Money Moral Dilemma: Who should pay for my daughter's broken phone?

Rowmum1

Why do parents feel the need to ask for advice on the simplest issue ? Do they no longer have common sense ?? Or is this possibly a way of winding the ex-husband up ?

Nico60

I’m not sure of the pros or cons of an 11 year old having a mobile, personally I wouldn’t allow mine to have one, but might think about it if it could be programmed to only have essential numbers in it and no internet. Is it peer pressure that led to her having one or necessity?

HampyT

Unfortunately accidents happen and regardless of where it occurred and assuming the phone is unusable, your daughter needs a new phone, so the cost should be shared between parents.  If money is tight and this can't be achieved now, then I'm afraid it is a hard lesson most of us have had to face at some point and she'll need to wait.

fifty-something

I can see why you and hubby no longer get on if you think he should pay for something you bought for daughter who was clearly not old enough to take care of.

Nico60

Lovehols_2 said:

At his house he should pay

Why?

what if he had originally objected to his child having an expensive item?

if she dropped it on a footpath should the council reimburse her? 

BMW51K

So if she'd dropped it while at Marks & Spencer you'd expect them to pay? Get real, ask him to contribute, but it's your problem not his.

Mac9091_2

If it was you who purchased it then you should also have got a screen protector and case, if you weren't bothering with insurance.

Would I ask dad to pay because it was damaged "at his place". Hahaha, no because it's not his fault (unless it was his fault but then the question is irrelevant), did he object to buying the phone in the 1st place? 

If it was a joint present then it would be better to replace the phone, unless there's things on there that are irreplaceable (thinking photos here).

Ultimately you should buy a cheap phone (whether you can afford to replace it a new good phone or not) and have her stuck with it for a couple of months for her to look after.

End of the day, from what little detail is available, you know you should pay to replace it. 

Jimbo555z

As someone else mentioned Dad presumably pays maintainance, if so he's already contributed to the cost of his daughters original phone. If Mum is unable to obtain a replacement (or a budget phone for safety purposes) then it is Dad's decision whether he wants to buy his daughter a smartphone, and is between him & his daughter. He may not agree with her having a smartphone (not everyone thinks them helpful for children) and opt for a budget phone for safety reasons he doesn't have to do either, that is his right as a parent. To place arbitrary expectations or demands on him or anyone is unfair, disrespectful, may create division, resentment and understandably, may be met by resistance. His daughter can ask him. You can ask him to help. If your daughter broke something her Dad had bought her at your place, would you be expected to replace it? I would hope not. Apportioning blame based on location? He may be more financially able than yourself, he may be less able we should not make assumptions. It is still his decision to make as are your own. I would tread carefully as your relationship with your daughters father (which is hopefully respectful on both sides) may have a greater effect on her than whether or not she has a smartphone.

ChainsawCharlie

Its a no brainer really.
Daughter needs to learn how to look after things, unfortunately  too many parents these days don't teach their kids this simple lesson.
So daddy buys her another phone and the same keeps, happening, but if she saves up her pocket money, and buys a replacement  she learns the true value of her possessions, maybe then she will learn for the future and take more care.

ChainsawCharlie

hannerrbabes said:

My question is why didn't you purchase a case and tempered glass screen protectors? It'll set you back less than £10. Keep a couple spare screen protectors handy for when the phone inevitably gets dropped. I've used them with all my smart phones and have never once had to pay to fix a screen. 

Then later on when you buy her a car for her 21st birthday, make sure you cover it in foam in case she prangs it