Would You?

[Josiegirl]

I still think either the museum or crew of painters should hold the majority of responsibility in this one.

[finsup]

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?

Wish I knew what would work! But from a parent perspective I wouldn't be mad. Accidents happen. We *do* buy expensive winter gear (one of the few things we buy new and not from thirft stores etc) but that's because it holds up to tons of use and can be passed down to each child. Definitely worth it, especially as my kids get older and play harder. But at the end it's just paint, it doesn't effect the quality of it. Good luck! Hopefully everyone will understand or you find a way to get it out!

[Josiegirl]

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.

Those instructions of OP's were to prevent the dcks from running around and tearing up the place, so she doesn't lose someone, have a dck break something or trip somebody. To me, having paint on my child's coat is a small price to pay. The area was NOT marked off adequately, IMO. This accident would fall under my policies that state Do Not Send Your Child In Expensive Clothes Because Accidents/Play Happen. Course hindsight is always a wonderful thing. But a parent who puts a coat on their child that costs a lot of money(as with all clothes/shoes/boots,etc.) should probably think about sending that child in a thrift store buy and save the good stuff for their own personal use. I used to dress my kids in yard sale stuff all through their younger years. If something was destroyed, no big deal. Yes, I'm sure quality clothes last lots longer but when kids are little isn't the time to invest in stuff like that. It's like giving a 6 yo a cell phone, most likely it's going to get broken or left somewhere. I'm not attacking anyone here for their opinions and these are just my own opinions.

What if your child was in elementary school, following teacher's orders given the same scenario? Would you expect the school to pay and I wonder if they would??? Or if they're on the playground and their coat gets ruined, what would you expect the school to do? I'm probably coming off as snarky but honestly curious?

[Unregistered]

Those instructions of OP's were to prevent the dcks from running around and tearing up the place, so she doesn't lose someone, have a dck break something or trip somebody. To me, having paint on my child's coat is a small price to pay. The area was NOT marked off adequately, IMO. This accident would fall under my policies that state Do Not Send Your Child In Expensive Clothes Because Accidents/Play Happen. Course hindsight is always a wonderful thing. But a parent who puts a coat on their child that costs a lot of money(as with all clothes/shoes/boots,etc.) should probably think about sending that child in a thrift store buy and save the good stuff for their own personal use. I used to dress my kids in yard sale stuff all through their younger years. If something was destroyed, no big deal. Yes, I'm sure quality clothes last lots longer but when kids are little isn't the time to invest in stuff like that. It's like giving a 6 yo a cell phone, most likely it's going to get broken or left somewhere. I'm not attacking anyone here for their opinions and these are just my own opinions.

What if your child was in elementary school, following teacher's orders given the same scenario? Would you expect the school to pay and I wonder if they would??? Or if they're on the playground and their coat gets ruined, what would you expect the school to do? I'm probably coming off as snarky but honestly curious?

Since you asked, you (and a lot of people who responded after me) are coming off as petty and jealous. Maybe I'm just fortunate that I don't consider a new coat (or any more expensive than thrift) an "investment". It's ok. This reminds me of my family, I thought certain things were investments and they thought lotto tickets and beanie babies were...

To the first example, yes, I would expect the teacher or school to pay. The child was told to stand where they got paint. The child could have held their coat or put it in a bookbag or something. To the playground situation, no. I just don't like the attitude of "I would replace the coats if they were cheap, but they're not. So, I'm not going to" a lot of poster had. If it were reversed "I'm ONLY going to replace expensive coats", everyone would be crying foul.

[Josiegirl]

Since you asked, you (and a lot of people who responded after me) are coming off as petty and jealous. Maybe I'm just fortunate that I don't consider a new coat (or any more expensive than thrift) an "investment". It's ok. This reminds me of my family, I thought certain things were investments and they thought lotto tickets and beanie babies were...

To the first example, yes, I would expect the teacher or school to pay. The child was told to stand where they got paint. The child could have held their coat or put it in a bookbag or something. To the playground situation, no. I just don't like the attitude of "I would replace the coats if they were cheap, but they're not. So, I'm not going to" a lot of poster had. If it were reversed "I'm ONLY going to replace expensive coats", everyone would be crying foul.

Petty and jealous? oy. If you looked back to read one of my original posts on this topic, I suggested she try to meet the parents and offer to help pay for the coats. And I never said I would replace cheap coats vs. expensive coats. If people want to buy their children top of the line stuff, that is definitely a personal choice, just as my choice to use easily replaceable things when my kids were little. All I suggested was that when kids are little they ruin things and break things, the risks are greater. Granted, this all happened because they were following certain rules that they have followed every time they visit the museum. IF they'd had signs placed sensibly this would not have happened.

Could they have done something different, such as place their coats in a book bag or held them?? Probably so but as I said hindsight is a wonderful thing. The OP certainly didn't expect fresh paint and I'm 99.99% sure she didn't see it.

Maybe I shouldn't have used the term investment but it's what came to my mind. But when you buy an expensive coat, hoping to use it for a long time and then let a younger child use it, etc., then yes, it is 'sort of' an investment. And I did do that with certain items with my own kids. We're all different with different opinions but don't call me petty and jealous.:confused:

[Play Care]

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?

Personally I would totally approach the museum and expect some compensation.
I wouldn't expect the provider to take responsibility for something that was completely out of their hands.
But the museum admin needs to know what happened at the very least. Keep in mind they probably have insurance for these sorts of things.

[Mad_Pistachio]

as many of you should know cheap coats break easily.

how cheap is cheap? yes, I am asking for a price tag.
my daughter wears some $15-20 jacket from Walmart to daycare, and not a single thread fell off. I couldn't care less if she soils it with paint (or anything else, really), especially since the season is almost over.
and yes, she does have more expensive jackets, courtesy of my mom, that she wears to less messy places like stores, church, and g-ma's place. this is what sold me on my daycare in the first place: the director said, "bring her in something she can soil, and you can toss: we get messy here."
to me, wearing $100+ jacket to daycare means that parents are either showing off, or they really don't care about paint stains because they can afford another $100+ jacket. I have seen both scenarios.

cavalier, schmavalier... it's a friggin' daycare, and kids get messy. and if they didn't, I'd be worried.

[Thriftylady]

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.

Then you wouldn't be offered a spot in my daycare. I don't care what kids wear at home, but my handbook says "children should come to care in comfortable play clothes. We have lots of fun at daycare, and sometimes having fun means getting dirty. I cannot promise that your child's clothing will not become dirty or stained, and I cannot be responsible for damages to clothing". It is daycare, not a fashion show.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

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.

Kids get dirty at daycare. They play on stuff and coats get ripped, ect. If you are worried about the expensive coat, buy a $10-20 coat from walmart or good will and send them in that. Not sure what you mean by coating kids with chemicals?? It is paint and there are plenty of ways to remove paint without using harmful chemicals if you chose to do try to clean it. Main thing is, if you want your kid's clothes replaced every time they get ruined or dirty, you will have a hard time finding a daycare who will accomodate that and not up your rate to account for the extra money.

[Josiegirl]

Another thought is IF OP was expected to replace all those coats out of her own pocket, at an average of 50 bucks a shot, 6 dcks is $300, 10 dcks 600. I know I couldn't afford it. That's not being petty, just realistic.
And I firmly believe none of my own kids have ever been to a school that would replace a child's coat if it got ruined.

[Play Care]

These are classic, troll passive aggressive responses. (see my translations below...)

because as many of you should know cheap coats break easily.

ie: "I'm smarter than you because *I* know cheap coats break easily."
That said, I agree. It's why I only buy my kids coats at LL Bean. Yes, I could spend more but Bean is great quality with a full replacement/money back guarantee) However I would think I'd be understanding if my dcp had something like this happen.

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.

ie: again, I'm sooo much smarter than you! (On a side note, I coat my dck's with teflon each morning upon arrival - makes cleaning them up a breeze! Parents love it because they don't have to bathe them later on! :: )

Since you asked, you (and a lot of people who responded after me) are coming off as petty and jealous. Maybe I'm just fortunate that I don't consider a new coat (or any more expensive than thrift) an "investment". It's ok. This reminds me of my family, I thought certain things were investments and they thought lotto tickets and beanie babies were...

Name calling along with the implication that the poster is more financially savvy than the rest of us and we are jealous of her internet claim to wealth.
To that end, I am Peyton Manning's wife. Really! It's on the internets, so it must be true!! I'd never tell a half truth!::

With that, I am done feeding trolls for the day.

[Josiegirl]

Troll or not....I detest when people come on here anonymously and say rude things. Be an adult and own it for cripes sake.

Are you really Peyton Manning's wife???

[Play Care]

Troll or not....I detest when people come on here anonymously and say rude things. Be an adult and own it for cripes sake.

Are you really Peyton Manning's wife???

Of course! Really tired after last night ::

I just decided to do day care because I really, really LOVE kids!! I don't need the income, obviously! ::::

[Unregistered]

I never said I want new clothes when the clothes are dirty. I don't want new clothes when my child is at fault. If you tell a child to do something and property is damaged, you're at fault. Maybe I'm a troll, because I don't see new clothes as a luxury. I do have my own daycare. Once a little girl lost one of her gold earrings. I know she didn't rip it out or have it ripped out as her ears were in tact, but one was there and one was missing. You know, looking back, the mom could have sent her like that. As I don't pay attention to people's ears. I would never dream of saying to her mom "She lost it. Not MY problem. You wasted money on jewelry". We talked about it. The mom thought the most fair thing was to split the cost to rebuy one earring. I felt bad and asked for the receipt and paid her the whole amount. I treat people the way I want to be treated. P.S. schools can be forced to pay for damaged property. My niece had her car keyed in the school parking lot by someone. Guess what? School paid.

[Thriftylady]

I never said I want new clothes when the clothes are dirty. I don't want new clothes when my child is at fault. If you tell a child to do something and property is damaged, you're at fault. Maybe I'm a troll, because I don't see new clothes as a luxury. I do have my own daycare. Once a little girl lost one of her gold earrings. I know she didn't rip it out or have it ripped out as her ears were in tact, but one was there and one was missing. You know, looking back, the mom could have sent her like that. As I don't pay attention to people's ears. I would never dream of saying to her mom "She lost it. Not MY problem. You wasted money on jewelry". We talked about it. The mom thought the most fair thing was to split the cost to rebuy one earring. I felt bad and asked for the receipt and paid her the whole amount. I treat people the way I want to be treated. P.S. schools can be forced to pay for damaged property. My niece had her car keyed in the school parking lot by someone. Guess what? School paid.

Again I would never pay for jewelry or any item that a child brought/wore to daycare. It is NOT my responsibility. I highly doubt you are a provider. I also doubt even more that the school would pay for a keyed car, as that is what insurance is for, and if you have a car that is new enough to worry about that much, you should have full coverage. If you are really a provider, my guess is you will be out of business soon. After all going around acting better than everybody and calling people names isn't the way to win friends and influence people.