Should I pay for this?

abby1234519

Why can't your son pay? He did the damage not you.

When I broke something when I was younger I paid. I ripped a friends party dress at 15, It took me 4 weeks to replace it (only did a paperound and unfortunately she was wearing a £40 dress) but if my mum had paid I would have felt guilty!

FBaby

If it was my son, I would expect him to pay, no questioning it. The fact the shirt cost £25 is irrelevant. When someone damages someone else's property, whatever the circumstances, they should pay. It is about taking responsibility for one's action and I think it is essential to teach this principle to children.

pipkin71

Nicki wrote: »

I also think it likely that your son was a bit heavy handed, and certainly sounds like he didn't immediately let go of the shirt when he heard that it was coming under strain or starting to rip, when if he had done so it might have been repairable.

USM wrote: »

your kid ripped the other kid's shirt by not playing properly, you should pay.

How did you manage to come to that conclusion by reading the OP?

pipkin71

I would also offer to pay half, OP, as both boys were playing rugby, it wasn't malicious and therefore by sharing responsibility they are both aware of their part in the incident.

custardy

all these folks saying shirts dont get ripped when playing rugby properly
have you ever played?

melancholly

you know, i would have suggested you offer to pay in the situation, but since the other boy demanded it immediately and repeatedly, i'm erring the other way as i think he needs to learn manners. to me £25 is a vast amount on a 't shirt', especially for a child.

if you can afford it and this might ruin a friendship, then pay up. i would, however, speak to the parent about both boys behaviour. lots of texts are not appropriate.

lin473

My children have all come home with damaged clothes and other posessions at various times where other kids have been responsible (or so they said)
Never once has it crossed my mind to ask for the parents to pay.
It happens.
One of those things.
I definately consider £25 very expensive for a top - I would never pay that much for a top for my kids to play and I certainly wouldn't buy one as a replacement for someone else who was daft enough to do so.

meritaten

USM wrote: »

Unless my understanding of rugby as a sport has slipped recently, there is no move or part of play which involves hanging onto someone's shirt.

Nobody else in the game had items of clothing ripped, your kid ripped the other kid's shirt by not playing properly, you should pay.

You sure you are thinking of Rugby? My OH played for twenty years so asked him if it was common for shirts to get ripped. 'Yes' was his reply! and I know I have watched matches where the players appeared to be wearing rags by the time the whistle went. Its common for shirts to be grabbed.

I would NOT be offering to pay in any way! the T-shirt could have been ruined in any number of ways by playing rugby.

sassyblue

It's a tough one..... if my son had done this l would feel awful in a strange way but wouldn't pay any more than half, the other boy shouldn't have been playing in such an expensive top and he won't learn a lesson if he gets another one easily.

If it were MY son who'd had his shirt ripped l'd have told him off and NEVER would have gone to the other mum with shirt in hand 'fishing' for money as it were. Like mother like son obviously!

If the boy had been wearing a £3 shirt he wouldn't have wanted a replacement so why should he be reimbursed for his own stupidity in wearing something expensive, he took the risk and lost.

shellsuit

I wouldn't offer to pay simply because if it was the other way around and my son was daft enough to wear a decent top for playing rugby in and it got ripped, it'd be his own fault and I wouldn't expect anyone else to pay for it.

It's the lads top, it's his responsibility, so it's upto him to replace it.

And Yes tops can and do get ripped during Rugby ~ my son plays for the school and a fair few have been torn during play.