Taking Other Children on Outings

I would be upfront about what you are doing that day and say I will be bringing the lunch and snacks for everyone but the admission fee for the pool is $7, if this is a child that comes a lot with you to the pool maybe let the parent know they can buy a pass for the child for such and such amount which would save them money in the end (guessing).

To have time to myself I would send the money, maybe even a little extra for a specail treat for everyone, along in a heart beat!

When you call, I'd just say, "we have a family membership, but the entry fee is $7 but I'll provide the snacks, drinks, etc...."

i think it's fine to expect parents to pay for their kids. when you talk to them just mention, "well it's $7 to get in so if you could make sure she has that...i always pack lots of snacks and a picnic lunch so don't worry about that. we'll be back in 4-5 hours, so have fun, do something relaxing!" you don't have to be rude about it but just make sure everyone is clear on the plan. just make sure it's mentioned beforehand and i'm sure most parents will take the hint.

Frankly, if you asked me to send my kid with admission fees to the pool I wouldn't flinch...after all, you ARE taking them for 4-5 hours! I think you are being more than reasonable and if I knew you'd lost your job I would never accept you paying for my child while you were taking them. I would explain it just as you explained to us that your kids want playmates but you simply can't afford it. Let them know that you are taking a picnic basket with you and what you are packing (that way if their kid doesn't like what you pack you can suggest you send them with money for concessions). Honesty is the best policy here, then no one feels used or abused.

If my child were invited along, I would expect to give her money for admission and a little extra for snacks. I wouldn't even think twice about it. I think it's totally acceptable to mention the price of admission when speaking to the other children's parents. I would say "Sally wants to invite Annie to the pool. Price of admission is $7.00 and we usually stay for about 4-5 hours. I'll be packing lunch, drinks and snacks for the kids." If you don't mention the admission, the other parents might not know how much it costs. If there's a friend that goes with you every time, you might suggest that they look into a membership for their child.

I think its perfectly acceptable to let the other parents know that it is $7 to take their kid to the pool. You're already doing them a favor just by taking them. I would rather send my kid with the $7 than expect the other family to pay it. They might not even know it costs money, they might think you can bring a guest for free.

I have always told the other parents how much admission is for anything I take their kids to. No one has ever been offended. I am a single mom. The other parents hava always been happy to pay their child's admission price. And when we go to the Omaha Zoo, they give me spending money for their child. I just keep track of what was spent for what and tell them. They have always just been so appreciative that I would even include them.

Many parents my think you're allowed to bring a guest for free. Simply tell them upfront. "We'd love to have Susie join us at the pool for the afternoon, the admission price is $7. I'll be bring along some beverages and food and we should be home arround 3:00". Personally, I'd be happy to give you $10 to help cover the cost of lunch.

I don't think its a lot of money for the guest (child) to pay. The kids will have a lot of fun and the parents get a break. I remember going out with a friends family during the summer and my parents always sent me with a small amount of money for the event cost and any food or drink I might buy when I was out for the day.

R.

J., so nice of you to let them take a friend. I would certainly tell the childs mom to send along 7 dollars for the day. I wouldnt mind that at all.

When my daughter started going places with others I had one mom who called and said she loved taking kids with her to events, but they would have to pay any fee's. I was so appreciative, this way I could ask her daughter without having to come up with extra money and if we couldn't afford for our daughter to go she didn't have to. When they got old enough to go someplace on their own we shared rides this way one parent to drive each way. I never heard a parent complain.

I always just invite and let them know what the admission cost is with the understanding that I handle food and snacks. We take our son's best friend with us to our local amusement/water park. We have season passes so we get a friend ticket at a discounted rate. They send the amount needed with him and a little extra spending money for him if he wants it. I think this works out well for us because then their son gets to go to the park without them having to pay for their entire family to go. I was thinking about getting him his own season pass for his birthday though. :)

I Would ask for the entire $7!!! Like you said, they are getting a "break" and you are providing lunch and entertainment!!! When my children were smaller, if they went anywhere with friends I always inquired about admission fees, etc...and sent enough money to cover what they would need during the day!!! You would do the same thing if it were your child going somewhere that would cost money, wouldn't you?? Don't give it a 2nd thought!!!

My kids used to do the same thing every time we went to the pool. I would just tell the kids mom that the cost is $7 to get in. period. then after that tell them you will have the lunch stuff with you so she only needs the $7

I don't think it's too much to ask for them to pay their own admission. Another idea to help cut the cost could be to talk to the parent of the child who goes the most often with you about getting a season pass. The parent might be more willing if your willing to take them. You might even get to alternate taking each others kids. You could also look for other activies for child to do with other kids that don't cost anything. Pinics in the park, rollerblading, and playing in water at home ( waterguns rock) are just a few ideas to save money. Most places also have 1 free admission day (like the zoo-we just had ours here). My city has a online website with all the interesting places to go. Check online for your city as well. Hope this helps you out.

Personally I would extend the invitation to the mom. When you are telling her include the time you will be going and what it will cost to go. Say something like, " If our child is interesting in going, there is a $7.00 admission fee. I will be bringing lunch and snacks for all the children, so you do not need to worry about that."
As a parent whose children are always getting invited to go places with their friends, my first question is always, how much money do I need to send with them. I was brought up that this was good etiquette. I don't think any parent will be offended.

I don't think it is too much to ask that your child's friend bring the $7 to pay for their admission to the pool. If my child went with a friend on an outing that required an admission fee I would expect that I would be the one to pay for it not the other mom. You might want to tell your kids, when they ask a friend to come to the pool with them, that they need to tell their friend how much it costs first.