asking for money for hosting teens tacky?

[Anonymous]

DH and I were talking last night and I’d love a third-party perspective.

Our 17-year-old son is planning to have around 7 friends stay at our beach house for five nights this summer, and we’re more than happy to host. I’ll plan on having breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the boys (and probably ordering pizza one night), plus having snacks around etc… though I’m sure the boys will also grab food when they’re out.

My question is: would it be tacky to ask each parent to Venmo a small amount to help cover food for the week? If so, how much I am leaning towards yes. DH brought it up- I wouldn’t think twice about covering it if it were a one-time thing, but last summer we had kids in and out nearly every weekend. I love having the kids there and am always happy to have extra kids around so I don’t want this to imply any different.

[Anonymous]

YES TACKY

[Anonymous]

It's pretty tacky. On the other hand, if I were one of the teens' parents, I would have proactively asked for your Venmo and insisted on sending a contribution.

[Anonymous]

If I were the parent I would offer, but inviting and asking for money isn't good. Since this is a week and a lot of kids, I might ask each family if the would send a box of snacks, or breakfast items, or drinks to offset somethings. I think most families would do that, and kids will pick things they like which makes feeding them easier.

in my adult world, some friends get together for vacations like this and we each take a meal.

[Anonymous]

Its tacky to ask. Its also tacky of their parents not to offer to Venmo you a contribution.

[Anonymous]

I would think that the parents of high school kids would be sending their kids with some money.

[Anonymous]

It’s tacky. But if any of the parents offer, definitely accept!

Other than meals at home, are you paying for everyone if you go out?? Or do all the kids bring their own spending money and dining out money?

[Anonymous]

Wow, super tacky. The fact you have to ask...

You're going to invite them then ask them for money? Do realize how that sounds?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s tacky to ask. If it were just one or two friends, it would be. But seven 17 year olds for five nights? That’s a lot of food.

[Anonymous]

Yes, very tacky. Supposedly, you can afford a huge beach house but not food for the kids? Rich people are the cheapest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s tacky to ask. If it were just one or two friends, it would be. But seven 17 year olds for five nights? That’s a lot of food.

Then don't invite 7!

[Anonymous]

You could talk to your son too. If kids ask what they should bring, he could say "bring a bunch of snacks and drinks to share" and that can offset some of it.

But I think I'd just go to Costco and buy a bunch of food. The few hundred dollars extra that I'd spend is well worth the fun I know my kids would have with their friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s tacky to ask. If it were just one or two friends, it would be. But seven 17 year olds for five nights? That’s a lot of food.

Then don't invite 7!

I don’t know, it sounds more like 8 kids are lucky to have a free beach house to use for their own trip. Not so much that they’re invited guests of the OP. (Even though she worded it that way. I have a 17 year old and that’s how I’d see it.)

[Anonymous]

I would just remind the parents that their kids should bring things like sunscreen, money for when they grab lunch out or go shopping, pack snacks that they particularly like and want to share with the other kids, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s tacky to ask. If it were just one or two friends, it would be. But seven 17 year olds for five nights? That’s a lot of food.

Then don't invite 7!

I don’t know, it sounds more like 8 kids are lucky to have a free beach house to use for their own trip. Not so much that they’re invited guests of the OP. (Even though she worded it that way. I have a 17 year old and that’s how I’d see it.)

This is exactly it! Happy to have them but at this age also view them as independent. Anyhow, I will convince DH we don’t need to ask and just cover it.