Contributing to DD's trip to Legoland/Longleat - how much?

[Shewhoisneverobeyed]

Just pondering how much I should contribute to a trip that my DD has been invited to with her friends family. I am a single parent and money is very tight.

The trip will include 2 nights hotel accommodation and entry to Longleat and Legoland,

I have asked the friends father to let me know how much I can contribute but he hasnt given any indication. Whilst Im grateful that she has been invited as I would never be able to afford such an expensive trip, we do have another visit to my sister's planned this holiday so I need to keep to a budget to be able to afford that.

I was thinking £60 which would equate to entry for Longleat and Legoland.

DD will have her own spending money.

What do you think? £60 is really a stretch for me!

If we invited another child I would only expect them to cover pocket money. What did the dad say?

He never replied when I said that he must let me know how much of a contribution he would need from me. - I think he would appreciate a contribution though.

So difficult, I can't hardly afford to give this much but I do know the trip will be expensive.

eek, motherofdragons, your comment, though generous, puts me off inviting kids along for outings. I am also a single parent with an only and money is tight and have often thought of inviting other kids along. But the fact that people would assume if I offered I would pay for everything puts me off. If I could afford to I would but paying for two is out of my budget.

I think when people are comfortably off it is easy to take that line without really realising that others really have to pennypinch. I have a friend who when we eat out together on occasion, likes to split the bill 50 50 as she thinks adding up separately is petty. But what she doesn't know and I am too proud to admit, is eating out is I've deliberately picked the cheaper dishes and not had a starter.

So turning this post on it's head a bit. Shewhoisneverobeyed, it sounds like the family are offering to take your daughter for free or would probably have mentioned costs as two nights accom is a lot of money. Assuming they are quite affluent?

Have you accepted definitely? If not, I would text the dad and say how much will it be as child would love to come but have to budget ahead. If already accepted, it's a bit more awkward. Could you turn up when dropping her off and say how much will it be and can I pay you when you get back as just waiting for payday. Shows willing but also gets the point across that paying two nights is a stretch for you. If they say no, I would get a bottle of wine to say thanks and invite other child over for a budget sleepover at yours.

I wouldn't invite a child on an outing if I couldn't cover the cost. That's quite an extravagant trip your dd has been invited on OP with something like that they should have been upfront about cost from the beginning if they expected you to pay. I would clarify one more time with them.

I wouldn't expect to pay anything either other than pocket money and maybe I team and drinks for both girls.

yes, agree with monkeycowface. I would assume that if the family wanted a contribution, they would state that when inviting.

From the perspective of inviting, I think asking someone on a trip that is expensive and saying I'm taking child too and wondered if xx would like to join us for day, it'd be xxx amount is perfectly reasonable. You would def ask at the same time you invited and that is why I think they are offering to take for free.

I would have thought they've invited your DD as they think their dd will enjoy it more with a pal to play with. I know I would. Ds is an only and I often invite his friends to stuff. His friends aren't only children so don't think parents realise what a plus for child to have a companion. If I wanted a contribution I would ask on invite. Because amount unspecified as yet I'd assume this is case. If I were you, and they are being generous ( maybe though there's no extra expense for another ) I'd send some money so they can all get ice-creams or something and give that to the parents say £20 and your DD some pocket money. I'd make sure I gave it to parents rather than child so they didn't just go crazy blowing it all on tat in gift shop!

I wouldn't expect to pay anything either except spending money. There are tons of free kids tickets for legoland flying around I gave away 4 just last month that don't expire till June 2017. I think £60 would be enough if you really want to give them something.

How many kids are they taking? Family ticket would maybe cover your child anyway if it's a 2x2ticket. Maybe £10 to cover an ice cream and the gift shop?

If you can afford to give the £60, tell them that lunch is on you as a thank you?

(I would assume it's all paid for!)