I’m trolled because I can’t afford to take my kids to Butlin’s – cruel people even accuse me of ‘failing as a mother’
A MUM has found herself targeted by cruel trolls after admitting she can’t afford to take her kids to Butlin’s.
Laura initially posted a video of herself, her husband, their youngest daughter and their eldest – who’s obsessed with Butlin’s characters The Skyline Gang – waving as they drove past the Skegness resort.
In the TikTok clip, her eldest could be heard saying “Bye, Butlin’s”, as Laura added: “Sorry we can’t see you. See you soon!”
She wrote over the top: “POV: the whole family is heartbroken because we can’t afford Butlin’s this year, so we have to just drive past and wave.”
Laura added in the caption: “Our daughter is The Skyline Gang’s biggest fan & I’m genuinely so upset she may not be able to go again.”
While the comments section was mostly full of positive comments, there were those who had something unhelpful to say.
“If you can’t afford Butlin’s, then one of you has to start doing some actual work instead of relying on universal credit every month,” one raged.
“Get of your arse and get a job. Universal credit is not paying that much for you to have holidays at Butlin’s!” another wrote.
To which a bemused Laura replied: “Where in this video does it say we don’t have jobs & live off universal credit?”
“You purposely drove past your children’s favourite thing to put it on TikTok to hope you’ll get the money and I can assure you now a standard holiday at Butlin’s is not £1300,” a third commented.
“I will get no money from posting this. we needed this road to get where we needed to be,” Laura responded.
“And it absolutely is that price in summer holidays!”
“Can’t afford Butlin’s is rough man,” someone else said.
Laura also received cruel remarks such as someone saying she must have “hit rock bottom” to not be able to afford Butlin’s, while another accused her of “failing as a mother”.
However, Laura then said she was going to use all the “dumbass comments” she’d received on the video to try and turn it round and make some money – enough to get to Butlin’s.
And, as the video gained traction, someone from the holiday resort reached out to Laura and her family, and gave them the opportunity to go to see a Skyline Gang concert.
The next video then showed Laura surprising her daughter by telling her that they were going to see the show – and another Skyline show – with the little girl responding with a beaming smile and a very loud thank you.
Laura wrote in the caption: “Thank you to every single one of you (mainly the nice people).
Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids
IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board.
Plan Ahead:
- Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities.
- Research kid-friendly attractions and activities.
- Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children’s schedules.
Pack Smart:
- Create a packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget essentials.
- Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained.
- Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on.
Travel Comfort:
- Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey.
- Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones.
- Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep.
Stay Organized:
- Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted.
- Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder.
- Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation.
Engage and Entertain:
- Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals.
- Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums.
- Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged.
Maintain Routine:
- Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible.
- Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals.
- Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation.
Stay Flexible:
- Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children’s needs and moods.
- Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments.
- Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip.
These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories!
“We made the video reach the right people!”
She also shared adorable video and photos of her girls enjoying the shows and posing for snaps with the Skyline Gang themselves.
“Bless her. That’s amazing!” one person commented on the video.
“YESS I was routing for thissss,” another said.
“That reaction was priceless!”
“Omg she’s just pure joy,” a third wrote.