Guests who invite themselves to your home. . .

[EthansMom]

Not every couple of months or so--every other week.

No way in HECK!!!! I would definitely say something.... probably along the lines of, "We enjoy visiting with you, but having you visit so often just isn't working out with the other things we have planned. We aren't getting things done that we want to get done."

Next time they call, just say, "I'm sorry but a visit right now isn't going to work with our schedule."

 

[creativeamanda]

No way in HECK!!!! I would definitely say something.... probably along the lines of, "We enjoy visiting with you, but having you visit so often just isn't working out with the other things we have planned. We aren't getting things done that we want to get done."

Next time they call, just say, "I'm sorry but a visit right now isn't going to work with our schedule."

She was mad when I was shopping that day. "So you mean, I have to drive 4 hours back home without a break to sleep?" Apparently, she was going to see someone else, but using my home as the hotel. I'm sure it will happen much less since she is 17 hours away.

 

[creativeamanda]

Let me clarify and say, that if there are guests who have let me know they are coming without short notice, then I plan to serve them a meal and typically they help out a bit, but I do not expect it. If they show up at my house, though, it's hit or miss. This particular person drops her kids off with me and leaves me to babysit them for an additional 2-3 hours while she "goes to the store to get some food to eat."

 

[Disney Doll]

creativemanada, your friend is rude, on many levels.
The fact that she is now 17 hours away is a good thing.

To answer your question, if I were to call and give someone 5 minutes notice, I would say "I am 5 minutes away and would love to see you. Can I stop in for a few minutes, or can I take you and your family to dinner?". If I stopped in, I would bring something...flowers, a bottle of wine...something. And I wouldn't be staying overnight with only 5 minutes notice, unless it was a very dire situation, like "as I was passing through your town my car exploded. May I stay the night so I can buy a new car in the morning?". And I'd be taking you out to dinner, buying you groceries or sending you a nice gift certificate or something as a big old thank you.

 

[LadyBears]

creativemanada, your friend is rude, on many levels.
The fact that she is now 17 hours away is a good thing.

To answer your question, if I were to call and give someone 5 minutes notice, I would say "I am 5 minutes away and would love to see you. Can I stop in for a few minutes, or can I take you and your family to dinner?". If I stopped in, I would bring something...flowers, a bottle of wine...something. And I wouldn't be staying overnight with only 5 minutes notice, unless it was a very dire situation, like "as I was passing through your town my car exploded. May I stay the night so I can buy a new car in the morning?". And I'd be taking you out to dinner, buying you groceries or sending you a nice gift certificate or something as a big old thank you.

Same with me - so in this case, I voted "guest" pays.
Kind of like they are throwing you a surprise party - they surprise you so they "foot the bill".