Who should pay

[Bobby Williams]

I am ask this question and directing it to Judge but anyone who wants to join may do so.
A couple of years ago my middle Grandson and my oldest Grandson were riding in my oldest Grandsons parents golfcart. My middle Grandson was driving and wrecked it. Well my oldest daughter made her sister pay for the damage which came to 300.00. Now, my oldest Grandson wrecked MY four wheeler and it is going to cost about 1000.00 dollars to fix. Oldest daughter says her son will have to pay 50.00 a month until it is paid for. I say forget it, it was just an accident and am so thankful that no one was hurt. Now the question. Should I ask my oldest daughter to give back the 300.00 to her sister if I don't make her pay for the four wheeler? I don't feel it is right for the youngest to pay for fixing a golfcart and the oldest not paying to fix a fourwheeler. Nither are poor but it is the principle of the thing. The oldest daughter is like her mother who will sit on George until he turns blue. I am talking about tight as bark on a hickory tree. I hope someone can help me.

[Dutch Dog]

Well, Fair is Fair. If the 2nd one isn't forced into some sort of restitution he will think that from now on he can tear up whatever he is riding and not be responsible for it. If you think that 1000 dollars is too much, and it was truly an accident and not some kind of horseplay that caused the damage, then tell them you got a 2nd estimate and it is going to be less than first expected....YOU decide how much less.

[peewee]

Bobby Williams that is a good question and I am sure Judge will have a good answer. Whatever the outcome I would try to make it fair for both sides. Don't want to start no family fueds.

[Delta Duck]

You will not be doing any favors if you don't make the young man be responsible. If he can't pay but $10 a month. It needs to come from money he has earned, not his parents.

Good Luck and be strong!!!!

[crow]

I'm a big fan of "sweat equity!" Money can be hard for a young boy to come by, so why not work out a schedule for him working for you doing things like yardwork or anything just so he can tie money to work. To just say "be careful next time" probably won't be doing the right thing in my estimation. All kids need to learn the equation that mistakes have consequences. I've tried to teach too many of them who were never allowed to learn that.

[TealinTeacher]

Amen Crow! Every day I deal with kids whose parents or whatever (you know what I mean) never make them take responsibility for anything that they do. It gets pretty frustrating sometimes when students will try to blame their problems on everything else except, "I messed up". I wish that my students would just say "Coach, I messed up and it is nobody's fault but mine". Rarely ever happens though.