DD’s friends have absolutely destroyed my carpet.

[MyOwnBestFriend1989]

I don’t even know the point in posting this but DH is on a business trip and all my friends are probably watching the England match so have got no one to rant to.

my DD (12) had her friends over today and they went to B&M or wherever it was (honestly couldn’t care less at this point) and bought some of those stupid stress toys. They’re the ones filled with fluorescent, possibly radioactive, liquid and you squeeze them. when they came back they were instantly playing tug of war with them, jumping on them and just stretching them beyond their limits. I said, in no unclear terms, “if one of those pops and goes all over my carpet I’m going to hit the roof”. Obviously I got the whole “we’ll be careful!” reassurance, and please don’t ask me why I didn’t confiscate the toys off them because I honestly don’t know!

i was downstairs catching up on Eastenders and one of the girls comes down looking guilty and sheepish and disappears into the kitchen. She comes out clutching my Zoflora and I instantly ask her “what do you think you’re doing with that”, she claims the girls were “just making potions”. My response was “not with my Zoflora you’re not now what’s the real reason.” Cue her bursting into tears shouting “we didn’t mean to!”. My stomach dropped.

I’ve marched upstairs and there it is - a, what can only be described as marinated, ocean blue stain clearly smeared into my cream carpet. Not only that, there was also some scrunched up bits of toilet paper in it which had a faint blue tinge to it meaning they had obviously rubbed it in in an attempt to get it out.

i have to give myself credit for I didn’t scream or shout at the girls: I said “girls, you have half an hour to ring your parents and get them to collect you.” There were no arguments and rightly so.

it is now 11pm and I’m yet to receive an apology text from one of the parents - not that a “sorry” WhatsApp message will pay for my carpet to be professionally cleaned.

don’t know what the point is in posting this but just deflated to be honest. Unless of course anyone has any advice on how I can get this stain out or indeed on how to passive aggressively message the parents to imply that I do indeed want to be indemnified for a professional clean.

Why are the other parents more responsible than you? Your child was also involved and yoy were supervising.

Very annoying, but also one of those things.

No it really isn't.

Not many people can "turn on waterworks." It is a sign of genuine distress.

Doubt its destroyed, I've never met a stain that Vanish upholstery stain removal couldn't get out, just clean it - why would you send them home - no point in crying over spilt milk, it was an accident. i doubt any of the girls will be back for a playdate anytime soon, total over the top reaction.

You knew they had the toys and you didn’t stop them playing with them in your house-that’s on you to pay for a carpet cleaner, not the parents who weren’t there and weren’t in charge.

But OP is also old enough to know better. She saw them playing with them and said "I'll be cross if it bursts" and they said they would be careful but continued to play with them and the OP knew really they were still playing with them. And as they played with them they burst. So.....

I'd also be pissed off the stupid things exist and otherwise intelligent children are induced by what witchcraft I know not to spend good money on them.

But that still isn't a reason the other parents should have to pay for an accident in op's home when they were not there and OP let them play with them.

I'm sure they have toxic compounds in them, whatever the small print may claim.

You'd be amazed at what a decent, professional carpet cleaner can do. It'll all be ok.

Total left field question op: are you pissed off about OH's business trip?

Trust your instinct next time something tells you not to trust the assurances of children. Sometimes they can be trusted but on this occasion they couldn’t be, and you knew that deep down didn’t you OP!

Im sorry, and I would feel gutted if it was me. I’ve no idea what would be recommended to clean this off your carpet, but I dropped a can of black gloss paint on a pale grey carpet and thought it was ruined. I managed to clean it off completely with WD40, to the point where my husband didn’t even notice when he came home. It might be worth trying before you claim on your insurance.

That's actually incredible.😆

If one of the parents contacts you because of the blue dye ruining their daughters clothes, would you feel responsible and offer to replace them ?
I understand how upsetting this must of been and I hope you find a way of removing the stain. The girls didn’t do it on purpose and I’m sure they are feeling very guilty about it. It was your responsibility to keep order in your home and you chose to watch tv and let them get on with it. I probably would have done the same as they aren’t little children and were safe in your home. Accidents happen.

I can tell you now for nothing you would be in for an almighty land if you attempted to 'passively aggressively' msgd me to get me to pay. Not a hope in hell. Id laugh at you. And your poor dd wld be forwever remembered as the one with the batshit mother whos house you cant hang out in.
Its a carpet. Get a grip..

You were the parent in charge. You allowed them to play with those toys in a carpeted room. Your rules, your consequences. Sorry.

I feel really sad for your daughter. The other kids won’t want to come over anymore. Especially if one was upset enough to cry.
Kids are kids and sometimes make mistakes. Especially at sleepovers, they are all excited.

Or how badly. A patch/join always shows. When they used to stitch it was better, but they only glue now.

I would never have sent kids home over this. Accidents happen. They tried to clear up. You sent them home. They are scared of you, hence tears, attempts to clear up and trying to sneak the zoflora out.

I don't want my kids' friends to be scared of me. If I was totally against something I would say no, rather than weedily saying "I will be angry if X happens" and then reacting. You are the adult.

I would be aware that you won't have to worry about this kind of thing happening again as these kids will probably avoid coming over. Is your cream carpet more important than your daughter's friendships? Who has cream carpet with a young family anyway?

Try Dr Beckmann's carpet cleaner with the brush on it. It is totally brilliant, top Which recommendation and has saved the day for me on many occasions.

My DC went to a friend’s house and they wrecked a carpet with nail polish. In my home my DC didn’t have any nail polish to play with.

The mum wasn’t exactly what you’d call ‘house proud’ and her children were quite feral and destructive. In that case I didn’t feel responsible or like I should offer any money for carpet cleaning.

Totally agree. Kids are kids and I'd much rather their friends feel welcome in our home. I'd not be upset by this.

YABVU

It's annoying and messy and a massive pain but they didn't do it on purpose. They're kids playing, it was an accident.

this

Just have to pay to get it professionally cleaned or replaced.... it's just a carpet... worst things happen in life.

I'd be really cross, made worse because I could have stopped it and didn't. I get it: it's hot, the girls are old enough to know better, etc.

It's really not on the other parents to chip in for a professional clean. They probably don't know if they haven't been in touch to apologise. Even if they did, it's just one of those things if your own DD was involved.

Ask on a local FB group to see if there's a professional carpet cleaner who can help later today. If not, go to B&Q and hire a Rug Doctor. The gloop in those toys isn't toxic waste, it should come out.