Would You?

[NoMoreJuice!]

So we are members at a children's museum that is conveniently located across the street from my house. We take the kids there once or twice a week, and have a great routine where we walk in, sit with our backs on the wall, and take off coats one at a time. Well today, we didn't realize they had painted the wall earlier in the morning and it was still wet. The kids sat with their backs on the wall like they're trained to do, and now have beige paint on all their coats. Looking at it later, I did see a "wet paint" sign, but it was almost to the top of the 10 foot ceiling, and I didn't look up because I was looking down at all my little people. The entire hallway, about 100 feet or so, was painted and they were still working on the far end.

So there are 12 kids involved in this, and I just can't afford to buy all new coats. They range from thrift store coats to $115 North Face coats.

Would you:
1. Complain to the children's museum, because really that was a huge lack of common sense to paint a wall right before two hundred children show up for the day, and ask them to replace the coats;

2. Apologize to parents and offer to replace the coats, hoping that most of them realize I wasn't to blame and letting me off the hook;

3. Just replace all the coats and chalk it up to a business expense?

[Silly Songs]

I would talk to the museum first. Of course let the parents know, maybe you can pay something toward the coats and the museum can reimburse you. Please ask the parents to give you a receipt if they buy new jackets. I hope they will donate the old coat if they no longer want them.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Maybe try rubbing alcohol to get the paint off? You just rub it on and the paint breaks down and then launder. If you google it, there are a few options to get paint out of clothes and alcohol based seem to do the best.

On a side note, my daughter got silly putty on her Vikings, Jared Allen jersey, so my hubby was so sad. I found out that wd-40 and dish soap are the way to go to get silly putty out of clothes! The internets are awesome!::

[Josiegirl]

Well I personally think that's stupidity on the part of the painters for either not blocking the whole area off or posting signs on stands every 10' or so feet. How they posted was NOT smart. I'll bet your kids aren't the only ones who went home with beige paint on themselves today.

I'm so sorry this happened. I would definitely talk with the museum first, then the painters but I'll bet they all say they're not responsible. I'm not sure what I'd do, probably offer to help dcps replace the coats. That just plain $ucks.

[daycarediva]

OH NO!

I would take pictures of the sign in relation to the bench, as well as the coats. I would estimate the cost of replacing them, and then I would contact the museum director.

IMHO- the bench should have been either moved or roped off.

I wouldn't offer to replace coats though- my parents all know there is a probability things will be ruined here. 80% bring thrift store or hand me down everything. ONE child, always dressed to the hilt, is ALWAYS staining things. Outside today she sprayed the front of her north face coat and WHITE north face boots with snow paint. I'm NOT looking forward to that conversation AT ALL.

[kendallina]

Oh man, this ****s. Sorry you have to deal with it...

I agree that I wouldn't immediately offer to replace the coats. I would take pics of the sign in relation to where you all were and speak to the museum staff right away. I would apologize to the parents and let them know that you're trying to rectify it with the museum.

In the meantime, I would contact a dry cleaner or look up some possible home remedies to see if there's anything you can do to get them cleaned. I would probably offer to pay for cleaning, if there's a place that can do it.

[Blackcat31]

OH NO!

I would take pictures of the sign in relation to the bench, as well as the coats. I would estimate the cost of replacing them, and then I would contact the museum director.

IMHO- the bench should have been either moved or roped off.

I wouldn't offer to replace coats though- my parents all know there is a probability things will be ruined here. 80% bring thrift store or hand me down everything. ONE child, always dressed to the hilt, is ALWAYS staining things. Outside today she sprayed the front of her north face coat and WHITE north face boots with snow paint. I'm NOT looking forward to that conversation AT ALL.

Personally this is the direction I was leaning too... ^^^^

I think the museum should bear the burden of replacing or compensating parents.

I also think I'd have HUGE issues replacing a $100+ coat for a young child. Parents know we get dirty and messy here.

[childcaremom]

I would explain to the parents what happened. Maybe offer some suggestions as to cleaning. Leave it at that.

As a parent, I would not blame you. I would chalk it up to "Whoops." and carry on. My child would continue to wear the coat for the rest of the season and we would have a good story to tell about the mark.

(I also realize I am may not be most parents. )

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[MunchkinWrangler]

Yeah, I personally think it's ridiculous to buy an article of clothing that expensive for a child that will only wear it one season. :confused:
Accidents happen, I wouldn't replace but maybe offer to try to clean them up? I would talk to the museum also, it didn't sound like they had the area properly blocked off! Not that they'll replace anything but so they plan better for the future.

[Ariana]

My kids get more than one season out of their $100 coats . I think it is well worth the money.

Anyway as a parent with a kid in a $100 coat I would never expect my DCP or teacher to replace the coat because of a clear accident. I would be very appreciative that you were trying to resolve the issue with the museum but I would be either trying to get the paint off or would just replace the coat. Maybe if I couldn't afford another coat I'd be pretty miffed. These coats may not be brand new either though.

Tough situation for sure. So crappy that this happened. I hope the museum takes the responsibility.

[NoMoreJuice!]

Thanks everybody for your replies (and sympathy!).

I considered talking to the museum director, but honestly she seems to have such poor judgement I don't know if it would accomplish anything. She's brand new, and I bet this was a rough way to break her in, because I heard so many parents/nannies, etc griping. I've decided in order to maintain the good relationship I've always had with them, I'm going to let it go. I was furious at first, but have since downgraded to severely annoyed. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll just be slightly irritated.

All my parents are so wonderful, I think I'll just beg their forgiveness and try to clean the coats. I've been googling, and I tried nail polish remover like one site said, but it didn't work. Surely it's latex paint?

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Thanks everybody for your replies (and sympathy!).

I considered talking to the museum director, but honestly she seems to have such poor judgement I don't know if it would accomplish anything. She's brand new, and I bet this was a rough way to break her in, because I heard so many parents/nannies, etc griping. I've decided in order to maintain the good relationship I've always had with them, I'm going to let it go. I was furious at first, but have since downgraded to severely annoyed. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll just be slightly irritated.

All my parents are so wonderful, I think I'll just beg their forgiveness and try to clean the coats. I've been googling, and I tried nail polish remover like one site said, but it didn't work. Surely it's latex paint?

try rubbing alcohol

[midaycare]

I actually have in my contract, "We play and get dirty here. Do mot send in clothes/coats you will mind if they get ruined".

I'm sooo sorry about what happened.

[Unregistered]

I think many of you are being too cavalier. My children have expensive coats, because as many of you should know cheap coats break easily. Also, the children didn't just get paint on their coats. They got paint on their coats because of following the OP's instructions. I would be annoyed and want to be offered a full payment/new coat. Also, while some of you may be ok with literally coating minors with dangerous chemicals. I'm not. I don't want my children wearing paint or chemical cleaners.

[Ariana]

I think many of you are being too cavalier. My children have expensive coats, because as many of you should know cheap coats break easily. Also, the children didn't just get paint on their coats. They got paint on their coats because of following the OP's instructions. I would be annoyed and want to be offered a full payment/new coat. Also, while some of you may be ok with literally coating minors with dangerous chemicals. I'm not. I don't want my children wearing paint or chemical cleaners.

In this particular case I would be asking your child to stay home on days when we are going on outings.