Toddler broke item in garden centre

[Summerhen]

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 🫣

I smashed a £90 ornament in Canada and the shop wouldn't entertain the idea of me paying for it. These things happen.

Also you don't have to pay the full price, only their loss.

I agree with you re people not saying anything.
But in that case, I’d be so thankful to the person who came to pay for the item. Agd I’d tell them how nice it is fir them to do that.

A few years ago I was in a busy international airport with my young teen. We were wondering around the shops while waiting for our plane, and the duty free shop had narrow aisles and a truly insane display of bottles of booze carefully stacked in a crazy pyramid at the end - brilliant plan for people armed with coats and bags .
My teen accidentally lightly brushed a bottle with his coat sleeve when passing by, and the whole bloody pyramid collapsed with a mighty crash and smash - it was horrifying to watch! I immediately started to apologise, at which point several staff members rushed over and started aggressively shouting at my child, who was really upset. At that point I just thought bollocks to this, grabbed my child and legged it - there was no way I was going to either foot the bill for such a stupid display, nor watch my child be yelled at. Rightly or wrongly I have no regrets.

Sometimes accidents happen (particularly when kids are involved)... don't worry about it.

I have to say I wondered why they put something ‘obviously fragile’ At that height too…..

You asked your child to put it down and did the right thing by immediately going to pay for it, so there was no need for her to then be unnecessarily rude. These things happen 😊

That’s totally on them. Idiot merchandiser came up with that! I’ve seen tins displayed in a pyramid but never glass items, for this reason!

Accidents happen and you paid. The woman sounds mean.

Sounds like you were unfortunate enough to bump into the local busy body

Was going to say exactly the same thing!

Don't waste any head space on her OP, these things happen

Don't worry accidents happen and it's not always children who break things adults do as well.
You offered to pay for it the person at the checkout was miserable and could do with some staff training in customer relations

If they're going to put fragile objects where toddlers can reach them, they're pretty much asking for the odd breakage here and there, aren't they? Sounds like you did the right thing in the situation and she was having a bad day (to be kind, or maybe she is just a miserable sod).

An outing to the garden centre is quite common for young families. Accidents happen, at the end of the day how you handled it is the important thing. You did the right thing and collected the item and paid for it, causing no loss to the company.

Tbh I would be very angry with her patronising reaction to the situation and her treatment of a considerate customer. I definitely wouldn’t be worried about my own behaviour, having bought the damn thing.

MN love reins. I don’t find them very helpful but I’m surprised you think MN have a negative view of them.

@Summerhen The lady was most definitely out of order but the only thing I wonder is if she was annoyed that your son could've hurt himself and the shop could be at fault, insurance and whatnot.

On the other hand she could just be a mardy bint who likes to make herself feel superior by sticking the boot in.

Please don't let it put you off going back though, garden centres are good for the soul. 🍷For you later.

Personally I would not pay above cost price for a breakage but forgetting that, prepare a few replies and practice saying them so you're prepared the next time e.g

Oh, we can't all be little Miss Perfect Pants like you....

Oh, did you never have children yourself, shame, guess there must be some benefits to spinster life, tinkly laugh

Finally, Oh do shut up and fuck off....

What a miserable cow. Accidents happen, at 2 he is still learning about the world. Reminds me of the time a till worker at my local garden centre gave me a lecture about buying a lollipop for my son as it was bad for his teeth. I feel bad for whoever has to be related to these misery guts.

"It was for sale, I've paid for it and what has happened to it is absolutely none of your business now. End of"

I don't think you should have even had to pay for this. It really annoys me how our society isn't set up for or even really aware that little children will do these things, they're just kids. Feel so annoyed for you. That would have made me feel really sensitive and terrible too, but seriously she's the problem not you or your little boy.

The woman is completely out of order but I’m shocked that you’ve put that. What a horrible post.

Go in there tomorrow, pick up a fragile vase or pot and dangle it under her nose. Better still get your DS to do it, seriously some people are vile and just suck the joy out of life for others.
I thought you were going to say you didn't think you should pay for the item when I started reading the thread.
Email the garden centre, advised what happened, explain how you feel and tell them you have identified a training issue with one of their staff.
Whenever I am in such a situation I channel my inner Amandaland and think what would she do, I find it quite helpful in putting mean people in their place and I feel better for it!
Hold your head up high OP and when you see her next time just glare.

Ridiculous - you were in a family friendly garden centre, not the crystal vase section of Harrods!
Don't give it another thought.

It's because you're a mother, OP, therefore fair game for any unsolicited parenting advice from random busy bodies. I bet if you knocked it over with your handbag she wouldn't have given you a lecture.

What a silly woman! I take it she has never cared for a toddler than, or can't see beyond her own nose, as saying that there are plenty of people who haven't, and would still understand!

I wonder what she would have thought of me. I broke a middle aged couple's lamp they had just paid for, while wrapping it in a large department store (yes I worked there)! It was on sale, and one of a kind 🙊 I was 21 at the time, honestly if looks could kill!!

How many of these ornaments can you comfortably afford? If it's a decent number I'd be tempted to go back with a cricket bat and make a morning of it.