Ds friend spends his bday money on them and friends parents want money back

[brownpaperbag2]

This time of year there are lots of summer fares - one for the primary school, one for the secondary school, one for the village, one for the football club, one for the scout group, etc. as a family we spend a lot at the fares we go to, about £60 at each. For this reason I pick the fares we want to support, primary and secondary schools in the main.

Today is the football fare and it is held in the local recreation ground. My ds doesn't play football, but he wanted to go. There is a bouncy castle and he is 8. I said no. He was called on by his friend who asked if he wanted to play and I said yes.

Unknown to me they went to the Park and the friend took his £90 birthday money and between them they spent it in 3 hours. Friends mum wasn't aware her son had taken his birthday money or that the recreation ground had a fare on. They went on the bouncy castle that is like an obstacle course which was 50p a go, a bungee game, and had burgers, tattoos, drinks etc

She just called to ask me for £45!!!!!

Am I being unreasonable to say no?

Souduthen116...... I don't think so. My DSD's can easily spend £20 each in half an hour on the amusements / arcades at a fair. And that's before any food and drink. If the boys were there for 3 hours, I think it would be easily done.

The op said it was a local football fair in a village not a proper fair or an amusement arcade.

Two different things.

Ah OK, my mistake Sorry. I guess it depends on the size of the fair and the price of the food / attractions though? I still believe it's possible.

The Op posted previously

One of the reasons for saying no is that it is much more expensive than other community groups fares. £4.50 for a burger, £4.00 for face painting, 50p for a go on the bouncy obstacle course that takes 1 min at most!

Yes saw that too so wouldn't have considered it a village fair. Still that's semantics. I still don't see 2 8 year olds spending that much in 3 hours.

Also in all my years of bloody fairs both village and bigger I have never seen burgers for sale at that price.

If the op could tell us where she lives that would be interesting.

I would pay it back but if I wAs the other boy's mother I wouldn't dream of asking for it !!! It was his money and he spent it ! Granted they must have had a whale of a time !
However I'm appalled at 8 years being on their own , a village doesn't equate to a safe place
FWIw my 7 year old and his friend managed to spend £3600 on clash of clans on iPAd in a day !!!! ThTs a whole new thread but I didn't ask his friends mum for anything !!!

19lottie82 I am not hysterical or being alarmist. If you read my posts, I was askance at a mother not knowing where her 8yr old was for 3 hours. 'Living in a small village' is no excuse for taking your eye off the safety and welfare of a child that young when you know that a football fayre is happening in the immediate proximity. Those type of events necessarily advertise on-line and draw in genuine supporters and some not-so-genuine punters!

The 2nd 8 year old (who spent his £90) called and asked if the 1st 8yr old (the OP's) could come out to play. They then went to the football fayre where they managed to spend £90 in 3 hours - probably not hard to do.

I would be more focussed on the overall safety of these two 8 yr olds rather than having the money paid back or not.

I think this is a wake-up call for both mothers. They should sit both boys down and speak to them calmly and sensibly about dishonesty and lying, safety and risk assessing.

If both mothers think they truly had a ball - put it down to a learning experience. Both Mothers should shake hands and agree to be more mindful and vigilant next time.

The boys are home, safe and have some great memories from the day. £90 is a lot for one child to spend - but would he have enjoyed it as much if he didn't have his little compatriot in tow?

gala days in Scotland cost at least that for a burger