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Original poster

I have to pay for these car damages, right?

28 replies

WillowSummerSloth · 08/08/2019 18:33

Just checking although I'm pretty sure I do. My parents were looking after my kids last week when I was working. My 4 year old was returning his bike to the garage as my DM had asked him to and accidentally scratched my dad's car which was parked directly in front of garage. Cost to repair is £200.
I'm pretty sure I have to pay (and will do anyway as it's my lovely retired parents) but out of curiosity should I be the person to pay? I had no way of supervising my son at that time, I couldn't have done anything differently and he was following instructions. What do you think? Thanks

OP posts:
HeyMonkey · 08/08/2019 18:34

If it was definitely your son that caused the damage then yes you should pay.

Alb1 · 08/08/2019 18:36

I’d say it’s on them, it’s their grandchildren and they should have been supervising, plus it was an accident. But if they requested and I could afford I’d pay anyway

Bumbags · 08/08/2019 18:36

No
You weren’t there and your parents were in charge of him..

At the most you could offer to split the cost.

I wouldn’t though

Jaxhog · 08/08/2019 18:36

I'd have thought you don't. He was under your DM's supervision at the time. But if your parents are babysitting free, I'd probably offer to pay.

SushiGo · 08/08/2019 18:37

I think I'd offer for the sake of keeping relations good, but if I was baby sitting for a relative and damage occurred that was clearly an accident I wouldn't want money.

Hercules12 · 08/08/2019 18:38

it's on you to pay but I'm sure they will pay if have the money.

TheQueef · 08/08/2019 18:38

Legally vs morally you mean?

MyNewBearTotoro · 08/08/2019 18:39

I would say the fault is with whichever adult was supposed to be supervising him at the time, and that it is their responsibility to cover the costs.

Shittiestdayinalongtime · 08/08/2019 18:41

He's only 4, your mum was meant to be supervising him. I wouldn't pay the whole amount, but maybe half?

Original poster
WillowSummerSloth · 08/08/2019 18:42

Hi thanks for the input. I can afford it and don't mind and they have done me a huge favour looking after the kids. My only slight doubt was that I couldn't possibly have prevented it/ supervised him more etc. And he was asked to bring the bike into the garage but, being 4, was a little clumsy and scratched the car. My parents are not asking for the money but I will obviously offer (but feel a tiny bit peeved inside!)

OP posts:
Stressedout10 · 08/08/2019 18:46

Legally you are not responsible they are

Morally depends upon circumstances, paid or unpaid child care and who can afford to pay

Whatisinaname1 · 08/08/2019 18:54

If they were supervising then they need to pay. If you were, you should.

Cohle · 08/08/2019 18:58

Why do the legalities matter? Of course you should offer.

Yodude · 08/08/2019 18:59

He was under their supervision. He is only 4. They should have helped him move his bike past the car especially as they asked him to take it past the car. I'm surprised they have even told you about the damage. They must want you to pay. When a child damages something in my house I never tell their parents. I'm the one looking after them so if something gets damaged it's my fault and even if it wasn't it is rude to say 'oh, Boris dropped paint all over my rug. It cost £170'. It would be different if he had deliberately damaged the car.

OrchidInTheSun · 08/08/2019 18:59

I'd probably pay if they were doing you a favour but wouldn't ask them to look after your kids again.

Yodude · 08/08/2019 19:04

They weren't doing you much of a favour if they let your 4 year old cause £200 of damage that you have to pay for. Some favour.

OrchidInTheSun · 08/08/2019 20:02

No indeed. Which is why I'd pay and then not have much to do with them again.

That is not what lovely grandparents/parents do

Gottoloveabagel · 08/08/2019 20:05

@OrchidInTheSun what do you mean have nothing to do with them? It's an accident and they've not asked for the money!!!

BurnedToast · 08/08/2019 20:08

Are they expecting you to pay?

TixieLix · 08/08/2019 20:11

It's not down to you. You weren't there and couldn't supervise your DS. Your DM asked him to move his bike to the garage and at 4 he should have been supervised. If your parents don't have a lot of spare cash and would struggle with the repairs then I'd offer to go halves.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/08/2019 20:46

I'd offer and the grandparents would refuse. Grin

Well, FIL would accept but he wouldn't be looking after DD in the first place.

cstaff · 08/08/2019 21:08

This is on them. They were supposed to be looking after your child.

Mind you if they didn't want to be paid they wouldn't have told you what happened.

BrokenWing · 08/08/2019 21:20

If would 100% believe it was their responsibility. If they were arses about it and expected me to pay I probably would, but would be nervous about leaving him there again as it sets a precedent that you'll need to pay for all damage incurred by their lack of supervision and common sense.

user1493494961 · 08/08/2019 21:28

I certainly wouldn't accept money from you but I suppose it depends on your parent's financial circumstances. I wouldn't have told you how much it was going to cost. It seems a lot for a scratch.

Stompythedinosaur · 08/08/2019 21:32

While I think it is more their responsibility, I would offer to pay as I'm very grateful that my dm looks after our dc for free regularly. I would ask that they don't leave dc to take bikes past a car alone again.