This article explores the expectations of inter-generational reciprocity amongst older Greek Cypriot women and men living in London from the parents' perspective. Participants engaged in a number of discourses when talking about children. These discourses, which were culturally determined, underpinned parental expectations of inter-generational reciprocity. On a day-to-day basis, older Greek Cypriots were both givers and receivers of help. Gender differences, rather than differences in age or marital status, were evident in both the giving and receiving of help. Parents' perceptions of parent–child relations were not affected by migration, and were pivotal to wellbeing in later life. The bonds between parents and children were perceived as being strong and enduring, although changing throughout the lifecourse.