My Kid Broke My SIL’s TV Screen, and I Was Ready to Pay for It — but Then She Demanded an Upgraded Version
A few weeks ago, my child accidentally broke my sister-in-law’s (SIL) TV screen while playing at her house. It was an unfortunate accident, and as soon as it happened, I took full responsibility. I immediately told her that I would cover the cost of a replacement, thinking that was the right thing to do.
She seemed understanding at first, but when she sent me the details for a new TV, I was shocked. Instead of asking for a similar model, she requested a significantly upgraded version—bigger, with better resolution and smart features. The price difference was huge.
I politely told her that I was happy to pay for a replacement equivalent to the one that was damaged, but I couldn’t justify buying her a high-end upgrade. She pushed back, saying that she had been thinking about upgrading anyway, and since my child caused the damage, I should cover it.
I stood my ground and told her that while I was willing to make things right, I wasn’t going to buy something far beyond what she originally had. She got upset, claiming I was being unfair. Now, there’s tension between us, and my brother is caught in the middle.
I’m still willing to replace her TV with a fair equivalent, but I refuse to be taken advantage of. Was I wrong for setting that boundary?
