A heartbroken father has revealed that he feels sad, humiliated, and ashamed as he believed that he failed as a dad.
David from Salford, Greater Manchester is now concerned that he cannot afford to purchase Christmas presents for his children.
The father of three works part-time because of his ongoing health issues and mostly relies on support systems and social supermarkets to cover expenses.
Speaking to the Mirror, David said: “I feel sad, ashamed, humiliated, and under great mental strain. It’s a great cause of anxiety, I feel a sense of failure as a father and as a provider.”
He said that he is the main provider for his three teenage sons aged 9, 14, and 15.
His eldest will turn 16 before Christmas, adding to the pressure David is feeling. The teen only wanted mobile phone data but when he went to a store filled with toys and gadgets, just a single present for one of his sons could take a huge chunk from his budget.
David’s sons know that they are currently living on a budget so they haven’t asked for presents.
But for the single dad, the fact his sons won’t tell him what they want frustrates him even more.
“I should be able to ask them – they might be teens, but they’re still children, and they should have a decent Christmas Day with good presents,” he expressed.
“The added worry on top of (everything) of how this might impact my children’s life choices. It’s just a horrible cocktail,” he added.
Barry Matley from charity group Manchester City Mission shared how such situations can spiral teens.
“Once you get to 13, 14, they fall off the radar and we think then it’s also harder for parents to discuss that they can’t (afford things).” Many parents don’t speak up as “there is a dignity of being able to support your family.”
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