Would you pay for the child's coat?

Krystaltips

I would not offer this woman anything... Children play in playgrounds and clothes get ripped... If her son and yours were running round skidding on their knees would she expect you to replace his trousers? It is also very unfair of her to involve the teacher in this, if she wants to request something from you then she should ask you herself and give you the opportunity to survey the damage... Then tell her to get knotted!

sooz

No, I wouldn't pay. And I feel very sorry for the teacher who has been put in the middle of this.

My son has also come home with a torn coat from school. It happens. He also regularly comes home with ripped knees on his trousers. It is his own fault. I do not go chasing other parents, claiming that they owe me 1/2 the cost of his trousers as their kid was playing chase with mine. I just make sure that I send him in cheaper clothes to school, that I don't mind replacing regularly, as I know I need to.

allIcouldwishfor

Have you spoken to the mother of the third boy involved? I would offer to pay a third of the cost of repairs, and ask her to provide you with a written quote so you know how much you are expected to stump up. Our local independent dry cleaners does repairs and alterations and give a price upfront.

DD came home about a month ago with her hood half ripped off her coat, but this was just playground silliness and nothing intentional. I spoke to the teacher about it and asked if she could just speak generally to the children about being a bit more careful, I certainly wouldn't expect the other child's mother to replace the coat, regardless of her financial circumstances.

chmmy

Probably all the children were playing the game, and it was just bad luck that the other boy's coat got ripped, it coupld just as easily been any of the other boys coats. IMO sometimes good kids own up to things they havent done when they are put under pressure because that is what they think the adult wants to hear, and it's not like your son sneaked into the cloakroom and cut the coat with a pair of scissors.
The other mother sounds like a self-centred bully, and I think I would be asking for a meeting with the headteacher, because this sounds like an issue that might not resolve itself. Really feel for you OP.
Most normal parents know that kids will be kids and sometimes stuff gets broken, so wouldnt send their kids to school in expensive stuff.

jellyhead

I'd consider whether the boys will be going to the same high school, or if you'll have seen the last of this family in july

YorkiePud_3

I certainly wouldn't pay a penny!!

#1 you have only got her say so that the coat cost this amount
#2 no one saw the "event" so cannot say how it happened exactly
and #3 it was accidental.

Had your son been seen to charge across the playground like a mad beast and proceed to rip the coat to shreds, then yes, it would have been done on purpose and you could have been made to pay for a repair at least.

But it was accidental ... there won't be one single mother in the UK whose child hasn't come home at one time or another with a ripped coat, skirt or trousers!!

Maybe I am being too suspicious but I can imagine this other mother would have smiled to know your child was one of those playing with hers when this happened ... maybe that is why she is pressing for some money?

Whatever she says or demands though, stick to your guns. I would consider writing her a letter to say you are sorry to hear what happened and tell her you have had a word with your son to explain the need for all children to be careful during play because these things can happen by accident.

Get in the "by accident" bit though ... and I would also tell the teacher what I had done too ... so that she knows you have done something to try and calm it all down, but you keep your pennies in your purse ... if she needs some more money for some new kitchen worktops, let her find some other way of raising it ... !!!

jellyhead

Only kidding, but seriously I can't imagine that school can force you to pay for this coat.

I'd want proof that it really cost £55 - a ridiculous amount! Perhaps the same coat can be bought from m and m direct at a cheaper price?

Although the woman sounds like a nightmare, and the coat is a stupid price I would expect my son to contribute, if the teacher brought it to my attention. Certainly not half though - 3 boys were involved, and her son shouldn't have taken the hoop.

tattoed_bum

my son did the same thing at school this week ,but the teacher asked me and the other mum into the class to discuss it ,she showed us both the damage to the coat . i did offer straight away to replace it and made my son appologise to the other mum .

the other mum just said that it was ok and she would repair it herself ,which she did .she also said that the coat only cost her £6 and she wouldnt dream of asking me to replace it .

could you ask the teacher if she could get you and the other mums together to see the damage and sort it out between you .
that way both you and the other mum will be able to see if it is repairable and if it was really a £55 coat .

i would never dream of sending my son to school in a coat that cost that much ,
i live right next to the school and i can see what the kids get up to at play time ,if you could see that every day you wouldnt dream of spending a small fortune on their school clothes

jellyhead

My son goes to school in £6 coats too - I've had to sew up a few! They go missing too, even with his name on. A primary child just needs a coat to be waterproof, warm enough, and possibly have a reflective strip.

Perhaps school should tell this lady that because of this incident any running is now banned, and kids will get detention if they 'play' lol!

poppyolivia

nah I wouldn't pay....kids are kids, my DD had a lovely long padded jacket and it was about 2 wks old when some wee lad actually went up to her and ripped the hood clean off (was zipped kind) I was fuming but sh*t happens!..I got her another cheaper version and she still wore the long coat on dry days minus hood!lol

besides £55 is taking the mick.....!!!