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Love 'Em and Leave 'Em
Making the "Hotel or Houseguest?" Decision
By Kelly Burgess
A Dynamic DemographicWhat the Candlewood survey found was that the Steffens are typical of today's grandparents. They're still young and in great health, adventurous with a love of travel and are financially well off. In addition, there are space considerations that make staying with their children less comfortable than getting a room.
"If we stayed over, someone inevitably would have to give up their room and move in with a brother or sister, and we don't want to displace anyone – particularly one of the teenagers," says Steffens. "Even with our one child who does have a spare room, it actually doubles as an office with a futon in it, and, quite frankly, a futon is not the most comfortable bed in the world."
At least the Steffens say all of their children are great cooks. One other result of the Candlewood survey showed that 40 percent of grandparents would rather eat at a restaurant than eat their children's cooking. Of that number, five grandparents reported they'd rather have their belly buttons pierced than eat their child's cooking. Ouch.