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

teeni

mrcow wrote: »

What about option 3 - ask the parent to ensure that the child doesn't play boisterously by the ornament cabinet?

Or are we living in a world where parents are no longer required to maintain an acceptable level of behaviour?

Well said my point exactly,the children are not at fault here the adults are, o/p clearly stated that she was concerned about the safety of the unit so why were they playing by it. Children have to learn to behave in other peoples homes, shops etc.

mrcow

Not trying to get cheap on you or anything

But these guys look similar (to me anyway - I know nothing about collectables!) and are a fraction of the price.

You never know, give them 20 years and they may be worth the same amount (and at least you'll have a receipt this time).

Just an idea?

Mutter_2

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

If you want to be so pedantic, she actually decribed it as a "shelving unit full of glass ornaments" and a rickety one at that! The unit is also made of glass so seven-day-weekend was correct, unlike yourself who thought it was a single shelf! :rolleyes:

I hope I never have to call you as a witness in court!!!:rotfl:

We'd be like Laurel and Hardy, both blaming one another.:D

Mutter_2

mrcow wrote: »

Not trying to get cheap on you or anything

But these guys look similar (to me anyway - I know nothing about collectables!) and are a fraction of the price.

You never know, give them 20 years and they may be worth the same amount (and at least you'll have a receipt this time).

Just an idea?

There ought to be a law against them.:eek:

hayley11

I'm glad somebody explained what "slighty warm" meant coz I didn't have a clue

I agree with others who have said, it's not the childs fault and I also feel sad that he got in big trouble for it. I would just speak to your MIL and see what she wants to do and to be honest if she even suggested you replace it i'd tell her to get lost.

I can appreciate that if children are coming round you shouldn't have to child proof it but accidents happen and it could have been an adult who knocked it off so if you do have something with a lot of sentimental value then move it.

H x

p.s. I also agree that the ornaments are very tacky but I love the jewellery

bestpud

I do not think grandparents should be expected to child-proof their home tbh.

It was obviously an accident but I have to ask why on earth you allowed him to play in the hallway when you have always dreaded this happening? That isn't your mil's fault to be fair, given you were there at the time.

As for compensating her, I would suggest you ask her what she thinks can be done and take it from there.

I am kind of wondering how she can moan about it, morally at least, when she knows she only has it in the first place through the rightful owner being deprived of it!

But, as I said, just ask her about it and see what she says. She may not want you to spend thousands on replacing it...?

Nicki

bestpud wrote: »

But, as I said, just ask her about it and see what she says. She may not want you to spend thousands on replacing it...?

But she might want you to tell her which of your friends or neighbours have an ornament that she might like, so that she can arrange to replace it with an equally warm one :rolleyes:

Errata

The MIL might deserve some sympathy if her first concern was to make sure the child hadn't been cut and to reasssure him that accidents happen and ensure it was gently taken from him and the floor it broke on was swept/vacuumed to remove any broken glass.

If the ornament was placed so precariously it could be knocked off the shelf in the hallway by a child she's a lucky woman it hadn't been accidently knocked off by an adult.

peachyprice

If it's 'slightly warm' with no provenance how do you even know it's not fake?

Also, it's all very well saying it's worth £2k+ but without the original certificate and box (I pressume the thief didn't steal those too?) it would be worth considerably less.

IMHO, you should apologies to your 4yo son for telling him off for something that was quite clearly an accident waiting to happen, and go to Swarovski for her xmas pressie and buy her another ornament as a replacement.

moneysavingfamilycomp

i agree with some of the posts you should ask her what she wants you to do or better still get your husband to ask her after all it was HIS son who broke HIS mothers ornament so why should you have all the stress. i also think that your MIL should of spoken up and asked the children not to play near the ornaments if she wasnt prepared to move them after all it wasnt just your son who was there. also be prepared that your son may get upset and not want to go to his grandmas house the next time as he is probably now a very scared little boy.