Wwyd?

[aprilfoolwed]

deleted

 

[*BTMRR*]

I don't know the dynamics of your family. But here's what I'd do if I were in your situation.
I would just go ahead and replace the game. And then make it clear (nicely) that you've talked to DS and he understands he's not allowed to handle the games without adult supervision. I'd tell her (and DS) that if she is busy and can't help with the Wii, DS will have to find something else to do. That way, the responsibility is on her so that in the future if she finds damaged games she can't blame DS.

I wouldn't make DS pay for it since you really don't know what happened.

I'm super close to my sis, and I wouldn't want a $40 game to cause any kind of negative feelings.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thanks for replying.

Does it make it a different situation if I mention that we are a family of 5 on one income (I stay home with our 3 kids and go to college part-time) and make nearly 3 times what we make? It's not that we CAN'T replace the game, because I would feel obligated to if I truly knew my son damaged it, but it puts a big dent in our weekly budget to have to buy another game.

Seriously, if I knew that he broke it, I would have replaced it already. But although he has been less-than-responsible lately, he's never broken a game or DVD or CD here at all.

I don't know, maybe I'll just go to Target and buy the game. It probably will sort of end up meaning that my DS does not get the same game for xmas this year (as planned) because I can't really afford to buy two of them.

 

[Halbleib1]

No way would I replace a game unless I knew for sure that my child broke it. As you said she has two small children of her own that could have just as easily broke it.

For this very reason we have always had a rule with my son that an adult must put in any games/movies and that he is not to touch them.

Also if I were in your sister's situation I would not expect the game to be replaced unless I knew for sure that your child did it.

 

[mnasf]

Sounds like a hint to me. I'd probably replace it saying sorry and would insist that my child is never ever to play their wii again - even with adult. But my opinion is your sister is being a pain. If you were my sister, I wouldn't have said anything to you. My take would be that my nephew was at my house. I was suppose to be supervising him and obviously wasn't so it's my fault. Sorry.

This is somewhat budget related....

My sister emailed me and asked me to talk with my DS (7) because they went to play their Wii and found one of their games not working and a few scratches on some others. They hadn't played the Wii for some time, but said my DS had played it several times at their house. They had given him permission to play the games,and he played it on his own intheir basement.

Now, that very same evening that I get this email, my DH and I both have to talk with same DS about being responsible for his Wii games and DVDs/CDs. We were finding them all over our basement - not in cases - and noticed some scratches as well. We told him he needs to always put them back in their cases and handle them gently.

After getting the email from my sister, we spoke with him AGAIN, and added that from now on, he really needs to have an adult help him with any DVDs or CDs since he doesn't know how to handle them properly.

I email my sister and tell her we spoke with him and have told him he is not allowed to play anything without an adult, and suggest that she not allow him to play the Wii at her house without supervision too.

She writes back "thanks... hope he's not too mad at me.... It's just that one game doesn't work at all now and others are scratched... And we sort of yelled at A [their 3-year-old] thinking that he had done it.... Hope R [my son] isn't mad at us..."

So, twice now she tells me her game is broken, and I think she's hinting that we should replace the game. Thing is, we haven't been to her house for over a month, and I really don't know if my son scratched the game. I am sure he COULD have, but we weren't there long and it was some time ago. She does have a 3-year-old and an infant in her house, so really anything could happen.

Am I obligated to offer to buy a new game for her? Should I be making my DS pay for this?

If I knew he broke the game on purpose (or even if I knew he did it accidentally) I would think we should replace it. But we don't know what happened to it. I have no idea if they played the game since we were there last, or if they had anyone else who played it, or if their son touches the games.

WWYD?

 

[Hannathy]

no I would not replace it! No way. She as much as said her 3 yr old gets into the games and plays with them. She said they yelled at him today for doing that. Plus it has been a month anything could have happened. the baby could have picked it up and chewed on it. anyone could have scratched it.

Plus I would never expect my sister to pay for something I thought my nephew had done unless it was deliberate and purposeful and I saw them do it.

Just tell your son you don't want him getting blamed for something he may not have done so from now on let his aunt or uncle put all the games in when you are there.

When you have people over and let them use your house and belongs you have to expect a certain amount of wear and tear on it. this falls into that category especially since they didn't see him do anything wrong and they have 2 kids one of which they KNOW for a fact gets into the games.

Do not pay for it and don't make your son pay for it and don't be too hard on him for something he may not even have done.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

I would replace the game. The fact that it was brought up to you...twice says to me that she would appreciate some type of retribution. The truth is, no one exactly knows who damaged the game. The other truth is...she believes your son did it and no amount of convincing will get her to believe otherwise.

To me at least...I don't think that your financial situation puts enough weight on my opinion to sway me the other way.

Hopefully though, you can offer and your sister will say no thanks.

 

[ssawka]

I would ask DS what happened, preferably in front of DSis. I think DS would be less likely to lie with DSis present. I also think you may be able to come to a negotation if you all sit down and talk about it. Perhaps DSis will agree to pay half or something.

 

[DawnM]

The child is 7. My boys don't remember if they put a game away a month ago, even now.....so asking the 7 year old will most likely get a shrug. I wouldn't put that kind of pressure on him to answer in front of your sister.

I would offer to pay for that one game. Really, $40 is worth it to maintain the peace. Or if you really feel you aren't sure, offer to pay half.

It doesn't matter that they make 3 times what you make......if she thinks your son did it, the tention is there.

Dawn

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I wouldn't replace it, but it's a touchy situation and really will depend on your relationship.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried to do anything to make it work? I know our local library will "fix" scratched CD's and movies for like $1. I've used peanut butter to "fix" CD's that were scratched and wouldn't play and they played. I've also heard toothpaste works. I'm thinking try to do something like this and see if it helps at all before buying new....

 

[Skatermom23]

I don't know the dynamics of your family. But here's what I'd do if I were in your situation.
I would just go ahead and replace the game. And then make it clear (nicely) that you've talked to DS and he understands he's not allowed to handle the games without adult supervision. I'd tell her (and DS) that if she is busy and can't help with the Wii, DS will have to find something else to do. That way, the responsibility is on her so that in the future if she finds damaged games she can't blame DS.

I wouldn't make DS pay for it since you really don't know what happened.

I'm super close to my sis, and I wouldn't want a $40 game to cause any kind of negative feelings.

This!!

Does it make it a different situation if I mention that we are a family of 5 on one income (I stay home with our 3 kids and go to college part-time) and make nearly 3 times what we make? It's not that we CAN'T replace the game, because I would feel obligated to if I truly knew my son damaged it, but it puts a big dent in our weekly budget to have to buy another game.

THis has nothing to do with the situation.

 

[Kay1]

I don't think I'd replace it. It sounds like you and your sister agree that all the children need closer supervision when playing these games. I would let it go at that. Maybe you could offer to buy your nephew a new game for Christmas, or surprise him with a used game from Half.com., if you really feel the need.

 

[Shmily1]

Well, since it was your DSis that gave your DS permission, it should be her responsibility. If you told him he could play with it and you knew he did it, then yes, it would be your responsibility.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would replace the game. While you don't know for sure that your child damaged any of the games, you do know it is highly possible, based on how he handles his own games.

Having all of this stress with your sister isn't worth the $40 you would save by not replacing the game.

The fact that you sister's family has more income makes no difference. That would be almost like saying they have more money, so it is no big deal if you break their stuff. I know this is not what you are saying, but it can be interpreted that way.

Before running off to Target for the game, check with any local stores that resell used games. That would save you a few dollars. Our mall has a store that resells used games for a lower price, and they guarantee that they are as good as new.

 

[uk_wildcat]

I would also try to repair the disc first. My sons had a game yesterday that would not play in the Wii. I put it in my little disc cleaner that I bought super cheap at Wal Mart and cleaned it and it played perfectly. It even had some minor scratching on it and it still works. I have also heard of the toothpaste trick for scratching, but have not tried it before.
If that doesn't work, then maybe try to find a used copy at Gamestop for less than $40. The game was used anyway, so as long as it is a copy that works, I wouldn't worry about trying to buy a "new" one.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Well, first, she shouldn't have yelled at a 3 year old for this! The 3 year old shouldn't be put in the position to take care of a disc.

I'd offer to replace the game that doesn't work. You've already talked to your son. I'd let it go - maybe you could tell your son you are having to replace it, but I wouldn't do more than that with him.

Now, if your son did it again, then I'd make him work to pay it off.

ETA: I think your sister should be partly if not mostly to blame. She chose to let your son use the games with no supervision. I'd still offer to buy a new one, to keep family peace. If she knows how much you struggle financially, she'll decline, I would hope.

 

[cherokeemamma]

It sounds like more than one game was scratched/damaged. I think I would replace one of the games (maybe the one he played the most) but I would replace it with a used game. Do you have a Game Stop near you? They sell used games as does Blockbuster. They may also sell something that could repair the games...not too sure how that works. And I agree that all games must be supervised; at least when you start them up, change games or shut down the system.

 

[tlbwriter]

If you decide to replace the game, check eBay. I needed to replace a missing disc and got a really good price on a disc without the case.

 

[PaulaSue]

I would offer to pay. I wouldn't let my 7 handle games/disks (heck my I dont let my older girls touch them) and since you know how he does yours I am betting he could have done it to your sisters.

 

[ssawka]

The child is 7. My boys don't remember if they put a game away a month ago, even now.....so asking the 7 year old will most likely get a shrug. I wouldn't put that kind of pressure on him to answer in front of your sister.

I would offer to pay for that one game. Really, $40 is worth it to maintain the peace. Or if you really feel you aren't sure, offer to pay half.

It doesn't matter that they make 3 times what you make......if she thinks your son did it, the tention is there.

Dawn

To some extent I agree with you that you are unlikely to get valuable information from a 7 year old, but I would still let him be in on the conversation because:

1. It affects him
2. It's a perfect opportunity to expose him to how adults handle conflict