HUGE challenge for you all!

princesstippytoes

Beki wrote: »

that's the reason i started posting on here - been lurking for a few weeks and thought it was about time i joined in. i must say that even though i was a bit hurt by some of the comments, i'm sure they were meant as constructive critisism rather than 'having a pop' - i think it's just difficult for people to understand unless they have my parents :rotfl:

i know that this is certainly the friendliest board i've been to for a long while, and i've recieved some lovely pm's from people on here

i'm certainly going to be sticking around, if you'll still have me :rotfl:

I am glad you have decided to stay and pleased that you realise the difference between being picked on and bluntness. The main problem is that we see all sorts of people on here who are genuinely struggling to even feed their children at all and haven't had a holiday for years so this story just stuck in my throat a bit. Can't speak for others though.

regarding the stardrops I buy it in Morrisons or Semichem.

Lunar_Eclipse

Beki wrote: »

YESSSS!!!! :rotfl:

we went last year and the year before - first time was 5 days 4 nights, and we didn't think it was long enough - so last year we went for 8 days 7 nights and we STILL didn't think it was long enough :rotfl:

But then again, we're both mental and gluttons for punishment :rotfl:

Well you'll feel right at home then! Which is brilliant.

But have you considered going somewhere else? I don't mean this year now that you have this holiday booked, but there is a whole world out there offering enriching experiences, influences and other memories for you & your children. I'd like mine to swim in the Dead Sea, walk the Great Wall of China, go on an African Safari etc, before a second trip to Disneyland for example.

Your mention of the children's experiences is what made me think of this. I'm not picking on your holiday choice, I just wondered if you have given consideration to new experiences?

And re: letting your children down. All children want and need is a happy, affordable life in a loving environment. I would be surprised if multiple holidays to Disneyland Paris made the difference between them recalling a happy or a sad childhood once they become adults. My own memories of childhood show that the memories my parents possibly thought I would recall are not the ones that I actually remember! So live by your own rules in terms of doing what you think it right and can afford. And be happy.

Beki

I would LOVE to take the children somewhere else (much as i love disneyland), but i am absolutely terrified of flying (don't know why as i've flown over 40 times! it came on after a particularly bad flight 10 years ago)

We went on some fantastic holidays when i was a child (incidentally i went to the dead sea but didn't swim in it - like a FOOL! lol), mostly to different places, and i've got brilliant memories of each and every one. But i suppose with going to disney every year, their memories will probably merge into one, and they won't be able to separate one from the other!

I think that we might give a holiday a miss next year (possibly even the year after) and concentrate on getting ourselves back on our feet. Although, saying that, i'd like to take advantage of the sun's £9.50p holiday (we went with friends a few years ago and it was fab!).

I think that my daughter is probably more mature and understanding than i give her credit for. I imagine she'd fully understand the financial side of things if i sat her down and talked to her sensibly about it.

In fact i think that a 'family meeting' might be in order this evening (before the BB final though! LOL) - which will be a first!!! Eeeek i'm scared now!!!!

Boomdocker

Hi Beki,I just wanted to say that I lurve Disney too. Thinking ahead for your next holiday you should consider Florida as for not much more cash than what you have paid you could get a 2 week deal over there and with much respect to Paris it is so much better. Just a thought. I love them both. My once a year holiday is the highlight of my year. The only thing I would say, and it's not a critisism, is that the excitement of booking the holiday should not leave you with a mountain of debt. That said it seems that with some advice and a re-look at your figures it may be a bit more do-able than perhaps you first thought. My best tip is have a seperate savings account for your holiday fund so you can squirrel away any savings/spare cash/birthday money etc and therefore spend them worry-free. Have a magical holiday.

Beki

Thank you Yes - any spare pennies i have are currently in a pot in the cupboard - but will go into the savings account at the bank at 2-weekly intervals

I WISH i could go to florida, but i'm just too terrified of flying

I see you're going on a disney cruise! Wow! Have a fab time!

TheDoolallyDilly

elona wrote: »

Dilly

Some branches of Wilkinsons have Stardrops as do some Tescos.

I found some in a small old fashioned ironmongers!

Thanks elona - Tescos don't seem to sell them online (I don't actually go to the supermarket :rotfl: I always seem to spend more!). We don't have a Wilkinsons or a Semichem near us. There is a Morrisons a 15 minute drive away, I might take a look, thanks princesstippytoes.

bootsalebabe

Hi all if you are looking for stardrops, starclens, or starpine try your local chemist, thats where i found mine, and wouldnt be without it!!

the_cat

Beki wrote: »

The thing is, i don't want her worrying about money - thinking we're struggling. I think i may be going about it the wrong way, hiding the financial side of things from her?

Thank you for all of your advice. I know that it's not meant to be hurtful - but i think i'm a bit over-sensitive

I *do* howver, see myself as being OS (i know that some people might not think so though) - i cook almost everything from scratch, i batch-cook, i knit (albeit not very well!), cross-stitch, every penny is accounted for, i keep a little spending diary, i grow my own veg, have chooks, like the simple things in life, i craft, make cards sometimes, make my own gift tags, recycle, make hampers rather than buying 'standard' gifts... plus lots more!

The only thing that differs between me and a lot of other OS'ers is that i'm allowing my parents to help me out financially right now, of which ALL will be paid back.

I hope i'm still allowed to stay here, as i love reading through the board - it has helped me out no end already. I know it might seem like i've started off on the wrong foot, but i hope you'll all still accept me as an OS'er

Oh, and thank you to EVERYONE for the advice on ds and the nappies! You've been a godsend! I'm going to start on everything you've said straight away

I'm really glad you have decided to stay here and I'm sorry if my comments came across as 'picking on you'. I felt uncomfortable having read so many threads recently where people are struggling to put food on the table for their children or are terrified of putting their heating on and although I stand by my comments, maybe was a bit 'clumsy' in my wording:o

That said, welcome! You will get loads of ideas and help on here which will help you become more financially stable. Don't worry about sheltering your daughter from money worries too much. While she deserves a carefree childhood, cutting her off from reality and having things/holidays without realising the sacrifices needed to have them will not prepare her well for real life as she becomes older.

Beki

Thank you I think you're right - maybe i'm trying to protect her too much, when in the long term it'll probably be doing more harm than good!

Thank you for the warm welcome xxxx

SmlSave

Hi Beki, just read the whole thread

I'm off to NY in mid-Nov and have empited my savings to do so! Its made me panic - like you - although I could "afford" it.

I think we all need a holiday but perhaps chosing somewhere on a buget next year might be a good idea? We are staying in the country next year to 'make up' for this year's expenditure and are going to visit the family - who will have us!?! - and am going to try and get the OH to agree to camping.

I remember my hols as a kid camping, bournemouth and the like. the first time i went abroad was when i was 9 to Greece and will never forget it!

How bout you try a short flight somewhere? Dublin or Scotland to se how you cope?