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Original poster

DC has just broken something of MIL's!

180 replies

backmassageplease · 19/03/2019 15:58

He's snapped her glasses Sad One of the arms has come off.

Not sure what to do... Or say. I don't really speak to her.

I come over a few times a week to let her dog out. I was unlocking the back door and I turn around and he has them in his hands!

What will I even say? Should I send a text now?

DH isn't going to be happy either.

OP posts:
Original poster
backmassageplease · 19/03/2019 16:44

I feel so shit. Being this skint has really taken a bash to my overall mental well-being, i would say.

It's like the tip of the iceberg. Horrible, horrible situation to be in.

A previous poster suggested selling something. I don't really have anything to sell.

OP posts:
DemelzaPoldarksshinerrefiner · 19/03/2019 16:46

There’s a postal repair company for eyeglass repairs you could get on online quote for an idea of cost. I think they were called spec repairs.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 19/03/2019 16:48

what I mean is, if you're popping in to let the dog out, yes - keep him in the buggy while you do that. Because you can't have eyes in the back of your head and as you can see (you probably have before) they can be somewhere doing something they shouldn't in a second. And as it's not your house and you can't afford to replace something he's broken, then better safe than sorry.

But I agree that it's likely it's your DH's reaction you really need to concern yourself with.

dreichuplands · 19/03/2019 16:48

OP don't stress too much, these must be either reading glasses, in which a cheaper pair will do the same job or a second pair. If she needed them to see at all times she would have them on her face.
It is also worth remembering that it wouldn't be cheap for her to have a dog walker in to let the dog out as you were doing.
Apologise and move on.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 19/03/2019 16:48

But - as a person with poor eyesight for many years, broken specs is not something you can brush off.

NotWhatWhat · 19/03/2019 16:50

I agree that it would be hard for a toddler to snap the arm of most types of glasses. Breaking at the hinge point would be easy but breaking it with a clean snap on the arm would be difficult.

Are they plastic or metal?

Also, if your MIL is out then maybe these are her spare pair?

You can get Micheal K a lot cheaper than £200 places like frames direct do the. They might only be £50/£60

Why don’t you post a picture then we can tell you?

eurgh · 19/03/2019 16:51

Blimey can't believe the people berating your parenting skills! I'm guessing they either don't have kids or their children have NEVER done a single thing wrong.
Accidents happen OP, that's life. Explain, apologise and if either of them are still mad then it's not your problem.
Why is DH so mad? Has your child never done a single thing wrong when your DH has them?

BlackCatSleeping · 19/03/2019 16:52

But if the specs are lying around at home, they must be either for reading or a spare pair.

My mum has about 8 pairs of cheap glasses. I'm not exaggerating. She picks them up at the pound shop or charity shops.

PotteringAlong · 19/03/2019 16:54

Your DH is right, whether they are he spare pair or if she has a spare pair is not the point.

If you cannot afford to get them repaired you’re going to have to grovel and say that.

Meandmetoo · 19/03/2019 16:55

Yea if the glasses were at home they can't be that critical.

I thought most glasses have metal through the arms so you can adjust them. Either way I have 2 words - gorilla glue. Costs about £4 and will definitely do the job.

Contraceptionismyfriend · 19/03/2019 16:55

OP calm down. You were doing them a favour. Something that due to your DHs response I would no longer do. This is their dog and now their sole responsibility.
What's done is done. If he became a a twat about it then it was his child in his mother's house while you had your hands full with his dog.

SuziQ10 · 19/03/2019 16:56

Well. Apologies and if she asks for payment just let her know the position you are in with your finances. As your DCs grandmother, she won't want to see you go without food etc.. surely?
Unfortunately there's not a lot else you can do. Don't even think of getting a loan or something for this - Accidents happen! You may be able to pay her back when your situation is better, if she asks for it. Try not to worry.

Lovemusic33 · 19/03/2019 16:58

Just tell her, she may have insurance on them, I always take out insurance (free repairs) on dd’s glasses.

BluebadgenPIP · 19/03/2019 16:58

Well, how can she need them all the time? Otherwise she wouldn’t have left them lying they would be on her face or in her bag if they were reading specs, surely.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 19/03/2019 16:59

Black being able to read is pretty essential, wouldn't you say? DH now has reading glasses, he might not need them all the time, but when he needs them he needs them.

Babygrey7 · 19/03/2019 16:59

you are doing her a favour, various times a week, yet you are afraid of her? And your DH?

I am worried for you that you think it is normal to be afraid of your DH and your MIL

malovitt · 19/03/2019 16:59

I recently fell and snapped the arm off my glasses so returned to my opticians to get new frames.

I was told that they didn't make the frames anymore so my £300 lenses were going to be useless.

Then I managed to find a place which fused the broken snap back together. Cost £60 but they are fine.
It's not going to be cheap OP.

cushioncuddle · 19/03/2019 16:59

You're doing someone a favour. It was an accident. She shouldn't ask you if she's unhappy for her gc to be there toddling around.

I think it's one of those things. She will be able to get the arm replaced.

Just say sorry. If she gets cross just say you think it's best if you don't let the dog out in future.

TheCrowFromBelow · 19/03/2019 17:00

Talk to your MIL! She’s the only one who can put you out of your misery one way or the other.
I have to have specs for driving but I have a spare pair and I understand that accidents happen.
DCs broke FILs which were frameless and Specsavers were brilliant - free repair within 24 hours - so it might be ok but only your MIL can tell you that, if she’s cross, well, there isn’t much you can do about that.
And yes being skint is shit.

BluebadgenPIP · 19/03/2019 17:00

But I can’t go out without reading glasses in my bag in case I need to read. And if they’re only readers she can get a cheap pair to do til those are fixed.

If they’re distance and/or vaeifocals she can use whatever she’s using today when she left them lying.

Drum2018 · 19/03/2019 17:00

Superglue them back together. They'll be grand to tide her over until you AND Dh can save up. After all it was his child also who broke them. Fuck that shit about watching your Ds all the time. Without eyes in the back and sides of your head it's impossible. Accidents happen, nobody died. And I agree, let Dh see to the dog in future.

BertBox · 19/03/2019 17:01

She can pick up a pair of reading glasses at a pound shop if she's desperate. Honestly, why would anyone really be that annoyed at a baby breaking something, when she's getting a massive favour done for her every day?

LovingLola · 19/03/2019 17:02

You're doing someone a favour. It was an accident. She shouldn't ask you if she's unhappy for her gc to be there toddling around.

I got the impression that the OP is doing this as a favour to her husband- it’s jointly his dog and he spends a lot of time there with the dog..

AJPTaylor · 19/03/2019 17:05

Ah well bollocks
If she was going to be that much of an arse you should have just chucked them and let her spend her life looking for them.
Who are you scared of?

Contraceptionismyfriend · 19/03/2019 17:06

To be honest I'd have gone with plausible deniability with the way you're reacting OP.
You say you're not afraid of them but I'm not buying that.

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