WWYD- coat stained at school harvest festival?

[rantnnravin]

Not trying to sound rude, but you saw it there by where they were cleaning up and you didn't move it, so you didn't really think about that risk either. Like I said, it was a live and learn situation.

Hope you can try some of the PP's ideas and that the paint comes out!

Marsha

No. the OP said this:

One para was washing off another child's coat. Dd coat was on the table near her.

OP saw a TA helping by washing off the coats and felt the situation was under control.

 

[mikkishelles]

Just a question.. did you know ahead of time that the kids would be outside painting?

 

[dawnbu40]

You've got to pick your battles and I'm sorry to say I don't think this is the right one. I wouldn't pursue the matter if I were you.

 

[Nie0214]

LL Bean has a 100% guarantee, so you could maybe get a new one. I'm also curious if you knew they were painting beforehand or not. Also, honestly, why does it matter if your kid is wearing a paint-smeared winter coat for the season? If it keeps the child warm and it fits, a paint-stain wouldn't be much to worry me. Kids get messy, it builds character.

 

[kmk160]

While LL BEAN has a guarantee, I don't think that covers situations like this.
It applies to their merchandise that is defective, not normal wears and tears and stains that just happen to occur. If this were the case, each time someone got a spot or stain on one of their items, they could simply return for a new one.

 

[Vijoge]

Not that LL Bean is at fault here, but if it was brand new...I think that LL Bean would take it back & give you a new coat or credit you.

LL Bean has a 100% guarantee, so you could maybe get a new one.

LL Bean didn't ruin the coat. Why expect, or even ask, them to pay?

 

[mjkacmom]

When I send my kids to school, I'm sending them knowing that whatever they are wearing might get trashed. Yes, it sounds like the activity turned out to be too messy, and maybe they won't do it again next year. However, if schools had to reimburse parents for every clothing item that got stained or ripped in school, they'd be broke! I've thrown out many an item ruined by washable paint.

 

[rantnnravin]

LL Bean didn't ruin the coat. Why expect, or even ask, them to pay?

and neither did OP's daughter, who was using crayons.

 

[ajk912]

I would let it go.

I was equally annoyed at my daughter's Halloween party yesterday when they were painting as a project wearing their Halloween costumes. I was paranoid my daughter would mess up her costume and wouldn't want to wear it that evening, but I kept it to myself.

Kids get messy, it stinks, but it's the truth!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

LL Bean didn't ruin the coat. Why expect, or even ask, them to pay?

LL Bean will send a new coat (even if they don't ruin them )..but for things like a broken zipper, or snap, etc..but I wouldn't image for paint stains.

I personally wouldn't make a fuss about it. I can't imagine the school would reimburse you despite the circumstances. Can you imagine if the school had to 'pay' parents for anything that came home with a child that was 'ruined' at school...nice shoes get scuffed, nice tights get holes in them, nice jackets get dirty or torn on the palyground, expensive backpacks get broken.
Kids can be destructive dirty little critters.

 

[ajk912]

BTW, please don't try to return the coat to LLBean. That makes me cringe to read that. Because of return policy abuse so many stores have tightened up their belts on return policy....LLBean is one of the last good ones out there...please don't abuse it!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

First off OP I would also be upset if a brand new jacket came home from school stained. I have sent my kids to school in new clothes and know how frustrating it is to have something come home with a stain that I just can't get out.

On the Flip side, I am a Preschool/Pre K teacher working at a school that also has grades k-6. In my classes one of the first things we tell parents is to never send your child to school wearing something that you don't want to get dirty/stained etc. We also send a note home about this. I know the other grades do as well. It doesn't happen very often but on an occassion I still have sent my own kids to school in something that I would prefer them not to get messy. Sometimes it does and I don't complain because I know better. It's one of those things.

I don't know how much you knew about the activities that were going on. When we have volunteers come in for a special activity at school we tell them what activities we are having. I don't know if it was the same at your school. Either way, I make it a practice not to send my kids to school in something that I don't want to get "ruined" on these special days because inevitably they will have some activity that is messy. It seems like in this case no one party is more to blame than the other. More planning could have gone into the mural painting (and really it wouldn't have mattered if it was in or out if it wasn't someone's jacket it would have been someones pants or shirt- painting and kids is just a messy project all around). long sleeved smocks could have been used to fend off paint on jacketed arms. On the other hand, it should just be common practice that if there is something that you don't want to get messy, don't send it to school even if it is just a regular school day.

Like I said I have had some things ruined at school-(my own clothes included when I wear something new and then plan a messy activity) and when it comes home that way I am reminded of my own advice I give parents "Play Clothes only. Nothing that you would mind if it got dirty". I wouldn't complain to the school or expect them to reimburse you for anything- it is one of those things. Frustrating absolutely but not worth making a big deal about. In the meantime I would, like another PP said take the jacket to a cleaner often times they can get stains out. It is an added expense, but it sounds like since it was a new jacket you would like your child to wear it unstained.

Our volunteers are important to teachers and the children kudos to you for being a part of that and keep it up I know we love our volunteers.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I don't think the school should be liable at all. I agree that kids are kids and if you are so concerned about any item of clothing getting dirty, stained, etc. it probably should be worn to elementary school. It's a bummer but the school wasn't responsible.

 

[zoemurr]

and yes.. "washable" paint is not washable.

and just an FYI.. if you paint at home.. or want to tell a teacher.. `but if you mix paint with a liberal amount of liquid soap it makes it much more washable.

I would never have the kids paint in their jackets, and I always have them remove a nice sweater or sweatshirt before they paint, because as a parent I know what it's like to have things ruined. That being said, I would never think to complain about a messy activity or stained clothes. It just goes with having kids.

 

[MiniGirl]

BTW, please don't try to return the coat to LLBean. That makes me cringe to read that. Because of return policy abuse so many stores have tightened up their belts on return policy....LLBean is one of the last good ones out there...please don't abuse it!

Not only that, but it also raises the prices for the rest of it.

My best friend says that if her kids are still clean when they come home from school or home from a friend's house, then she knows they didn't have any fun. I would let this one go. Also another thing to think about is what kind of reputation you will be making for yourself. I did a quite a bit of volunteer work when my oldest was in public school and had several instances where I could've complained but let things go as "kids being kids." Seriously, I didn't think the things were a big deal. When my youngest started K, I was not pleased with the teacher she had been given. (Nothing against the teacher. I just knew it wasn't a good match.) I went in to complain, and because I was not kown as a "complainer," my dd was put in a different class as I requested. I do know a couple of other moms who are quick to voice their opinion and who made similar requests and their children were not moved. (I'm not saying the school was right or wrong in how they handled it. It simply is what it is.)

Seriously, I would let this go.

 

[jennilynn510]

I completely agree. I know that when I send my kids to school that they will be doing things that can get dirty. I tend to have a school coat and a nice coat and then I don't have to worry about something happening to the coat at school. Clothes get stained and dirty and thats when I know my kids are being kids!

i totally agree...u saw the paint and decided to allow you child to participate...off to the dry-cleaner the coat goes & save that whine for some cheese

 

[summerrluvv]

Painting outside in winter coats with kindergartners? STUPID idea on the teacher's part. I would complain so they don't do it again. Yes you go to school to play and learn, but painting in a bulky winter jacket and painting in sleeves that CAN be rolled up are completely different.

 

[summerrluvv]

i totally agree...u saw the paint and decided to allow you child to participate...off to the dry-cleaner the coat goes & save that whine for some cheese

Well that was rude.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

and yes.. "washable" paint is not washable.

and just an FYI.. if you paint at home.. or want to tell a teacher.. `but if you mix paint with a liberal amount of liquid soap it makes it much more washable.

.

I second this do it everytime we paint!

 

[mikkishelles]

Well that was rude.

It may have been rude, but appropriate. I have a 5 year old and a 6 year old. I would never complain or be outraged if they got dirty in school. BTW, my kids wear LL bean coats, have LL bean school bags, etc. If they got dirty, I'd try and clean them. I'd never call the school to complain. There are so many other things where such energy would be much better spent. IMHO.