Daycare Child Broke My TV

Do you have a contract that covers broken items? The in-home daycare I brought my kids to had a line in there about when/if things broke that we were responsible. The only reason I know that is that my son broke a platter when he was there that we had to replace.

I would ask the parent to pay for half - but be prepared for them to pull the child and not do it. My mom has done daycare for years and people are so weird - she's had kids break things repeatedly and the parents just refuse to pay.

Good luck.

Sorry this has happened. You absolutely have the right and need to go to the bathroom.

I know though with kids and pets we have to keep things out of reach that we don't want eaten or damaged. My job involves driving from physician to physician in a company provided car....I can't leave anything of value in the car because there is a risk of theft.

If it were me and my child broke a TV I would feel obligated to pay for some/all of it but not all parents are like that. Let us know how they took it, good luck.

Please skip this if you want me to agree with you. I do not want to add to your stress. This is a very bad thing that happened and I don't want to upset you at all. This is not your fault and you are caught in the middle of a whole lot of things. I understand and feel for you. But you asked, so, I am going to answer honestly. I could be dead wrong, but this is how I see it.

I have had many child care providers that I've used. One in-home family while I work, some professional institutions for drop-in on date night. Never have I felt responsible for something my child did while they were in that persons care. I feel like that's what I pay that person for. To be repsonsible for keeping my kid, happy, healthy, safe, well fed and out of trouble.

What happens when babysitter is in charge is babysitters responsibility. That's part of the cost of doing business. Wear and tear on your stuff, broken or lost itmes, all fall under overhead expenses. If my kid broke a tv, my 1st question would be, was he hurt? There have been over 100 kids killed this year alone from falling tvs. My 2nd question would be, where were you. Obviously I am not around my kids 100% of the time and you can't be either. But that is the thought process I would have.

Now, you've had problems with them breaking things before. You could have chosen to weigh the odds of someone getting hurt or something getting broken and stopped sitting for them. But you didn't. Instead you made them aware of the issues. They had a duty to correct thier kids. But they didn't. You had a duty to keep valuable or dangerous things out of thier reach. But you didn't. Your best course of action, at this point is tell them you will no longer ba able to keep thier kids because it is costing too much to replace the things they break. If they offer to help pay for the tv, I would be very shocked.

If you replace the tv, I would cordon off that room so no daycare kids can go in there or mount it much higher.

Edited:
I wish I could say that pointing out it was a toy hammer would change my answer about responsibility but it doesn't. It is still your fault because you were supervising. You can ask them but they are not responsible for the damage since you were being paid to watch them.

It sucks, I get that, but they are children and it was an accident.

I have a strange addiction to Judge Judy and have seen this exact scenario run through several times. The answer always comes back the person being paid is responsible because children at that age cannot be held responsible for their actions.

I'd contact your insurance company. It might just be covered.

Also, you did put the TV within reach of an unsupervised toddler...so, I hate to break it to you, but you are kind of to blame here. Hang the TV higher next time.

Best of luck!

J., I have small children and a house with many very nice things in it and have never had something break. It's not your fault that you have nice TV anymore than it's your fault that you have to take a bathroom break!
Definitely let the parents know what happened and how their child deliberately aimed for the TV. They should be held finacially responsible.

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this!

Hi J., I don't think you're wrong for going to the bathroom. But, I agree with the folks who have pointed out that a 3.5 yr old will hit things with a toy hammer. I don't think his parents should have to pay for a new TV. If you feel he and his brother are too much of a handful, you could tell their parents that the broken TV is kind of the last straw and that you would like them to find another childcare. If they offer to pay for a new TV and you accept, you will have to put up with their shenanigans permanently and try to keep them away from your valuables. Good luck!

Do you have some kind of business insurance or homeowner's? I would talk to the child's parents and explain what happened and see how they react. If I was the parent, I would feel totally embarrassed and offer to pay for repairs etc.

I know you don't want to hear this but what would you do if your child did the same thing at someone's house when you weren't there? I feel that you know what the kids are capable of and the hammer wasn't in the basement where it belonged. Sometimes you have to make the kids sit down till you get back or something. I think you should buy another T.V. and decide whether to keep the kids. If you tell the mother the first thing she will think or say is, "Where were you when it happened?" I think you are nice for taking in the kids knowing they are a little mischievious but you are the one in charge. Sorry...just my honest opinion:)

I would say something to the parent and would tell them to make other arrangements but as far as them paying im not sure if they would be responsible because when you have the children under your care you assume all responsibility for them and their actions.

Hey!
This situation totally stinks! I do home daycare too(for the last 5 years) and I have MANY times worried our basement big screen TV will get broken! I would hope that once you show the parents they would offer to pay for it. Things have gotten broken here once in a while and when i got upset the parents have replaced them! Accidents do happen, but this seems a bit extreme! If they refuse to pay I would look for a new family to replace them and then terminate! People on here are a bit crazy. Although we do home daycare we have the right to own nice things without expecting the other kids to ruin them! This would have happened so quickly that even if you were right there it could have happened anyway! We do have a right to PEE!!! The only people that can understand being a home daycare provider and the problems we face is other providers :)

Hopefully you will find a good deal on Black Friday :)

L.

Check with your homeowners insurance.
I'd definitely at the very least tell them what happened.
Accidents happen. This was a costly O., that's for sure.
They might surprise you & offer to replace it!

I would take is a learning lesson. Change your contract to include the parents being responsible for large losses and/or make it a non issue & keep the fancy flat screen in a non-daycare area. It is your business, you have the right to ask families with unruly kids to find another caregiver, and you have the right to make your own rules.

Does either your homeowners or your business insurance policy cover it? I honestly as a parent would not expect to pay for it - primarily because I would not expect such a large expensive item to be kept where a 3 year old could reach it - I would expect it to be insured.. If my son broke a toy, then yes I would replace it.

Very tricky situation.So sorry this happened.Like many others, even I doubt the parent will pay fully for your new TV. If the kid is always been a trouble maker, then you would be better off putting him in a different room while you are not around, even if it's for a few minutes.Accidents happen and kids are kids. My house is not completely child-proofed , so I always leave my son(18 months) in his play area or crib when I need to use the restroom.

If it were my kid and if I loved you as a daycare provider , I would have offered to pay part of it - to be nice and to help you out. I would have understood it wasn't your fault (of course you need to use the restroom, all of us do) but then it's not the parent's fault either that the kid was alone in the TV room. If it were anything smaller I am sure most parents definitely offer to pay for it, but TV is a big deal.For you and also for the parents. Not everybody can afford to pay for that.

When I drop my kid off I would expect the daycare provider to provide a space which is safe for kids to play and also where they can't make such huge damages. What happens in their house, under their care is their responsibilty. If the kid was somehow hurt when this happened, nobody would say that it's the kids fault he got hurt. He was left near a TV and his toys unsupervised. Though most of us do it, it becomes a big deal when something goes wrong. I am glad the kid is not hurt.

Since I would be paying for the service and the care, I would expect the daycare providers to not make M. obligated to pay for household damages.(I will pay for the damages because that's how I am , but if they force M. then I won't) Accidents happen with kids in the house, so that's why we have to child proof. That being said, my flat screen at home is not even wall mounted and my son plays in the same room. If he breaks it, it will be my mistake. I know it's not safe but I let him play there because we live in a small house, so I can't move the TV elsewhere nor can I stop my son from going in there always because there is only so much space for him to play in the house.Maybe you have similar reasons. But parents do expect a daycare provider to be more careful than they are with expensive and delicate things in the house. Or to add a clause in the policy that anything damaged will have to be paid for.

OK - I HATE that you got berated with comments on here about checking with your insurance and how that you should have been more attentive, etc. All you did was ask if you should ask the family to help pay for it or not...

In my opinion, I would ask - there child is in your home all day under your care and supervision - if it happened at their home or a family member's home they would pay for it, so it's the same to me...they are ultimately responsible for what their child did...Yes he was playing with a toy that was yours, but he still purposely tried to hit the TV...my nephew does it at his home - he's broken 2 TVs of my sisters and they've had to repair one and replace another...

I totally understand the fact that you had to use the bathroom - I agree with you, their parents probably wouldn't want you taking them in their with you - as to the comment about making them sit in the hallway while you use the bathroom, there is no guarantee they would stay there...the only thing you can do is to remind them that you are just around the corner and they still need to behave (as an infant you can put them in a crib or entertainer for a minute, but since they are older, you can't really do that).

If the parents say they can't afford it all right now, ask if they will either do half now and half 12/1 or if you could add "x" amount each week to their bill...

Honestly, if my daughter did it, I don't think we could afford it, but we would find a way to make it work.

I don't think you can really ask the parents to pay for it unless you have had these problems before and this was the last warning.

*Check with your homeowners policy (maybe not mention it was a daycare kid unless they know you run a business in your home and you are paying the extra insurance).
*Decide if you want these kids in your house regardless of who pays for the tv.
*Definitely mention the broken tv to the parents and if they offer to pay for any of it, accept it graciously.
*If you demand that they pay, be prepared that they will probably leave your care and you will be out even more money before the holidays.

*Now is the perfect time to buy a new tv with all the sales (if you have the extra money to do it).
*Maybe you up your daycare fees in January to help pay for damanged items in your home.

Good luck!

Do you have a contract that states about the parents covering breakage? I would feel obligated to pay for as much as I could if it were my child, (even though it would be a financial burden to pay it)... but not every parent is that generous. I think you are within your right to ask for some reimbursement, otherwise hopefully you have a homeowner's insurance that will help with the cost.

It was an accident and accidents happen. That being said I almost wonder if by accepting the children in your home and collecting a fee for their care, if that means you assume all risks involved (i.e. a broken television). I completely understand your dilemma but I am not so sure you can ask the parents to pay. Like others have said you could mention it and see if they offer but I'm not sure you can take it any further.

As for the homeowners, like someone else said if your insurance company doesn't know you are running an in-home daycare you could open a whole another can of worms that doesn't need opened. Plus then you will have a deductible to contend with and a claim which could drive your rates up.

Personally you may just need to eat the cost of the TV. If you can make it until Black Friday maybe you could at least get a good deal on one?

No, you are not to blame. Stuff happens. However, if it is not in your contract that they are responsible for anything their kids break, I would say it is up to you to replace it. When I was looking for daycare I went to a ladies house and it was clearly marked in her contract that if my child broke anything, I was responsible. I ended up not taking my child there because of it. She had some very nice vases on shelves that I could easily see getting broken. It was good that she put it in there to save her butt though. I would definitely mention it to the parents and see what their reaction is. Maybe they will offer to replace it or atleast half. Good Luck to you!!!

Sorry folks aren't being nice. I don't think you should take the children to the bathroom with you and I understand you can't watch them every second, but I do feel that you designed the area where you have the day care and the parents are not responsible for this. First, I have to say I am at a loss as to how this child swung a toy hammer so hard 6" - 8" above his head to literally break the screen of your television! I'm picturing a plastic hammer and it just doesn't seem like it would break a TV screen. But it really doesn't matter, because it's broken now! But unfortunately, I don't think the child's parents are responsible. It is foreseeable that a flat screen television or anything else can get broken or damaged if it is within reach of children. Sorry!

I wouldn't ask for payment. The situation stinks but accidents happen. The kid did not maliciously hit your TV with the intent of breaking it and costing you thousands of dollars. A toy hammer is made for "fixing" and unfortunately he found the wrong thing to fix. My little guy has tried to "fix" our big screen before too, but fortunately did not break it. I had a neighbor here playing today that tried to "fix" the glass doors on my fireplace. Its the risk you take when letting kids play in the room with your personal things. A hammer can be a really dangerous toy. At least he didn't hit another child. I would put that one up unless they are under very close supervision! If this family was already a "bad fit" for your daycare, letting them go is the right thing to do. But I wouldn't ask for payment or blame it on the TV. I would just tell them its not working out. You may want to write the new TV off on your taxes as a business expense.....assuming you are a licensed daycare. That should help recoup some of the cost.

NO, I do not think you should ask the parents to pay for it. You can not be everywhere at every minute. Unfortunatly, when children are in a home, these types of things happen. My children have broken things in my home, it happens. I look at this as part of the cost of doing business.

If you think that these boys are more difficult to handle and require more attention that the other children, then you should raise the rates. If you feel that these are not the type of children you want under your care, have a conversation with the parents and allow them enough time to make other arrangements for their childrens' care.

I am sooo sorry this happened.. It must have scared you to death.

You can ask the parents , but if it were me and my husband there is no way we could afford to pay for such a thing. We do not even own a nice TV, we purchased ours from a garage sale and not a flat screen. I guess we would have to pull our children out.

Our child was in daycare , but the whole place was child safe. Even when our child was being cared for in a woman's home, it was completely childproofed otherwise there were gates and doors to keep the children out of the other parts of her house.

So I would hope your homeowners will cover it.
You do need to tell them what happened, because I am sure the kids will tell them you were not around, then know what your deductible is, and maybe they can at least pay a portion..

Be glad the TV did not fall off the wall or shelf and none of the glass fell on the child, otherwise this would be a completely different post.

After considering this from every angle, I have decided it is time for you to raise your rates, (me too). In my case, I care for 4 children days and 2-3 nights. that's 7 families. If I consider a $1000 per year breakage allowance divided between 7 families, it's only about 3 dollars per week. I haven't raised my rates in 6 years. Seems like 5 dollars per week, per family is in line. You may need more or less, depending on the # of kids you care for. And absolutely, write this off on your taxes. I would have no problem defending this expense if I was audited.

I am so sorry J.. You are justifiably upset and I don't blame you. He is old enough to know better. And yet, there is no way in heck his parents are going to be willing to take responsibility. I wish that were the case. They will take the position that this is the risk you take when you bring children into your home.

It's HORRIBLE to say this, but if this child tripped over a vacuum cleaner cord or a spot in your sidewalk that came up just a little bit at the crack, they would expect you to pay any bills that came out of an ER visit if he needed stitches or something like that. But no way will any parent ever take responsibility for the things their little angels break. I haven't been able to get them to take responsibility for a 15 dollar necklace that they ripped right off my daughter or the laundry basket they threw themselves on and cracked. I have never came right out and asked a parent to do so. I have just hoped when I tell them, they would offer.

A few months ago I had my first broken window ever. I think I mentioned it on here. I don't remember in what context. I was also told that it's my fault etc.. I think someone mentioned that my kids must have been out of control....Actually, I think someone gave me the holier than thou attitude that their daycare kids would never break anything because they are basically omnipresent and the perfect disciplinarian. LOL

This just stinks. Be VERY glad that the prices are coming down. Approach the parent carefully and remember this.... If they get angry and leave without notice, you will lose the whole price of the tv by the time you get them replaced. You might get lucky and get them to help without it being a big deal. I'll pray the conversation goes well.

While I agree with checking the Homeowner policy - what about your business insurance? I assume since you are watching children you are properly licensed and bonded for an in-home day care? If more of a friendly/neighborly arrangement and not a 'business' per-se. I'd just talk to the mom and explain you aren't really sure what to do in this situation. . . explain you are talking to insuance, but even then - most have a deductable to meet that could or could not be worth turning in a claim (for example, most flat screens these days are less then $1000 and that is what many have as a deductable . . .)
After this, you may want to (if not already) look into some kind of business insurance - what if that TV fell off the wall and injured the boy or worse - killed him - and then you were personally liable and not simply liable from a business perspective. . . something to think about.
Gosh - off subject, but talk to the other parents. Be honest and get them to offer suggestions to come to an understanding.
Good luck!

Why was the hammer in the living room? 3 1/2 yo's hit things, especially with toy hammers. I think it would be ideal if the parents offerred to pay for half. I wouldn't ask them too.

In the future, have all daycare kids sit in the hall while you use the restroom. Its one thing to leave your own child unattended while you leave the room, its another when its your job to be watching them. Just my opinion.

The only way you can expect the parents to pay for the tv is if damage costs are in your contract with them. Otherwise, it is an expensive lesson learned about what personal items to have in your daycare area.

Eeeks, that's a major bummer!! I would ask the parents if they would agree to help pay for a new TV and see what they say. Are these boys more trouble than their fees are worth? Something to ponder.

The other posters are right; as far as TVs go, this and SuperBowl time are the best times of year to purchase one. I'm actually looking at this model right now, marked down from $800 to $500 at Walmart. And look at the reviews -- stellar. Good luck, so sorry.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Philips-40-40PFL5505D-F7/148601...

I understand that you leave the kids alone at times like going to the bathroom, geez, what do parents think, you don't go all day?

However, I think the breakage might be covered under your home owners policy or other insurance that covers if a child gets hurt. We had to have insurance to cover accidents so if we were sued they couldn't get too much. That insurance may cover most of the cost. You should have a rider on your homeowners at the very least covering the child care aspect on your property.

A working family is going to be hard pressed to come up with money, it is right before Christmas for them too. Even if you ask them to pay for any of it they probably can't or won't.

I would feel really bad if something like that happened to a care giver we were using but the truth is, we would never be able to afford to pay any of it, even if we were sued there would be no money. If they can't afford it they can't afford it.

If they are receiving child care benefits through your state you can't even ask them to pay any part of it, that could cause you to lose your child care contract for the subsidy payments. So if they do get subsidy for part of their child care costs you need to be on the phone with your contract person or your licensing inspector.

So, all in all, I think your home owners should cover a chunk of it or your business insurance. Then if that doesn't work call your accountant to find out how it can be used during tax time. That way if the cost to replace it is written off you really aren't out anything in the long run.
***************************
P. S.

They make plastic covers for large TV's too. The whole...Wii game thing that the Chipmunks spoof in the 2nd movie, it's a very real issue, you get playing and suddenly the game controller is flying towards the TV screen. They make covers to protect the screens on most TV's now days. I would never have one in a room that kids were playing in without it on full time.

I would see if I could legally write it off as a business expense if I had set up my daycare properly to be a business. I think that as much as it stinks, you're on the hook for your own TV. I say "legally" because although this computer is my work computer, it is not dedicated to work so our accountant cautioned that it could not be a tax write off for my freelance work.

Now, if the boys are a handful anyway and don't fit in well with your daycare, then that would be reason enough to ask them to leave.

I think you should swallow the cost unless you specifically have something in contract that says a parent is responsible if a child breaks anything at day care. You should tell the parent that it happened, and they may feel bad and offer to pay a little or all. If it is a child you cannot trust long enough to go potty after 5 years being in your care, you may want to consider not having him in your care at all.

Totally sucks for you, but I really dont think the parents are responsible. I think this is the kind of risk you take on when you decide to run a daycare in your home. If you can't handle these particular kids, you should have already asked them to leave. If I was that parent and you asked me to pay for your TV, I would first ask where you were when it happened (of course your need potty breaks too but that is not my problelm either - I pay you to take care of my child, if you need more help then hire some), then I would tell you that I am so sorry, its not my problem and ask if you have insurance to cover the risks of running a business from your home. You mentioned you were not planning for a big expendature now - well that family probably is not either. Then I would probably look for new arrangements because I would worry that the relationship would now be strained and akward. Sorry you are disappointed with the answers, but hey, you asked :0) I am not trying to berate or belittle or hurt your feelings, I am simply giving an honest answer to the question.

Do you think it would be covered under your home owner's insurance? (as a back up plan).

I would have to think carefully about exactly how to say it, but I would probably approach the parents, explain what happened, wait to see whether they offer to pay for it or not, but pretty much end up saying they need to pay for it. If they really try to dispute their responsibility, I'd show them the door. Who needs these kinds of headaches?

This is tricky for sure. At 3.5, I just would not expect a child to fully understand the consequences of their actions. Obviously, they should be learning this skill at this time. I use a home daycare for my children and have for over 5 years. I have replaced small things that my children have broken...albeit never something that is as large as a TV. The simple fact was you were not in the room at the time to stop this from happening. Obviously, you had a good reason not to be in the room. My first thought as a parent would have been why the hell weren't you in the room to prevent him from doing this? It was an accident for sure, but I don't think the parents are obligated to buy you a new TV. They were paying you to watch their kids and keep them safe. You weren't watching them at the time that this happened. That being said, morally I think that the parents should chip in to help with the purchase of a new TV. If you have had a good relationship with the parents over the years, then they should be more receptive to this idea. You should definitely talk to them about the broken TV and see where the discussion goes.

I would talk to the parents and let them know what happened. They may offer to pay for the damages. I would if it was my child, and my daughter knew at 3 to not destroy things. I knew this because we were out at a store and she bumped into a rack and a bottle fell off and broke. She turned to me and was so upset that she broke it. I offered to pay for the item but the manager said not to worry about it.
If these children are like this all the time I am sure the parents won't be surprised. My nephews are a handful, one with aspergers and the other has adhd. My sister expects to pay for broken items, no matter is they were deliberately broken or accidental.

It's ALL your fault. KIDDING!! It's not. It was an accident and accidents happen. I'm sure he didn't look at the TV and say "Today, I am going to break this." Though if the boys are as bad as you say, I do wonder why you let them stay. You're much nicer than I am! I am not patient enough to have your job to begin with, but still :).

My son has broken small toys at daycare, and we have always offered to replace it. I think if he broke her TV, I'd offer to split it with her. I'd offer to split because while it was his fault, she was responsible (yes, I know you need to go to the bathroom). But if your child did that, you'd have to replace it all on your own.

I'd also recommend to put it higher on the wall. We have 6 flat screens and they are all high enough that the kids couldn't touch them when they were young. Now they have to climb on things to get to them to turn them on or off.

Good luck, this is tough!

ETA - Take a deep breath. This will be okay. Like another poster said, TV's go on crazy sale this time of year. You can get a 50in flat screen for $700 at some places, or cheaper. So maybe they will split with you.

I can't imagine my kids acting the way he did, but things happen. Have you told the parents of their son's behavior?

At least you didn't have some posts that one lady had yesterday when she was upset about her boss being upset that she uses her sick days. None of your posts was as bad as the tongue-lashing she got on her thread. (Can't promise you that you won't be visited by similar tongue-lashings - hope you won't, though!)

I wonder what you've done, since surely by now the parents know about the TV. In a perfect world, the parents would do something to make this right, if not buying a new TV, at least paying your deductible towards it after your homeowner's insurance paid for the difference.

You have a longstanding relationship with them. You mention on and off - why on and off? Have they taken them other places and been asked to leave because the kids are so difficult? Or have you asked them to take them elsewhere because they are so difficult?

The other thing that I am wondering is if they will soon be off to school and not need your services any longer. If that is the case, I fear that they would rather take them kids elsewhere, rather than make it right with you over the TV.

I think that if they won't at least help, that I would consider closing your doors to them.

I would consider getting a cover for your next TV, like another poster suggested. AND get rid of the toy hammer - it's bad luck!

I'm so sorry this happened - I wouldn't want to be in your shoes!

Dawn

Hi J.,

I realize I am coming a little late to this, but here are my suggestions:

If it is in your contract that families should replace broken or damaged property, talk to the family and ask them to replace it. If they choose not to, you might want to consider what you told us about the children in question: " have had this family off and on for almost 5 years now...there are 2 boys and they are a handful...cause more trouble, break more toys, talk back more, than any other children here."

My question is simply this: Is this family worth keeping on? If you are constantly having behavioral issues with the children? I am sure that affects the dynamic of the group.

I say this as someone who has worked in childcare for a long time. If there has been a history of the children of this family breaking things, and the family does not feel like they should chip in at least half (and that might be right, to ask for half the cost, it would be a very gracious way of going about it), perhaps it's time to look for another client.

When I nannied, I had it written into my contracts that the family was responsible for broken items in their house and that I would be responsible for any breakages (my glasses) or injuries to my own person. Having some mutual understanding of who is responsible for which damages is a good idea. Of course, you could not foresee that one of the kids would break something of such value. Moving forward, though, I would include this in your contracts.

So, so sorry. What an awful situation.

I feel for you as a fellow provider! That being said, I wouldn't ask them to help pay unless the child was maybe 5 or older. If I were the parent I would offer to at least split the cost with you though. If they are more trouble than you can take, dismiss them? I hate it when I have to take a child up to nap and god forbid try to go to the bathroom! Kids seem to do all the things they are not supposed to do right then.

I think I would probably mention what happened to the family and see what
offer they come up with. 3 1/2 is old enouh to know better. I would settle
the TV problem and then maybe put them on notice that if these boys
continue to break things, etc. they will be asked to leave.

If it was me, I would replace the TV immediately because I would feel
terrible and responsible since it was my kid.

I would tell the parents what he did and that the tv is ruined, and see what they offer to do about it. On one hand, if you have a very expensive item in a room where you watch the children, and you sometimes must leave the room for a minute or two, this could happen just as it could if it was your own child, and you chose to have this expensive t.v. in the room. However, if this is the kind of kid you are watching, who is capable of breaking such an expensive item in your home in addition to other bad behaviors, you may not want to watch him anymore and I would not blame you. You might also want to put into your contract for new families that if their child breaks your tv, your window, etc, that you expect them to pay for a replacement.

I also run an in home childcare. Claim it on your Ins. you'll only have to pay the deductible. Then ask the parents if they would pay for 1/2 of that. If not I would just say well consider this your last day as your children require more attention than most children. If I have to leave the room like you did I always tell the children to " sit for saftey" if someone gets up then it's a timeout for them and I never leave them alone again they either go into a pack n play or high chair. Of course these things happen their kids, and I can pretty much imagine what your Husband had to say. You could also raise your rates on this family or start charging a deposite fee. Also ask first if they wouldn't mind claiming it on their Ins. If you claim this on your taxes you should be able to wright it off as a loss. Good luck.

This is honestly the reason I don't have a TV in the room that I watch the kids in. I am just too worried and none of the kiddos I watch are wild (I'm pretty lucky, my own 2 1/2 year old is probably the wildest of the bunch)

I would probably not watch this family anymore. If you can't even trust them when you use the restroom it just doesn't seem worth it. I sure hope they are paying you well. :)

I agree on the homeowners, but the parents need to pay.
Replace the TV with the same or like model, and present them with the invoice.

If they're jerks about it, show them the door.