9 hours ago
Mom Is Left ‘Feeling Guilty' After Allowing Her Kids to Use Their Pocket Money to Pay for Family Day Out
A mother admitted that money is "always tight" a week before payday, regardless of how much she budgets for her family
In a Mumsnet post, she said her children volunteered to use their pocket money to go on an outing together
However, the mom was left feeling "guilty" after other parents commented about her making her children use their savingsA mother is feeling broken after her children publicly announced they used their pocket money to pay for a family day out.
The mom explained in a lengthy Mumsnet post that money is 'always tight' by the end of the month, regardless of how much she budgets. A week before payday, she suggested to her children that they go to the park, picnic, ride bikes or do anything that didn't involve having to 'buy a ticket or spend any money.'
'They asked to do something which costs money, but offered to pay for it themselves with birthday/pocket money (adults go free),' the mom said of her children. 'At this point, honestly, I was pleased and proud they were showing initiative, cooperating with one another, negotiating as a team, etc."
'They have enough to pay without emptying their savings, so I happily agreed,' she added.
The mother said that when they arrived at the activity, her children told the cashier they were only able to come after offering to pay for the outing themselves.
Strangers standing nearby began 'tutting and muttering that no child should have to buy their own tickets' and critiqued her parenting.
'I sort of stuttered that I was actually very proud of them working together to find a solution to get to do something they'd wanted to do, then we moved away,' the mom said. 'I didn't want to start explaining the whole backstory, financial circumstances, etc.
'But now I'm starting to feel guilty, and maybe I should have held the boundary that a no money day is just that, regardless of where the funds come from,' she continued, before asking members of the forum to share their opinions.
'AIBU [am I being unreasonable] to have let them pay?' she asked. 'I was feeling really positive about it all till about 10 minutes ago :('
A flood of responses to the post attempted to reassure the mom that she isn't the only parent strapped for cash by the end of the month.
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Many said they wouldn't have shamed her for allowing her children to pay for the outing.
'Not at all unreasonable, you've taught them a valuable life lesson that money isn't growing on trees,' one person commented.
'Ignore that nosey, judgey cow. I think this is totally fine 👍 it's not like you make them pay for their bed and board every week 🤷' another said.
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'What happened to saving up to do/buy something? This used to be normal,' a third wrote. 'Now, kids seem to be given whatever they want whenever they want. Your children will understand the value of money, this woman's children may well be throwing a strop next time they aren't just given something simply because they want it.'
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