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Manners Matter

Dear Mary Pat,

 

 

We moved here from the Twin Cities two years ago when my husband retired. We purchased a six-bedroom house just so we would have enough room when all the grand kids come over (we have a lot of grand kids!!). However, we quickly realized our mistake. Our children have been able to visit only occasionally, but I feel like we should change our front door to a revolving door and hang a B & B sign off of the front porch. The problem is our friends have been here in what feels like a continuous stream. We love our friends, but we don’t feel like we can enjoy our summer fully since we are always in host/hostess mode. What can we do? Please help!

 

 

Not a Hotelier

 

 

Northern Door

 

 

Dear Not a Hotelier,

 

You made a rookie mistake and it’s understandable. You and your husband were excited about your move and probably went into some detail describing your new house to your friends. You may have even shown them multiple pictures online, which highlighted all of those guest rooms. The best way not to become a B & B is to not advertise all the extra space. You all of a sudden have very “close” friends (I’m sorry, what was your name again?) give you a call to see how you are liking Door County. Before you know it, they have invited themselves up for a long weekend and you are on the way to the grocery store making sure that your provisions are up to snuff.

 

 

Here is the good news – it is ultimately your decision to have all of these people over. You can space it out and also say no if you feel like it. Concentrate on making time for the things you want to do and for the friends you would like to spend time with. It’s natural that people want to visit Door County, and most of them probably generally really want to spend time with you and your husband. Planning ahead is not a bad idea either. Set some time aside for the things you want to do whether it’s gardening, boating or just relaxing on your back porch. Once you feel like you are getting more time for yourselves, you may even want to have guests again. Maybe invite someone up for a winter visit.

 

 

Good luck,

 

 

Mary Pat