Your children are lucky to have a parent that cares so much and they will know that. I had a father that worked night shift as a single dad for years. Even after he remarried, he still worked as a single provider. I watched him go to work with the flu and barely able to stand and he still could not buy everything we "thought" we needed. I may have regretted not having everything my friends had, but I never once blamed my dad. From the time I was old enough to understand, I have always loved and respected my dad for the sacrifices he made for us. And I even appreciate the things he denied us because I think that it made me appreciate the little things even more. Now that I am older, I try to give back to my dad, buying for him the things he denies himself! I am sure your children will learn to view your sacrifices in the same light and they will be the better for it. I know it hurts you to not be able to provide them everything they want or think they need but as long as you do everything in your power to make them safe and happy, there is no way you are a bad parent! In fact, you are in a higher class of parent compared to most parents I know!