30 Adults Who Were Poor While Growing Up Share What They Never Had As Kids

Kids don't think much about their appearances, possessions, or how much money their parents make when they're growing up. All they require is the presence of healthy and loving family members who will look after them.

However, things change when people start comparing their family's status and finances to those of their peers. This usually happens when they start kindergarten and school and become more in touch with the outside world.

(Kids from low-income families don't get around much before starting school.) Then reality hits, and needs and wants begin to manifest.

"Former poor kids: what are some items you have in the house that you *never* had as a kid, things your not-poor peers would never consider luxuries?" writer and publicist Victoria Barrett asked her Twitter followers.

The topic brought back some painful recollections and a flood of tweets from people who grew up in low-income families. Whether it was fresh fruit, shoes, or bathrooms, the thread demonstrated that most people take for granted items that were considered luxuries by disadvantaged youngsters.

Check out 30 of the most enlightening responses below. They are heartbreaking.

But they also teach us that we should be grateful for what we have. @victoriabwrites

1. Takeaway

Lilysea

2. Dad, shoes, a house...

balibones

3. New zip-lock bags

therosebride

4. Snacks, healthy food, eating out...

sailorfemme

5. Money in one home, love in another...

brandyssea

6. Oliver Twist story...

AskingAmy

7. More socks...

CindyERodriguez

8. When both parents grew up poor...

KevinJosephCMX

9. A diaper is ready to be changed when it starts leaking...

nomorekidsincag

10. Not enough toilet paper

FeralTwin

11. Bulk items...

linluv5

12. Running water

volanti

13. Just being able to buy what you need when you need it...

sebejer

14. A toilet...

missveryvery

15. A bedroom and a car that works...

victoriabwrites

16. Silence, peace, and safety

ELWaters

17. Such a long list...

bazaaroftales

18. AC, dishwasher...

hacks4pancakes

Victoria Barrett's tweet went viral rapidly, touching the emotions of tens of thousands of people. People recognized it as a highly emotional link and began to share their own stories.

Many of the things that people missed as children struck a chord with the author. She started liking so many responses that Twitter thought she was a bot.

"Twitter has concluded that I'm clicking the heart on your comments too quickly and that I must be a bot," she wrote. "If I don't [heart] your tweet, know that I see and feel you."

By listing some of the things she never had in her house as a child, the author of this piece indicated that she had experienced childhood poverty herself: "Kleenex, bandages, ziplock bags, and paper towels are a few of mine." 

19. Heating system and air conditioning...

NateBrownBrown

20. Milk

Too_Big_To_Fail

21. Backup pair of glasses

tyler_flach

22. Paid bills

kmcguirk76

23. Fresh fruits

caela_rue

24. Taking care of pets

marthakimes

25. Indoor plumbing

CherylStrayed

26. So many things...

tony_bridges_el

27. Regular dental appointments...

dadamstowel

28. Eating as much as you want...

Lilysea

29. Buying whatever you want at the grocery store

Fontsensitive

30. Kleenex, soap, pillows...

laurenthehough

For many, these may appear to be essential items that tens of thousands of people could not live without. That's why it's easy to overlook the fact that some of the things we take for granted or assume to be standard additions to our fundamental human requirements are regarded by others living in poverty as the most extravagant luxuries imaginable.

This thread serves as a reminder to value what you have and to remember that not everyone has easy access to it.