Should I make him pay for it?

[C~Q]

Last night I had to teach a class and the creche wasn't open. But it's behind reception which had three people on it last night so the girls said to put them in the room and they would keep an eye on them.

When I went to pick them up DD1 (7 but tiny) was sitting int he baby bouncer. Anyway she got out and then we tidied up and left.

This morning I got a phone call from the gym and they said the bouncer is broken. I spoke to DD1 and she said that DS(9) went in it and broke it

So...I have to replace it. Really awesome to spend the extra money just before xmas but should I make DS pay for it? He's getting $30 from my Mum which I was supposed to use for a voucher but i'm wondering if I should use it for the bouncer?

Or is that really mean? I don't know...just feel he won't learn his esson if I just pay for it. And how much are bouncers anyway??? Aggghhhhh...****ed off

[Lulu]

Ummm, no I don't think so. Unless he deliberately did it and has done something like that before.

[C~Q]

No he hasn't...but i'm so cranky...he's tall and should know better to sit in a tiny baby bouncer Grrrr, thanks Lu, I find it really hard to discipline him...I don't know why. Sometimes I think he's older than he is...

[Liz]

I think it wouldn't hurt to tell him what's happened and get him to pay a little of it. Explain that if it was an accident that's ok, but it still needs to be replaced, so this time you'll help him out.

[Beautiful Disaster]

I have a spare on you can have!!! I was going to give it away anyway!

[MummaSue]

That's a tough one hey? Could he pay half with you? And let him know exactly why? It sounds like he didn't break it on purpose but he should really have 'fessed up last night hey?

[*Efjay*]

Yeah I agree with the going halves option. That way he might think twice before doing something that really he should have known better. Even your 7 yr old. Just because she is tiny, she should still have some part in it. Tiny or not its made for big kids & both are old enough IMO to have been able to understand that.
BUT they are kids so go easy.

[Just Me]

That sucks especially in the week before Christmas! Instead of taking money from him, could you explain to him what has happened and that you have to pay for it and that you would like him to help pay for it and talk to him about doing some extra jobs at home to earn some money to help pay for the bouncer. I wouldn't take his present money away from him, but get him to 'earn' extra money to help pay for it.

It is so frustrating when stuff like that happens.

[C~Q]

I have a spare on you can have!!! I was going to give it away anyway!

Seriously? That would be awesome! I mean the one they had in there could be years old so they can't complain about that hey?

I do like the idea of going halves as he does have to take some responsibility and I guess so does Cass...it''s just hard with her because people seem to find it funny to put her in baby things as a joke as she's so tiny (16kgs).

Think i'll have a big chat with them...

Kylz...would be awesome but i'll def give you some money x

[Beautiful Disaster]

When do you need it? I dont have a car today but could drop it off after work tomorrow night?

[Beautiful Disaster]

No worries rach. Thanks for the wine. I will put it on ice till march lol