The living room TV

[Highway Star]

Is out of commission. A friend of one of my children threw a Wii remote at my TV. The outer screen is completely intact, but the inner screen, I guess the actual LCD guts of the set, is cracked. Unless it is on, you can't tell that anything is wrong with it. The inner piece has a 5" spidered vrack in it, right at little kid level, and the colors are all blotched and messed up.

Turns out that the kid had never spent the night anywhere before, and woke up a number of times early in the morning...like 4 or 5 am. My older son heard him awake one of the times. Anyways, he tried to go play Wii, and couldn't turn it on, so he chucked the controller (with rubber guard on it) at the TV. He had to hurl it pretty good to crack the inside of the TV. there isn't a doubt in my mind that this is exactly what happened...after careful consideration.

I asked all the kids together what happened...nobody knew anything. I didn't play detective or use any parental divide and conquer tactics or anything like that, just asked a few questions.


I toiled over whether or not we should even tell the parents. I ultimately feel like since it is MY house, MY tv, and MY problem to make sure it is supervised, it is MY problem, too.


I couldn't get over what would happen if the kid told his parents that I asked him if he broke our TV. Kids have a tendency to be pretty direct, and sometimes I operate on considering "worst case" scenarios.
I would be pretty displeased if one of my kids came home and told me something like that, so it convicted me to tell the dad when he came to pick up his son from spending the night.

I don't have the $ for a new Full1080p LCD flatscreen HDTV. Nobody will touch it for repair, not even the manufacturer.

I told the people that due to ALL of the circumstances, I refuse to hold them responsible, in any way, to any extent, for their son's actions...considering that when it happened, I was asleep under the very same roof.


This sucks, huh?

[grandsport]

I think you are right Jake,let it go Iknow I would. Could just be opening up a can of worms,the kids word against yours.I know it sucks,but chalk it up to a lesson learned.

[Highway Star]

It was pretty awkward talking to the father about it. We'll see these people all over. I really don't need any more crap right now.


It turns out that the kid confessed to his parents. They called and said that they are using this as some example of his temper or whatever, and are punishing him for it...and have asked that we allow them to either repair or replace the TV. Man, what a relief!!

[grandsport]

Good deal,Jake. Wrong again on my part.

[Ms Grumpy]

Jake that is cool. But then it puts you into another strange situation. Depending on what the replacement cost is on this, you have already told the parents that:

"I told the people that due to ALL of the circumstances, I refuse to hold them responsible, in any way, to any extent, for their son's actions...considering that when it happened, I was asleep under the very same roof."

So depending upon how cool these people are, maybe they will come thru and buy you a new TV, worst case maybe they will at least give you something toward buying a new one. Just curious, does your homeowners cover your TV?

[Highway Star]

I'm not sure about the homeowners insurance. The mom was very quick to tell my wife not to worry, they had the money,no matter what it cost. Then, they were pleased to hear that it was only a $600 tv, they were expecting it to be more than $1000.

I will trade a copy of the receipt for a check on monday, and have complete trust that there won't be any issue.

[Seeb]

you played it perfectly, and the parents did as well !!!

[RBeckman]

Jake, you handled that perfect and was rewarded for it. I'm a big believer in karma and you have strengthen my theory.

[Highway Star]

Thanks guys. I got the check yesterday...my new TV is all hooked up, and my wife and the other mom are very happy that this is all behind us.

[Ms Grumpy]

It is nice to know that there are honest people like that out there. I am so happy for you.