Dirty washing

[Snoozybird]

We have the DSCs every week from Thursday (at 6pm, not straight from school) till Sunday pm. They usually come over in their own clothes and bring their school uniforms with them, which we send back with the kids on the Sunday washed and ironed.

Today is a non school uniform day for 3 out of 4 of the DSCs and mum has packed up the dirty uniforms in a bag and sent them over for us to wash. So basically we have a whole extra couple of loads to do i.e uniforms as usual plus what the DSCs are wearing today. We only just keep on top of our washes as it is, as we have to dry the clothes on limited radiator space (they smell mouldy if we use an airer). BTW mum doesn't wash the uniforms at all during the week, they just get done once a week with us.

It often works out that between the four of them, one or other of the DSCs will have a non-uniform day every other week or so and up till now we've washed the extra clothes without fuss, but I think sending over three lots is taking the mick.

Am I petty for feeling annoyed or is she petty for packing up dirty clothes specially so we can wash them?

I think I know the answer but needed a rant

[Xalla]

I think I'd be tempted to buy your own set of uniform for the Fridays they're with you. Then you might not have to wash it each week - not sure how old they are but I guess if it's just being worn for one day, it might last a couple of weeks? Maybe 3? Then just ask for PE kit, school shoes and school coat to go between the two homes. I'm assuming the uniform isn't astronomically expensive, I know some private schools charge a ridiculous amount for it.

[Eliza22]

The woman is surely taking the rise out of you. If she wants a laundry service, most dry cleaners provide this.

[HermioneWeasley]

I think you need to say something or she will up the ante on taking the piss.

[Snoozybird]

Unfortunately we couldn't afford to buy another 4 sets of uniforms as it's the "proper" stuff so can't get from supermarket etc (DH already contributed half towards the ones they have).

As for saying something, so far we've been picking our battles but it may just be getting to the stage where words need to be had as it's actually the second time mum has done this sending 3 sets of dirty uniforms for washing.

Thanks for reassuring me I'm not just being petty to be peed off by this!

[TheMumsRush]

I understand the limited space thing, That's why I send back their clothes dirty for mum to sort, plus she has said she doesn't want me washing their stuff, (except when her machine broke and I sent back everything clean and she thanked dh.)

[purpleroses]

I can see the logic for washing uniforms at the weekend - as there's time for them to dry before being needed again, so your normal routine would seem best for you to do them as you'd have no way of getting them to DSC's mum on a Friday after school presumably. And unless you have a spare one of everything, it is very hard to wash uniforms in the week.

But this week I think she is taking the piss - they don't need the uniforms at yours at all, so why bring them over dirty just for you to wash? But it is a one off really - so possibly not worth making a thing over.

[gingermop]

id take it as a compliment, my dsc turn up friday in uniform, I used to wash it and iron untill dsd told me apparently my house stinks, haha, she rewashes it.
now I stuff it dirty in a bag and send home

[gingermop]

dp's ex says it stinks and re-washes I meant

[worriedsister30]

Oh for the honour of being allowed to wash dsds clothes! I'm another one who isn't allowed to by order of mum. Most annoying when you are anal like to get up to date on your washing but have to have bags of dirty stuff laying around all the time for fear of contaminating it with new-wife detergent

I can't believe she sent the dirty washing. It's a classic "that's your fathers job" thing even if it makes no sense. My Dh's ex got in her head that when he picked dd up from her for contact he had to go inside and pack her bag for her, then go back in at drop off and unpack it for her. This had to happen regardless of any other event or circumstance because is was a part of his responsibility. It used to infuriate me. It's like one of the little fees they charge for "allowing" contact.

[purpleroses]

No, we aren't allowed to wash uniforms either. Older DSC come straight to ours after school, but their mum always insists DP brings back their dirty uniforms when he collects youngest DC, even if the older ones are staying over til school on Monday (clean uniforms are collected when dropping youngest back!)

Have to say I'm happy enough with the arrnagement though. I will take the slur on my clothes-washing abilities in return for a lighter workload :) So I don't envy you OP.

[allnewtaketwo]

I would send it back unwashed

[TheMumsRush]

Ha ha! Love it, new wife detergent . I don't mind though, less work for me.

[elliebellys]

If shes used to you always washing the clothes on weekend access then just bcos it was own clothes day she might not of thought bout it being a problem.if something is done religously every week,it becomes a habit.the thing is if you complain she could decide not to hand over uniform in future..

[TheMumsRush]

Btw, is it normal to only have one set? My sc have more than one, there is a clean one waiting for them at home for Monday. Their mum then washes the dirty's that go back with them?

[TheMumsRush]

But Elle she will have to wash them then surly.

[Kaluki]

She's really taking the piss!!! Surely she can wash the uniforms over the weekend.
Not sure what you can do about it though.
Makes me thankful that I am banned from doing my DSCs washing as I'm sure DPs ex would try it on like this if I did!!

[TheMumsRush]

But that also works both ways. Would she pack dirty normal clothes that are not needed for op to wash?

[worriedsister30]

If they were with you until Monday morning I could understand it but if they're back with mum before school you are actually receiving dirty washing and returning it clean, without the kids wearing at at all whilst with you. That is taking the piss!

[worriedsister30]

Is she maybe away for the weekend?

[Cigarettesandsmirnoff]

How bizarre!

I'd be tempted to go but washing detergent and softener and send it back with the dirty clothes!

She is taking the piss.

[purpleroses]

She's taking the piss this weekend. Unless she's away, maybe - but even then I'd expect it to be a nice request that you do them for her. Or has she forgotten that they don't need them on Friday this week?

But normally she can't wash them over the weekend because the DCs need them with them for school on Friday presumably?

I don't have a spare of everything for my DS - he has a couple of spare shirts but outgrows trousers and jumpers so fast I only get him one at a time, so they are always washed at the weekends.

[Owllady]

Can you get a tumble dryer?
I have a Bosch condenser and it heats up the room too :)

[TheMumsRush]

Only one uniform is needed Friday as I can make out purple, yet she has sent all of them to be washed! Total piss take,

[Snoozybird]

No mum isn't away for the weekend and she definitely didn't pack as force of habit. As ever there is always slightly more of a back story to these things so I can say that with certainty

Mum had to wash the uniforms herself a few Sundays ago because our washing machine broke down literally the day before...omg you should have heard the way she had a go like it was all our fault and how very inconsiderate of us!

[elliebellys]

Mumsrush maybe she should just wash them herself in future,then she wouldnt have all the fuss,but as i said before she could become petty aswell by not giving kids their uniform on thurs nights.pick your battles i say.the only way for op is to get spares for dcs.one set is obviously causing problems.