Young relative does poor job at home repair

DEAR AMY: I am a single middle-aged female. I live alone, work full time and do various DIY projects around my old house. Recently, a young male relative offered to come for a weekend and help with some of my bigger, heavy-duty projects. He did not have an easy transition to adulthood and is trying to turn his life around. I gratefully accepted his help but wisely kept my expectations low. The process was somewhat disruptive. He kept projecting he'd complete seven to eight projects, when in reality he started three or four but didn't complete any. His work was rather slapdash so I will be cleaning up and repairing his repairs for some time. Despite this, I was not upset and was happy to have him here. Other than occasional directions, I didn't criticize his work, and gave him some cash and a small gift as a thank-you. He has called offering to return and finish what he started, as well as begin other jobs. His parent keeps pressuring me to ask him back. I've said I don't really have the time for his "help" now -- though I may have him back in the spring to help me with less complicated work, when I can more closely monitor and direct him. I have another relative who insists I should be honest with him and his folks about his shoddy work. He is pursuing work that is not remotely related to any of the projects he worked on, so I don't think it is necessary to criticize him. Am I wrong? How can I get his parent to ease up?

-- Homeowner

DEAR HOMEOWNER: If your young relative were trying to break into a career as a remodeler, then your feedback should be unvarnished (forgive the pun).

He is not, and so I think you should treat him as you have been -- like a young person who means well but is still wobbly on his feet. He seems proactive enough to have contacted you in the first place, so his parent should step back and stop advocating for him. When the parent contacts you, say you are dealing with their son directly; there is no need to discuss it.