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I enjoy hosting friends and family. We haven't lived near any of our extended family for many years, and I miss them. I like having them around for bedtime routine (3 young kids) and first thing in the morning for breakfast.
I'm married, mid-40s. We do have a guest bedroom and a fair amount of space in our current home, but it hasn't always been that way. We still hosted a lot of people when we lived in a 2-bedroom flat; they just spread out on the living room floor.
When we visit family, we stay at my parents' home, and they seem to enjoy having us. When we visit ILs, I do not get as warm and fuzzy of a vibe, and because we can't afford hotels for several days on top of the costs of traveling to them, we just don't visit them much at all. One of them made a snide comment once, something to the effect that we always spend more time with my family than theirs (ILs) but my husband shut it down quickly: "It's because they actually seem to enjoy having us there."
I agree that 3 nights is pretty much the limit for me. I'm happy to have friends/family stay but after 3 days, I need to get back to my routine. When I visit others, I almost always stay at a hotel, I just prefer the privacy of a hotel after a long day but, anyone is welcome at my place, just know the 3 day limit!
I won't impose on anyone; I get a hotel room. Besides, I like watching what I want on TV at night and I can read a book without seeming antisocial. As far as people coming to my house, if it's our kids or parents, and they're not going to stay long, that's fine, but not over three days.
DOesn't matter what I think, the OP should do what works for him/her.
There is no single social standard for houseguests.
If he/she didn't want our opinion, they wouldn't have asked. I think it's completely fair to say that the social "norm" is to allow family to stay overnight.
Friends and family are more than welcome to stay. We have a guest room (its for guests and finished basement, so there is plenty of room. They have to like dogs though. Usually people come a long way to see us and its somewhat helpful to them if they don't have to also go blow $500 for a hotel room. Plus we can hang out late and have a few drinks of something and not worry about them having to get back to the hotel.
That being said, there probably is a time limit that most people are comfortable with, and it changes from person to person. Its good to know when they are coming and going. And some people maybe would rather be in a hotel.
I have an apartment at the beach and so get this a lot. I get annoyed by it sometimes as I have a one-bedroom apartment and I like my space (and have had as many as 12 staying here for July 4th weekend) but I accept it as a small price to pay for living here. I never, never, however, share my bedroom. Everyone sleeps on futons or air mattresses in the living and dining areas, but I need my "escape" space.
If I had a family they would be more then welcome to stay the night or however long they'd like to stay. I just had three crazy non-related girls spend the night on Saturday and it was a blast. I wish I had a family. I love over night guests.
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and finished basement, so there is plenty of room. They have to like dogs though. Usually people come a long way to see us and its somewhat helpful to them if they don't have to also go blow $500 for a hotel room. Plus we can hang out late and have a few drinks of something and not worry about them having to get back to the hotel.
