@Stephanie , my eldest child has acted as a cohost when we were travelling interstate, or away overnight. When we first started hosting, her children were aged 5 and two 3 year olds! I’m a bit of a control freak, so I’ve never had them assist with cleaning etc, but they have factored into our accepted guests, or how interaction takes place, or even when we’ve asked a guest to leave due to unsafe behaviour.
When they were these younger ages, when on site, they’d have to have “Fairy Feet” rather than elephant ones! That’s because our Airbnb space is below our living space. Although we’ve done what we can to reduce noise, grandies heavy dancing or bouncing off beds etc was never allowed. The grandies had plenty of options available without the heavy noises…….
Only as they got older have they interacted with younger guests, but only when initiated by our vetting. Only in shared spaces with me supervising.
However, they have had some wonderful experiences with visiting children. Many who have been travelling for a long time, often without much contact with other children, beyond their own siblings. The swimming pool has been a great leveller and friendship maker.
Afternoon tea or snacks get made, that meet our needs and the guest parents. Things such as fresh popcorn, pancakes etc.
One family from the U.K. had such a rapport with our three grandies, when ours were probably 8, 6 &6 that we had the guest’s children upstairs in our home, watching kids movies 🍿 with our grandies. Mattresses/ camp beds across the floor and a great time had by all. This actually gave the parents (guests) a few hours by themselves, the first time in a couple of months. Emails were swapped with both sets of parents approval, so the kids could “Penpal”.
Now these particular “grandies” are 10 and 8 & 8 years old. They have had such wonderful experiences of late that they will often ask if our visitors might have some children….. 🙃🙃🙃 Our grandson just wishes for a few more boys, rather than girls! LOL
When vetted, timed and supervised, there can be great benefits for the guests and your family. There is no intrusion, but under the above scenario, there has been cultural understandings, tolerance and short term friendships with a whole lot of fun…. hugs and gifts exchanged on the rare occasion.
For those wondering, I also hold a safely working with children clearance, which I’m happy to show parents, so safety is paramount for all.