i'd be devastated! I bet the mum was horrified though I can only imagine how horrified i would be if one of my girls broke something really special.
I would sit by the mantra though that accidents happen, it wasnt intentional. But yeah, it does suck poo bottom
I'm trying to think if i would offer compo...i know that i would apologise profusely and help clean it up...but now, yeah i'd have to think about how i as the mum of the kid that broke the special thing, how you would go about offering? Like, is it replaceable? If it is, then i am fairly certain i would (or try to match closely).
All I'd expect is an apology. Accidents do happen and kids, well, they'll be kids. As most of us know, it's hard to watch them every second of the day.
I learned very quickly to shut doors to rooms I didn't want kids going into, and putting anything of value (sentimental or $) well out of reach. In my case, it was a photo of my sister and I at her wedding that a 2yo pulled out of a frame and screwed up. I'd left it on a low-set table, not even thinking a kid would go for it. It was the first time I hosted mothers' group at my house
Sorry it's happened to you, but unfortunately I think it's just "one of those things".
ETA: Just wanted to add, that if a child of mine broke something I too would be horrified and would offer to try and fix or replace it if it was something you could fix/replace.
Last edited by AndiE; March 2nd, 2012 at 03:31 PM.
To not receive an apology is bad etiquette in my books.
DD once lost one of her Best friends toys when we were out. They had done a swap as her friend wanted her Toy story Jesse doll while we were at dinner so DD had her friends teddy bear. Friends DD wanted to keep Jesse for the night so I said that was fine as DD was happy with bear but we lost it. I called the restaurant, went back and searched where we had walked but there was no sign of the Bear. I called the restaurant so many times as this was a special teddy that she had since she was born. I was devestated.
I couldnt replace the sentimental value of the bear but the friends mum knew how much I tried to find it and I ended up buying DD's friend a brand new Jesse doll as she loved DD's so much. Of course my friend said it wasnt necessary but I felt I had to do everything possible to show her how sorry I was.
If something really expensive was broken and I knew we couldnt afford to replace it, I would apologise as much as I could and give them an apology card with some money towards replacing it.
I haven't read any of the other replies, I would expect at the very least an offer to replace both items.
If it were my children that broke something, intentional or otherwise, I would offer to replace or repair (whichever was needed), and a most sincere apology.
My DD has broken/damaged things before. She's just rough, though she's much better now than she was. It was not through lack of supervision either - most times she just grabs and yanks without looking and what that particular necklace type thing was attached to.
I always apologise, profusely, and attempt some sort of replacement.
Reply With QuoteI can only imagine how horrified i would be if one of my girls broke something really special.
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