to ask this childs mum to pay for my pram repairs.

[awakemysoull]

I picked dd1 up from nursery this morning and I had dd2 in the pram. All the children gathered round the pram to see the baby as they usually do and I don't mind that at all. Most of the children are 3 and this is their first year in nursery.

One boy is rather large. Well not large, obese. There's no kind way to say it I have never ever seen a 3 year old child that size before and I'm unsure wether it's a medical condition or over feeding. I am not judging (I'm a size 20).

He started to climb up my pram and got on the wheel and started jumping. I was trying to lift him off but he was so heavy I was struggling. His parents were nowhere to be seen and the nursery teacher was trying to help me get him off the pram. He would not listen and was starting to shake the pram. I was quite annoyed by this point because dd2 was still in the pram and I was worried she was going to get hurt.

We got him off and the whole side of the pram is wrecked. The wheel has snapped in half and the tyre is ripped, the frame is actually loose and I'm not going to be able to use the pram until it's fixed.

I know this doesn't make any difference and it would be just as bad if it was any pram but It's a bugaboo and it cost me a fortune. I saved for ages to buy it and it's the only new item I bought for baby.

His mum and dad appeared and I explained what had happened. His mum laughed and said no way could her ds have done that damage. The nursery teacher stepped in and backed me up explaining again that he broke the pram. His dad started being quite aggressive and said no way was he paying for anything and it was my problem. I pointed out that it was his son who broke it and I did expect them to pay for the repairs.

I was told to fuck off (in a nursery full of children) and that I'd have to fix it myself.

I managed to half drag the pram home again but it's totally broken.

I think I can claim it on my house insurance but that's not the point. It could take weeks to fix and I have no pram now.

What should I do?

Sorry I'm rambling in quite shaken up and really angry.

Am I being unreasonable asking them to pay for repairs?

If I can't control them at home what hope do strangers in charge if 20 other kids have.

The parents weren't there. There is nothing to suggest this is an out-of-control child whom they cannot manage. That is over-reading into the OP. The nursery was responsible for his behaviour. He is a 3 year old - 3 year olds bounce on things, and don't understand their actions - that is why they need to be supervised and why the parents are paying the daycare.

The nursery is still responsible for children right up until the second that their parents actually arrive and take over.

the parents werent there ,so nursery really accountable. I agree that parents sound rude and awful but maybe they felt a bit defensive and worried at the thought of having to pay for the damage ( one persons bugaboo is another persons months wages).I would expect my pushchair to withstand a 3 year old standing all over it . Glad John Lewis were helpful.

He acted aggressively and swore in the nursery? I thought those things came under the general heading of public order offences. I'm not sure I wouldn't have reported the arsehole to the police. Especially seeing as many folk here think he "wasn't worth pursuing because he was so nasty", which was clearly the intent (the technical term for this is "bullying"). A fine example for the weans.

As I read it the parents were outside - hadn't come in yet and didn't see what was going on.

I agree that the parents don't sound very nice but ultimately it's the nursery who are accountable as he was in their care. The nursery should have been doing a better job of supervising him & not let it happen. (Totally agree that JL are fab!!)

I'd blame the nursery and ask them to pay to be honest. His parents were not around when it happened and were not in a position to supervise him. I am also surprised that it broke so easily. Our jogging stroller was not nearly as expensive and it withstood years of sometimes similar treatment from DS (who admittedly is not obese however).