staying in relatives houses when they are on holiday

[bronzedbutcold49]

When I was young we couldn't afford a holiday every year so we often stayed in my aunties house (my mums sister) who lived in a coastal town in the UK. Me and my siblings loved it - so many fond memories. Her husband is French so every August they spent 3 weeks in France. When we stayed at my aunties house we have often had uni friends of my dad stay in our house. So basically 3 families all got a holiday!

Was this just something that was done in the eighties as not everyone could afford holidays? I ask as my cousin (whose house we used to stay in!) has suggested that when we are away in a couple of weeks that she stay in our house with her 2 children as she lost her job a few months ago and she can't afford to take her children away,. I think it is a great idea and seems totally normal to both of us as we grew up doing this but my DP thinks it is very weird to have anyone in our house when we are away.

We had a family member and her fiancé house sit whilst we went away, did us a favour and gave them a chance to be a couple alone. Not in a seaside town though.

We are in London and had a friend stay for a week whilst we were away. It gave her a break from her house share and meant we were not worried about the house in a cold snap.
Parents have often stayed for a weekend and nephew too if they need to be here and I am away. I am happy as long as they fend for themselves (I leave clean bedding etc on the bed though)

I have a friend who is on a house swap website. She has 6 children. It makes holidays affordable for them

We did this when I was a kid...our family of 5 stayed at my aunt's house on the Welsh border for a week or so when she and my uncle went abroad on holiday. We loved having the dogs to look after, and it was rural and secluded and a world away from home. We did some days out but mostly just holidayed by being away from home.
I'd be happy for my sister's and their families to stay in our home but we're all too close to one another to do so! I wouldn't want strangers in our home like a true house swap though. And where we live is not exactly a tourist destination.

I think that’s really intrusive and my idea of hell. It’s something my SIL would suggest.

Nope, never did this as a child, nor knew anyone that did.

I lived abroad then and lived near a large city. Vague family friends who lived rurally stayed with us for a week- but we were also in the house. They were aware we were going on holiday the following week and were planning on leaving the same day we left. They didn't leave and entire week we were away! Their 3 boys ate everything in the house, the parents never offered to buy a meal or take my parents out. They left mess, muddy boots, toys etc everywhere.

I assume it works for some people who can't afford a holiday, but I wouldn't like it.

Interesting comments. To me it seems really normal as something I grew up doing. I have no worries about anyone sleeping in my bed but DP says it is our bed and not for anyone else to sleep in. I know that she would change the sheets before they leave as that is just common courtesy but DH says she may snoop through all the draws and cupboards but if I was staying in somebody elses house this would not even cross my mind. I think there was definitely more trust in the 80's - people seem so cynical nowadays.

We have stayed at my parents before many years ago when they were away for a weekend as we went to a wedding literally 10 mins walk from their house and it meant we didn't have to drive but DP felt very uncomfortable sleeping in someone elses house and I thought it was maybe because it was my parents house but he said he would feel very uncomfortable sleeping in anyones family home without the family there.

Maybe it wasnt an 80's thing just a thing our family did!!!!!

Maybe it wasnt an 80's thing just a thing our family did!!!!!

Quite possibly, it’s not something I’ve heard of before

Tell dh to just hide his gimp mask and stop being so mean....

Yep, we've done over 20 houseswaps.

Yes we did this. A family with similar aged kids moved away to the south coast. We did house swaps and met in the middle for lunch or a day out and had a week in each others houses. It was great. It was the 80s

I would not feel happy having other people sleep in my bed, play with my children's toys and doubtless put my kitchen things back in the wrong place after using them. Totally with your DH here. And I don't believe people wouldn't look in cupboards etc.

We didn't do this but most of the rest of our family did and then it extended into various friends but you didn't stay at your friends' house but at your sister's friends house for example. One family member who has been central to all of this died in their 30s and it was a light hearted moment at their funeral as it was the first time all of these people had been together and, for many of them, met for the first time and they worked out who had stayed in whose houses.
When I had a flat in London, whenever I went away I used to email all of my cousins - some of whom I hadn't seen for years - to see who wanted to use it. Someone always did! Then I met DH and he was really confused by the idea.

We house swapped with an aunt and uncle who lived in Holland. They got a holiday at home, we had a holiday abroad, win win.

We used to go to stay with family on the Welsh coast when I was little (80's). They would be there to welcome us, go away then come back a few days before we left for a catch up and fun.times (which meant my cousins and I slept outside in their caravan to make room.for everyone).

When we hit a financial blip around 2005 we could not afford a holiday and our lovely in-laws (moors and towns not seaside sadly) let us use their house for a week whilst they were away.

I've done it several times as an adult under the guise of pet-sitting.
Parents had a motor home so I guess it was never needed when I was a child.
I've house-sat for rurally located relatives to look after their chickens and generally keep the place occupied.
Regularly stayed in friends' house on the coast whilst they were in their own holiday, and fed their cat.
No-one has stayed in ours though, but I'd love it if they did.

I hope your DH comes around as it would be sad to have to say no when you were able to stay at her parent's house whilst growing up.

I know it's not transactional but it would be a nice thing to do.

We live in a beautiful, touristy area and offer up our house to friends and family every time we go away on holiday. We get a free cat sitter, they get a free holiday house, works for everyone.

Everyone so far has been lovely and left it immaculate and it's been great. It's only people I know though, I don't think I'd be happy with friends of friends

We used to swap houses with my Mum’s sister. They had moved away to a touristy area and they liked coming to our house as it meant they could come ‘home’ and visit family and friends. This was in the 60s and 70s.
Would be my idea of hell now though. Bad enough having people to stay when I’m at home.

I absolutely hate the idea of anyone being in our house when we're away. we did it with one sibling and never again. Not that they did anything wrong at all but I didn't relax at all (on my holiday) knowing they were there!!

Never did it as a child but I live in a touristy city and close friends and family often stay when I'm away.

Great idea, creating great memories for her kids

I wouldn’t do it as our house is too cluttered and only superficially clean. I’d need a holiday after deep cleaning it to make it acceptable to anyone else to stay in.