How much money do parents spend on their children during the summer?

In the city, summer is often associated with skills classes, talent development, playgrounds, and many paid experiential activities for children. With school off, how much money does a parent have to spend on their child during the summer?

In the city during summer, many families take their children out to eat at shopping malls after a year of studying.

ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: THANH NAM

How much money should I spend on my children during the summer?

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (35 years old, residing on Lien Phuong Street, Phuoc Long Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Phuoc Long B Ward, Thu Duc City) said that parents spend a lot of money on their children during the summer in the city.

Like her, she had already made a list of expenses for her son, who is in 5th grade, at the beginning of May. She listed each item: swimming lessons, life skills classes, estimated costs for weekend movie outings, food expenses when taking her son out, and a short family trip . "When I added it all up, I was shocked because the amount was quite large," she said.

According to her calculations, swimming lessons alone cost nearly 3 million VND, and skills classes cost around 5 million VND, not including additional expenses such as: bubble tea, food, playgrounds, books, comics, etc.

"Taking the kids out every weekend costs at least several hundred thousand dong. Summer lasts a long time, so it adds up to a lot," she said.

Children's recreational activities increase significantly during the summer.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Similarly, Mr. Tran Minh Quan (32 years old, residing on Pham Van Bach Street, Tan Son Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Ward 15, Tan Binh District) said that his family has two young children, so summer is the time of year when expenses increase the most.

"While the children are out of school, parents have to spend money on many other things. Tutoring fees are reduced, but this is replaced by money for childcare, outings, meals, and summer activities," he recounted.

According to him, for city children today, just weekend entertainment expenses alone are quite significant. "A movie outing for the whole family costs nearly 1 million VND. If you add amusement parks and food, it could be even more. And children don't just go out once a summer," he said.

His family plans to spend around 15 million VND on their two children this summer, not including a long vacation.

Meanwhile, Ms. Le My Duyen (32 years old, residing on Nguyen Van Tiet Street, Lai Thieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Lai Thieu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province) said that what drains her the most are small but recurring expenses.

"Last summer, there were days my child asked to go paint plaster figurines, days they wanted to bake cakes, days they demanded bubble tea, books, and toys. Each time it cost a few hundred thousand dong, but at the end of the month, I realized how much it had all been spent," she recounted.

According to Ms. Duyen, last summer her family spent nearly 15 million VND on their 8-year-old daughter, even though they didn't go on a long trip. "The money wasn't in one large sum, but in many small expenses that added up," she said.

Many parents say that when summer comes, they spend a lot of money on their children's recreational activities.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

In the city during the summer, many families spend more than they planned.

Personal finance expert Do Buu Dau from Alpha Accounting Company (Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Ben Nghe Ward, District 1) believes that summer is a time when many families easily experience budget imbalances.

"Most parents only think about big expenses like swimming lessons or trips, but in reality, it's the small weekly expenses that really add up the budget," he said.

According to him, expenses such as eating out, going to amusement parks, watching movies, and weekend activities are very frequently repeated. "Spending a few million dong extra each week may not seem noticeable at the time, but after the whole summer, the total amount will be significant," he analyzed.

This expert suggests that many parents nowadays tend to spend emotionally because they fear their children will be bored during the summer break.

"Some people take their children to shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment venues every weekend, thinking it's a way to make up for lost time with them. This leads to many unplanned expenses," he said.

According to Mr. Dau, parents should create a specific budget at the beginning of the summer instead of spending as they go. "Families can clearly allocate funds such as: how much for skills training, how much for recreation, how much for travel... Having specific limits will make it easier to control spending," he recommended.

Summer is a time when children are on school break, but parents report that many expenses increase for their children's recreational activities and experiences.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

According to psychologist Le Thi Thu Thanh from the Inner Light Psychological Counseling Center (Binh Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Ward 9, District 6), many parents are unintentionally putting pressure on themselves by thinking they have to spend a lot of money to give their children a fun summer.

"Children don't need a packed summer schedule or too many expensive activities. Often, all they need is to be with their parents and have some real rest," she said.

According to Ms. Thanh, some parents nowadays easily fall into the trap of fearing their children will get bored, and therefore constantly look for activities to fill their summer vacation time.

"Some families take their children on trips, out to eat, and shopping every weekend. But sometimes children prefer simple things like cooking with their parents, cycling, or visiting their grandparents in the countryside," Ms. Thanh shared, emphasizing, "A meaningful summer isn't about the money spent, but about whether children get to rest, connect, and feel happy."

To avoid financial pressure during the summer, Ms. Tran Xuan Linh, a lecturer in personal financial management skills at the Viet Hung Accounting Practice Training Center (Duc Nhuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Ward 5, Phu Nhuan District), suggests: "Parents should plan their spending early. Limit weekend expenses. Prioritize inexpensive family activities. Don't indulge every shopping demand from children. Balance the need for experiences with financial capabilities."

How much does it cost?

• "For preschool children, the cost includes daytime childcare, trips to playgrounds, toys, food, short weekend activities, or extracurricular classes. It costs about 7-10 million VND per month per child," said Mr. Dang Chi Quang (32 years old, residing at 3.2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Ward 14, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City).
• "Elementary school children spend heavily on skills training and summer experiences. Common expenses include: swimming lessons, life skills classes, art classes, programming classes, day camps… These expenses cost around 15-20 million VND. If you have two children, it costs more," said Mr. Tran Viet An (31 years old, residing on Linh Trung Street, Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City).
• "Having a child in middle school means less money for entertainment but more for extra classes. I have to spend on summer classes, English tutoring, and soft skills classes. Besides that, my child also has a greater need for movies and food, so parents still have extra spending money during the summer. Last year, my family spent around 18 million VND on my daughter, who is in 7th grade," said Ms. Ho Minh Anh (36 years old, residing on National Highway 1K, Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Linh Xuan Ward, Thu Duc City).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phu-huynh-chi-bao-nhieu-tien-cho-con-vao-dip-he-185260518144454608.htm