I halve my own portions so my kid can eat & rely on Universal Credit - I feel like such a failure, says heartbroken mum

AMY Barrier, 30, a baker, lives in East Anglia with her partner Tiago Mourao, 35, and their two-year-old daughter, Summer De Oliveira.

“When I was a child I went on some amazing family holidays – to Greece, Cyprus, the USA and even South Africa – and I’d always assumed I’d do the same with my own children.

"When I was pregnant with Summer, two, I was desperate to go on a Babymoon, but Covid meant that wasn’t possible, so I set my heart on taking her away to somewhere like Greece instead.

"But it’s impossible – we just can’t afford it.

"My partner Tiago has a small bakery business which I help with, but we can’t survive on that alone, so we are topped up by Universal Credit.

"Even so, we struggle to pay our utility bills, for petrol and the weekly shop.

Most read in Fabulous

'HOLLYWOOD OR BUST'

Harry & Meg to produce film of novel about parent dying in car crash

TOM BOWER

Inside Beckhams' bitter rift with Sussexes as Meg feared Posh would upstage her

WILK-NO

I work at Wilko, customers ask the same annoying question about us closing down

AISLE BE DAMNED

Bride asks for easy slick bun for her wedding day but is left horrified

"If she didn’t pay for the flights, we’d have to put them on a credit card, which we can’t afford to do.

"When I look at social media and see other people away on exotic breaks, I feel like a failure. My parents were able to give me those experiences and I feel terrible that I can’t do the same for Summer.

"I’d love to take her somewhere with a lovely swimming pool and a beach, and spend quality family time together.

"I don’t understand how other families do it, especially when they go on expensive holidays to Disneyland. I can only dream of taking Summer to Disneyland Paris, let alone Florida.

"I’m not surprised that 47 per cent of mums can’t afford to go on holiday – I am shocked that the figure isn’t higher.

"And I’m sure many mums will get into debt to make special memories for their kids.”

Amy isn't alone in her struggle.

Yesterday Fabulous shared Gemma Smith's story of how she lost five stone in just three months when she was forced to skip meals to feed her children.

Their stories come after an exclusive poll, commissioned by The Sun’s Fabulous brand as part of our Baby, Bank On Us campaign, found that more than two fifths (43 per cent) of mums have missed meals so their kids can eat more over the summer.

And, shockingly, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) have had to stop buying basic hygiene products, including shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste, so their children don’t go without.

I Know All News

I halve my own portions so my kid can eat & rely on Universal Credit – I feel like such a failure, says heartbroken mum | The Sun

Read More on Baby Banks

I skipped meals to feed my kids – then I learnt my local foodbank was shut

Almost half of low income parents have skipped meals for their children

How YOU can support Fabulous’ Baby, Bank On Us campaign

Most read in Fabulous

Harry & Meg to produce film of novel about parent dying in car crash

Inside Beckhams' bitter rift with Sussexes as Meg feared Posh would upstage her

I work at Wilko, customers ask the same annoying question about us closing down

Bride asks for easy slick bun for her wedding day but is left horrified

Read More on The Sun

Inside Paris Fury’s relatable life – from days out with her 6 kids to B&M trips

EastEnders legend unrecognisable 25 years after shock soap exit

BABY BANK LOCATIONS