Making this on a new account so my friends won’t connect the dots. I 34F took my 7-year-old son to a small local convention last weekend. It was a fun, family friendly event, and we spent the afternoon browsing stalls and watching some performances. Mid way during the day, we went to McDonald’s for dinner. While we were eating, I noticed my son was playing with a small plush toy shaped like a heart. It had tomato sauce on it.

At first, I assumed it was a Happy Meal toy, but when I asked, my son told me he picked it up from one of the tables at the con. I was mortified we hadn’t paid for it. I told him we needed to take it back, and after finishing our food, we returned to the convention hall (which was still open) to find the stall.

Eventually, we found the vendor selling those plush toys. I apologized and explained what had happened, including the stain. She thanked me for returning it but then asked if I could either purchase the toy or at least contribute toward the cost, since it was handmade and now stained and unsellable. She said she couldn’t easily afford to lose stock like that.

I was honestly shocked and told her that was outrageous. First of all, I brought it back—most people wouldn’t even bother. Secondly, it’s not my job to keep an eye on every little thing my kid does at every second. Kids grab things, it happens. And third, if her stuff is that fragile or important, maybe she should do a better job of keeping it safe. It’s not my responsibility to be her security guard.

She looked like she was about to cry, but I told her that if she ever becomes a mum, she’ll learn what real stress looks like. Then I left.

Now some of my friends are saying I should’ve offered something, but I don’t see why I should be penalized for a mistake any kid could make. It’s not like she runs a real store it’s just hobby crafts.

AITA?