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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make them pay half each??

87 replies

Ginmakesitallok · 17/01/2018 21:25

Dd1s laptop has been broken. She says dd2 lent on it on sofa and now it doesn't work. Screen is buggered, panel on back isn't fitting. Thing is there's a crack in the screen bit, a bit of plastic has been broken off- like it's been dropped. Dd2 has dropped it a few times.

I don't know who broke it. They both still have Xmas money - and have more savings than dp and I! I think they should pay half of new laptop. Dp thinks we should pay half.
Wwyd?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ginmakesitallok · 17/01/2018 21:45

Dd2 knew lap top was there - knew she was going to lean on it.

OP posts:
Auspiciouspanda · 17/01/2018 21:49

I don't mean 100% pay for for it but I don't agree with others that are like DD8 hasn't done anything wrong because OP has said 'lean' not sit. To me you lean on something with your hand or your elbow or your knee which is pretty deliberate

PutUpWithRain · 17/01/2018 21:54

OP, is it worth seeing if it can be repaired? My ancient and knackered laptop completely died on me two years ago and there was no way I could afford to replace it, even with the cheapest possible 2ndhand one. I found a local guy who had great reviews on google - he had it fixed & ready to collect within 24 hours and it only cost me £30. It's still working now (albeit still crappily, because it's ancient). Admittedly mine was to do with some screws that had worked their way loose on something internally, so it didn't need many parts, but that could be a less fraught option to explore?

OnTheRise · 17/01/2018 21:54

I've replaced the screens on several laptops. It's not hard. There are tutorials on YouTube which I followed. I bought replacement screens for under £35, I think. So don't assume you'll have to replace the whole laptop.

Not that that helps with your original question, OP. But it's something.

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/01/2018 21:56

Half each.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 17/01/2018 21:59

Let them replace it or they will never learn to look after stuff

quizqueen · 17/01/2018 21:59

Obviously neither child is capable of caring for a laptop so I would definitely not replace it.

ziggiestardust · 17/01/2018 22:00

I agree with half each. You’ve just said your DD2 knew she was going to lean on it. She’ll remember not to do it again! If you just replace it; you’re setting yourself up for this to happen again IMO.

Agyne · 17/01/2018 22:03

You need a better insurance policy if your excess is too high to put a claim in.

halfwaytosomewhere · 17/01/2018 22:04

Have you checked how much a new screen would cost ?

ziggiestardust · 17/01/2018 22:06

Agyne I agree to some extent WRT the excess payment (might be worth OP looking into), but their premium will go up if they claim; shouldn’t they leave their home insurance to actual necessities? A laptop isn’t a necessity IMO; a cooker or a fridge is.

Allthewaves · 17/01/2018 22:07

I'd say half each if she deliberately leaned on it and get insurance - John lewis do 2 year accidental cover for £30

Viviennemary · 17/01/2018 22:12

I think they should pay half each. Or they have a choice. Live without a new one. It is easy to break electronic things such as Ipads. I've had a few near misses myself. But you can't afford to keep replacing expensive gadgets. I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving an I-pad on the sofa.

Buxbaum · 17/01/2018 22:13

It doesn't sound like they can be trusted to look after a laptop. I would get them both to contribute to a family desktop PC (which will also be better value) to live in a family area.

CheapSausagesAndSpam · 17/01/2018 22:17

You shouldn't let a laptop be used by children on the sofa and an 8 year old should not have access to her teenage sister's laptop.

You should make her wait for her birthday...and you buy it.

Jenny17 · 17/01/2018 22:18

Time for seperate laptops. Or DD1 gets one and DD2 is supervised on DM laptop.

CaptainMarvelDanvers · 17/01/2018 22:24

Am I reading the same OP as everyone else? Dd2 is the one who had it on the sofa and dropped it a few times there is no mention of Dd1 doing it? Or am I just confused.

DerelictWreck · 17/01/2018 22:26

Am I missing something - what did DD1 do that means she has to pay half? Either DD2 lent on it, or DD2 dropped it?

Original poster
Ginmakesitallok · 17/01/2018 22:30

Dd1 has dropped it a few times.

Dd1 needs a lap top for her school work.

Think we'll ask dd1 to contribute towards a new one. If we ask dd2 to contribute she'll think it's part hers.

OP posts:
gingertigercat · 17/01/2018 22:31

I thought that dd1 dropped it and dd2 leant on it.

I would say that as this seems thoughtless rather than deliberate I would pay half and then split the other half between both dds. They learn a lesson but it's not too harsh.

Buxbaum · 17/01/2018 22:32

DD1 could do her school work on a desktop PC, though. Much less vulnerable and you could have a much faster, more powerful machine which will last a lot longer for the same price as the laptop.

stickytoffeevodka · 17/01/2018 22:33

I think, although they're both at fault, DD1 needs to take the most responsibility. It's her laptop and she's the one who left it lying around the sofa.

I think she should pay 50%, DD2 25% (she needs to learn to take care with her sister's possessions) and parents should pay the other 25% as you're partially responsible for making sure they treat their belongings properly.

Chocolate50 · 17/01/2018 22:34

Laptops will break, especially with an 8 yr old

stickytoffeevodka · 17/01/2018 22:35

I think DD2 needs to contribute, sorry.

She broke her sister's laptop. She needs to take some responsibility for that.

timeisnotaline · 17/01/2018 22:39

Leaning on it shouldn’t break it though - I’d lean on a laptop on the sofa! The 8 year old is not to blame.

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