Should I replace child's designer coat?

[happyrain]

DS punctured a hole in the arm of a classmate's coat while playing with a stick during breaktime this week. The children play in a wooded area so stick play is not unusual there, although I have of course had stern words with DS about stick games and being careful and so on.

Parents of coat-child naturally aren't happy. I have offered to have the hole professionally repaired but no, they want us to replace the coat. I'm guessing the coat is some sort of designer one as they want the best part of £200 from us.

Whilst I completely accept my DS's responsibility for the damage I am not sure that £200 for a small puncture hole is entirely reasonable.

Any thoughts?

why on earth would ANY CHILD EVER wear a DESIGNER coat to PLAY in at SCHOOL?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!

The TA who was there didn’t agree that the damage was caused by the stick though.

Lots of unreasonable behaviour

• sending a child to school in expensive clothes.
• accusing the wrong child of tearing it
• buying a completely new coat instead of sewing the seam or doing a repair
• contacting other parents and demanding ridiculous sums of money

Sorry you've had to put up with this! And so sorry for your son being accused unjustly.

That Ferrari example is ridiculous

Accidents happen, the boy will get a good chat from OP, an apology is in order, but £200 for a new coat?

If you send an 8 year old to school in a £200 coat then you know your risks

No! The child should not be wearing a designer coat to school. Schoolwear should be cheap and durable as it will get worn or damaged. Parents need to accept this and not expect other parents to pay, unless the damage was willful. This sounds very much like an accident to me and a bit of stick play sounds like great fun - not something to be avoided for fear of damaging coats!

We had the same recently where another child grabbed at the hood off my sons jacket playing football at playtime and it ripped the material next to the hood.
My husband wanted the other parents to replace, I said ‘no, kids were playing, it was an accident’
Result, WE bought a new jacket, the old one was getting small anyway.
Difference is my son was wearing a mountain warehouse jacket bought at an outlet so easily and cheaply replaced.
I agree with most PP, kids shouldn’t wear designer clothes to school. My DS and his friend are 9, I’m expecting more clothing loss and damage in the next few years. It’s what happens.