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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Toddler broke item in garden centre

126 replies

Summerhen · 14/04/2025 15:04

Took my two children DD (6) and DS (2) to the garden centre this morning to get a little bit of cake and some veggie plants for them to put in the garden.
We had our cake where they both sat nicely and then left the cafe to go and let them choose which plants they wanted. As I opened the cafe door both of them went out before me and due to the door being a bit heavy it took me a couple of seconds to manoeuvre the pram out and through the door by myself. As I looked up from the pram I spotted my little boy had picked up an ceramic ornament from a display on the floor so was quickly like ‘oh put that down DS’ whilst I rushed over, so was obviously my fault for asking him to put it down but I didn’t think and he put it down a bit to fast to which it cracked and broke into two pieces. I immediately headed over to the till to pay for it but I was met with a lady who just made me feel so bad for it. She told me that I should have been keeping an eye on him and that it was no surprise that it broke when they are so fragile. I’m probably way to sensitive to this kind of thing and need to grow a thicker skin but I’m always so careful with keeping him close to me to prevent anything like this, always telling him not to touch etc - this is the first time either of my children have ever broke anything in a shop and it just surprised me how annoyed she actually was about it. We live in a semi-rural area with not loads around, the garden centre is our closest cafe so just feeling like if I go in their again they’ll think bad of me now 🫣

OP posts:
fairgame84 · 14/04/2025 15:06

These things happen, you paid for it so I don't see the issue.
She's clearly one of those people that likes to stick the boot in when people are down.

Changeissmall · 14/04/2025 15:08

She was a misery. It was an accident. You paid for it. Hold your head high.
Some people are just like that and nothing you can do about it. Maybe she was fed up with all the Easter holiday kids interrupting her peace.

Member984815 · 14/04/2025 15:09

A long time ago my toddler broke a vas in a shop , I went to pay for it and the woman at the till refused because accidents happen .

Summerhen · 14/04/2025 15:09

fairgame84 · 14/04/2025 15:06

These things happen, you paid for it so I don't see the issue.
She's clearly one of those people that likes to stick the boot in when people are down.

@Changeissmall @fairgame84 thank you both, think I just needed to hear an unbiased opinion to stop me over thinking it 😅

OP posts:
midtownmum · 14/04/2025 15:10

I clicked this thinking you'd be saying you shouldn't have to pay for it but this is fine. She was nasty for no reason and you shouldn't feel bad, these things happen, you took responsibility and she had no need to talk to you like that. Just remind yourself that it's not a happy life being a person who constantly wants to make others feel bad and try to forget about it otherwise.

IglesiasPiggl · 14/04/2025 15:12

It can't be the first time a customer has accidentally broken something in there. I think it's her who needs to grow a thicker skin. It was an accident, you apologised and paid in full for the damage. As a PP said, she sounds like someone who loves to kick people when they're down.

WaltzingWaters · 14/04/2025 15:13

You went immediately to pay for it so she’s just being extremely rude.

Blackdow · 14/04/2025 15:13

My guess is that it happens a lot but most people would just walk off and leave it, then staff find the broken stuff and have a moan about people being shitty. So, when you went up to pay she finally had a chance to take that frustration out on you, the honest one. She was totally out of order; you apologised and paid. You didn’t deserve or need a dressing down.
It’s totally fine for shop staff to step in and ask you to control your kid if they see kids running around and causing dangers while parents do nothing but you already took care of it.

birdling · 14/04/2025 15:14

Accidents happen and you paid for it. You did nothing wrong. Was she a member of staff or just a random nosy woman?

cally201 · 14/04/2025 15:14

I have learnt that some people are just plain mean and grumpy. Don't give her another thought.

Purplebunnie · 14/04/2025 15:16

Goodness me, you offered to pay for it. Many people just swan out without a backward glance. She was very unreasonable to give you so much grief

interestedwhy · 14/04/2025 15:17

You paid for it , she was unnecessarily unkind . If I was her employer I’d be more concerned that you would share your experience and put off other potential customers - people talk

Summerhen · 14/04/2025 15:20

Thank you so much everyone - in the space of 15 minutes I’m feeling so much better about the situation!

OP posts:
Cloudyvibes · 14/04/2025 15:23

Goodness it was an accident and you paid for it. If your toddler hadn’t of broken it she wouldn’t have got the sale😉

Fingernailbiter · 14/04/2025 15:24

If the ornaments are so fragile they shouldn’t put them on a floor display! You didn’t do anything wrong. If it suits you, keep going there.

Dodgethis · 14/04/2025 15:25

Seriously, it happens, you did the right thing to offer to pay. It’s literally none of that woman’s business. Please don’t let it ruin anything for you

BethDuttonYeHaw · 14/04/2025 15:26

What a bitch. Don’t let her get to you. These things happen.

SouthLondonMum22 · 14/04/2025 15:26

It happens and you paid for it. You won't be the first (or last) which is probably why she was grumpy about it.

DelphineFox · 14/04/2025 15:29

I thought this was going to be a thread with someone thinking they shouldn't have to pay for it. You went over to pay so there was nothing to criticise.

Itiswhysofew · 14/04/2025 15:30

Ah, look, she said her piece and hopefully, she feels better for itGrin. Please don't let that put you off going back there. It's your local and it's good for you to frequent it.

Your were really good to pay for it without even being prompted. You sound really lovely.

iamnotalemon · 14/04/2025 15:30

As others have said, it was an accident and you offered to pay for it. I expect it happens a lot and a percentage of parents won’t pay for the damage, which was probably the cause of her frustration

Rosebushes · 14/04/2025 15:31

Your toddler broke an item by accident, you went to the till to pay for the item. You did NOTHING wrong.

Ignore her

DonningMyHardHat · 14/04/2025 15:32

You did nothing wrong. These things happen, you owned up to the mishap and paid for it. Miserable woman should have let it go.

purplecorkheart · 14/04/2025 15:33

She is probably one of those people who make herself feel big by making someone else feel small.

You did the right thing in offering to pay and now know that it might be better to have him strapped into his buggy before leaving the coffee shop. I do wonder about such a fragile item being displayed so low down.

Whitetruck · 14/04/2025 15:34

Tbh in your shoes I'd have offered but wouldn't expect to be asked to pay, accidents happen. I think she was rude and unnecessary, unless she's the owner, I would have made no difference to her, even if you hadn't paid

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