Son broke Mum in Law's ornament- help please?

knitknack

aw, i'm sorry for you but I also wanted to say - please go easy on your little boy! He's only four and I can't imagine how enticing a shiney crystally thing would have been to him, plus it could have already had a 'fault' that no one knew of, after all he'd had to have been superman really to break a good one?! I agree, this is just an accident by a member of her family (he's her grandson!), accidents happen, and this is just a 'thing' - try to put it in perspective (hard I know, just picking up a newspaper at the moment should help!).

Poor little boy, I really wouldn't keep going on about it, he'll be scared to go to his granny's in the future.

Hope you get it all sorted.

Gingham_Ribbon

When you say it was 'slightly warm' when she got it, do you mean stolen? Got to say, if that's the case, I would have apologised and left it at that. If not, then the best way to sort it out seems to be to talk to her and try to come up with something together.

beccam

Poor you!!! I would say try the insurance if she is willing to...maybe she can't get the same piece but can get something similar or you could take her for a day out to go shopping for something so she has sentimental value attached to that?

Shouldn't be effected by the fact you have no receipt and so long as she's kept the pieces or you have evidence it existed? I know when my OH knocked a stereo of a wall mount he contacted insurance and gave make and model, he had bought it cheap in the sale and with friends staff discount, the replacement they sent was the next model up and twice the price of what OH had paid!
Always worth a try and like I say even if she doesn't get full value it might be enough for her to do something nice with.

At least your son did it by accident and it wasn't deliberate....might not be getting such a great Christmas pressie from Grandma though!!;-)

As for biting, talk to him and see if there is a reason, talk to school and see if its happening there or is any other children biting. Let him know it's unacceptable and there will be punishment if he does it again...you decide what suits best...naughty step/time out/grounding/withdrawing toys or privileges? No warnings in our house for physical 'violence' straight to the step!!!

SomeBozo

I had a one of these stolen about 4 years ago in a robbery. Small world huh?

They are expensive and precious, why on earth it would be anywhere small kids could get to it is beyond me.

I know I would rather have kids playing and being kids at my place than worried about an ornamnent.

Bozo

andyrules

Actually, when I'd finished grinning, I began to feel slightly annoyed that you are feeling so bad and thinking of spending an obscene amount of money on a trinket as you feel so guilty.

Look, first - I don't think it matters which child had their fingers near it when it fell - the fact is a fragile and valuable ornament was out in a main thoroughfare when there are small children visiting regularly. MIL must surely be aware of that and took the risk. If they'd gone into her bedroom without permission and helped themselves to the contents of her dressing table then that's different.
Second - the fact that your DS was upset shows that he is aware and sensitive to the loss - that's not a bad lesson for him and clearly you are already teaching him respect for other people's property.
Third - the biting, I'm sure, is linked with anxiety - new school etc and i'm willing to bet he has picked up on your stress levels over this - they are a bit obvious;):D
Fourth - if the value is that important she can claim, receipts aren't necessary (I had a lot of old jewellery taken in a burglary - I just gave a verbal description to a valuer). I like the idea of another poster - make a gesture of recognition (I nearly said apology - but I really don't think anyone is at fault) - maybe get DS to make something - that will have sentimental value;)
Last - stop fretting - he's only 4, wait till he's 14 then you can stress big time:D

liney

I think your MiL is right; Karma does come around eventually.

Accidents happen and apologies have been made. She knew she couldn't claim in the insurance as she was in possession of stolen goods. She should have made sure it was in a more suitable place.

Perhaps you could buy one and give it to the origional owner of the item.

3_cheeky_princesses

IMO If it was stolen then really your MIL shouldnt off had it in the first place so you could just say sorry and get your ds to make her something (picture, paint your own cup eyc..) in ways of appology too.

If it meant so much to your MIL then she should put these bits away when her grandchildren come to visit. If they are in a place where people walk past etc frequently then it is likely that something will get broken. That may sound harsh but this is what my MIL was told when ours were little. She use to have little ornaments all over a fireplace so as soon as we walked in my dd & ds went staright for them but it would of took her 2 / 3 mins to put away each time we came to stop any breakages and us nagging the children constant.

If she def wants it replaced I am sure the insurance would pay out the retail value of it so your MIL should claim on that to replace it, then maybe you could buy her a piece of jewellery as a sorry too but it wont cost anywhere near as much as to replace the crystal ornament. I would then request any item of value put away when you go to visit

lots29

I would get her a "new" piece of a similar size from their latest range. It will be in perfect condition, come in a nice box, and she need never know that the other one was a "collectible"....If you want to say sorry,but we can't afford a whole new piece, Butler and Wilson do some fab jewelery from about £40 a piece using the crystals.....

~Chameleon~

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

When you say it was 'slightly warm' when she got it, do you mean stolen? Got to say, if that's the case, I would have apologised and left it at that. If not, then the best way to sort it out seems to be to talk to her and try to come up with something together.

I completely agree with you and if it was stolen how on earth can she attach any sentimental or financial value to it?

Karma has come full circle :T

Don't blame the boy, it was an accident and he's far too young to be burdened with so much guilt

Errata

I'd get her a replacement from Woollies ! Daft old bat, what did she expect with boisterous lads running around the place ?