House guests - what duties should host deliver?

[yellowr0se]

Didn't know which category. Sorry!!!

Had my in-laws staying for a week.

We have them our bedroom as other room is boxey storagr room.

I prepared most lunches (home made soups, salads, home made sausage rolls etc)

I also cooked a full roast, a shepherds pie one night, and we did a bbq.

The other nights we ate out and they picked up the bills which I was so grateful for.

Breakfast was DIY cereals fruits etc. I had stocked up on their faves prior to arrival.

I always offered teas, coffees, new towels.

I can't shift the feeling that I should be doing "more" though.

We have 1 small DC and I'm 5 months preg with another. Not sure if this detail matters.

Just wondered - what do you think hosts should do? What makes a good host?

*GAVE them our bedroom

You were a very thoughtful host. To be honest I always question myself as well 😂.
I always say if someone is family and they feel comfortable enough to make a cuppa, I am doing something right , this is our family barometer.

You've been an excellent host and done plenty imo.

You have gone above and beyond, especially in your circumstances.

Please give yourself a pat on the back and not a hard time.

What more do you think you could have done?
I don’t think there is such thing as “should” apart from a room to sleep in and fresh towels. When I host family members we take turns cooking and share food bills. I organise activities and drive them around unless they elect to do something independently. I don’t do anything over and above what I would do on a daily basis.

If your in laws accepted your bed when you're 5 months pregnant they are poor guests, never mi d about your hosting skills!

And what was your partner doing the whole time you were cooking and hosting his parents? Sounds like you did loads!

He did the bbq and lots of gardening jobs with his Dad. X x

They wanted to stay in our bed in august too when I'll be 8 months 😂

Thankyou 🩷

Ok, your husband needs to say absolutely not!

If I have guests for a whole week they have to just fall in with us I'm afraid! I do usually cook every evening, but only our normal meals (spag bol, sausage and mash etc), and lunches are nearly always some variation of cold bread/wraps/salad and/or shop bought soup/sausage rolls etc.

If its good enough for my family, it's good enough for guests 🤷‍♀️

Do you have this feeling that you should have done more, or have your in laws dropped hints that you should have done more? I definitely wouldn't be giving up your bed to them when you're eight months pregnant. Tell them to book a hotel.

He has now, thank goodness.

Although he did try to allow it at first. I would feel soo uncomfortable taking someone's bed even if they weren't pregnant. It's such a personal space isn't it?!

Agreed, I personally never give my bed up and feel uncomfortable if anyone else offers me their bed, I’d rather sleep on a sofa/airbed than take anyone’s bed.

Sounds like a mutually respectful guest/host arrangement to me!

I’d definitely make it clear they weren’t to wait to be offered tea or coffee and should help themselves, but I don’t drink tea all day long.

Yea they do make own tea and coffee which is nice

You've made them very welcome, they've treated you to meals, sounds good, although when the new baby comes I'd be buying lunch material and telling them to help themselves. The bed thing is a definite no. can you not sort out the box room and put them in there?

You an excellent host. Don't worry x