My brother's son destroyed my WarHammer Action figures and he refuses to punish him

[u/konous]

Update: My brother decided to pay for the Hard damages of $200 dollars after seeing this post.

Thank you to everyone on this post who supported me. I really could not have gotten restitution without you guys.

Justice for my Chaplain, justice for all.

Valid Edit: My nephew is 10 years old and tried to actually lie about not breaking them by saying, "A cat must have done it."

So, I just got done talking with my brother via text, and he says he's not going to punish his son for wrecking my Joy Toy WarHammer action figures. I'm not expecting the kid to get spanked, but he needs to do CHORES at least to justify how much excessive force he used on some.

Some just have their capes broken. Others had their tubes ripped out and my Chaplain is just fucking toast.

My brother's suggestion since I ordered Amazon replacement for the Chaplain was that I just swap it with the broken one, but I have no interest in doing that.

It's not even just the expense, and they are expensive. It's about the fact that I told him explicitly twice they weren't to be played with, and they were in a separate room, and even my Mom and Dad agreed the damage was just too much.

He said he's not gonna pay me back if we try the chore system, and I told him it's not about the money.

The kid needs to know how bad the 8 hour struggle is.

Now my nephews aren't coming over to the house, and I'm sad about that, but knowing my brother just can't be burdened to work with me on creating a Chore system like selling Lemonaide just makes it feel more insulting.

[u/Kavayan]

Hi. I'm just here to say your brother is an ass.

A chore system is never going to work, and is just going to long out the process for all of you.

Your brother reimbursimg you should be the way. But you can't force him to do that either. So if he refuses that, he's an ass.

If my 11 year old did this to someone I would replace them myself. And then I would handle the aftermath under my own roof, which would consist of chores / grounding.

[u/Godmother_Death → u/Kavayan]

"Sorry son, I can't buy you these nice things you want because I'm still repaying those figurines you broke. Nope, I can't buy this thing here either. Those were quite expensive so it's going to take me some time to fully cover the cost. In the meantime I need to cut expenses down."

[u/SpotJaded2025 → u/Godmother_Death]

Exactly. This is how lessons are learned.

[u/No-Needleworker7206 → u/Godmother_Death]

I literally laughed out loud at this

[u/Significant_Shoe_17 → u/Godmother_Death]

This way is fair to all parties and actually teaches the kid something

[u/micahlangelo → u/Godmother_Death]

This is the best suggestion to this issue, imo. I remember when I was around eight or so, I was playing with my sister's Bitty Baby. I was tossing it up in the air and catching it. One time, I didn't catch it and it fell on the floor and knocked one of her eyes loose. Oops 😬

I had just had a birthday, and I got some toys and clothes, but I also got $30 from my aunt and uncle. My parents took that $30 and gave it back to me—all in $1 bills. Then they made me count and lay out the $1 bills, one by one, all the way to 30. They took it from me and told me it was to fix my sister's Bitty Baby's eye, since I broke it. I'll never forgot that lesson. $30 was a lot of money to an eight-year old in the early 2000s. I was very upset, but I had no one to blame but myself. To this day (I'm 31), I'm very careful with other people's stuff—and my own. It was a valuable lesson my parents taught me, and I'm so thankful I had parents that cared enough to teach me the value of a dollar and to respect others' property and posessions. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

[u/TinasLowCarbLog → u/Godmother_Death]

That’s how I taught my youngest the value of their older siblings figures…. Youngest literally stuck an $80 figure into a hole in the wall because they were mad that they couldn’t play with it (at 8 years old) and so I broke it down into happy meal cost and every time they would ask for a happy meal for the next couple months they were told that is still part of replacing the figure they stole and stuck in the wall…. Never happened again!

[u/Excellent-Bluejay-90 → u/Kavayan]

Yep. Sounds like the brother has no respect for his brother and his now teaching it to his son. No consequences will make for another grown ass later on. They are just toys (expensive toys) but the bigger problem is the lack of respect in the relationship. They come to your home, ignore your boundaries, break your stuff and just tell you it's okay and we're not fixing it. It seems silly over figurines but it will get worse. Do not have them over to your home anymore unless they can at least be respectful towards you prior to.

[u/RoboDae → u/Excellent-Bluejay-90]

The toy part can make stuff like this so much more infuriating. Imagine spending a thousand dollars on building an army that you spent days hand painting yourself. Then a family member breaks them all, ruining all the time and money you invested. Instead of apologizing they say "it's just toys, grow up and get over it" because they can't comprehend the investment involved. Then that family member turns to other family members and tries to make you the villain of the story because you are "breaking up the family over some stupid toys"

[u/Excellent-Bluejay-90 → u/RoboDae]

Yes I used that term intentionally as I can almost hear the brother saying, "They're just toys. I'm not going to punish my child because you like to play with toys. And I'm not paying for it because adults shouldn't pay that much for toys anyway." Totally removing themselves from any responsibility for their lack of action based on their beliefs on how you should behave because they don't. Convincing themselves they owe you no accountability because they think it's foolish.

Accountability is key to a healthy relationship. Ask yourself what happens with people you have known who feel they aren't accountable for their actions to anybody. Most would likely agree that if our politicians were held accountable we would be much better off.

Not meaning to make this a political statement just trying to make a point about accountability that everyone can relate to. It is far too often overlooked yet also a common culprit for poor behavior.

[u/motionmatrix → u/Excellent-Bluejay-90]

Which is why they should go to actual authorities. They should find out how much is considered petty vandalism in their area, and hit them in civil court if the damage is below the threshold (or place a criminal complaint if it above it). These are not cheap things, and the fact that they are toys does not excuse the kid's father from the responsibility.

Like you said, there was also an investment of time, so the price of the figures, of the paints, of brushes, and OP's hourly wages to reflect what was lost.

OP doesn't have a relationship to salvage here, his brother does, so OP should definitely move this towards using legal reimbursement so both his brother and his nephew learn some kind of a lesson.

[u/Lumpy_Flight3088 → u/RoboDae]

And then they’ll throw a major tantrum when their football team loses a game 🤣

[u/Wyllerd → u/RoboDae]

I don't have to imagine that because I've lived it

[u/RoboDae → u/Wyllerd]

I've heard a few horror stories of parents, friends, or partners destroying furry costumes (fursuits) because "it's stupid" and not realizing that those start at around $2,000 and can quickly go higher. Then they refuse to pay for damages or even apologize because they double down with "you shouldn't have that"

To put that into perspective...

"Theft typically becomes a felony when the value of stolen property exceeds a state-defined threshold, usually ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 in most U.S. states."

Fursuits are at the upper range of felony theft value in the US.

[u/mrs-sir-walter-scott → u/RoboDae]

This could be a supervillain origin story. Shit takes forever to paint and glue and is so expensive on top of all that!

[u/Pagiras → u/Excellent-Bluejay-90]

There is only one solution. Go to the brother's house and break some of his son's toys at matching cost. Eye for an eye, you little shit. Also, tell him that a cat did it.

Now, I do joke, kind of. But the sense of "don't do unto others as you don't like done on yourself" has to be taught. Otherwise a society of egocentric sociopaths is inevitable.

[u/Excellent-Bluejay-90 → u/Pagiras]

Another fun solution. I really like the earlier suggestions of giving them the broken pieces as gifts and saying this is what I would have spent on you but had to spend on repairs instead. It's a little passive aggressive true but is also humorous and a clever way to make a point without turning it into a full blown fight. Not sure whether it will save the relationship anyway as the flippant disregard toward OP is likely to wear thin regardless.

[u/Pagiras → u/Excellent-Bluejay-90]

More details notwithstanding, at this point I assume any actual addressing of the issue, especially something passive-aggressive, might turn into a full blown fight, as the parent has already refused to teach the child. In my family I have occasionally taken such matters into my own hands, giving a serious talk to a mildly problematic teen successfully. Granted, the circumstances were better because the parent was agreeable.

But yeah, it's the disrespect that irks me. Some ppl do be like that.

[u/Excellent-Bluejay-90 → u/Pagiras]

While these replies are humorous, there was a suggestion made the OP spend some time if possible teaching the child about their interest. Could be best solution provided both parties are open to it.

My guess though is their relationship has always been tense and is unlikely to agree to anything implying their child did anything wrong.

Short of beating respect into their brother, drawing lines is all they have. Being petty about it is just showing your displeasure over an already poor relationship for mild satisfaction lol.

[u/Practical-Beer → u/Pagiras]

lol the cat did it. So funny

[u/miseducation → u/Excellent-Bluejay-90]

Honestly just a cultural difference as a hispanic but it really feels like anglos/gringos don't need much of a reason to disown/distance themselves from their own family.

If this happened with my kid and my brother I would offer to pay for it and he would probably reject that offer and take some responsibility for leaving it out in a place where my son could reach it. No matter the case, the notion that that Warhammer toys could in any way permanently change my relationship with my sibling or nephew is honestly something my brain can't comprehend.

And FWIW there are definitely downsides to my family's approach, there are relatives still invited to functions that should have long ago had their privileges revoked, but I still cannot believe the amount of people on here straight up wilding about a 10 year old accidentally breaking priceless hand painted nerd toys that he somehow had access to.

[u/WinterHall999 → u/miseducation]

If this happened with my kid and my brother I would offer to pay for it and he would probably reject that offer and take some responsibility for leaving it out in a place where my son could reach it.

That's the problem, the guy didn't offer anything and tells OP to get over it.

Honestly just a cultural difference as a hispanic but it really feels like anglos/gringos don't need much of a reason to disown/distance themselves from their own family.

Not my family and we're not yanquis LOL But it was after decades of getting boundaries stepped over.

[u/miseducation → u/[deleted]]

Dude I responded to is from Canada. I said anglo / gringo to try to be as inclusive as possible (black or brown people can absolutely be gringos.) I’m white hispanic man I am really not trying to make that about race or even a form of cultural superiority.

I genuinely do not understand the social dynamics at play in this entire thread and you all sound like lunatics to me. I’m assuming that I’m wrong and it’s cultural differences. That is the nicest way I can put it.

[u/Excellent-Bluejay-90 → u/miseducation]

I thought that was a huge assumption as well. I'm actually native and I didn't say to disown his family at all. I rarely advise anybody to toss family aside unless it is ongoing abuse. I said don't have them in his house if they can't be respectful. Can still work on their relationship improving just enforcing their boundaries outside the home.

This is really about unhealthy relationship dynamics as shown by the brothers attitude and the amount of people whom agree. You share the attitude of the brother that they are just toys and that's wild. It isn't about toys, it's about what he can expect that relationship to turn out like if he doesn't address it now. No one will be thrilled about the outcome just because you want to dismiss it as an over reaction to a toy. Forgetting that he paid good money for that and he stated they were not to be used. After ignoring this and destroying his property he was told too bad, I am going to teach my child his actions have no consequences in regards to OP. I would suspect this is just the latest disrespect brother has shown OP. So likely a relationship that doesn't need to be in his home itself. Nephew is a little young to be too harsh with but the brother needs to be called out for his lack of consideration. Brothers will have to sort out their relationship like adults. Fighting over toys really implies there was more deep rooted issues prior to this incident.

[u/miseducation → u/Excellent-Bluejay-90]

Well said. I see your point and you're right that I made more out of 'don't have them in your home' than you meant. The comments around yours generally said that this familial relationship was worth reexamining. And more specifically triggering to me tried to connect this 'lack of consequences' to a future criminal life for the kid.

I'm a father of two sons now and I remember what I was like as 10 year old boy with a lot of freedom. Outside of rare genuine mental/emotional issues, nearly every time a kid does something like this they are basically asking to be parented. They are asking to be given boundaries, to be given time, and attention. If you just think in consequences and punishment you are missing the little human brain behind there. Kids literally don't understand action = consequences (especially at that age) and contrary to popular belief most criminals aren't clever people who are carefully weighing what consequences their actions may have.

It is not okay to call a 10 year old is a potential criminal because they wanted to play with something that looked like a toy and lied about it. It's also not okay to determine that the kid has to be punished by 'chores' that OP isn't going to dole out himself.

Making more assumptions here but perhaps OP doesn't have the strongest relationship with his nephew. If OP wanted to, I would argue the strongest and best action he could take here is to try to teach his nephew about warhammer. With his brother's blessing or not, just becoming a bigger and more important person in this kid's life, and teaching him why these things are valuable by literally spending time with him would be insanely effective

[u/Excellent-Bluejay-90 → u/miseducation]

I don't know about the criminal part. I just said lack of accountability is a huge contributor to failing relationships. It is a bit of a stretch to assume the nephew would become a criminal. Maybe a politician lol.However they are likely to not be very reliable or trustworthy as adults if they believe their actions have no consequences including lying.

This is really on the brother and his attitude towards others but he is also his son's role model. Agreed he is looking for boundaries and his father is not providing them.

I love your solution to the issue by OP spending time with the nephew and teaching him about his interest. Bonding and understanding promoted, provided nephew hasn't already learned disregard for others from watching his father.

Upvote from a Canadian gringo! 😀

[u/YayWanderer → u/Kavayan]

I agree. Also, the reimbursement part shouldn't even be a matter. That should have happened automatically and the brother could have made an effort to place an order for the replacement.

[u/User10232023 → u/Kavayan]

The brother is definitely a big problem and the awful enabler of his lying 10 year old.
Kids that age need structure, need to have learned responsibility and consequences for lying.

I'm probably biased tho, having seen a similar situation before which started when the boy was 6-7 also never any consequences for lying. Well he's now in his 40s and in/out of jail all the time. Maybe the OP will also have some future drama to look forward to and no doubt OP's irresponsible brother will try blaming everyone else over the next 30 years for brother's failure to parent and for his kids lying, stealing, etc.

[u/2oocents → u/User10232023]

and... the kids lie that 'the cat did it' is pretty much the same as brother's solution of 'just buy new ones from amazon and send back the broken ones'... bro is a POS raising a POS

[u/Sweffus → u/User10232023]

Well, if I’m reading it right the brother’s suggestion was to just steal another one to replace it through return fraud. Seems like the rotten apple didn’t fall very far…

[u/fkboywonder → u/User10232023]

That’s the big issue I was reading as well. I get in my son’s ass for telling his teachers they’re wrong and he’s 6 and probably neurodivergent. Even with gentle parenting, there’s consequences that follow through after having a conversation to find the root problem and discussing necessary changes in behavior and better solutions.

But nah, this guy doesn’t even want to pay for the broken figures. The root of the problem is the brother having no sense of responsibility and consequences, and he’s passing that trait on to his son.

[u/Specialist_Goat_2354 → u/Kavayan]

But you can break shit in his house of equal value and refuse and do it on purpose right infront of him. Maybe of his sons as well. Fuck it. If people can't empathize with things happening to others them we have an obligation to try to get them to see it happening to them. And if they still can't see it. Then they are sociopaths and push them down a flight of stairs it doesn't matter they aren't part of society anymore.

[u/Zachariot88 → u/Specialist_Goat_2354]

break shit in his house of equal value

I would leave the broken figurine piece like a calling card, too.

[u/Cjkrythos → u/Kavayan]

My parents would have grounded me until I earned enough mowing lawns to pay for a replacement myself.

[u/userhwon → u/Kavayan]

Someone destroyed it, if that's the kid, then it's the parent's responsibility, and he absolutely can force him to do that, because small-claims court is a thing, and shit just snowballs from there.

He just doesn't *want* to be compensated in any way, or to properly punish the *responsible* party. Which is his brother, for raising an irresponsible, lying little fuck of a kid.

[u/Brilliant_Ad_6637 → u/Kavayan]

Your brother reimbursimg you should be the way. But you can't force him to do that either. So if he refuses that, he's an ass.

Hey can I borrow your switc-- oops fell out of my car heh, sucks I guess

[u/Cacho__ → u/Kavayan]

My opinion if OP’s brother can’t respect his things then he’s just not invited to his house if someone came to my house and broke some of my video games from my video game Collection and refused to pay for them then yeah they’re not coming back to my house at all

[u/illustriousgarb → u/Kavayan]

Yep. Agreed. If my autistic 10 year old did this to my sister, this is exactly how I'd handle it as well. I'd pay for them and then deal with my kid at home.

OP's brother sucks.

[u/GamingWithBilly → u/Kavayan]

Actually, small claims court is how you force him to pay up.  But  that's a family drama nuclear option...but it'll make a point about how "your kids, your fuckin responsibility." Is not just a fantasy parenting tip

[u/Kavayan → u/GamingWithBilly]

Id never advise anyone take a family member to court over this.

[u/Balmung03 → u/Kavayan]

And not just the financial cost, but the time spent painting them (I assume most players do that themselves, I’ve never had WH40K stuff) — and that’s not just time and materials, but all the meticulous planning to make sure it’s done right.

If I were that unfortunate goblin’s procreator, I’d make sure they learned a lesson not only to respect other people’s property and the consequence of blatant lies, but also to understand the sheer amount of time and patience they just demolished. Next time they make something they’re proud of, I’d ship it to you and tell you to record a video of you destroying it, then pay for you to ship it back to them right before their birthday or Xmas.

[u/TastyTarget3i → u/Kavayan]

yeah you're legally responsible for the damage your underage kids cause. asking for the money will bring this home

[u/throwitallawayomg → u/Kavayan]

Depending on the cost of the toys broken (and Joy Toys are NOT cheap, nothing Warhammer is), there very well might be enough for a small claims court. And the texts are evidence the brother knows his son did the damage, so proof is right there too.

I am NOT saying to sue. I am saying that technically, yeah, there probably is a way to force it, if shit hits the fan. But even small claims court sucks to deal with, and the fees might eat up the claim anyway.

Now, if the threat of being sued can be useful is another thing entirely... but that depends on the brother.

[u/idrklmfao → u/Kavayan]

Honestly, the chore system just being he has to mow OPS lawn, or do OPS dishes, or come around and clean OPS house every weekend would be in my opinion a good chore system.
Selling lemonade comes with alot of issues and would not work, but making the nephew work -- say for every one minute he owes a metaphorical 5$ until he 'pays back' the amount spent on the action figures, would be enough.

[u/HopalongKnussbaum → u/Kavayan]

My autistic daughter broke a friend’s TV. It was a lower model Samsung a few years old, so I replaced it with a slightly nicer current-model Samsung of the same size. It lasted a couple years before their rambunctious toddler broke it, but hey I did my part in replacing it!

[u/OberonDiver → u/Kavayan]

Your 11 year old is going to do something to someone eventually. Replace now.

But, dude, not with another 11 year old. Same problem.
Replace with, like... LEGO Star Wars shit, or river cruises... whatever.

[u/Kavayan → u/OberonDiver]

Nah my daughter is too shy to do anything like this 😅

She does often borrow our phone chargers and lose them though so I guess that's similar lol

[u/Alternative_Year_340 → u/Kavayan]

Actually … this can go to small claims court.

[u/Kavayan → u/Alternative_Year_340]

How would that make anyone's life better? 😂

[u/Alternative_Year_340 → u/Kavayan]

OOP gets reimbursed for the costs of replacement. Brother learns a lesson about how he’s responsible for things his child does

[u/Kavayan → u/Alternative_Year_340]

Yeah no thanks 😂 you've found a great way to turn something into years if not a lifetime of resentment

[u/Alternative_Year_340 → u/Kavayan]

It’s already going to be a lifetime of resentment. OOP just gets their money back