What would you do?

[teresajoy]

I think you handled this perfectly. The mom should know but they shouldn't be responsible for replacing it as it was an accident.

We put a piece of tape on the floor and tell any visiting kids they can't 'step' over the line. Even then it's been hard with some of the kids who get a little too carried away.

My son, Corey noticed our 5 year old was getting way to close to the TV while playing our Wii and put down a strip of duct tape so that she would see how close she could get to the TV too! But, like you said you still have to watch them really closely. I even find myself getting too close sometimes!

 

[*Seanaci*]

I'm the kind of parent that would want to know if my child did something like that. But, while I wouldn't be able to afford the cost to buy a new TV, I would offer to pay what I could afford toward a new one.

 

[mjkacmom]

Update...I spoke to the mom this morning...She called to invite my daughter over for a play date. We chatted and I asked if her daughter told her about playing with the Wii. I told her what happened - that I just wanted to let her know about it. She was a little horrified and asked if she could replace the tv. I said - "No, thanks for offering, but that is not why I told you". We are pretty friendly - and I wouldn't want to feel any 'resentment/regret' about the situation. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders by telling her what happened. I hope she doesn't feel stressed out now - but she is totally the type to get it right out in the open if she does.

My DH just said today he could live with the tv as it is too - so we can wait for a really good deal...

Thanks for all your advice.

KLJ27 - I agree about the point about the sculpture. I have a girlfriend whose house I have not been over for years now (since my youngest started walking). They have glass objects at child eye level and white carpets, the whole non-child friendly thing going as far as home decorating. I stressed way too much while I was there (and told her so). She had a small baby at the time, I wonder if her decorating tastes have changed now that she has two....

In telling her, you moved the weight from your shoulders to hers. If you don't want compensation, why did you tell her? As a parent, of course I'd be horrified if my child broke something expensive at another home, and if I was told about it, I would assume they wanted me to pay for it, even if I was told not to.

I personally would've kept quiet, since there is no benefit in making the other mom feel badly. When another child is in my care, what happens is totally my responsibility.

 

[sk!mom]

In telling her, you moved the weight from your shoulders to hers. If you don't want compensation, why did you tell her? As a parent, of course I'd be horrified if my child broke something expensive at another home, and if I was told about it, I would assume they wanted me to pay for it, even if I was told not to.

I personally would've kept quiet, since there is no benefit in making the other mom feel badly. When another child is in my care, what happens is totally my responsibility.

ITA- Your friend will now feel terrible for something that she had absolutely no control over.

If I was the one who had been told I would definitly think you wanted compensation. There was no other reason to tell. It's not like the child purposely broke something and a parent needed to be told of the misbehavior. This was an unfortunate accident.

Just curious, OP- If you don't expect compensation and this was not misbehavior that a parent needs to deal with, why did you tell? Just to make her feel guilty?

I have to be honest, if I was your friend, I would be leery now of allowing my young child at your house. I would worry that something else could be damaged. Young kids, especially when they are together, are accidents waiting to happen.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I think I would have done the same thing, and tell the parent about it, but not ask that they replace it, only because I should have been watching her better.

My DD was at a friends house and was driving their golf cart and scratched the paint when she hit a post. I was called and told to fix it, kids need to learn a lesson. No problem, we paid to have it fixed, but the father had it painted from yellow to an Auburn orange with the logo on the front. My DH still does not know that, because he would be mad. I don't mind fixing something, but dang.

Needless to say, she is not allowed on the golf cart anymore.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

Tough call. We have a Wii, and the kids know the rules, but DD14 was at a friends house and they have really low ceilings and DD swung (I think playing baseball) and knocked out a light on the ceiling. She didn't do anything wrong, but it jsut sort of happened. I said I'd ay but turned out she only broke the lightbulb. BUT, I only knew because my DD told me, the mom didn't say anything. If the kid doesn't tell the mom and you haven't she may never know.
Honestly, it's a tough call. I know when we have friends over to play I am so nervous about taht happening (and we have an old tv, I can't imagine with a nice one!)
Good luck whatever you decide to do...

That really helps...

 

[surfergirl602]

that's why the remotes come with those safety straps, right? We cinch them up tight and have never had a problem, even though the girls have let go more than once. the strap has saved our tv from anniahaltion on sever occasions. I agree with your decision.