School holidays 'cost' £2,000

Updated 11.18 Wed Jul 23 2008
Keywords: cost, families, holidays, School

The average British family of four will spend £2,000 entertaining their children over the 6-week summer holiday.

General entertainment, such as trips to swimming pools, theme parks, bowling alleys and having lunch out will set parents back an extra £95.66 a week or £573.96 in total, according to research from a parenting club.

The research indicates that 60 per cent of mums and dads will be forced to cut back dramatically on their own luxuries to afford the summer break for their children

Six in ten families have been saving specifically for the summer in the hope they won't disappoint their children.

Yet still more than half of parents are dreading the financial burden of the holidays, and worry they won't be able to meet their children's expectations.

The research indicates that 60 per cent of mums and dads will be forced to cut back dramatically on their own luxuries to afford the summer break for their children.

Financial expert Jasmine Birtles said: "It's understandable that parents want to give their children happy memories, especially during the long summer holidays. However, they shouldn't risk spending beyond their means just because they need to entertain the children."

She added: "It's hard, but parents need to learn that they must not bow to pressure from their children or from what other families are up to. If they do their spending could spiral out of control and that will cause more problems for the family."

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