The summer holidays used to be a joyful period for my family. School’s out, the sun makes an appearance or two and we get to spend quality time together. However, it was particularly hard this year. With four growing boys to look after while food prices continue to rise, it has been a long six weeks.
I’ve been forced to skip meals myself to ensure my children are well nourished. One of my sons had a birthday during the summer break, adding more strain to my dwindling bank balance. Some might say that birthday presents aren’t essential to subsistence, but they are if you want to maintain a normal family life; I want to limit their exposure to this crisis.
Then there’s back-to-school costs like new uniforms, shoes, bags and other necessary bits.
The pressure has put me into a deep depression, not that anyone would notice. The cost of everything is so high right now and I do wonder every day how I’ll get through tomorrow, but I always do.
As a parent, I think we’re all guilty of putting on a brave face when times are tough. While the kids are off school, my hours at work have to be reduced massively as I have no one to rely on for childcare. Losing so much money while the kids are off school is really difficult.
This year we couldn’t have a family holiday. I made sure the boys had a day or two out on a strict budget, but it’s not the same. I mentioned in my last entry that I live in a well-off area, so no doubt my kids will have to hear tales of exotic getaways from their richer peers in the playground. I don’t think I’ve ever worried as much as I do now.
The main thing is that the kids are happy and thriving and that’s my primary goal. Always. I live in hope that they never find themselves facing similar challenges in their life and be crippled by worry like I am 24/7. Now that the school holidays are over, I can get back to work and earn a bit more money. With my MOT due on my car and Christmas not too far away, I need to work any hours that I can. Bills never go away.
I’m still in debt with my gas and electricity, which I can’t seem to reduce even in the summer months when the radiators have a break. I try to remain hopeful for the future and push worries to the recesses of my mind. Things must get better, they can’t get much worse.
If I’m suffering this bad financially and mentally, there must be other people in my situation or even worse. I just hope that things get better, not only for my family and myself, but for everyone in general. Hopefully, one day soon, things will improve.
