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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make them pay for damaged ballpit

217 replies

mummaelle · 18/09/2021 20:45

I bought my 10 month old a fairly expensive fabric ballpit and balls.
The day after we had family round for drinks, after my dd went to bed my stepfather and older brother had a few too many to drink and were running and jumping in the ballpit and laying across it causing it to misshape.
I was annoyed and shouted at them and moved the ballpit to another room, they could tell I wasn't happy and offered me half the money each to get her a new one.
The next morning, my mum found out what happened and was angry I accepted the money off them and said I shouldn't have taken it and that there was nothing wrong with the ballpit.
She asked me to return the money to them but I refused, after all the damaged my dd brand new ballpit a day after she got it. My mum has fallen out with me over it and told me not to come round until I returned the money.
What do you think, aibu to not return the money and should just get over it??

OP posts:
FatCatThinCat · 18/09/2021 21:52

Your mum has picked a very small ant hill to die on. She's really not going to see or daughter or grandchild again because of a few quid for a ball pit from a couple of drunks?

CurlyWurly321 · 18/09/2021 21:54

Sound like a pair of school girls sniggering at the OP because she’s bought something you clearly think is snobby or whatever.

Something that common cannot be snobby.

I googled it. I think it's a new trend of decor-matching children's items because they're selling around £40-£70 and despite my hatred of all things grey, they do look quite nice and not brightly coloured plasticky blues, pinks and yellows etc.

But the ballpits aren't for the parents. They are for the kids. Who, at that age and above LOVE bright, various colours.

I feel sorry for the kids of grey

I always saw a wooden play gym recently as wel. A wooden play gym with plain wooden dangly bits.
Poor kids who get those for Christmas.

CurlyWurly321 · 18/09/2021 21:56

Look at his face.
It says it all.

To make them pay for damaged ballpit
Glssr195726113493 · 18/09/2021 21:57

I have a similar pit for my baby. It was misshapen by my FIL laying on it. The foam inside is really easily damaged I think and he’s crushed it on one side.

While it still technically functions as a ball pit, it’s crushed on one side and now looks shit. It cost a fair amount too.

I support you taking the money, it’s the principle of the matter. They damaged something by being drunk twats, something brand new for your baby. I’d tell my mother to keep her beak out.

Whatinthelord · 18/09/2021 21:58

God who cares what ball pit it is. Fact is it was the baby’s toy and two adults broke it when they were drunk and then, reasonably, offered to replace it. Type of ball pit or opinions on types of ball pits are really not relevant.

Amandasummers · 18/09/2021 21:58

@CurlyWurly321 you are unbelievably judgemental.

Cornishclio · 18/09/2021 21:58

Your stepdad and brother were idiots and if they damaged the ball pit but offered to pay to replace it then I would accept it. Forget about your mum, it is nothing to do with her. If she refuses to see you or your DD because she does not think 2 grown men should face up to their responsibilities then you are better off not seeing her. Is she always that precious over the males in her family?

Somethingsnappy · 18/09/2021 22:00

@CurlyWurly321

Look at his face. It says it all.
He does indeed appear a little disgruntled....
lovelybitofsquirrell · 18/09/2021 22:01

@CurlyWurly321

Look at his face. It says it all.
That has got to be the most boring baby toy I have ever seen. 😂
CurlyWurly321 · 18/09/2021 22:01

[quote Amandasummers]@CurlyWurly321 you are unbelievably judgemental.[/quote]
Come on now, lighten up.

Every sane person knows it doesn't matter what colour her ball pit is.

MajorCarolDanvers · 18/09/2021 22:01

Your mum is BU

CurlyWurly321 · 18/09/2021 22:03

He does indeed appear a little disgruntled....

Because his tiny t-Rex arms can't reach it.

Pretty sure that middle one won't pass any safety standards.

confessionsOfa · 18/09/2021 22:03

@CurlyWurly321

Look at his face. It says it all.

Grin wooden toys are generally boring as

BathMatToe · 18/09/2021 22:05

@CurlyWurly321

Look at his face. It says it all.
Actually smart arse, lots of research now suggests highly coloured flashing lights, music, etc on play gyms can be really overstimulating to babies. They're better off staring at their hands and practicing their rolling skills.
CurlyWurly321 · 18/09/2021 22:07

Actually smart arse, lots of research now suggests highly coloured flashing lights, music, etc on play gyms can be really overstimulating to babies.

Who mentioned flashing lights and music?!

CurlyWurly321 · 18/09/2021 22:08

They're better off staring at their hands and practicing their rolling skills.

You're right, don't buy them any toys to learn with.
You're far smarter than me.
And have a wonderful sense of humour to boot. Smile

BathMatToe · 18/09/2021 22:12

@CurlyWurly321

They're better off staring at their hands and practicing their rolling skills.

You're right, don't buy them any toys to learn with.
You're far smarter than me.
And have a wonderful sense of humour to boot. Smile

Wouldn't take much to be fair. Enjoy your night.
OhRene · 18/09/2021 22:13

@CurlyWurly321

Sound like a pair of school girls sniggering at the OP because she’s bought something you clearly think is snobby or whatever.

Something that common cannot be snobby.

I googled it. I think it's a new trend of decor-matching children's items because they're selling around £40-£70 and despite my hatred of all things grey, they do look quite nice and not brightly coloured plasticky blues, pinks and yellows etc.

But the ballpits aren't for the parents. They are for the kids. Who, at that age and above LOVE bright, various colours.

I feel sorry for the kids of grey

I always saw a wooden play gym recently as wel. A wooden play gym with plain wooden dangly bits.
Poor kids who get those for Christmas.

Relax @CurlyWurly321 I said they looked nice. I didn't say that I'd ever consider buying one and I never said a child would prefer a fancy looking thing over a brightly coloured plasticky thing.
UpCloseAndPersonalWithGlenda · 18/09/2021 22:14

BathMat, it's practising. It's a verb.

Glsser, lying, not laying. Unless he's a chicken.

I hate grey toys, too.

Thank God the internet didn't exist when my DC were little.

OP, this has nothing to do with your mum, and I don't know why she's involved herself.

Moonbabysmum · 18/09/2021 22:14

Tbh, a lot of those neutral & gray baby toys just seem designed for the parent, not the child.

I cant imagine a baby preferring several shades of gray compared to multi coloured balls.

MrsRobbieHart · 18/09/2021 22:16

Jeez someone is way past their bedtime! Grin

Limejuiceandrum · 18/09/2021 22:18

Well surely they’ll be happy they’ve got a ball pit all to themselves now.
Grey or not! It’s a win win all round, they clearly desperately wanted one

toooothacheee · 18/09/2021 22:19

If they damaged it beyond repair or reshaping then yadnbu!!! And they knew they were wrong too to offer money.

WoozySnoozy · 18/09/2021 22:20

As long as you give them the broken one to play with i don't see the issue

RogueV · 18/09/2021 22:24

How much was it?

Also googled the grey ball pit. BORING

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