It’s OK to need space from your kids. It’s OK to need time to regulate. It’s normal and common to feel irritation during times of high stress, it’s important that we learn how not to be reactive. Which is what you’re trying to do by creating some space and posting online so you don’t talk to the kid about it. It doesn’t mean that you’re blaming them hard-core and being toxic.

I’ve reacted negatively to my kids breaking things that truly are an accident or a result of my bad judgment and most involve damage to electronics. This was an accident. Don’t be mean. Apologize if you took it out on her.

Op, I'd be mad at my 11 yo if I thought they were being reckless or careless and ruined my laptop. An 11 yo is old enough to treat expensive electronics with care. But I'd also be aware that accidents do happen and work on letting the anger go.

It's okay that your kid knows you were upset and they messed up by not being more careful. They should understand that it *is* a big deal to ruin an expensive laptop. They should apologise and you should forgive them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not a work laptop. This is a personal laptop that I use for some of my side 1099 jobs. We can afford it, but money I tight. I mean there isn’t much wiggle room with 2 mortgages and house fix ups and daycare and extracurriculars. We have enough savings, but man, I’m surprised so many of you wouldn’t bat an eye.

I think you're getting the wrong message from some of these posts. It's not that we're not batting an eye, we think you're blaming the wrong person.

She hasn't blamed her daughter! But it's still natural to be annoyed at someone when they break something even if on accident.

Come on people. Be real

Her daughter is a child! She's also sick. I hope OP is not making her feel any worse than she already does.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not a work laptop. This is a personal laptop that I use for some of my side 1099 jobs. We can afford it, but money I tight. I mean there isn’t much wiggle room with 2 mortgages and house fix ups and daycare and extracurriculars. We have enough savings, but man, I’m surprised so many of you wouldn’t bat an eye.

I think you're getting the wrong message from some of these posts. It's not that we're not batting an eye, we think you're blaming the wrong person.

She hasn't blamed her daughter! But it's still natural to be annoyed at someone when they break something even if on accident.

Come on people. Be real

Anonymous wrote:Your anger is misplaced. You shouldn’t be mad at a child for spilling— you let her use it, and knew she had a spill-able liquid nearby. I 100% understand being upset about the computer, but you’re actually mad at yourself. It’s not a great situation, but you need to just acknowledge that and move on.

Shut up. The op gets it. She's venting. Stress is hard.

Sorry OP, it was an accident. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not a work laptop. This is a personal laptop that I use for some of my side 1099 jobs. We can afford it, but money I tight. I mean there isn’t much wiggle room with 2 mortgages and house fix ups and daycare and extracurriculars. We have enough savings, but man, I’m surprised so many of you wouldn’t bat an eye.

Great news, OP. You're going to make a lot of money when you sell your house so you can have your emergency fund back. You do have an emergency fund, don't you? This is the type of thing we use ours for.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Not a work laptop. This is a personal laptop that I use for some of my side 1099 jobs. We can afford it, but money I tight. I mean there isn’t much wiggle room with 2 mortgages and house fix ups and daycare and extracurriculars. We have enough savings, but man, I’m surprised so many of you wouldn’t bat an eye.

I think you're getting the wrong message from some of these posts. It's not that we're not batting an eye, we think you're blaming the wrong person.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know why ppl giving you grief. I would feel the same way. Maybe this forum can afford ruining laptops left and right but I can’t. There needs to be a rule of no drinks when on laptop. Also don’t buy her anythinf for fun for a few months and tell her you have no money as you needed to buy a new laptop. Don’t make it a punishment but just a natural consequence.

I'm sorry but this is cruel.

Anonymous wrote:Your anger is misplaced. You shouldn’t be mad at a child for spilling— you let her use it, and knew she had a spill-able liquid nearby. I 100% understand being upset about the computer, but you’re actually mad at yourself. It’s not a great situation, but you need to just acknowledge that and move on.

This.

This is also why my iPad has a screen protector and durable case on it. Because I know my kid and I know she has a tendency to knock things over with her elbows. Buy yourself a $150 HP from Costco to tide you over until you can buy a new MacBook.

You don’t need a MacBook. Buy a cheap pc laptop. Believe it or not you can do your work on those.

I feel sorry for your daughter.

This is why for kids I always insist on lids near electronics or anything expensive.

Best Buy open box has good deals. They sometimes have MacBooks/pros. You can buy outright or finance. (Easy to pay off once you’re not between two homes.).

Hope kiddo is ok.