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

Mutter_2

I think Kaz is round at MIL's right this minute, gluing it together.

shelley_crow

i think your son did humanity a favour, what the hell is going on with that ornament (if it's the same one as on ebay!)

I'd suggest buying her something as a gesture, reccommending that your MIL doesn't purchase "warm" objects and taking your son out after for a treat.

mrcow

Mutter wrote: »

I think Ka
is round at MIL's right this minute, gluing it together.

lol I would be too! (Couldn't really make it look much worse I guess).

I knocked the head off one of my OH's Gran's Virgin Marys once. I never told her......just got busy very quickly with the superglue.

Edit: I have a nagging feeling that I also knock the head off one of her Jesus's too......I'm not always that clumsy, honest.

tiamai_d

Then we heard a chink and DS came in, in tears, with an ornament in his hands saying "It was an accident- it fell...".

Did you find out exactly what happened? Because it sounds like he could have just been in the worng place at the wrong time. Or he could have bumped against the shelf. In that case I wouldn't blame the child. Anyone could have bumped into it or been there when a lorry went by...

Kids do automotically get defensive when true accidents happen, especially if they expect a b*llocking. I've seen my own do it.

I would buy MIL a new ornament, but nowhere near the original peice's value. She can claim it on her insurance regardless of what BIL says. Even if she doesn't get it's value, it was 'warm' so I very much doubt she or whoever bought it for her paid it's original value.

I'd also strongly reccomend that she repair or replace the shelving, I'd maybe even go as far as to say that had anyone been hurt, she would have been liable, but then I don't much like my MIL.....

ailuro2

Don't pay the full price for one!! Get your local fence to get one nicked to order - after all if you look on e-bay there might even be a house in the right area to keep the all important price down!!

Sorry for being so flippant, but 4 year old boys will be 4 year old boys, and that, imho carries a lot more weight than your dodgy MIL's rickety glass shelf.
Yes, they should have been supervised (for their own safety, by the sound of it!!) but it could easily have been knocked over by an adult's stray handbag strap or coat sleeve .

You said sorry, having something kicked in the house was bad Karma in the first place, if you want to do anything to make amends, then I'd buy her a new shelf unit, and put it up for her - securely and up a bit higher out of the reach of her wonderful grandchildren.;)

tincat

is this it? http://www.justagift.co.uk/acatalog/info_275.html

I would be thanking your son on bended knee - look at those beaks!

(I assume that Swarovski would only have 1 piece called swarovski lovebirds?)

And quite a bit cheaper than £3000

or is it this one? http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5821395. A lot more pricey, but just as horrible...

Seriously though, don't stress about it. I know it's a horrible feeling. I really hope that you come back to explain it's 'warm' origins; it sounds like an interesting story.

whatatwit

As far as I know, Swarovski offer a repair service. No idea of the charges, but it may be an option.

The only sticking point would be if the piece is part of a limited edition then it could well be numbered. If it has been previously owned :whistle: and the owner has reported its loss to Swarovski, then it could open a huge can of worms.

Claiming on the home insurance may be possible, if they have accidental damage cover, but there may be a single item limit.

shellsuit

That's why you need eyes in the back of your head when you have babies/small children and take them to visit people in their homes.

My Mum has expensive ornaments and when I used to visit her with the kids, the first thing I'd do was move everything breakable incase something got knocked and broken. (Have to say she didn't live near me then, so we used to go and stay for a week, it wasn't like I moved everything on a flying visit lol!)

If you weren't supervising him, then I'd say it was your fault sorry ~ nobody should have to childproof their homes if the child doesn't live there as the child isn't their responsibility.

See what Granny expects first, before you stress yourself over it. I know you said it was warm, so if it was stolen, she's got a cheek really if she wants it replacing.

Mutter_2

There's a Baccarat version at only £120. May not have the Swarovski appeal though as Baccarat is most definately not flash.

1sue23

I have some valuable ornaments in my home and recently my granddaughter broke one while playing ,but the look on her little face it just crumbled and she looked heartbroken ,there is no way I would have told her off it was an accident and at the end of the day it is just an ornament I value my granddaughter and her feeling far more than any trinket.