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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for reassurance that it will be IK?

13 replies

DrSeuss · 05/08/2026 19:00

This morning I was putting a wash on and some of DD’s boyfriend’s clothes were in the utility room, on the floor, right by the washing machine. I threw them in with my stuff. Job done, I thought.

Except that when I went to get the clothes off the line just now, I found his bloody hearing aid and microphone in the leg pocket of his trousers. The hearing aid was in a plastic case and may have survived. The mic was in a cloth bag and so is presumably buggered. 🥲
I immediately rang my daughter ( they are out for the day) and apologised profusely. I have offered to pay for any damages. The hearing aid is NHS issue so should be covered but the mic is not.
He was just starting to warm up to me a bit, I thought. 🥹
Does anyone have any idea just how bad this could be, damage wise?
It really was a genuine mistake, not the actions of a crazy mother. I have tried very hard to make him welcome, cooking things I know he would like and trying to be friendly but not interfering. Looks like that’s all gone to ratshit!

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DrSeuss · 05/08/2026 19:30

I think I am more worried about damage to my relationship with daughter’s first serious boyfriend. He doesn’t really take to strangers. For months it was me chatting and him briefly replying then scurrying upstairs. I should mention that they are both at uni together, not teens.
The washing was by the machine, there was room in my wash so I chucked a few things in.

OP posts:
Weirdwonderfully · 05/08/2026 19:12

Mumdiva99 · 05/08/2026 19:03

No idea how bad it will be. But on the floor by the machine is code for 'wash me' - honest mistake.

It was his problem for leaving them in the pocket of his trousers in the first place

somanychristmaslights · 05/08/2026 19:10

And it’s his fault, he left them ready to be washed.

sammylady37 · 05/08/2026 19:10

Mumdiva99 · 05/08/2026 19:03

No idea how bad it will be. But on the floor by the machine is code for 'wash me' - honest mistake.

Absolutely this. Also, no way in hell would I be doing laundry for a daughter’s bf, and even less so for one who was ‘only starting to warm up to me’.

somanychristmaslights · 05/08/2026 19:10

What’s he using at the moment then? Hopefully he has a spare then so just replace it and it should be fine.

ChaToilLeam · 05/08/2026 19:10

If clothes get left on the floor in the utility room and things are left in the pockets or bundled up in them, they're likely to get washed. He should take better care of his stuff. You're being very generous to offer to pay for the damage and what I don't understand is the handwringing - it was an a accident due to the young man's carelessness, not deliberate damage by you.

domesticgodmess · 05/08/2026 19:08

Well, I wouldn't have washed his clothes in the first place. But since you did, maybe check if insurance will cover accidental damage.

Tunnocks34 · 05/08/2026 19:08

Surely he will understand? A quick search shows microphones from around £150-£350 so hopefully this is affordable for you. It may be covered under your contents insurance if not.

From my experience, people are rarely angered and upset enough to damage a relationship which is otherwise good when there is an apology and the issue rectified

ChickenBananaBanana · 05/08/2026 19:06

I mean if he needed it that bad surely he would have had it on him?

YoQuieroVino · 05/08/2026 19:03

It was an accident and you’ve offered to pay to rectify it. Nothing else you can do. Are you worried about the damage to the mic or the damage to your relationship?

ItsPickleRick · 05/08/2026 19:03

If he’s gone out without it, does he have a spare?

It was an accident and you’ve offered to make it right, don’t beat yourself up.

What do you mean by “he was just starting to warm up to me”?

Mumdiva99 · 05/08/2026 19:03

No idea how bad it will be. But on the floor by the machine is code for 'wash me' - honest mistake.

DrSeuss · 05/08/2026 19:01

Title should read, OK. Bit worked up while typing!

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