Sue, have you ever sat the kids down together and gone through the finances? Shown them exactly what's coming in and what has to go out and just how little is left over for extras. I know my own kids were genuinely shocked when I told them how much the phone calls to their grandparents in England were costing - up until then they didn't have a clue.

Families all have to pull together and I honestly believe there's not a chance of that happening when information isn't being shared.

Apologies if you've already tried this but if not then it's got to be worth a try.