Ask Amy: Hosts struggle filling the feed bag for kids
When children are present, yes, you will end up stocking some things you don’t normally consume. (I don’t usually eat popsicles, but I try to have them in the freezer when the kids visit.)
When children visit your home by themselves, you will control the menu, but when they visit along with their parents, their parents should take the lead when it comes to feeding them.
Your sister is arriving early, armed with her lengthy food list. You should let her handle and purchase whatever more exotic items are on the family’s list, including whatever atrocious drink the 13-year-old prefers. (Gatorade is not really a healthy substitute for Red Mountain Dew, by the way.)
If the children request something that you don’t have on hand, you can say, “Oh, we don’t normally eat Malted Chocolate Power Puffs for breakfast so I don’t have any in the house, but I can toast a mini-bagel for you.” If this becomes more of an issue, the parents and grandmother are on hand, and you can readily defer to them.
Dear Amy: Recently I let a friend borrow my carpet shampooer and it was given to her in immaculate condition, as I always clean it after using it. She returned it dirty and full of nasty dog hair. She didn't even attempt to clean it out. She emptied the dirty water, but that was it!
Who does that? Now I have to clean it out and I'm disgusted.
Obviously, I won’t be lending it out again, but I do want to address it.
What can I say without causing a fight?
– Disappointed Lender
Dear Lender: In the future, before lending out something you value, it is helpful to let the person know what your expectations are. With a piece of equipment that might be unfamiliar (I’ve never used one), you should say, “Let me show you how to clean out the inside before you return it. That way you can get all the gunk out.”
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