My husband and I were talking with owner.operators of a BnB we're considering (to purchase). When first opened, the inn did not allow children as guests. However, several years later, they changed policy to allow children. At that point, they said the number of bookings they got went up hugely. They didn't give hard numbers, but it's easy for me to accept in light of the area the BnB serves - very rural, no hotel, lots of folks coming to visit family who may not have room for guests. The local attractions are parks, lakes, hiking trails, etc. Places I'd like to keep my own kids busy.
I'd like to pick the brains of you all in terms of your policies with regards to children, provided that your permit tham as guests. I am aware many (perhaps most) BnB's do not accept children as guests, or only accept children past a certain age. But I have also read some different, interesting policiies. There's an inn east of our current location which specifies children can stay at the inn, but only when the ENTIRE inn is booked by the same party. I recently read a policy (online) of an inn that says children are allowed, but must be accompanied by an adult when on the pool deck (which sounds reasonable, but makes me wonder how you "enforce" that?).
[Maybe it's fair to share here that I spent over a decade in education - public and private schools - so while kids themselves don't bother me a bit, I have seen a very wide spread of what parents and other adults perceive as <ahem> acceptable (much less mannerly) behavior. I also know, and understand, that parents don't particularly like other adults interevening with their children. My husband grew up in a small town and has a certain sense of how kids and parents ought to behave, but I have fairly strong feelings that a clear and direct policy regarding children as guests could help avoid (although not eliminate) difficult situations.]
So, if you *do* accept children as guests (accompanied by custodial adults, of course), I'd be very interested in hearing your policies (and experiences) if you're willing to share.
I'd like to pick the brains of you all in terms of your policies with regards to children, provided that your permit tham as guests. I am aware many (perhaps most) BnB's do not accept children as guests, or only accept children past a certain age. But I have also read some different, interesting policiies. There's an inn east of our current location which specifies children can stay at the inn, but only when the ENTIRE inn is booked by the same party. I recently read a policy (online) of an inn that says children are allowed, but must be accompanied by an adult when on the pool deck (which sounds reasonable, but makes me wonder how you "enforce" that?).
[Maybe it's fair to share here that I spent over a decade in education - public and private schools - so while kids themselves don't bother me a bit, I have seen a very wide spread of what parents and other adults perceive as <ahem> acceptable (much less mannerly) behavior. I also know, and understand, that parents don't particularly like other adults interevening with their children. My husband grew up in a small town and has a certain sense of how kids and parents ought to behave, but I have fairly strong feelings that a clear and direct policy regarding children as guests could help avoid (although not eliminate) difficult situations.]
So, if you *do* accept children as guests (accompanied by custodial adults, of course), I'd be very interested in hearing your policies (and experiences) if you're willing to share.