Here is some information about windshields:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_human_kick_in_a_windshield_from_inside_the_car

or:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/removing-windshield-kick-out-766564/
(if your child kicked it that hard, she would have caused herself damage)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would she only return 1/2 of the money if they are satisfied with the work? It is very common not to use the manufacture glass and go with another company. I've had my windshield replaced twice through my insurance company. Neither time was it manufacture glass and it has been fine. I would have checked with the insurance first and if they pay, give her a little something for the trouble or even better use a company that comes to her/your home so its done on work time and no big deal. I can't imagine this is the first time your kid had a tantrum so I would be concerned at the lack of communication. It is also very hard to break glass in that setting and a kick probably should not have smashed it. Was your child hurt by the glass? If they kicked it, humm... this doesn't sound right. I have never called anyone a troll online, but I have to question you. I would have paid for the glass at a reasonable price and fired her for letting my child in the front seat. If your kid is such a terror, you may want to harness the kid in a good car seat.

OP here. Little DC is a gymnast and competitive swimmer, and apparently has good leg strength. According to the nanny, DC had slumped down in the seat for back leverage and so that DC's legs were pointed up, and then started to kick at the front windshield. DC did not break the windshield, but rather cracked it. According to the auto glass companies I contacted, if the crack is bigger than a dollar bill (and this one radiated out slightly bigger than a $1 bill), then you have to replace the entire windshield.

I did pay for the glass at a reasonable price, but the nanny said that this was not good enough for her or her spouse, who had bought the car new in 1999, and would now have an after-market windshield. With her $1,200 estimate to get the job done with manufacturer's glass (which I confirmed with the dealership), I felt the right thing to do was to reimburse her the $1,200 so that she could have the job done to her complete satisfaction. Of course, she was just angling for additional cash and she got it.

I put my feet up on the windshield all the time. If your child doesn't normally have a tantrum and just kicked it, it isn't going to break that easily in less it had other damage to it prior to this incident. You are obligated to replace the windshield but if it didn't meet her standard, she should have discussed it with the installer at the time or asked more details. If it were a new car, ok, replace with original but this is an older used car and standard is to replace with an aftermarket. I don't believe your kid really did this to cause that kind of damage. This is safety glass that can withstand some abuse. If your kid did it, you have a serious problem. There is nothing wrong with an aftermarket windshield. I actually prefer mine as it is more tinted and easier to see out of. This sounds completely made up or you just got very lied to and taken advantage and in that case, demand your money back.

Anonymous wrote:OP, it's a good thing you fired your negligent and untruthful nanny. Clearly, she lied to you about how her windshield cracked and just wanted you to pay for it. Do not even consider hiring such a person back to look after your child.

But really, you have two other larger problems than your nanny. The first is that your child is obviously deeply disturbed if, at 8 years old, she is throwing tantrums of the kicking and screaming sort. Get her to a therapist right away for her rage disorder.

Your second problem is money. You will never make a lot of it trolling on websites and posting fake problems until they actually sound compelling enough to start interesting discussions. Try harder next time.

OP here. DC does not throw a tantrum of screams, or thrashing, or biting, or rage (like one might envision); but DC is definitely impatient. Nanny and DC were running late to DC's sports' practice and -- according to nanny -- frustrated DC slumped in the front seat, pushed her back against the front seat for leverage, and kicked their legs up at the windshield. Apparently, she struck the windshield with enough force to crack it. I do not question the nanny's story that this is exactly as things happened.

I do not think DC is "deeply disturbed", s/he has not so much as pushed another person in their life, and neither our family nor the school has never noticed any "deeply disturbed" behavior -- on the contrary they are usually very well behaved and well-liked by teachers and friends. There is no doubt that DC was a frustrated, tired, little miscreant on the day in question though. That is why DC is being punished in a not-inconsequential manner.

For the PP who asked why I mentioned the 1999 vehicle, it is because I researched the blue book value for the vehicle ($6,300 if sold by a dealer in excellent condition). In the end, I paid the nanny more than the difference or delta of the value of that particular vehicle if sold by the individual in excellent condition versus bad condition. I hope that was the fair thing to do in this case.

I hope also that I am a good employer, and always treat our nanny with respect, support, and confidence. Our last nanny was with the family for ten years.

I come to this forum to seek advice and insights on my real-life problems, and sometimes "life is stranger than fiction."

Why do people think that OP's nanny lied about the crack. The kid is 8. I think at 8 he could say "mom no Larla is lying, it was like that when we got in the car"

OP, it's a good thing you fired your negligent and untruthful nanny. Clearly, she lied to you about how her windshield cracked and just wanted you to pay for it. Do not even consider hiring such a person back to look after your child.

But really, you have two other larger problems than your nanny. The first is that your child is obviously deeply disturbed if, at 8 years old, she is throwing tantrums of the kicking and screaming sort. Get her to a therapist right away for her rage disorder.

Your second problem is money. You will never make a lot of it trolling on websites and posting fake problems until they actually sound compelling enough to start interesting discussions. Try harder next time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would have fired her immediately for letting a 8 year old in the front passenger seat. Don't you know that is the deadliest spot in any car?

-- survivor of a roll-over in the passenger seat.

At what age would you put a child in the passenger seat?

The same age she stops extended breastfeeding, 18!

You did the right thing.

I would not hire the nanny back however. An 8 year old should not be in the front seat. And if your 8 yr old is under 80lbs thy should also still be in a car seat/booster seat in the back.

If you do have a nanny drive your children in the future, due to your child's temperament, I highly suggest you provide a vehicle for the nanny.

Like what you just illustrated, these things can get ugly.

Why not err on the side of caution from now on?

OP, perhaps she got the windshield replaced first and like you, didn't know the difference between an after market windshield vs. a dealer one. Then after she had it done, her hubby who knew more about cars, complained and she had no recourse but to let you know. What I am trying to get at is that perhaps she just didn't know in the beginning.

Anyway, good for you for paying to replace her windshield. However, before I paid for a dealer one, I would need some type of proof that the windshield was in fact a dealer one. I mean, maybe the hubby is trying to milk this to get a better quality windshield.

Things are kinda dicey now and since it sounds like you really do not even need a nanny now, just kindly let her know she can keep the money but you no longer will be in need of her services from now on since you have decided to do everything yourself now.

Good Luck.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child kicked your nanny's car in and then to thank her you fired her?

If she was graciously using her own car for the job (some nannies can hardly afford to run their own vechile) she is entitled to have it repaired as she would have done it. Imagine if it was on the other foot - she had broken your car window - then only given your $300 for a repair job that you knew was $1200 to take it back to it's original condition.

You did the wrong thing. You acted on a reflex. And even when she was gracious enough to come back and return some of the money in exchange for her role back you power tripped and stuck the knife in.
It was your kid after all!

That nanny is better off without you - I feel sorry for her.

Not the OP, but you seriously need to read ALL the posts. Or reread them because you got the facts screwed up.

+1. The nanny was negligent. Period. A child should not be in the front seat of the car. Second the glass was defective. A child's kick should not be strong enough to break it. Third. The nanny is incompetent and inconsiderate. MB wound up paying $1500 because the nanny accepted the $300 repair and then wanted more $$$. Not professional at all. Wouldn't want her taking care of my kids.

Can you stop saying her car us from 1999? Just because it's not a brand new Mercedes doesn't mean it shouldn't be replaced properly.

Anonymous wrote:Your child was kicking and broke a windshield?
This isn't even a good troll post. It's boring.

These obnoxious nannies who call everyone trolls because they're angry about their jobs should leave the childcare biz and crawl back under the miserable rocks they came from.

Anonymous wrote:Your child kicked your nanny's car in and then to thank her you fired her?

If she was graciously using her own car for the job (some nannies can hardly afford to run their own vechile) she is entitled to have it repaired as she would have done it. Imagine if it was on the other foot - she had broken your car window - then only given your $300 for a repair job that you knew was $1200 to take it back to it's original condition.

You did the wrong thing. You acted on a reflex. And even when she was gracious enough to come back and return some of the money in exchange for her role back you power tripped and stuck the knife in.
It was your kid after all!

That nanny is better off without you - I feel sorry for her.

Not the OP, but you seriously need to read ALL the posts. Or reread them because you got the facts screwed up.

Your child kicked your nanny's car in and then to thank her you fired her?

If she was graciously using her own car for the job (some nannies can hardly afford to run their own vechile) she is entitled to have it repaired as she would have done it. Imagine if it was on the other foot - she had broken your car window - then only given your $300 for a repair job that you knew was $1200 to take it back to it's original condition.

You did the wrong thing. You acted on a reflex. And even when she was gracious enough to come back and return some of the money in exchange for her role back you power tripped and stuck the knife in.
It was your kid after all!

That nanny is better off without you - I feel sorry for her.

Wow, this story is so unbelievable. If it is true, how horrifying! It sounds like you did due diligence, and your nanny did not act in a manner that would warrant her rehire.
You did the right thing. You fired her for a reason. Don't make another mistake by allowing her back into your home. Besides if you did take her back, you would just be thinking in what other ways she's trying to hustle you...