What do I do regarding lost earphones?

[HotChocolateLover]

Ok so I have a prime suspect but no evidence. My Apple earphones have gone missing. The last place they were seen were on the coffee table about 2 days ago.

DS (16) just bought himself a pair of AirPods and had given them to me so is ruled out. He actually asked me where the ear plugs were which is what prompted the hunt.

DSD (15) was seen using a pair of white ear plugs and when we phoned her to ask where the Apple ones were ‘had she picked them up by mistake?’ she immediately said they were by the mirror in our room. Only the white ones there were a Samsung pair. How did she even know the Samsung pair were there?

DSS (9) Never seen him using ear plugs at all.

I’m almost certain DSD has got them. Probably accidentally and is now too embarrassed to say anything but I just want them back 🤦‍♀️ DS is upset because his gift is missing.

Not sure what to do. Any ideas? Can’t do much without proof.

DSD has an iPhone 7. The white ear plugs left in our house we’re Samsung ones.

I know nothing about this stuff. Would the Samsung ones work on her iphone? If so, text her and say, "No, those are Samsung. You must have taken mine by mistake. We can switch back when you are here next."

Not the point at all I know, but your DS should have kept the wired earphones/EarPods anyway. When my AirPods (the wireless ones for those getting mixed up) need charging I still use my old earphones/EarPods, or when I don't want to risk the AirPods dropping out and being damaged.

Back to subject, it's the stealing that us the problem here. Not the cosy or sentimental value. It doesn't matter at all what has been taken, it matters that something has been taken that belongs to someone else. IF your DSD has taken them that is.

All this over a pair of second hand headphones! They are practically a disposable item in my house, they break and get lost so easily. I think we must have reached a critical mass of them now though, I haven't had to buy any or nick my sons in ages! Just buy some more, they are cheap as chips!

*cost

The main problem here is the fraught difficulties of 'calling out' a stepchild.. with all the associated baggage that that brings.
If this had happened with my OWN daughter I would have said 'oi have you nicked the headphones/lipstick/pen DS have me ? and when/if they lie in response - have another go... then if found to be lying there would be some massive strop, door slamming and shouting the odds. Job done. Everyone gets over it by the next day.

Sadly this can't be done with step children in case you upset them and they decide its easier not to visit for 15 years./decide you have become the step mother from hell.. because extreme reactions are what teenagers do when called to account and a dsc has some pretty fierce ammunition in their armoury - should they feel aggrieved. Regardless of being right or wrong.

So it's tricky and extremely difficult line to tread between calling it out because of the principle- or leaving it be because of possible consequences or treating all children equally.

You must really dislike her to make such a fuss over a pair of misplaced earphones.