Coping with money concerns over the summer holidays
A new poll by Action for Children has found that 61% of parents struggle with the pressure to spend more than they can afford during the summer break.
The poll found that 51% of parents are concerned they won’t be able to afford a holiday this summer. One in twelve (8%) – an estimated 700,000 families – said they’d never been on a family holiday.
With school canteens closed, a third (36%) of parents worry about providing three meals a day for their children.
Mum, Gemma*, has four children under 12 and a baby on the way.
Financially, this summer is already proving tough, and she is deeply concerned about unpaid bills, being able to feed her children or afford to do even the smallest of things with them over the school holidays.
Gemma has fibromyalgia, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body and means she can’t work.
Her partner had to give up his job last year to care for her and the children because her condition has become so debilitating.
As a result, the family now rely solely on benefits for their income, and it’s become a daily battle to make ends meet.
Gemma said: “This summer is much worse than last year, and our financial situation is having such an impact on my relationship with my partner that we’re having to go through therapy and counselling as a result."
Find some advice on our Parent Talk site
I feel extremely guilty not being able to afford to do things with the kids this summer. Going out as a family just isn’t affordable anymore.
She added: “My younger children especially don’t understand or get the concept of money – why I can’t send them down the shops to get snacks or give them money to go to the cinema."
“I can’t even see any room to even have a picnic at the park this summer. The kids asked if they could go to a theme park this year – and it was up to £200 for us to go – I just can’t find that sort of money.”
"Having the benefit cap removed just so I can provide for my children would make a massive difference for my family. We’d definitely be able to get back on track financially."
Parent Talk is our online support service for parents and carers. Megan Bennett, a Parenting Coach from Parent Talk, said:
With 4.3 million children in the UK living in poverty, some parents dread the summer break as they juggle childcare and worry about the costs around keeping their children entertained over the six weeks.
Parent Talk has lots of advice articles on cost-free things to do with your children and where to get help if you’re struggling with money .
It also has a free online 1:1 webchat and WhatsApp service, where you can talk to trained parenting coaches for any advice or support – search online for ‘Parent Talk’ or visit parent-talk.org.uk.
Here's some advice on our Parent Talk site
Keep up to date with Action for Children!
Sign up to our newsletter