What to feed 4 college boys?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be two themes to this thread.
1) What to feed 4 college boys who eat somewhat decent and healthy food
2) Hatred for hosting anybody...

I am only addressing #1

Here are the various meals I would prepare. I try not to buy too much processed foods, but at the same time, I do semi-prep foods and freeze it.

Meal 1
- Chicken curry (curry base made ahead and frozen)
- Peas pilaf
- Yogurt cucumber raita
- Store bought rotis or paranthas
- Soaked mung bean salad (Kosambri) with shredded coconut, shredded cabbage and shredded carrots. Give a nice oil tempering (tadka) with curry leaves and some spices.

Meal 2
- Carrots and cucumber idlis with peanut-tomato sauce
- Quinoa pilaf with loads of veggies and nuts, with sweet and sour eggplant in tamarind sauce.

Meal 3
- Cooked ground meat
- Tortillas, guacamole, spanish rice, beans, jarred salsa, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, and lots of sauteed veggies - onions, zucchini, green peppers, mushrooms

Meal 4
- Lasagna with lots of cooked meat and veggie, and a homemade sauce
- Salad

Meal 5
- Pork Penang curry
- Rice
- Mixed mushroom salad
- Tom Yum soup

Meal 6
- Chili
- Corn Bread
- Veggi salad
- Baked stuffed mushrooms

Meal 7
- Pulled pork
- Corn salad
- Buns

Your first 2 meals are absolutely diabolical and way too specific to certain tastes. No way I would serve that to 18/19 year old boys.

+1. I wouldn't use the word diabolical (that's hilarious) and the PP's list is great and very helpful for many other occasions.
Maybe sub in something more generic like Turkey meatballs with vegetables, noodles/potato (like a swedish meatball night) and then for the second one perhaps the quinoa pilaf with chicken sausage/pepper/onion. So keeping that theme of a loaded pilaf with vegetables and some low fat meats.

There are some great ideas on here and I love the balance of keeping things mainstream and familiar, but also healthy and delicious and also copious!

the soaked mung bean salad took me out. I am a grown adult with a very varied palate and have traveled and eaten in many countries and I think mung beans are absolutely disgusting. And so do many many other people. The fact that this would be one of your first choices to feed teenage boys is…interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

What!?

Not OP, but my son is the same way....and so am I. We limit garbage carbs like pasta, pizza, white bread, fries, and other processed carbs.

21 YO DS is the same. Not sure why that’s confusing to the ‘What!?’ Poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be two themes to this thread.
1) What to feed 4 college boys who eat somewhat decent and healthy food
2) Hatred for hosting anybody...

I am only addressing #1

Here are the various meals I would prepare. I try not to buy too much processed foods, but at the same time, I do semi-prep foods and freeze it.

Meal 1
- Chicken curry (curry base made ahead and frozen)
- Peas pilaf
- Yogurt cucumber raita
- Store bought rotis or paranthas
- Soaked mung bean salad (Kosambri) with shredded coconut, shredded cabbage and shredded carrots. Give a nice oil tempering (tadka) with curry leaves and some spices.

Meal 2
- Carrots and cucumber idlis with peanut-tomato sauce
- Quinoa pilaf with loads of veggies and nuts, with sweet and sour eggplant in tamarind sauce.

Meal 3
- Cooked ground meat
- Tortillas, guacamole, spanish rice, beans, jarred salsa, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, and lots of sauteed veggies - onions, zucchini, green peppers, mushrooms

Meal 4
- Lasagna with lots of cooked meat and veggie, and a homemade sauce
- Salad

Meal 5
- Pork Penang curry
- Rice
- Mixed mushroom salad
- Tom Yum soup

Meal 6
- Chili
- Corn Bread
- Veggi salad
- Baked stuffed mushrooms

Meal 7
- Pulled pork
- Corn salad
- Buns

Your first 2 meals are absolutely diabolical and way too specific to certain tastes. No way I would serve that to 18/19 year old boys.

+1. I wouldn't use the word diabolical (that's hilarious) and the PP's list is great and very helpful for many other occasions.
Maybe sub in something more generic like Turkey meatballs with vegetables, noodles/potato (like a swedish meatball night) and then for the second one perhaps the quinoa pilaf with chicken sausage/pepper/onion. So keeping that theme of a loaded pilaf with vegetables and some low fat meats.

There are some great ideas on here and I love the balance of keeping things mainstream and familiar, but also healthy and delicious and also copious!

the soaked mung bean salad took me out. I am a grown adult with a very varied palate and have traveled and eaten in many countries and I think mung beans are absolutely disgusting. And so do many many other people. The fact that this would be one of your first choices to feed teenage boys is…interesting.

Makes me think of Creed from The Office

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

What!?

Not OP, but my son is the same way....and so am I. We limit garbage carbs like pasta, pizza, white bread, fries, and other processed carbs.

21 YO DS is the same. Not sure why that’s confusing to the ‘What!?’ Poster.

Because teen and college aged men not eating carbs is bizarre behavior, especially if it’s just for 3 days at someone’s house. That’s OCD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

Tell them you will order pizza and if they want anything else they are welcome to stop by the grocery store and cook it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

What!?

Not OP, but my son is the same way....and so am I. We limit garbage carbs like pasta, pizza, white bread, fries, and other processed carbs.

21 YO DS is the same. Not sure why that’s confusing to the ‘What!?’ Poster.

Because teen and college aged men not eating carbs is bizarre behavior, especially if it’s just for 3 days at someone’s house. That’s OCD.

Exactly. Yes, lots of younger people are making healthier choices when it comes to food and that’s great. But not being able to be flexible for a couple days is simply not normal. If someone can’t eat carbs for a couple days that’s more of an eating disorder than a preference. Most follow the 70/30 rule which leaves room for situations exactly like this. Also, this is more of a vacation and who the heck restricts themselves on vacation? it’s absurd.

Also if you think the only carbs your son is eating at school are sweet potatoes I have a bridge to sell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Your son is in college. Have him go to the grocery store and get what he wants to eat. They can grill or you can cook for them but this shouldn't be a stress for you, he's an adult so he can be the host here.

He's not home now because he went to get the friends. He has not prepared the room, and he's not grocery shopped. Of course he said it's no big deal, whatever, they just need a place to crash...But ultimately that is not how I am comfortable hosting and I know i'd be judged if I did nothing at all.

You think a bunch of college boys are going to judge you on your hostessing? And if they did, you’d actually care?

I think you could do with some therapy or maybe an edible or ten.

I don't like hosting or people in my space. It is SO stressful for me and my family.does.not.get.it. They also pretend to be helpful while not being helpful so I end up feeling (I hate how overused that term is but it fits) gaslit which makes me more anxious.

So say no. period. Your son’s friend can’t stay. I’m sure he can find a hotel or airbnb if he doesn’t want to go back to school. I’m sure he has parents that can send him the money to pay for it. You said he is from out of the country. His parents are paying for him to go to an American college. I’m sure they can also pay for him to stay somewhere for a week. Also, if I knew someone was hosting my child for more than like one night I would be offering to pay for all the meals for the entire time my kid was there (not just my kid’s but for the whole family). I swear some people are just takers and have no shame at all about it.

This is a bizarrely aggressive conjecture. Thus far this kid hasn’t actually asked OP for a d@mn thing. Her SON asked if this kid could stay at her house. That’s it. That’s all we know.

Honestly some of you are just miserable people who will nevertheless act shocked when your adult kids don’t come around or call very often.

expecting to stay at one of your college friends’ house for more than a night or maybe two when you haven’t even met the parents is…something. And OP said her son gave info about why one of the kids needs to stay, and that specifically was what I was referring to. I’m sorry but this is a big ask.

You think it is a big ask for one of your kid’s friends to stay at your house for a week? I’d say that is a common thing that happens in college, and I’ll be so happy if my kids do this some day (and I am an introvert and NOT a natural host). I have fond memories of going to friends’ houses over the summer and breaks, several of us would go together and we’d have a great time. Also, we’ve twice had nieces/nephews stay with us for an entire summer while they interned in DC, and yes that is family but it was 10 weeks not 1!

OP, your son sounds very kind and welcoming. You could always pick up pre-prepared meals at Costco like their stuffed peppers, marinated flank of salmon, big salads, pot pies, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Your son is in college. Have him go to the grocery store and get what he wants to eat. They can grill or you can cook for them but this shouldn't be a stress for you, he's an adult so he can be the host here.

He's not home now because he went to get the friends. He has not prepared the room, and he's not grocery shopped. Of course he said it's no big deal, whatever, they just need a place to crash...But ultimately that is not how I am comfortable hosting and I know i'd be judged if I did nothing at all.

You think a bunch of college boys are going to judge you on your hostessing? And if they did, you’d actually care?

I think you could do with some therapy or maybe an edible or ten.

I don't like hosting or people in my space. It is SO stressful for me and my family.does.not.get.it. They also pretend to be helpful while not being helpful so I end up feeling (I hate how overused that term is but it fits) gaslit which makes me more anxious.

So say no. period. Your son’s friend can’t stay. I’m sure he can find a hotel or airbnb if he doesn’t want to go back to school. I’m sure he has parents that can send him the money to pay for it. You said he is from out of the country. His parents are paying for him to go to an American college. I’m sure they can also pay for him to stay somewhere for a week. Also, if I knew someone was hosting my child for more than like one night I would be offering to pay for all the meals for the entire time my kid was there (not just my kid’s but for the whole family). I swear some people are just takers and have no shame at all about it.

This is a bizarrely aggressive conjecture. Thus far this kid hasn’t actually asked OP for a d@mn thing. Her SON asked if this kid could stay at her house. That’s it. That’s all we know.

Honestly some of you are just miserable people who will nevertheless act shocked when your adult kids don’t come around or call very often.

expecting to stay at one of your college friends’ house for more than a night or maybe two when you haven’t even met the parents is…something. And OP said her son gave info about why one of the kids needs to stay, and that specifically was what I was referring to. I’m sorry but this is a big ask.

You think it is a big ask for one of your kid’s friends to stay at your house for a week? I’d say that is a common thing that happens in college, and I’ll be so happy if my kids do this some day (and I am an introvert and NOT a natural host). I have fond memories of going to friends’ houses over the summer and breaks, several of us would go together and we’d have a great time. Also, we’ve twice had nieces/nephews stay with us for an entire summer while they interned in DC, and yes that is family but it was 10 weeks not 1!

OP, your son sounds very kind and welcoming. You could always pick up pre-prepared meals at Costco like their stuffed peppers, marinated flank of salmon, big salads, pot pies, etc.

I think the issue here is more the food preferences than anything else. I think if you are staying at someone’s house for an extended period of time you should be grateful and not have severe preferences like “no carbs” (obviously barring any actual medical diagnosis which clearly isn’t the case here). I’m sorry but I would be mortified if one of my kids went to stay with another family and had specific requests such as that. It’s one thing to say “i’m allergic to shellfish” and quite another to say “I limit all carbs so no pasta, bread, pizza etc…”

[Anonymous]

Just do easy pizza, hamburgers, lasagne. Premade salad, pasta salad, veggie plate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Your son is in college. Have him go to the grocery store and get what he wants to eat. They can grill or you can cook for them but this shouldn't be a stress for you, he's an adult so he can be the host here.

He's not home now because he went to get the friends. He has not prepared the room, and he's not grocery shopped. Of course he said it's no big deal, whatever, they just need a place to crash...But ultimately that is not how I am comfortable hosting and I know i'd be judged if I did nothing at all.

You think a bunch of college boys are going to judge you on your hostessing? And if they did, you’d actually care?

I think you could do with some therapy or maybe an edible or ten.

I don't like hosting or people in my space. It is SO stressful for me and my family.does.not.get.it. They also pretend to be helpful while not being helpful so I end up feeling (I hate how overused that term is but it fits) gaslit which makes me more anxious.

So say no. period. Your son’s friend can’t stay. I’m sure he can find a hotel or airbnb if he doesn’t want to go back to school. I’m sure he has parents that can send him the money to pay for it. You said he is from out of the country. His parents are paying for him to go to an American college. I’m sure they can also pay for him to stay somewhere for a week. Also, if I knew someone was hosting my child for more than like one night I would be offering to pay for all the meals for the entire time my kid was there (not just my kid’s but for the whole family). I swear some people are just takers and have no shame at all about it.

This is a bizarrely aggressive conjecture. Thus far this kid hasn’t actually asked OP for a d@mn thing. Her SON asked if this kid could stay at her house. That’s it. That’s all we know.

Honestly some of you are just miserable people who will nevertheless act shocked when your adult kids don’t come around or call very often.

expecting to stay at one of your college friends’ house for more than a night or maybe two when you haven’t even met the parents is…something. And OP said her son gave info about why one of the kids needs to stay, and that specifically was what I was referring to. I’m sorry but this is a big ask.

You think it is a big ask for one of your kid’s friends to stay at your house for a week? I’d say that is a common thing that happens in college, and I’ll be so happy if my kids do this some day (and I am an introvert and NOT a natural host). I have fond memories of going to friends’ houses over the summer and breaks, several of us would go together and we’d have a great time. Also, we’ve twice had nieces/nephews stay with us for an entire summer while they interned in DC, and yes that is family but it was 10 weeks not 1!

OP, your son sounds very kind and welcoming. You could always pick up pre-prepared meals at Costco like their stuffed peppers, marinated flank of salmon, big salads, pot pies, etc.

I think the issue here is more the food preferences than anything else. I think if you are staying at someone’s house for an extended period of time you should be grateful and not have severe preferences like “no carbs” (obviously barring any actual medical diagnosis which clearly isn’t the case here). I’m sorry but I would be mortified if one of my kids went to stay with another family and had specific requests such as that. It’s one thing to say “i’m allergic to shellfish” and quite another to say “I limit all carbs so no pasta, bread, pizza etc…”

It's OP's son who doesn't eat carbs...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Your son is in college. Have him go to the grocery store and get what he wants to eat. They can grill or you can cook for them but this shouldn't be a stress for you, he's an adult so he can be the host here.

He's not home now because he went to get the friends. He has not prepared the room, and he's not grocery shopped. Of course he said it's no big deal, whatever, they just need a place to crash...But ultimately that is not how I am comfortable hosting and I know i'd be judged if I did nothing at all.

You think a bunch of college boys are going to judge you on your hostessing? And if they did, you’d actually care?

I think you could do with some therapy or maybe an edible or ten.

I don't like hosting or people in my space. It is SO stressful for me and my family.does.not.get.it. They also pretend to be helpful while not being helpful so I end up feeling (I hate how overused that term is but it fits) gaslit which makes me more anxious.

So say no. period. Your son’s friend can’t stay. I’m sure he can find a hotel or airbnb if he doesn’t want to go back to school. I’m sure he has parents that can send him the money to pay for it. You said he is from out of the country. His parents are paying for him to go to an American college. I’m sure they can also pay for him to stay somewhere for a week. Also, if I knew someone was hosting my child for more than like one night I would be offering to pay for all the meals for the entire time my kid was there (not just my kid’s but for the whole family). I swear some people are just takers and have no shame at all about it.

This is a bizarrely aggressive conjecture. Thus far this kid hasn’t actually asked OP for a d@mn thing. Her SON asked if this kid could stay at her house. That’s it. That’s all we know.

Honestly some of you are just miserable people who will nevertheless act shocked when your adult kids don’t come around or call very often.

expecting to stay at one of your college friends’ house for more than a night or maybe two when you haven’t even met the parents is…something. And OP said her son gave info about why one of the kids needs to stay, and that specifically was what I was referring to. I’m sorry but this is a big ask.

Asking =/= expecting

The kid doesn’t have anywhere else to go. That reason doesn’t exactly scream entitled taker to normal people.

You sound insane.

He is from out of the country (that’s what was stated). Money = a place to go. If his parents could afford to send him out of the country for college, you can bet he always has a place to go. He’s not homeless. He could have 1. stayed at school. Yeah he would probably be mostly alone but he is an adult, he would be absolutely fine. 2. Stay in a hotel somewhere else if he wanted. 3. stay at an airbnb if he wanted. It’s one thing to stay a night or two. It’s a whole other thing to stay a week.

So yeah I guess i’m insane because if this was my kid I probably wouldn’t even let him stay at someone else’s family house for that long-because I wouldn’t feel right about it. And if I did i’d be paying the host, generously so she wouldn’t have to cook for my kid.

You sound nuts lady. Many people are more warm and inviting than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Your son is in college. Have him go to the grocery store and get what he wants to eat. They can grill or you can cook for them but this shouldn't be a stress for you, he's an adult so he can be the host here.

He's not home now because he went to get the friends. He has not prepared the room, and he's not grocery shopped. Of course he said it's no big deal, whatever, they just need a place to crash...But ultimately that is not how I am comfortable hosting and I know i'd be judged if I did nothing at all.

You think a bunch of college boys are going to judge you on your hostessing? And if they did, you’d actually care?

I think you could do with some therapy or maybe an edible or ten.

I don't like hosting or people in my space. It is SO stressful for me and my family.does.not.get.it. They also pretend to be helpful while not being helpful so I end up feeling (I hate how overused that term is but it fits) gaslit which makes me more anxious.

So say no. period. Your son’s friend can’t stay. I’m sure he can find a hotel or airbnb if he doesn’t want to go back to school. I’m sure he has parents that can send him the money to pay for it. You said he is from out of the country. His parents are paying for him to go to an American college. I’m sure they can also pay for him to stay somewhere for a week. Also, if I knew someone was hosting my child for more than like one night I would be offering to pay for all the meals for the entire time my kid was there (not just my kid’s but for the whole family). I swear some people are just takers and have no shame at all about it.

This is a bizarrely aggressive conjecture. Thus far this kid hasn’t actually asked OP for a d@mn thing. Her SON asked if this kid could stay at her house. That’s it. That’s all we know.

Honestly some of you are just miserable people who will nevertheless act shocked when your adult kids don’t come around or call very often.

expecting to stay at one of your college friends’ house for more than a night or maybe two when you haven’t even met the parents is…something. And OP said her son gave info about why one of the kids needs to stay, and that specifically was what I was referring to. I’m sorry but this is a big ask.

You think it is a big ask for one of your kid’s friends to stay at your house for a week? I’d say that is a common thing that happens in college, and I’ll be so happy if my kids do this some day (and I am an introvert and NOT a natural host). I have fond memories of going to friends’ houses over the summer and breaks, several of us would go together and we’d have a great time. Also, we’ve twice had nieces/nephews stay with us for an entire summer while they interned in DC, and yes that is family but it was 10 weeks not 1!

OP, your son sounds very kind and welcoming. You could always pick up pre-prepared meals at Costco like their stuffed peppers, marinated flank of salmon, big salads, pot pies, etc.

I think the issue here is more the food preferences than anything else. I think if you are staying at someone’s house for an extended period of time you should be grateful and not have severe preferences like “no carbs” (obviously barring any actual medical diagnosis which clearly isn’t the case here). I’m sorry but I would be mortified if one of my kids went to stay with another family and had specific requests such as that. It’s one thing to say “i’m allergic to shellfish” and quite another to say “I limit all carbs so no pasta, bread, pizza etc…”

It's OP's son who doesn't eat carbs...

She mentioned she assumes the friend is the same since they all “work out”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Your son is in college. Have him go to the grocery store and get what he wants to eat. They can grill or you can cook for them but this shouldn't be a stress for you, he's an adult so he can be the host here.

He's not home now because he went to get the friends. He has not prepared the room, and he's not grocery shopped. Of course he said it's no big deal, whatever, they just need a place to crash...But ultimately that is not how I am comfortable hosting and I know i'd be judged if I did nothing at all.

You think a bunch of college boys are going to judge you on your hostessing? And if they did, you’d actually care?

I think you could do with some therapy or maybe an edible or ten.

I don't like hosting or people in my space. It is SO stressful for me and my family.does.not.get.it. They also pretend to be helpful while not being helpful so I end up feeling (I hate how overused that term is but it fits) gaslit which makes me more anxious.

So say no. period. Your son’s friend can’t stay. I’m sure he can find a hotel or airbnb if he doesn’t want to go back to school. I’m sure he has parents that can send him the money to pay for it. You said he is from out of the country. His parents are paying for him to go to an American college. I’m sure they can also pay for him to stay somewhere for a week. Also, if I knew someone was hosting my child for more than like one night I would be offering to pay for all the meals for the entire time my kid was there (not just my kid’s but for the whole family). I swear some people are just takers and have no shame at all about it.

This is a bizarrely aggressive conjecture. Thus far this kid hasn’t actually asked OP for a d@mn thing. Her SON asked if this kid could stay at her house. That’s it. That’s all we know.

Honestly some of you are just miserable people who will nevertheless act shocked when your adult kids don’t come around or call very often.

expecting to stay at one of your college friends’ house for more than a night or maybe two when you haven’t even met the parents is…something. And OP said her son gave info about why one of the kids needs to stay, and that specifically was what I was referring to. I’m sorry but this is a big ask.

You think it is a big ask for one of your kid’s friends to stay at your house for a week? I’d say that is a common thing that happens in college, and I’ll be so happy if my kids do this some day (and I am an introvert and NOT a natural host). I have fond memories of going to friends’ houses over the summer and breaks, several of us would go together and we’d have a great time. Also, we’ve twice had nieces/nephews stay with us for an entire summer while they interned in DC, and yes that is family but it was 10 weeks not 1!

OP, your son sounds very kind and welcoming. You could always pick up pre-prepared meals at Costco like their stuffed peppers, marinated flank of salmon, big salads, pot pies, etc.

Omg that's my nightmare

[Anonymous]

Pick up some Peruvian rotisserie chicken + sides and roast some broccoli. Offer ice cream and fruit for dessert. Done.

Make sure you have eggs, bread, deli meat, baby carrots, bananas, apples in the house. Maybe some chicken breasts and ground beef.

You don’t have to cook all meals for them. I don’t think the boys will expect that. I’ve had college kids stay several times and they are pretty independent. They go out for lunch or door dash food when hungry or they cook basic stuff for themselves. I cook when I can and occasionally I order takeout. You don’t have to socialize with them a whole lot. Have one or two 30 minute dinners with them. That’s it. If I don’t have time to make beds, I tell my son and his friends where the clean bedding is and they do it. Try to enjoy it a little bit. It is only during the college years that this happens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pick up some Peruvian rotisserie chicken + sides and roast some broccoli. Offer ice cream and fruit for dessert. Done.

Make sure you have eggs, bread, deli meat, baby carrots, bananas, apples in the house. Maybe some chicken breasts and ground beef.

You don’t have to cook all meals for them. I don’t think the boys will expect that. I’ve had college kids stay several times and they are pretty independent. They go out for lunch or door dash food when hungry or they cook basic stuff for themselves. I cook when I can and occasionally I order takeout. You don’t have to socialize with them a whole lot. Have one or two 30 minute dinners with them. That’s it. If I don’t have time to make beds, I tell my son and his friends where the clean bedding is and they do it. Try to enjoy it a little bit. It is only during the college years that this happens

This is the right answer. A few general things that they can cook themselves. They are adults. You can invite them to eat dinners you make and if it doesn’t meet their preferences they can make something themselves from what you have for them or they can get their own food. Done. They aren’t 5.

FYI my in-laws are like this somewhat. And even when I tried to make things within their preferences they wouldn’t eat it. So I just stopped cooking for them. I tell them we can order in or they can go out and get their own food. I’m not running a resort.