AIBU to make DS16 pay for his retainers

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DS16 had his braces taken off recently and he now has to wear retainers. After only 1 week of having the retainers, he's managed to lose them. We told and warned him many times to take good care of the retainers and to make sure he doesn't lose them.

DS16 is making some money by working as an online tutor a few times a week. AIBU to make him pay for his new 120 quid retainers?

Accidents happen so I wouldn’t make him pay. I would insist that when he takes them out in future, he places them in the same place every time, maybe even in a case.
I could’ve kicked myself when I put my washing on the dining table recently before picking it all up and putting it in the tumble dryer to air. DS’s retainers were underneath and they ended up in the dryer and shrunk to mouse size. I’m obviously more aware now and I’m sure your DS will be too.

YANBU but I’d pay the first time and then see what happens.

I pay for my DD’s retainers a couple times but when it became obvious it was going to be a recurring issue I told her that she’d have to pay for them. She goes through them at least twice a year.

Yes I'd pay for the first replacement and then after that it's up to him. Just what I'd do.

Maybe pay for fixed retainers?

Yes you’d be teaching him a lesson but no I absolutely couldn’t do it. It was just an accident and I’m sure he feels awful.

I’d probably just pay for them. if he did it again. But we all loose things sometimes

As my username would indicate my DS left his retainers in a hotel room abroad recently. I had to have them couriered back and I did consider making him pay the cost but in the end I said I would and we talked strategies for how we could make sure this wouldn’t happen again.

Have since purchased him a blindingly bright neon yellow case to store them in. Previous one was black and easily missed.

16 is a funny old age where they’ve got a lot going on and even though they seem grown up they’re not yet. Better to give them a bit of help to learn from their mistakes.

I’d let him off for a first offence, but if it happens again he should pay