What do parents typically pay for for their adult children?

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This is just me being nosey really and seeing what other people’s families are like. Question as in the title, what do your parents pay for? Ours pay for holidays, meals out and clothes for the grandchildren. If I have money when we are older I would love to treat our children and grandchildren and pay for things for them. If you’re the parent/grandparents, what do you pay for for your children? I’m on about adult children that don’t live with you. I know some grandparents pay mortgage payments and school fees! I’m not so much asking on opinions, I know peoples opinions will differ on this.

Mine pay for upkeep on my car and will give my DC a lump sum towards uni costs when the time comes. I’m a single mother and they know I struggle to pay for extras.

Student accommodation.

Me paying for kid who is about to not live with me.

My parents don't contribute at all. I support my young adults with uni top ups, lifts and other stuff as needed.

I pay 20k per year for 4 years for uni fees, living expenses and accommodation.

After that they are mainly on their own except if they live here where they won’t pay over the odds for food, bills or accommodation.

I received nothing post 18 and neither did DH. We have each started to gift the tax free gift max of 3k each to DS each year.

My parents wouldn’t have paid for any of that: presents and little treats and a fair share of the cost of outings.

They gave my kids £10 each to spend on holiday and gave us £50 towards the holiday itself, which was kind and unexpected. Usually we take turns buying meals out/coffees. Everything i have (house, car etc) has been gained though my own blood sweat and tears with no parental input. I would like to help my children more than we have been helped.

I haven’t received a penny from my parents since I was 18. They have never paid for a single thing despite being reasonably wealthy. They very much come from the era of expecting their kids to stand on their own 2 feet once they are adults.

I won’t be the same with my DS. He can have the lot as far as I am concerned. I’d rather that than losing chunks in IHT.

My parents have never paid for anything, although they do chuck us 50 quid here and there for the kids birthdays. And if we are together they may pay for coffee and cake or a drink etc, although I wont usually allow them! Money was tight growing up and they couldn't afford to support us through uni (took out full loan and had a part time job, and came home and worked during the holidays) so now my siblings and I have far more money than my parents. We contribute to our parents costs actually. Can't imagine a life where parents paid for my holidays?! I know it obviously happens though.

My mum tends to pay for meals out for me and coffee/cake etc although I always try and pay and sometimes insist, she likes to do it. She'll tend to pay for holiday accommodation if we go away together as a family but they couldn't go without me as I'm the driver and I would struggle to afford it but we are talking a week a year in a UK cottage nothing more extravagant.

We went through a rough few years and every so often my mum would say ‘give me your electricity bill’ and she’d pay it. My aunt bought us some oil a few times too. I’ll never forget it. When I was in college my dad used to say ‘we won’t always be here to help so let us help now’ (he sadly died a long while ago now) and he’d go guarantor or a loan or pass me a hundred or two to help out. I’m only on mw so going to have to figure out something so someday I can do the same with my now teens

We have 5 (blended family) and pay their health insurance, car upkeep and phones. Also an annual skiing trip.

If we go out for food my mother pays for it. She pays for a lot more for my sister but my sister is single and lives in the next street so it’s just incidentals.

I thought the 3k was the total you were allowed to gift tax free?

Ooh I love threads like this.

I’m the adult child (my children are under 5). My mum will pay for meals out, has paid for a holiday (everything!), pays for a hobby for children. Mum will often buy them gifts / books but doesn’t see DC much given distance. Dad zilch, but he struggles with money.

MIL is opposite to mine. She pays for a meal exceptionally rarely, divides meals out to the pound, no holidays/hobbies. Hardly buys children anything outside of bdays, but she does look after them once a week.

To add, they both have plenty of money, just very different attitudes.

Like OP, I’d love to be able to treat my children and their children one day, from big things to small.

Dh’s parents give dd £1200 per year towards uni costs.
We support dd at university and probably give Ds £3k per year to reduce IHT bill.

When I took partial retirement I gave each of my adult children a few thousand from my lump sum towards house deposits . It makes me happy that I could help them. Unfortunately my long term relationship broke up soon after and I had to move out with my youngest child . It meant taking another job but I don’t regret what I did . A few years later my situation has improved. I like to pay for meals etc and give my grandchildren spending money.

I’m old and I used to pay for the train fare when they come to see me ( because I want to see them )
Paid for the Airbnb for a family wedding
We pay for dinner out when we go and see them
Why Would we not

My DC are 20’s and 30’s, I pay for holidays, date out, meals out, massive deposits for homes, 1k overpayment off their mortgage most months.

My parents ha, nothing! Looked after myself since I was a young teen. Even had to pay for my own clothes etc. I help my adult child where I can. Partner bought his adult child a house.

We have 3 adult children
The eldest has mental health issues and is on long term sickness benefit. We pay £300 pm towards their rent and all their utilities and car costs. They say they wouldn’t still be here without our support.
We have another child who lives rent free in my late father’s house with their 3 children. We help with car costs and help with child care.
Our third child came home during Covid and now has bought a house with a substantial deposit from us that puts them on an equal footing with the others.
It’s amazing that we are able to support all of them without going without ourselves.
I left home at 17 and had no help although my mother gave me £600 when I got married as she said everyone should have a “ running away from home” fund!

A pub meal roughly half the time that we eat out, and we pay the other half, as we’re all adults.

Edit to clarify: I’m talking about my parents, not children.

I've supported my two sons through school and college. My parents haven't paid for anything for over 10 years.
I know if I'm stuck and ask they will help but..... I'd rather not