Guest room for HS athletes

[Anonymous]

We live outside of US currently and our school requires parents of varsity athletes to host traveling athletes. I have daughters, so I need help for teen boy needs.

We have a very small guest room with a nearby but not adjoining bath. I have switched the bed to twin beds. I have lots of towels on shelves in the room. I have a small table and 2 chairs for homework/ stuff. I am in the process of getting a WiFi extender so the service is better in the room.

I was thinking of having a small basket of travel toiletries (like wrapped toothbrush/ toothpaste, combs, soap, shampoo etc) with a note to help themselves.

I have hooks on the back of the door to hang things. Would you have robes available? We have one that we keep in there for DD’s friend who comes over to swim/ sleep over. But I’m not sure that is a thing for most teenagers.

What else would you have? Is a first aid kit too much?

We can’t keep food in bedrooms, but I could possibly set out a snack basket and directions to self-serve snacks. My mom is saying all teen boys are hungry all of the time.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think a robe is necessary but nice to have. The toiletries are a nice touch but he has probably brought his own. Honestly, most teen boys are not very picky about those things.

I’d definitely provide snacks and drinks- you can just put them in the pantry or fridge and direct him to help himself. My teen boys like protein bars, fruit, cheese, & of course junky snacks like potato chips or crackers. Maybe a small selection of sports drinks- Gatorade, Prime etc.

[Anonymous]

Robe is nice - do terry cloth so they cause it with the shower. I wouldn't worry about buying any special for food. Maybe keep a few packs of underwear in different sizes and socks. I think it's odd your school requires you to take in traveling athletes, especially of the opposite gender of your kids. That seems like its asking for trouble.

[Anonymous]

It is definitely new to us. The visiting athletes come in pairs for safety- so we’ll have 2 teen boys or 2 teen girls. We won’t know which until the day before.

My kids always forget something when they pack. We have a girl toiletry kit with pads/ tampons etc.

I will make a grocery list in advance. I think I need to write down the WiFi password too.

Last minute dinner guests stress me out, much less overnight guests.

[Anonymous]

I would ask them to only assign you female guests, given your situation. They should be able to accommodate.

[Anonymous]

This is very nice of you, OP. It would be nice to leave in the room: bath towels, phone charger, wifi password, a toothbrush and tooth paste, a few water bottles, and a little container with band aids, neosporin, qtips. I think a robe is unecessary.

For food, I would not leave anything in the room but would point out where we keep pantry items and say to help themselves to anything in there or fridge. I’m not clear if you are looking for food ideas? If so, I’d say standard stuff like bananas, apples, oranges, yogurts, cereal and milk, cheese, bread (toast), granola bars, chips, yogurts, etc. And yes for dinners make enough for 4 extra teens even if there are only two staying with you .

[Anonymous]

How long are the stays? Just a night or two for a game? I can not imagine changing my wifi etc for that.

[Anonymous]

No robes. Maybe something for dirty clothes, boys stink! Shave cream, disposable razors, extra toothbrush and toothpaste. Antiperspirant (spray on so they can share) soap and all over body wash/shampoo option for showers. Advil/tylonal, pepto, antacids and any first aid they might need relating to their sport. Power cord if there aren’t two separate outlets available in the room for them to charge devices.

Lots of snacks available in the kitchen that do not require any assistance. Maybe a basket of apples, bananas and mandarin oranges as well as cliff bars or other protein bars and something salty like goldfish crackers. Also have some hydration drinks (liquid IV packets are a good option) Boys eat a lot, doesn’t have to be junk but they eat and drink a lot!

[Anonymous]

I think everything you described sounds lovely. As others have mentioned, the main thing teen boy athletes are concerned with is food. Have lots of it - way more than you find reasonable!!

[Anonymous]

We just hosted a teen boy in a similar situation. Make sure there's a garbage pail and laundry basket in the room. Print and frame the WIFI name and password. I wouldn't do a robe. Everything else seems great! Especially having a basket of toiletries and first aid stuff.

[Anonymous]

It's so nice of you to think about their needs. I have 3 teenage sons and yes, they are hungry so extra food/snacks/beverages is a great idea. Protein based snacks are a big deal for them as athletes (maybe that's a US trend, but they're all into tracking protein).

I don't think you need to provide them with any clothes. I'm not quite clear how long they are staying with you, but if laundry will happen, a laundry basket would be nice. I notice you said you're putting hooks in the room, but make sure you have a place for them to hang their bath towels so they can dry (in the room is fine if that's what you prefer).

[Anonymous]

Can I pay for a hotel for them instead of buying a house for strangers?

[Anonymous]

Wow, I would hate being forced to do this! TBH! I love teens but would be stressed to host this way.

I agree with the others- for teen boys, WIFI and lots of food/snacks are the main things. For meals I would plan at least 2x the amount of food you would normally serve to an adult- teen boys do eat a lot. Usually they aren’t too picky about food- and definitely don’t be afraid to do some convenience foods or get takeout etc sometimes to make things easier on you.

Garbage pail and laundry hamper in the room are both great ideas. Toiletries and first aid stuff is great. Teen boys can be kind of mildly gross (I have two, lol) so these hygiene related things are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live outside of US currently and our school requires parents of varsity athletes to host traveling athletes. I have daughters, so I need help for teen boy needs.

We have a very small guest room with a nearby but not adjoining bath. I have switched the bed to twin beds. I have lots of towels on shelves in the room. I have a small table and 2 chairs for homework/ stuff. I am in the process of getting a WiFi extender so the service is better in the room.

I was thinking of having a small basket of travel toiletries (like wrapped toothbrush/ toothpaste, combs, soap, shampoo etc) with a note to help themselves.

I have hooks on the back of the door to hang things. Would you have robes available? We have one that we keep in there for DD’s friend who comes over to swim/ sleep over. But I’m not sure that is a thing for most teenagers.

What else would you have? Is a first aid kit too much?

We can’t keep food in bedrooms, but I could possibly set out a snack basket and directions to self-serve snacks. My mom is saying all teen boys are hungry all of the time.

which school is this? This would be a hard no for me especially if I have girls at home

[Anonymous]

Sounds like fun.

I don’t think teen boys will share a dirty clothes hamper. Consider buying a few cheap cotton cloth laundry bags to hang on hooks (off the bed post or behind the door). Easier for wash and no big deal if they disappear. And on hooks, they take up less space in a shared room than a basket.

Wifi sign (indicate time it shuts off, if applicable)
Tissues / hand wipes
Trash can
Washcloths and towels in room
Reading lamps
Extra blankets
Non-crumbly snacks