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Original poster

My child threw up in a friend’s car - what to do?

46 replies

Ozgirl75 · 08/01/2021 06:08

My son was taken to a party today in a friend’s car. The party activity made him feel a bit queasy (think action and adventure) and on the way back he said he wasn’t feeling well, they pulled over but he was sick in the car.
I don’t think it was massive as he was still in his t shirt.
The mum was so lovely about it, washed his shorts and, if anything, was apologetic to me!
So if a child was sick in your car, would you expect the mum to offer to have it cleaned? I was going to, but I know she’ll say no! Would you send flowers or something?
We’re pretty friendly and I just want her to know I appreciate how nice she was about it and also acknowledge the hassle of presumably having to have her car cleaned.

OP posts:
blackcat86 · 08/01/2021 06:11

No, I would offer a heartfelt thank you and perhaps offer to drive both DC next time. Most mums understand that these things happen and children don't do it intentionally.

namechange34 · 08/01/2021 06:13

I'd offer the money to have it cleaned.

Fyi you might want to make it crystal clear you're in Australia before you get piled on for breaking covid rules!

Hope your DS is feeling better

Sup1979 · 08/01/2021 06:14

I would write her a card and enclose a voucher for a local valeting company to come to her house to valet the car( so absolutely no hassle for her).

I did for a friend (she was feeling down about mess in her life and going through divorce). Costs £65 but she was over the moon

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PatchworkElmer · 08/01/2021 06:15

I’d definitely offer.

SallyTimms · 08/01/2021 06:18

If its a good friend nothing more than a thank you for looking after them should be needed. Pre covid it's happened to me lots of times (not linked to my driving!) and I wouldn't expect friends to pay for cleaning my car, it's just what xan happen with children

Original poster
Ozgirl75 · 08/01/2021 06:20

Cool, I think I will offer then, with heartfelt thanks too. I feel bad - he doesn’t have form for this, he’s never been sick in a car before!
And yes I am in Australia!

OP posts:
Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 08/01/2021 06:27

The t-shirt bit gave it away OP - it is Baltic hereGrin

Sup1979 · 08/01/2021 06:28

So the pong really might hang in the air

I can’t believe you haven’t offered already!!

Original poster
Ozgirl75 · 08/01/2021 06:40

@Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin

The t-shirt bit gave it away OP - it is Baltic hereGrin
Grin
OP posts:
Zimbomama · 08/01/2021 06:51

I would definitely get it detailed - send around a mobile service, they are fabulous. We had UK friends who borrowed our brand new car and picked up our order of Christmas seafood for us at the South Melbourne market and then went Christmas shopping .....for 4 hours and then a 3 hour drive to us .....OMG ...the bag leaked on the floor and 4 years on every time the temperature rises we think of them......

junglepie · 08/01/2021 06:52

@Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin

The t-shirt bit gave it away OP - it is Baltic hereGrin
LOL My train of thought was exactly the same! I was thinking, wait...what...in a freind's car...a party????? Then read "T shirt ans shorts" and the penny dropped!
Original poster
Ozgirl75 · 08/01/2021 07:06

@Zimbomama

I would definitely get it detailed - send around a mobile service, they are fabulous. We had UK friends who borrowed our brand new car and picked up our order of Christmas seafood for us at the South Melbourne market and then went Christmas shopping .....for 4 hours and then a 3 hour drive to us .....OMG ...the bag leaked on the floor and 4 years on every time the temperature rises we think of them......
Omg Envy (that is not envy). Who would leave seafood in a car for 4 hours!? Can you imagine tucking in and going “it’s ok, it was only out in a boiling car for 5 hours - barely need to cook it!? Grin”
OP posts:
pilates · 08/01/2021 07:07

Yes I would offer.

BalloonSlayer · 08/01/2021 07:12

Isn't it worth making sure how much of it went in the car before you cough up for $$$$ for a valeting voucher?

If it went everywhere then yes of course you should do that. But if it was mostly on himself and just a bit on the car seat cover which is washable then the bunch of flowers would be fine!

MessAllOver · 08/01/2021 07:15

I would offer and, if refused, send flowers/a present by way of apology and thank you for her looking after your DS.

Fwiw, I wouldn't expect the mum to pay if their DC threw up in my car. These things happen. I would appreciate it if they offered, though.

OrigamiOwl · 08/01/2021 07:29

I'd definitely offer to cover the cleaning cost.

SomewhatBored · 08/01/2021 07:42

The t-shirt bit gave it away OP

OP's username offers a tiny hint too Grin.

EssentialHummus · 08/01/2021 07:54

I'd go ahead and buy a voucher for valeting if you can. If I was her I'd feel pressured not to accept an offer of cleaning but would secretly like to!

JulesPinkTutu · 08/01/2021 08:04

Stealth boast 😷

Zimbomama · 08/01/2021 08:05

I'm with @Essential-Hummus - I love my friends but when the mercury his 26c plus I do think of them in a different way

Zimbomama · 08/01/2021 08:10

@Ozgirl75 exactly, not only did our car stink to high heaven and still does when it warms up (vom) but I had to entirely cobble together a new Christmas lunch on NYE when they arrived with the warm seafood ! It was 42c on Christmas Day, plus a bush fire, and I ended up doing a full English Christmas dinner for them ....exactly what I was avoiding !

TheDogKeepsChasingFrogs · 08/01/2021 08:11

@JulesPinkTutu

Stealth boast 😷
Posters outside the UK use this site too! That’s our norm although Greater Brisbane has just gone into a strict lockdown for 3 days from tonight. ☹️
Iwonder08 · 08/01/2021 08:12

You have to offer to pay for the car to get cleaned. If she declines send some wine/flowers. Common decency

NailsNeedDoing · 08/01/2021 08:15

Of course you have to offer to pay for the car to be cleaned. And when it’s refused you insist. If it seems like they really don’t want their car cleaned for some reason then you send flowers or something.

AlwaysLatte · 08/01/2021 08:19

If I were you I'd definitely offer the valet, and if I were her I'd decline, no harm done.