Mom Blames 'Act Of God' For Daughter's Trashed Patio Table She Forgot To Secure And Doesn't Want To Pay For New One

"She shouldn't have to pay for it because it was an act of God."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• July 21, 2023

Living with parents can be a double-edged sword; it comes with a unique blend of perks and challenges, much like any shared living arrangement. This is the predicament OP finds herself in as she is dealing with some of the complications of living with her mother.

OP, her husband, and their children all share a home with her mother, who lives there rent-free in exchange for some assistance around the house and with the kids. Recently, OP and her husband decided to get a pool and set their glass patio table and chairs by it.

The table featured an umbrella that, although functional and decorative, came with a clear instruction: it had to be lowered and secured after every use, especially on windy days. Despite several reminders, OP's mother failed to heed this instruction.

On a day she used the pool with one of OP's toddlers, she neglected to lower and secure the umbrella. She casually acknowledged her oversight the next day but made no move to rectify it.

Unbeknownst to them, an unexpected storm swept through their town that night. When the family awoke, they found their patio in disarray: the umbrella had been flung into the pool, and the glass tabletop was shattered everywhere.

Confronting her mother, OP asked if she planned to replace the table. Her mother, rather than owning up to her mistake, denied responsibility and shrugged it off as an "act of God."

Now, OP is torn, wondering if she's being unreasonable for expecting her mother to replace the broken table.

OP asks:

OP, her husband, and their children all share a home with her mother, who lives there rent-free in exchange for some assistance around the house and with the kids. They got a pool...

An unexpected storm swept through their town that night. When the family awoke, they found their patio in disarray

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

They both need to step up

"Was this a game of chicken?"

These are some good questions:

OP knew the combination of an unstable umbrella and a glass table was risky, but she didn't do anything to prevent the danger

Disaster waiting to happen

OP admits they all have accidentally left it open numerous times

Is OP looking for an excuse to drive her mom away?

This sounds fair:

Shared living arrangements come with shared responsibilities. While it's understandable that OP's mother might occasionally forget to lower the umbrella, as all family members have done so, it's her dismissive response to the situation that raises concern.

An admission of her mistake and a genuine apology might have softened the situation, even if she couldn't afford to replace the table. Considering the circumstance and the mother's attitude, it doesn't seem unreasonable for OP to expect some form of accountability.

It is a matter of principle and respect toward shared items and shared spaces. But, given that everyone has occasionally forgotten about the umbrella, the responsibility and the path forward might need to be shared as well.

Damjan