Real Life MMD: My son broke boy's glasses - should I pay?

babb

ISAmad wrote: »

Seriously, why in Britain in the 21st Century is the government using taxes to give children 'free' glasses? Britons are amongst the richest people in the world. I presume this parental perk is open to all parents regardless of income?!

It's quite ridiculous that the government should be responsible for buying, repairing and replacing children's glasses.

Maybe because poor eyesight is a medical problem and treating medical problems is what the NHS, which is not means-tested, is for? Glasses, at least not the NHS kind, are hardly a perk.

Sensible_Jess

ISAmad wrote: »

Seriously, why in Britain in the 21st Century is the government using taxes to give children 'free' glasses? Britons are amongst the richest people in the world. I presume this parental perk is open to all parents regardless of income?!

It's quite ridiculous that the government should be responsible for buying, repairing and replacing children's glasses.

Off topic but - I find it outragous that anyone who needs glasses to see has to pay for them, regardless of age. It's not their fault that they cannot see clearly (or at all) without the aid of glasses.

Back on topic - the glasses could be replaced/mended for free, but if it so happens they can't, why not ask where the specs will be bought from and get a voucher from there? That way they can't be spent on anything else (and don't forget to ask for a receipt)

kevanf1

clouds21 wrote: »

Disregarding the potential option of Specsavers replacing a complete of set spectacles, frames and glasses for free (lucky them, however, I don't believe it's quite that easy...), fact is that child broke another child's glasses, and parents should still take responsibility for their children's actions until they reach the age of 16, shouldn't they? It seems a bit odd that a parent wouldn't want to take responsibility and pass that message on to their child, in order for them not to do it again. Seems a very small price to pay to teach a very valuable lesson.

So, picture this. A child, who happens to wear glasses, bullies other kids. One day, one of those kids decides he or she has had enough. They fight back, the bully's glasses get broken. Should that child who fought back still be responsible? What sort of life lesson is it if that child does not fight back?

As we already know the older sibling is indeed a bully. So it's always possible that the child with the broken glasses is also a bully. It's possible...

tphil

First ask the school if they have accidental damage insurance, that may cover the child's claim. If not then I view it like a car accident, the maximum you might be liable for is the write off value, not the new value. The parents sound as if they are trying to get you to subsidise new glasses which is unreasonable. As the glasses are old and already damaged, they are probably valueless. As your child broke them you could offer them a token payment say ten pounds without accepting liability, but I don't think you have to.

jenblackrod

Yes of course you should pay. Its only 50% so I think they're meeting you half way. It takes two to fight. Its only fair.

Aldahbra

mayling03 wrote: »

Hard to say. Is it affordable? Cheap glasses start from £30 so I would offer half of this. Alternatively, bake some cakes as a gesture of goodwill and stick a sorry note in there? This method would be cheaper!

No they don't cheep ones start at free for children. There is a huge range and in the latest styles. You do not need to pay for childrens glasses or their repair. I didn't even have to pay for new glasses for my son when he deliberately threw them in the sea.

shehen23

Some people don't appear to have read the MMD properly. This was not one boy breaking another boy's glasses. This was a boy with glasses getting into a physical game with another boy in the course of which the glasses were broken. Therefore, the boy to whom the glasses belonged was solely responsible for the damage, at least morally (sorry if that all sounded a bit confusing). I have a child with glasses and if she got into this kind of play fight it would be her I'd be angry with. They're her glasses - therefore her responsibility. Unless they were broken deliberately by another child I wouldn't dream of demanding payment, and the fact that that the other parents in the MMD sent their older child to bully a young boy to pay for glasses that can replaced for free demonstrates to me that they are simply taking advantage. Don't pay them a penny!

Shreddie

Get a receipt for the old glasses....bet they don't have one. Tell them to get lost and report the older boy for bullying. If they give you any problem phone the police. I hate these parents who try it on. Who knows whether the glasses were already broken that day or not!

sysky

childrens glasses are free if they want more expensive ones that is there problem not yours. and even if its within 2 years if they are broken beyond repair they are still free!!!!!!!!!

John_Pierpoint

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=370916
http://www.lawandparents.co.uk/what-in-loco-parentis-means-you.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_infancy