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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Not replacing the lost items we weren’t told were expensive

227 replies

Robinisrosie · 16/12/2025 19:20

Yesterday I provided some babysitting for my nephews children. His daughters are 2 and 4 and they had a family funeral to attend but didn’t feel comfortable taking the children. I was more than happy to babysit. The 4 year olds school is already broken up for Christmas and the 2 year old doesn’t normally do nursery on a Monday.

We had a lovely day, all was well and when my nephew picked them up he asked where the youngest’s hat and scarf had gone. I couldn’t find them immediately and realised we may have either left them at soft play or in a cafe. He said it was fine, I offered to call the soft play and cafe today to see if they had been handed in.

I called both today and the soft play said they couldn’t be sure and we would have to go and check. I am working this week so I can’t but I told him the soft play etc. and suggested if they are important they can check in, otherwise I’ll go at the weekend. I’ve now received messages stating that they were expensive designer items and while they don’t mind if they are lost they would have appreciated me doing a better job at looking after the items. I’ve now spoken to my sister and she has informed me that the hat alone cost 3 figures and was from Burberry! Who the heck spends that on a hat for a 2 year old?
I appreciate wealth wise we are on very different levels, my nephew and his wife are incredibly well off and she comes from an incredibly well to do family, but surely if you are sending an item worth that much you might want to mention it?
My sister thinks I should pay to replace it but I think that’s bonkers! I’ll happily buy a replacement at a normal price if it isn’t there when I go to check at the weekend but I cannot believe they actually expect me to cough up over £200 for a hat and scarf for a 2 year old!

AIBU?

OP posts:
Bunnycat101 · 18/12/2025 17:17

You did a lovely thing babysitting and did them a big favour. You shouldn’t pay for the item under those circumstances. Looking after small children is pretty stressful if you’re not used to it and they could have made your life a little bit easier by just staying at home rather than taking them out to soft play. I also think only an idiot puts a child in a £200 hat. Hats, gloves, cardigans and water bottles are the things that disappear.

Catwalking · 18/12/2025 17:51

Surely something as easily lost as this crazy hat (I wouldn’t even spend that on a hat for me!) should be claimed for on the household insurance?

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