To make them pay half each??

[Ginmakesitallok]

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?

I think 25/25/50 DD1 DD2 you is a good idea. They need to pay something so they're more careful in the future, or they won't respect their possessions! I disagree DD1 was at fault for leaving laptop on sofa, they're designed to be portable, nothing wrong with sitting it on the sofa, DD2 is in the wrong for being so careless and leaning on it. Only reason I think DD1 needs to contribute is the repeated dropping which will have damaged it before this.

Was it definitely working before dd2 leant on it? I would have thought dropping it a few times would be far more likley to have done this kind of damage than leaning on it.

I think it's a bit much to expect an 8 year old to stump up cash for breakages These things happen, especially when people leave expensive equipment in stupid places.

Have you checked with your insurance company about the excess? My laptop was covered under personal possessions with a £25 excess, so well worth claiming a new one on insurance after DC gave it a drink of squash a few years ago.....

I don't think either child should pay.

DD1 dropping it would cause more damage than just leaning on it. It's a bit unfair to make DD2 pay for something only DD1 will benefit from if they're both to blame!

I think you should claim it on house insurance and let the kids pay the excess (assuming it's cheaper than a new laptop).
Otherwise, I wouldn't make an 8 year old pay for breakages. There would be some stern words, mind you!

Why don't you draw up a price list for jobs around the house and make them 'work off' the cost of a repair/replacement.

That teaches them a lesson without taking their Christmas money, and might even be a better lesson about earning things than just taking their money.

I bought a new screen off eBay and fitted it myself after the same thing happened, fell off sofa. Took me ten minutes and cost about 22 quid

I'd probably just make the older girl who owns the laptop pay since she cracked the screen originally which is why the younger girl leaning on it was able to break it, if it wasn't cracked that probably wouldn't have broke it so the older girl should have been more careful about where she left it lying around when it was already fragile from when she had dropped it

Split the insurance excess three ways. Your DDs and you. It's unfair anyone should be buying a new laptop.

The screen is showing up just white - with some black cracks in bottom corner. Will try tonight.

That probably means that it's just the screen itself that's broken.

I'm gonna be lone voice here I think
I think DD1 should pay 60%, you should pay 40% and DD2 should pay for the accidental coverage c£30 someone else mentioned above
That way DD1 has paid enough to value it, you've taken away any claim from DD2 and DD2 has paid to cover any future accidents