Should I accept?

[Mummywheel]

My parents have just told me that they plan to give us some money. The reason for this is that my brother has just found out that he is going to be a Dad (unplanned but very happy) and my parents have offered to help him and his girlfriend out financially (brother has a few debts).

Both have full time jobs but only been together for a year and lived together for about six months.

My parents feel that as they are doing this for my brother they feel they should do the same for us.

Over the years we have had to struggle ourselves but never expected my parents to help us out.

I can't help but feel a little uncomfortable about accepting as I think they should both spend the money on themselves as they have both worked hard all their lives. On the other hand I am always making sure I treat both my ds's equally. Although we do not need the money, it would come in handy.WWYD

of course you should accept!

It is a gift - take it in the spirit it has been offered

I owuld ask them whether they can afford it without compromising their lifestyle.

My PIL gave us some money to help buy a new house, and once we had checked the above, we took it with gratitiude. They were very happy to be in a position to help their children. They had planned for it, and it was what they wanted to do. I very much hope we can do the same for ours when they have families.

Why don't you accept and then do something nice for them in return? Buy them dinner in a restaurant that they would never usually go to? send them on a weekend away?

Can your parents afford this without jepoardising their future as pensioners?
If so then perhaps i would accept. if i was in any doubt about their finances or thought they would be going without then i wouldn't.

I wouldn't take it. Myparents have helped my sister out to the tune of about £60k over the years and have occasionally given us a couple of thousand, but that's fair enough, my sister was a lone parent and on a low wage for a long time and we fortunately didn't need handouts.

If giving you an equal amount means that they could be struggling in the future, I think you're morally obliged to refuse it, but if it makes them feel better, you could suggest that you make a will to say that the gift to your sibling is recognised and that you first have a bequest in the same amount before equal distribution of the balance on the second death.

Sorry, that THEY make a will.

Both say that it would not affect their future finacially. They both live well. They have already made a will.

Thanks for all your good advice.