things, then that’s the way it is.
“Also, I don’t think there is anything wrong with going on holiday to Wales,” they added.
But other users questioned why the mother was concerned about the situation, saying she was just “making herself miserable.”
One mother said: ‘But why is this worrying you and consuming your energy? I have friends and colleagues who go on vacation a lot more than I do. Of course it would be in our conversations, but it doesn’t really bother me.
“I ask them questions about their travels, there are always interesting things to learn or funny stories to laugh about.
“They’ve never said anything to make me feel bad/inferior, so no problem.”
‘My DC (dear girl) has told me many times about wanting to travel more. My answer is always the same: this is what I can afford, or what I want to afford in exchange for other things.
‘When you grow up, you will be able to travel as much as you want and can afford.’
