Eek - have teenage DDs and taking teenage boys as lodgers for a while.

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

I'm used to girls. I've never dealt with boys. What do I need to know??

[EdithWeston]

The times of things like their school day and any clubs/commitments so you have one idea when they will (or should be) out.

How much quasi-parental responsibility will you be having for them? You need household rules (laundry procedures, mealtimes, bathroom rota) but there's nothing sex-specific in those.

You might want to set up a 'no touching' with your DDs (or would that prove to be a challenge to egg them on?)

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

My experience of teenage boys is that they eat much, much more. If the ones I know were coming to live here, I'd have to talk to them about that and I'd double food at mealtimes. I'd always make sure there's plenty of sliced bread and fillings for breakfasts and afternoon snacks that they are allowed to fix for themselves, IF they tidy and clean up as they go. (And I'd be around to make sure they know what that means to start off with, to get things off to a harmonious start.) Also plenty of milk if they like it, but not allowed to drink from the bottle! :)

Laundry: everyone has to add their clothes to the colour coded wash boxes and only washing in those boxes gets in the wash! Anyone can put a wash through and hang it up. No shoes in our machine, no half or oversized loads either and whoever puts it in hangs it up.or asks someone else to.

More hands make light work. Going from 2 to 4 teenagers means you won't have as much time to do for them, and you will have to relinquish control, so plan for them learning jow to do for themselves (but as paet of a team effort.)

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

Thanks both. We're used to hosting students, but have always had girls in the past - so used to having a house full.
We've agreed to have boys this time. We won't be in loco parentis, but will be expected to set rules about going out/coming home etc.
Normal house rules will apply for things like keeping rooms tidy, getting washing done and so on, but I need advice about stuff like how much food to prepare at mealtimes etc. I hear that teenage boys eat a lot!!

I'm not worried about the hormonal, sexual side of things with them and my DDs. I can keep on top of that, and both the boys and my girls are sensible.

[secretsquirrels]

So these are older boys. Are they from overseas? I only ask as my experience doesn't cover that. Are they from a town or city or are they from a rural area?
That might make a difference to their expectations of freedom and streetwiseness.
I have 16 and 18 year old boys.
They Eat A Lot.
They Eat All the Time.
But not as much as they did at 14.
I do have their friends who are girls visit from time to time and even when DS tells me the girl has a healthy appetite they only eat a fraction of what boys do.
MNers will be very polarised on this but my approach is to provide a good healthy home cooked meal every evening. They get their own breakfast /lunch and I supply lots of carb snacks.

I don't think there is any difference in the type of meal they eat. I have come across equal numbers of faddy boys as girls.

They often have a thing about weight training and protein shakes .

They are often much less organised than girls.
My observation of friendship groups of both DSs is that all activities tend to be planned and organised by the girls. The boys may fantasise about going to A or B but seldom do they actually get around to organising it.

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

Thanks secret. They are from the UK.
We cook fresh food pretty much every day, so that's not a problem. Slow cooker used a lot so DDs can help themselves when they aren't home at meal times.

You've reassured me - think we'll be OK if I double the amount of food I buy!

[DisgraceToTheYChromosome]

Quadruple. Also hide the frying pan or your kitchen will be coated in fat.

Also, and this may be TMI, there's the making their own entertainment. Loud coughing outside bedrooms and "if you have a runny nose the tissues go straight in the bin".

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

Oh God. We're being paid to host. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll make any money out of it.
Where can I buy great bug bags of discount pasta?

[Floundering]

OP Most supermarkets do 3kg bags for a few quid! Get a few in!

[chocolatespiders]

Try the world food aisle for cheaper bulk rice!

[Travelledtheworld]

Sweet and sour chicken and pineapple stir fry with rice and or noodles is also good for filling them up. You can sneak in vegetables too. I make my own sauce.

And you might need to remind them to flush toilets, put the seat down after use, and wipe up after themselves in the bathroom......ugh.

[DisgraceToTheYChromosome]

No "might" about it. Get a 10kg bag of rice for about 12 quid as well.

[mrsmaturin]

I believe my friends with teenage sons get through a LOT of breakfast cereal too.

[Marcipex]

Also many pizzas. Many many many.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

I think it's Tesco that has a pack of spagetti for 16p and pasta twists bags for 30p. Good if they are helping themselves (less to spill.)

Will they be helping with any of the housework, as ones I know can be more willing to help but have no more clue than girls of how!

[secretsquirrels]

Aside from the food.
I know that you are not in loco parentis but you may want to give some support if needed.
Boys tend not to talk about how they feel. The girls I know talk openly and endlessly to each other and their mum.
Often when boys are unhappy, worried or anxious they go silent and carry a black cloud of doom around them. You have to probe gently from the right direction to get through.
Mine are very appreciative of me and capable of helping around the house. They need to be told though, that the bathroom needs cleaning because they genuinely cannot tell.

[Marcipex]

Boys usually very willing to fetch and carry, vacuum and help out generally.
Mine have always played very kindly with younger children too.

However I strongly advise you not to get into a snowball fight with them :)

[500smiles]

You may as well just buy a box of cereal and a pint of milk per boy per day and just let them pour the milk straight into the box and devour - breakfast sorted

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

Thank you for all the suggestions. Boys arriving next week - I'll let you know how we all get on after a bit!
X

[AuntieStella]

I hope you like the smell of Lynx