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Ask Amy: Hosts struggle filling the feed bag for kids

Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Amy: Next week my sister will be visiting, along with her adult son, his wife, and three children. They will be staying with us for almost a week.

As I plan the menu, I have asked if anyone has any allergies or dislikes, as well as a coffee preference.

My sister is coming two days before her son’s arrival (as they live in different parts of the country) and wants to help with the purchase of groceries.

She has a very detailed list of exactly what they eat when they are at home, including high-sugar, high-caffeine drinks for the oldest, who is 13 (who lives with them half the time and whose mother feeds him high-sugar food and drinks).

I certainly don’t want to put anyone on a diet during their vacation, but also don’t feel it is necessary to provide “Red Mountain Dew” when we always have plenty of other beverages that are healthier and kid-friendly (Gatorade, for example). They also are requesting many other very specific items.

I want to be welcoming, have a great time, and make everyone happy, but is this a typical way to host a family?

 

We are accustomed to hosting families for cookouts and always provide a variety of healthy and typical summer fun food, so I think they may like our menu if they tried it.

What is your take?

– Humble Hostess

Dear Hostess: As a kind and concerned host, you will do your best to feed your guests, balancing their preferences along with your own. This does not mean that you need to cater to their every request.

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