my ds accidentally broke a boy's necklace on the bus, parent wants "restitution"

[BWVDenise]

Oh, I intend to pay it (though it may be in pennies ), that isn't really in question. I just wasn't sure if it was appropriate to send it back through the school though I don't have an address or anything to send a check. It just seems very petty somehow (thus, the pennies).

 

[pearlieq]

That is so bizarre. I guess I would just write the check and have your son deliver it to the office. They can handle it from there.

Takes all kinds, I guess.

 

[AKL_Megs]

IMO, jewelry isn't something that is necessary for a third grade child to have at school, and when you choose to allow your child to go to school wearing a piece of valuable jewelry, you take the chance that it might get broken there.

I see no reason that you should have to pay for the repair, period. But since you have stated that you would have, and since the mother of the child seems like the Supreme Court is the next step, it's probably best you pay it and be the more mature person.

In the future, I would tell your child that in the future, he is not to touch anything that belongs to his schoolmate. I would also, with the check for $5.35, include a note stating that you won't be responsible again if the necklace is worn to school and broken again, even if your son is involved.

IMO, the whole thing is ridiculous.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I think this is the definition of petty, isn't it? I'd pay the exact amount and write "full accord and satisfaction" in the memo line. It wouldn't surprise me if you got a later bill because the first attempt to repair the necklace didn't meet their high standards. And don't answer the door for strangers until 3 years has passed (statute of limitations).

 

[poohandwendy]

and since the mother of the child seems like the Supreme Court is the next step,
IMO, the whole thing is ridiculous.

 

[poohluvrs]

I would send a check c/o the school principal, w/ a very specific note as to what it was for & the details provided to you via the principal.

You would hate to have something else derive out of this (i.e. neck pain, suffering, etc), I know it sounds crazy, but my school age BIL has been the victim of such an occurence, and judging from this mothers behavior, she may be looking for a set up for something more in the long run...better safe than sorry

 

[Briarmom]

LOL, I would pay it too but is anyone else just rolling their eyes at the ridiculousness of actually going out of your way like this for five and a quarter?

Wow, some people have too much time on their hands.

MTE.
We wonder why the US is lawsuit-happy.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm betting the other mom thinks your ds either broke it on purpose or was doing something wrong/misbehaving when he broke it. Who knows what really happened (did the bus driver or monitor see it?) or what her ds told her. Children tend to not always relay things exactly the way they happened.

I don't think it's unreasonable to send your child to school with a $5 necklace on. That doesn't sound that valuable to me, unless it had sentimental value.

A boy stole my son's necklace (he asked to see it, my son took it off to show it to him, the boy grabbed it and wouldn't give it back) on the bus a couple of years ago. The bus driver told us we should go to the principal, so we did. The boy admitted to taking it, but said he threw it away and he paid us for it. I don't think we were being unreasonable.

 

[poohandwendy]

I don't think it's unreasonable to send your child to school with a $5 necklace on. That doesn't sound that valuable to me, unless it had sentimental value.

The repair was $5, if I am understanding correctly.

 

[BWVDenise]

I'm betting the other mom thinks your ds either broke it on purpose or was doing something wrong/misbehaving when he broke it. Who knows what really happened (did the bus driver or monitor see it?) or what her ds told her. Children tend to not always relay things exactly the way they happened.

I don't think it's unreasonable to send your child to school with a $5 necklace on. That doesn't sound that valuable to me, unless it had sentimental value.

A boy stole my son's necklace (he asked to see it, my son took it off to show it to him, the boy grabbed it and wouldn't give it back) on the bus a couple of years ago. The bus driver told us we should go to the principal, so we did. The boy admitted to taking it, but said he threw it away and he paid us for it. I don't think we were being unreasonable.

It wasn't a $5 necklace, it was a 14k gold necklace which was $5 to repair. I'm sure that a child stealing something from another child is certainly something that would involve the principal.

 

[Liberty Belle]

It wasn't a $5 necklace, it was a 14k gold necklace which was $5 to repair. I'm sure that a child stealing something from another child is certainly something that would involve the principal.

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't read it correctly. Yeah, I wouldn't let my son wear a 14kt gold necklace (at that age) to school without expecting him to lose it or break it.

And my son was in 6th grade when it happened to us, so that makes a difference, too.

 

[MareQ]

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't read it correctly. Yeah, I wouldn't let my son wear a 14kt gold necklace (at that age) to school without expecting him to lose it or break it.

And my son was in 6th grade when it happened to us, so that makes a difference, too.

Exactly - we're taking about 8/9 year olds here!!! I don't send my soon to be 9 year old to school with any jewelry or anything else that doesn't belong at school for that matter No toys, nothing but himself, his clothes etc and his school stuff that's in his backpack.

 

[CindyBella]

I'd send them 6.00 bucks and tell them they can keep the change.

I was going to say that!!

 

[WhatATreat]

I guess I would pay it and give the money to the principal since that is who the other parent went through. If it had happened to my son, though, I certainly wouldn't be making any kind of deal out of $5. My son once broke a friend's glasses when they were playing football and collided. I offered to pay to have them fixed (much more than $5 I'm sure) but the other parents wouldn't hear of it - they just said accidents happen. And they do.

 

[milkabum]

"Like oh my gosh, honey you broke your necklace! And it will cost five dollars to repair it! Oh no! WILL THE MADNESS NEVER STOP!"

Puh-lease.
Send her the $5.35 and a letter on how you feel about this. Heck print out the entire thread and show her it. She'll probably feel embarassed and neevr contact you again, no to mention keep her mouth closed.

 

[Caropooh]

Oh, I intend to pay it (though it may be in pennies ), that isn't really in question. I just wasn't sure if it was appropriate to send it back through the school though I don't have an address or anything to send a check. It just seems very petty somehow (thus, the pennies).

Even though the principal seems to not want to be involved, he/she already is. Since the parent chose to go through the principal, I think you should too. I would send the money(not a check) in an envelope for your son to give to them in the office. I'd probably include a note of apology from your son also. That way you look like the better person.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

What I would do is to send a check through the principal to cover the amount. What I would feel like doing is calling the mother and telling her that the boys were messing around, the necklace was broken, and her son was equally responsible, so you would pay half of the repair amount. But it's just not worth going there. That mother is a piece of work!

 

[grlpwrd]

I wouldn't pay with a check because who knows what she could do with your private info.

I agree with Tigger&Bellie...if they were both messing around then they are both responsible. Funny how some people think their child is immune from consequences.

 

[Caropooh]

I wouldn't pay with a check because who knows what she could do with your private info.

That's exactly why I say pay her cash, not with a check!

 

[rie'smom]

I would send the 5.35 to school. The parents chose to go through the principal,so let the school handle it. Sending 6.00 and a note saying "keep the change" would bring you down to their level. Think it through before acting rashly. A minor incident could become a major hassle.