This summer my teenage son will be staying with my sister and her husband (my mom lives with them too) for six nights while I go on vacation. They don't use the rec room so he will sleep on the sofa bed there. He is quiet and won't cause any problems. He does have a hearty appetite. My question is what to give them for letting him stay there.

Please don't suggest ridiculous amounts of money as some did to the woman who wanted a relative to watch her dog. My sister would not accept cash.

I don't know whether I should bring several bags of groceries with his favorite foods. Should I give them a gift certificate for a supermarket? Would a gift certificate to a restaurant for the two of them be better? Or should I just buy them a nice (not a tacky) souvenier? What would you suggest?

It would certainly be thoughtful to bring his favorite snacks and beverages so they don't have to go to the trouble (as well as expense) of providing them. And a restaurant gift certificate is usually a good gift for any favor! A thoughful but minor souvenir would be good, too.

I would probably bring them a gift from my vacation destination and/or a certificate to their favorite restaurant for the two of them. I probably wouldn't be comfortable taking my child's favorite foods to her house, as I wouldn't want to seem to suggest what she should be serving. Of course, depending on your relationship with your sister, that might be just fine, but I have family who wouldn't like that, believe it or not!

I would definitely ask my sister if she'd allow me to bring my son's favorite food/snacks to her house, or if she'd accept money or a gift certificate. If not, I'd give that gift certificate to my son (teenager is capable of shopping, right?) so he can join your sister on her next shopping trip.

Then I'd ask the sister and her husband if there is anything I can bring them from my trip. If not, then I'd use my judgement in picking a gift myself.

I think the food idea is good, as is the gift certificate.
One thing, make it very clear that sister is in charge. And make the rules so that she can enforce them.
Teenagers need limits, and mom should supply them, not auntie.

What about spending money for the son while he is staying with your sister?

LOL, your mention of the pet sitter thread made me want to tell you to let her just come in twice a day and feed him and give him water, lol.
I had one of those quiet boys, he was also a picky eater which made things a little more difficult.
My suggestion would be to pack up a bag of groceries of things he especially likes that she might not have, snacks, drinks, that sort of thing..anything he likes that he would miss.
Most likely, she would appreciate that and so would he.
When you are away, you can buy them a reeeally great gift. Not neccessarily a most expensive gift, but something that will be just right for you to give to them..they are your family, so there will be something that will be just the right thing!
Of, if it is better, I am discovering the restaurant gift certificate to be a real treat!
Have a good vacation! (I am sure you will come home to a spoiled young prince ( I always did )

Thanks for your replies. He won't need spending money because *if* they did go anywhere, grandma (remember she lives there) would pay for him.

As far as rules, I can't think of what they would be. He really is no trouble. He will stay out of their way and probably help take out the trash and carry things up and down from the basement for them.

(P.S. bonnie, what happened as far as your dogsitting situation?)

Gotribe, I am still debating about leaving the dear old pooch! Probably we just won't do it. I'm going to "feel out" one of the relatives next week, but I don't know if we'll actually proceed with the plans. Talk about being attached........... (groan)

That is wonderful that you have Sis and Grandma to keep your son. I have a son like yours..... so easy to have around, that he was always welcome!

I think you've mentioned great ideas, I would be sure and follow through with more than one. Bringing his favorite things to eat is a great idea, it saves them a trip to the store or him being grumpy. I would definately give them a gift upon returning - either a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or a meaningful souvenir.

Have fun on your trip!

You know what your son loves for snacks so let him bring his own with enough to share(sis won't have to go out of her way that way)A gift cirtificate to two places would be nice, your sons fav, and her fav.

Tell them that since they did such a good job, they can have him for a whole MONTH next summer!

He is quiet and takes out the garbage?
Send him to me! I am missing a boy around the house these days, he can fill in
How great that he can go stay with family, this is one of the reasons that the Yankee and I rarely traveled without children when they were young..no one to leave them with~

Yes. He's a good boy. If they want him to, he will cut their grass too.

That does it! Send him here. I have a hammock too! Pup will be thrilled ~

Just curious as to why Grandma (your Mom) shd be expected to "pay for him" if they go anywhere?? I think your son shd be paying his own way! So, you shd give him "spending money"...what about the times when he goes out w/ friends while he is @ your sister's? He will need money! As for a "gift", perhaps your son cld invite everyone out for dinner. Give your sister the night off! That wld be a thoughtful "gift" for your sis! Your son cld take Aunt, Uncle & Grandma out for dinner.

My son won't be going out with any friends so that's not a concern.

If he goes out with the family, it's not that I "expect" my mom to pay for him, but she will. I'm her baby and he's her youngest grandchild. She's happy to do it.

Sounds like my MIL, she would also slip a $20-in our sons pocket when he would visit

Can you give your sister a spa day? Or at least a gift certificate for a massage? Something really unrelated to the kid sitting would be great.

Hmmm, I never thought of that. I'll ask mom if she thinks she'd like that.

Scarlett, I'll trade you my 12 year old boy for Pup...kay?