Should I Charge Them to Replace It?

[AfterSchoolMom]

Yep, mostly school agers right now, but about 1-2 times per week I have a couple of families with younger children that bring them on a drop in basis during school hours. Those kids are 2 months, 1yr, 2yrs, and 3yrs. It works out well so that they don't overlap, and still gives me several days per week to get things done.

[TGT09]

I think he's old enough for the consequence of having to look for it. Other than that, I think that's all "I" would personally do. If it was a top dollar item then I would think about telling parents and if the circumstances were different. Nor do I think you were in the wrong for not having them in eyesight all the time but it's just part of the "daycare game". I have more SA's than toddlers and trust me, I don't always have my eyesight on them either. Not to mention, I have trustworthy toddlers that I'll run upstairs to do something (5 minutes max). I'm still within ear shot and I do not feel guilty in the least about it. All my parents know I "live" upstairs and the daycare is downstairs, all are alright with that!

ETA: I would also use this as a "learning game" for YOUR child so that he knows better than to loan out special items.

[booroo]

After school mom....Ok...this might come out sounding a little grumpy but you either knew he had on your son's watch and didn't ask him to take it off or you were not watching him when he put it on. Either way I wouldn't charge the parents....let it slide.
Bentley bands....in your post about the three year old tearing up a book you said "you walked into the room" and found him doing this. Personally I think if you leave a three year old out of your sight you are lucky if the only thing that has happened is that he ripped up a book. That sounds potentionaly dangerous.

WOW you must wear depends all day, and those kids must starve... either that or the kids are on lock down when you have to cook, potty, tend to a baby....

Here is what I would... I think one of the posters hit it.. When they said that he should have to look for it, and he should have to do some work around the house.... I would also mention it too mom.... She does need to know.... as for replacing it, make him work it off...

[Live and Learn]

Afterschool mom...sorry I didn't realize the dck was 8 years old and older than your son. That makes a big difference.
we had to make a rule with our own children that they should only loan something out to friends if they never wanted to see that something again.
then if it never is seen again "so sad too bad". My own kids can be generous to a fault and so many of their items were being lent out and then lost or broken. ....I think that I would still let this watch matter slide as far as asking the parents to pay and make this an opportunity to talk with the dck and your own about borrowing and what your rules are. I think that the logical thing to do is ask that the dck go look for the watch...your son might even offer to help....I find that my sa kids really like to help look for missing items... a type of hide and seek!...you could say something like "Bobby lost Billy's watch yesterday and he is going outside to look for it. Would any of you be willing to help him search for it?" That almost always works for me. Then when they come back inside offer them each a small treat. And remember...at least he was honest enough to admit that he lost it. Some kids would just deny the hold thing.

[AfterSchoolMom]

And remember...at least he was honest enough to admit that he lost it. Some kids would just deny the hold thing.

Very true!