Advice please

preciousmetal

So here's the situation:

My SIL, let's call her "A", watches my kids on Fridays. My other SIL "M" lives in the same house, and has 3 kids of her own. Yesterday, my DS was playing with two of his cousins and they said DS threw a toy and broke the screen on a very expensive e-reader. DS is only 2 years old and cannot speak enough to tell his side of the story. 

Here's my question - should I have to pay to replace it entirely? I was at work when it happened, while both A and M were supposed to be watching the kids. I'm not convinced that DS did break the item - he can't throw or hit very hard at all. 

If he did break it, I'm obviously responsible as his parent to pay to replace it. But I don't feel that I should be entirely responsible since he a) was not properly supervised and b)a pair of 5 year olds are the ones who said my kid did it. The same 5 year olds my DH saw STEPPING on said e-reader when he had dropped our kids off that very morning. 

I feel stuck. What would you do? 

lovebug33

Toughie! I would probably pay just to keep peace, but I would be angry and harbor a grudge for months, so I don't know if that is good advice!

preciousmetal

Estwd2:

It's partially her fault for leaving it out. A 2yearold is more than capable of breaking an ereader and toddlers throw stuff all the time. It doesn't necessarily mean she wasn't surpervising properly. But it shouldn't have been out regardless. That was carelessness on her part. I think the most I would offer is half. But did she even ask you to replace it?

Not directly. When I got to the house to pick up my kids, I talked to "A". I said, "I'm sorry that happened. Can it be fixed? I'll pay for the repair." and she said "It's insured." Then "M" took to Facebook after I left and cried to all her friends that my son broke it and that it actually wasn't insured. She painted me and my kid like monsters...it's a mess.

And no, I don't pay for them to watch the kids. But the story I was told was that my son and the two girls were alone in the basement. It leaves me in a tricky spot.

I think I'm going to have to end up paying just to keep the peace. But yeah...I think I'm going to be upset about this one for a while. 

ridesbuttons

The thing is, this could have happened at any time, right?  It could have happened while you were visiting, it could have happened while she was actively watching the kids and turned her back for a second.  These things happen and they can happen without warning or foreshadowing.  And if you're getting the service for free, it seems like a pretty cheap exchange.

As for the facebook thing, whatever.  facebook is perhaps the dumbest thing that could have happened to dumb people in the history of humanity.

preciousmetal

ridesbuttons:

The thing is, this could have happened at any time, right?  It could have happened while you were visiting, it could have happened while she was actively watching the kids and turned her back for a second.  These things happen and they can happen without warning or foreshadowing.  And if you're getting the service for free, it seems like a pretty cheap exchange.

As for the facebook thing, whatever.  facebook is perhaps the dumbest thing that could have happened to dumb people in the history of humanity.

You sound just like the voice in my head. I know you are right. Especially about FB.

Thanks, ladies.