Two thirds of parents (64 percent) hope the financial relationship with their adult children will shift by the time their child turns 30, with many looking forward to no longer providing regular support and instead being treated by their children in return.
The research, commissioned by digital wealth manager Moneyfarm, found that parents would like to see a reversal in financial responsibility by the time their children reach their early thirties.
According to the findings, parents hope to be treated to a drink at the pub by the age of 25, a meal out by 27, and a day out by the age of 28. By the time their children turn 33, parents would like to be taken on a UK staycation or minibreak, and by 36, they hope to be treated to a holiday abroad.
One in four parents (23 percent) would like to be taken for a glass of wine or cocktail by their adult child, while 44 percent would consider it a significant milestone to be treated to a simple cup of coffee.
Other treats parents would like to receive include a day out (43 percent), a trip to the theatre (21 percent), a holiday at home or abroad (20 percent), and a spa day (16 percent).
Until that point, many parents continue to offer significant financial help. Seven in ten (69 percent) said they regularly pay for items such as clothes, holidays and bills for their adult children, at an average of £324 per month.
Most parents (79 percent) still give birthday and Christmas presents to their children, but only 17 percent said they occasionally receive a gift in return. Thirteen percent said they never receive one.
Four in ten parents (41 percent) admitted to feeling annoyed at how much they still spend supporting their adult children.
Some parents indicated that, if their children were in a financial position to do so, they would accept more substantial support. Thirteen percent would welcome help with day-to-day expenses, 11 percent would accept assistance with home renovations tailored to ageing, nine percent would allow contributions to rent or mortgage payments, and eight percent would permit their children to pay off the remainder of their mortgage.
Small gestures are also valued. More than half (55 percent) of parents said they would like their adult child to cook them a full roast dinner. However, 38 percent admitted they have never been invited to a meal that their child has cooked or paid for themselves.
Chris Rudden, Head of Investment Consultants at Moneyfarm, said: “It is evident that many parents are quietly hoping for a financial tipping point, where the years of giving gradually give way, from the age of 30, to moments of receiving.
“While it is clear that most parents are happy to continue financially helping their children well into adulthood, there is clearly a growing desire to see that support reciprocated in meaningful ways. From small acts like an invite to dinner or a home-cooked meal to bigger gestures, if they can be afforded, these milestones reflect a shift in how families view financial inter-dependence.
“These financial milestones represent more than transactions, they are about finding joy and satisfaction in your children thriving enough to be able to give back.”
Despite this, 88 percent of parents believe they should support their children financially at any age if needed. More than a third (37 percent) believe that today’s younger generation will never be able to afford many of the things their parents could, including cars, homes and expensive holidays.
The research, conducted by Perspectus Global in June 2025, surveyed 2,000 UK parents with children aged over 25.