I have a question for people with kids

[MagicConch]

Some friend of mine asked to come over to see some work I had done on my house (b/c she is thinking to do some remodeling) I said okay. She comes and brings her son (she did not tell me that she was bringing but I really thought nothing of it) and we go outside b/c she also wanted to see some flagstone outside also. Anyhow there is a football there and he picks it up without asking and throws it right at a glass fence I have and damages it. She apologizes and I say "Kids are going to be kids. I am having the guys come out for some work anyway and I will have them line item the cost of repair for that section and send you the bill" Then she acts with weird indignation as if I made a major faux pas.

Is it common accepted practice to absorb the costs of all damage of other people's univited kids? I really don't know b/c I never have had kids at my house and none of my other friends have kids. I thought I was being cool by not getting upset and just stating how things will be handled. I got the impression she though the apology should be all that is required which seemed very odd to me. Thanks

 

[BurnItDwn]

No, it's common sense. Her child broke it, so she will buy you a new one. Even if it is something small, it is her responsibility.

Also, she should pick up the broken pieces / clean up the mess. Or she should pay to have that done too.

 

[Dirigible]

You (or your kids) break it, you buy it.

I'm a father, and that's my motto.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Yeah, she'll have to suck it up and get you a new...glass fence? I just googled that and never realized those things had a name.

Although, if you speak like you write, you probably came off as a real weirdo.

 

[woodie1]

Her kid did the damage so she should have offered to pay for the repairs when she apologized. It's not like she wasn't there to see who caused the damage. I'd not let any of mine damage someones property without offering to pay for the damage. You should let her know what the repair cost is but don't count on receiving any money. She sounds like a class act.

 

[Baked]

You did the right thing. I would've thrown the football at the kid's face.

 

[vi edit]

Those who live near glasses fences shouldn't throw footballs.

Seriously...a glass fence?

Anywho...when my daughter is old enough to destroy property it's my responsibility as a parent to replace said property.

 

[kt]

You should look at her strangely for not offering to pay for the damages.

 

[WannaFly]

WTF is a glass fence?

You better invest in some 5 gallon buckets of windex

 

[Codewiz]

You did nothing wrong. Her kid broke shit. She should fix it. Don't have a kid yet but have one in the oven.

 

[sdifox]

err, what part of "legal guardian is responsible for minors" did your friend not understand?

 

[nakedfrog]

The kid shouldn't have even picked up the football without asking, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't appear he's being taught respect for the property of others.
It looks like we know why, too.
Yes, she should pay (regardless of whether or not the kid was invited).

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Jschmuck2
Yeah, she'll have to suck it up and get you a new...glass fence? I just googled that and never realized those things had a name.

Although, if you speak like you write, you probably came off as a real weirdo.

she should have apologized and offered to pay before he had a chance to bring it up.

 

[gorcorps]

get a new friend, she's a wart on society's ass if she doesn't understand this concept

 

[tw1164]

I never heard of glass fence.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
get a new friend, she's a wart on society's ass if she doesn't understand this concept

Agreed. That kind of behavior really shows you exactly who she is and I wouldn't want to be friends with anybody like that.

 

[imported_Imp]

If it was my kid, I'd volunteer to pay for it.

Seeing as how she did not volunteer, she obviously believed that "shit happens, especially with kids so too bad for you". You forcing her to pay for it would be offensive to people like her. Don't feel bad...

But glass fence man? I'm sure it looks nice, but I hope you don't have punks in your neighbourhood or a bar.

 

[Biggerhammer]

If my kid did the damage, I'd pay for the repair. I'd be frustrated but let me tell you, frustration goes with kids like peanut butter and chocolate

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Pick up the child and beat your friend to death with it.

 

[BKLounger]

I fully agree you did the right thing in telling her to pay for the repairs.

The part i'm most shocked about is people here are so surprised by her reaction. I've seen this plenty of times where kids break stuff in front of parents and the parents attitude is if the parent didn't personally cause the damage then they don't have to pay (basically the kid is the equivalent of a ghost).

Hell when i was a little kid i broke a window with a hockey ball and had to walk over to the neighbor by myself tell them what i did and tell them I would pay for the repairs or my father would have beat me senseless.

 

[darkxshade]

No it's your fault you put or had a football where it was and a glass fence conveniently placed in direct line of sight of said football. /sarcasm

 

[LemonHead]

Originally posted by: tw1164
I never heard of glass fence.

Me too......do you have pics of said fence?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Pick up the child and beat your friend to death with it.

What does he do with the child afterwards?

 

[ra1nman]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
The kid shouldn't have even picked up the football without asking, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't appear he's being taught respect for the property of others.
It looks like we know why, too.
Yes, she should pay (regardless of whether or not the kid was invited).

Exactly. If it were my kid, i'd take it out on his a$$

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Pick up the child and beat your friend to death with it.

What does he do with the child afterwards?

I heard their asses are sweet and tender.

/Albert Fish