What is a reasonable contribution to DDs holiday with friends ?

[espressotogo]

My DD (12) has been invited to go on holiday with her best friend for 2 weeks which both girls are really excited about. Best friend is an only child and the family are going to Spain for 2 weeks in a friends self catering apartment. Following on from another thread on here about days out - I offered to pay for DDs flight which they accepted (£280) . I'll send my DD with spending money but I wanted to make a contribution to DDs 'keep' ie: meals out, food at the apartment etc. Should I offer and what would be a reasonable amount ?

[TheHouseOnBellSt]

Two weeks.....hmm....it's hard because if I were the other parents I wouldn't want anything. Perhaps you could offer £50? If they refuse it, then just get them a nice gift when they come back?

[TokenGinger]

I'd speak to the parents and ask them. Some people may cook for themselves when self-catering. And others like to go to restaurants every night. So I'd ask the parents what they plan to do and how much they'd like for food.

[MaidOfStars]

2 weeks. £5 a meal/drinks? £10 a day. Maybe £100-150 for keep?

[RonaldMcDonald]

Send £50 per week for food as a minimum

[espressotogo]

I was thinking £100 might be reasonable ? They haven't and wouldn't ask for anything but they're not loaded so I think they would appreciate it ?

[grapejuicerocks]

Tbh I think that they are getting something out of inviting your dd or they wouldn't have invited her anyway, so I don't think you need to cover all her costs. £280 is a lot of money anyway, so a bit more to cover her meals or a meal out for everyone, is a nice offer, but only if you can afford it. If it will be a struggle then I think send her with a bit of spending money is all you need to do.

It's different if course if they asked her to go and said it will be ... much.

[MaidOfStars]

I think £100 sounds fine. She's going to be sharing pizzas/pasta, drinking cheap pop. I wouldn't invite a child's friend without expecting to pay full whack - £100 is reasonable, not tight, a goid gesture (IMO).

[MaidOfStars]

Goid? Good.

[espressotogo]

Yes tbh, they are benefitting from it, they like to chill out in the sun which is much easier when their DD has a friend with her :) . My DD is pretty low maintenance. Has never liked pop and will only drink water usually tap and doesn't like ice cream or ice lollies ! I'll offer the £100 as that feels right. WWYD if they refuse ? Would you insist or is that rude ?
We don't offer with days out and would refuse any offers of money from parents if we'd taken out their DCs but I think a 2 week holiday is a bit different

[Fatmomma99]

We only have one child - a DD and she is VERY social, so for her days out with boring mum and dad are tedious. For her any event is enhanced when she has a friend to share it with. Because we only have 1, all and any spare income tends to go on her, so by many of her friends' standards she has done and gets a LOT of good stuff - theme parks, holidays, etc.
Her BFF is the middle of 3, and her parents are SKINT. (and the most fabulous, committed and loving parents I have ever met)

We often invite BFF to accompany us.

We haven't - yet - invited her on holiday, but I could see us doing it. But we've taken her to theme parks, camping overnight and theatre trips. Her parents ALWAYS pay her way (and they wouldn't have it any other way, even though we've said we're doing it for DD and wouldn't ask for the money) and give her spends and often buy us a bottle of wine or similar for taking her.

WE get the advantage (and she's a lovely girl, that I'm happy to claim credit for her good manners etc when we're out). And we do make of a point of treating her beyond what her parents are paying for (little things).

I guess that's why it works.

[MaidOfStars]

WWYD if they refuse

'Well, have it for a nice dinner, on me, cheers!'