Invited my daughter's friend...who pays?

[roscoepc1]

You asked without specifying, you pay. Period. Jmho.

On the other hand, I'd never send my child without sending money, but that depends on the parent.

 

[crisi]

I have to say that my curiousity was peaked when I saw this thread as I have been toying with the idea of inviting DD's bff on our trip next fall. I fully intended to pay for everything except air and park tickets (which would run her family about $350.00). Since I can't afford to pay for an extra child I may want to re-think this idea! However, I did plan to pay hotel, meals, souveniers (the kids will be 5), etc. Now I am not sure if I should do this as I pride myself on using correct social etiquette! Any thoughts?

I don't think there is any issue with asking her parents to pay for some of the expenses. But I would make sure, up front, that you can itemize them out, and that you make sure to say 'I understand if you say no.'

I do think taking someone else's five year old on vacation with you without her parents is strange unless you are really really close to the parents. My son is eleven, and this is the first age we'd really consider broaching the subject with any of his friend's parents (and we won't, because my daughter's best friends are a year behind - and they have more protective parents - so we don't want to have her be put in a situation where he gets to take friends, but she doesn't). It just seems a little young yet and I don't know any parents myself who would consider that.