About a month ago my mother in law came down to visit. She brought her black labrador with her. She didnt want to put her dog outside while we went out to dinner, so she left him inside. When returned to my home her dog had chewed up my couch, there was cotton, fabric and sponge stuff everywhere. my mother-in-law apologized and said she would buy me a new couch. well the couch is falling apart more and more each day since the incident. It is so embarrasing when I have guest over. But she said once I found one I liked to call her. But I feel bad about asking her because she just bought a new house. How can approach this situation?
2007-07-26 11:55:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I would like to mention that my husband is deployed, so he cant talk to his mom for me. He wasnt even here when it happened sooo....
2007-07-26 12:05:20 · update #1
Instead of a new couch, how about a couch cover that is a close match for your decor. This way you aren't imposing on her financial situation and she is still trying to help in fixing the problem that her pooch created. I'm guessing that she is on or will so be on a fixed income soon, so this way the 'new' couch won't be a burden on her house payments. Hopefully this will help solve your situation.
2007-07-26 13:42:59 · answer #1 · answered by wolf_spirit_eyes 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure this is not the first thing the Labrador ever chewed up. So she had to known he was a chewer. Anyway. If it was my daughter in-law that my dog did this. I would insist in buying another one. If you did not let me pay for it I would feel very bad every time I came a round. Keep in mind when you pick one out the condition on the one he destroyed, how old it was ect... If it was very old or needed replacing anyway tell her you was planning on getting a new one soon anyway and offer to half the cost. If it was new or so just fine what you want and tell her the price and that it was a new couch or whatever
2007-07-26 12:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by regina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pet owners are embarrassed when their pets do destructive things, believe me. She said she would pay so here's what I would do: Go pick out 2 or 3 couches, get pictures and get the prices written like you would get an estimate for car repairs. Because she lives out of your area, I would mail them to her and ask her which one she can afford. If she says the cheapest one and you want another one, you can just pick up the tab for the balance. Tell her the reason you are sending the pictures and estimate is because she didn't tell you what amount she would be comfortable with. Use your own words or have her son write it. Sometimes it softens a mother's heart (and pocketbook!) to hear from her own rather than the in-law. (Sorry, but true) Don't even consider her finances - that's her problem. I'll bet she won't bring the dog again or she will certainly do something different with him. Don't let this go on any longer or she will think you aren't expecting her to make any financial restitution. Do it now! Good luck!
2007-07-26 12:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by DPL06351 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy a replacement and say nothing about it to her.
Don't let her take the dog into your house again. Period.
Don't accept the money for the couch -- write it off to experience and keep the moral leverage over your mother in law so that she doesn't feel she'll ever be able to take that dog or any other dog into the house. Don't be nasty about it, just firm.
2007-07-26 12:12:37 · answer #4 · answered by Feinschmecker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you wish your husband could talk to her. Mother in laws can be a sticky situation. But since she did offer to replace it, I'd just ask her about it. Tell her the couch is literally falling apart now and you need to get a new one. Good luck.
2007-07-26 14:44:50 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Respect her wishes and do as she has said. I know it is hard, but her dog totalled your couch. Kudos for her to offer to buy a new one. Typically, family thinks they are allowed more leeway because of the fact that they are family. The same thing happened to me but it was a cat and it urinated all over my couch because it was left alone all day. I am STILL waiting for the $$ to replace the couch (been a LOONG TIME).
2007-07-26 12:02:17 · answer #6 · answered by Nicki B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
(1) Can you ask for a gift certificate for IKEA or whatever place you want to select a couch from?
(2) Can you pick a couch and have her pay for it with the condition that you can exchange for a different one at the same store?
(3) Can you ask your spouse to pay for the couch and then get paid back afterwards?
(4) Can you pay for the couch and then ask your spouse to handle the reimbursement instead of you?
2007-07-26 12:03:24 · answer #7 · answered by Nghiem E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask her to go couch shopping with you and get a feel for a price range that she can afford. Since she offered, she is probably just waiting for the phone call from you.
2007-07-26 12:58:23 · answer #8 · answered by kny390 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a replacement at a resonable price, get the price on paper and mention to her you found a replacement at a deal. You can give her the price on paper so she can see exactly where and how much. This has to be a delicate situation, but you shouldnt have to eat the cost if you cant afford too.
2007-07-26 15:28:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, i know its not fair to ask her knowing her situation that she bought a new house recently. But you cant wait long enough too right? So how about buy it yourself with your money and ask her to pay it in small amounts of money like now n then...whenever she is comfortable financially..By doing this she will really appreciate your concern..and your problem is solved too!
But if you cant buy it yourself and cant stand anymore..then dont hesitate...she might get one for you somehow..but this might make her feel bad..or it might really be a difficult one for her financially..
2007-07-26 12:07:20 · answer #10 · answered by sukumar_s3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋