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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be sitting crying because we managed to leave DS1's beloved Teddy behind on holiday. And furious at Dh for not checking.

199 replies

SayMyNameSayIt · 22/10/2013 21:19

Sorry if this sounds really stupid. DS1 has had Teddy since he was a baby, he's 6 and a half now. Teddy is so thin and threadbare now but DS1 loves him so much and would sleep with Teddy across his nose, inhaling him.

We were staying at a villa, I was packing all our stuff. Asked DH to pack food etc from the kitchen, and check the rooms. Got to the airport and suddenly I realised I wasn't sure if Teddy had been packed. Cue a big row and Dh getting all annoyed at being asked if he'd packed him or seen him.

I texted the villa rep who went straight there and asked the maids to check if Teddy had been caught up in the sheets etc, which I strongly suspected.

Rep has got back to me saying they've checked and he was back at the villa today to close it for the season and no sign. DS1 is trying to be all tough and pretend he's not that bothered. But I know he is, he said, teddy and I have been together for so long.

I know it's totally irrational and stupid but I'm actually sitting crying. He has loads of teddies and cuddly toys, but Teddy was special. I envisaged keeping him myself when ds1 was all grown up. I feel awful for him that I, myself, didn't think to check before we left.

Teddy wasn't glued to ds1's side, not by any means. Well, not for a long time anyway. Yes, ds1 could have thought to get him himself. I suppose I'm crying for the loss of that wee boy with his teddy as well.

I could get another the same, and ds2 has the same one. But ds1 said he would want him to be the same, which would take years. Think The Velveteen Rabbit.

I very very rarely post a thread, please don't shoot me down in flames. I'm honestly so upset, not a wind up. ( I think I'm just posting to vent, Dh is watching the footy and I doubt he'd understand how I feel anyway. )

OP posts:
CuriosityCola · 22/10/2013 22:14

Yanbu, I have had my teddy for just over 30 years and would be gutted to loose him.

If teddy does go on his travels I'm happy to send a postcard from exotic Scotland. Grin

shallweshop · 22/10/2013 22:15

No, I certainly don't think you are being unreasonable. My DD has a very special cuddly toy that she has had since she was 3 months olds (she is now 9). We nearly lost it once in Sainsburys when she was about 3 and I was nearly in tears then. I made them do a tannoy announcement and luckily a fellow shopper found it. I really hope it turns up unexpectedly.

BloodiedGhouloshes · 22/10/2013 22:16

Oh I so understand. We have a Jellycat blue stripey cat that DS loves. We also have a replacement. Recently Jellycat 1 split his trousers. So DH sewed him up.... then when DS was asleep frantically sewed up Jellycat 2's (unsplit) trousers in the same location before we put him back into his hiding place.

BloodiedGhouloshes · 22/10/2013 22:17

I'll send teddy postcards also. :)

JockTamsonsBairns · 22/10/2013 22:17

Yanbu at all! I feel your pain! Dd1 lost Piggy when she was 3 - we just saw the bus pulling away when we realised Piggy had stayed on. I contacted the bus company, and even put a plea into the local newspaper - but to no avail. On her next birthday, Piggy sent her a birthday card - and I explained that he was being looked after very well by another little girl who didn't have any other teddies. Every year from then on, Piggy sent postcards from all around the world (thanks to family and friends), and it became something of an adventure story for her. Dd is now nearly 16 and, last Christmas, I happened upon an identical Piggy on ebay after years of searching for a duplicate. I won the auction and wrapped him up for Xmas day. Dd rarely cries, too hardened these days you see, but I will never forget her reaction when she unwrapped Piggy.

I really wish you Teddy's safe return x

Original poster
SayMyNameSayIt · 22/10/2013 22:20

I've just texted the rep again, asking him if he could check the laundry again. I know he already has, the only problem I foresee is that teddy is so thin and threadbare, he could easily get bundled up in towels etc. Possibly even when the towels are dried and folded.

I'm off tomorrow, so I will email the company etc and see if they can help. I feel like a bit of a nuisance tbh, but I'll do whatever to try and get teddy back.

In the meantime, I'll think about postcards etc from teddy and our holiday cat. Thanks again for all the good ideas and advice, and sympathy, of course.

OP posts:
thebody · 22/10/2013 22:24

rooting for teddy op.

AnitaManeater · 22/10/2013 22:24

Oh dear, I'm crying over the story about Piggy!

Original poster
SayMyNameSayIt · 22/10/2013 22:27

Those last few posts have made me cry all over again, I can hardly type! The story of piggy, and Christmas Day, aww so lovely.

And I'm overwhelmed at those posters who've offered to send postcards! I am truly touched. MN at its finest. I am
Honestly crying again, I'm so touched. (Am already in Exotic Scotland!!!! Sorry, can't scroll to see who posted that! Haha, teddy might be hitchhiking round Scotland with his cat!!)

I may well take you all up on the postcard offers. Thank you so much

OP posts:
aquashiv · 22/10/2013 22:28

There is a website for lost teddies I believe.

JaneEyresHeir · 22/10/2013 22:29

Aw, how sad, OP.
You should definitely contact last year's rep and ask her to double check the laundry.

This has just reminded me that my now grown-up DS had a favourite blanket - it was a cream cellular one edged with satin. He called it his 'yibbon' (ribbon!) and would go to sleep clutching the satin edge. It was washed so often that it disintegrated and he ended up with a little square. Aw - memories.

Hope it turns up. If not the postcard idea is great (like the gnome in the film Amelie!).

RooRooTaToot · 22/10/2013 22:29

YANBU

When I was 10 we drove down to the South of France for holiday, with an over-night stop on the way. Halfway into day 2, I suddenly had a realisation that I hadn't seen my beloved toy dog that morning. Cue Dad pulling off the motorway and emptying out all of our overnight bags to no avail. We had come too far to turn back. I sobbed the whole way down and took a few days to perk up again.

On the way back we stopped at the same hotel (2 weeks later). We asked a maid if she had seen my toy and she dragged out a huge storage bin that was crammed full of forgotten teddies and my toy was there too!

From that day on, dear toy couldn't go anywhere without a luggage label around his neck with my name and address on.

I hope he finds his way back to you!

Haribotangfastic · 22/10/2013 22:29

Oh piggy. What a touching story (sniff).
Fingers crossed that teddy turns up. DS1 who's 12 still sleeps with his duck which I bought when he was born. He'd be devastated if anything happened to him.

somersethouse · 22/10/2013 22:32

OP I live in Spain, I also run a villa, I know how it works, can I help? What part of Spain were you?

SavoyCabbage · 22/10/2013 22:34

I'm sobbing about Piggy! And it's morning here so now I am going to have to re-do my mascara before work!

Saymyname, YANBU at all. I would be the same. I really hope he turns up.

Mondayschild78 · 22/10/2013 22:39

YANBU. The post title in itself made me say 'awww' out loud to which DH said 'what?'
Blush Smile

Original poster
SayMyNameSayIt · 22/10/2013 22:40

somersethouse

We were actually in the Balearics, with Villa Plus.

OP posts:
pinkteddy · 22/10/2013 22:41

Me too!

pinkteddy · 22/10/2013 22:42

sobbing about piggy I mean...

SueDoku · 22/10/2013 22:44

DGSs Peter Rabbit was very naughty and hid under the pillow on a visit to my house -- cue panicked phone call, and DGM having time off work next day to rush to Post Office with jiffy bag (aka Peter's travelling case)

Nice lady behind counter asked the value of the package. I said that it was a 3 year-old's Peter Rabbit, and she nodded sagely and said, 'You'll want next day delivery then..!'.

Worth every (expensive) penny to get the call to say that Peter was home..... Smile

Original poster
SayMyNameSayIt · 22/10/2013 22:44

everlong

You are right. I'm SO annoyed at myself that I forgot to check myself. Probably just the stress of trying to get 2 young DS and Dh and I put of the villa without killing each other falling out.

That's the most frustrating thing. I blame myself. Yes, it's ds's teddy, but he really just has him at night. Though ds2 (5) is very very attached to all his teddies and he made sure he had all his.

Could kick myself.

OP posts:
FoxyRoxy · 22/10/2013 22:45

Op I live in Mallorca if I can help?

Piggy made me cry too what a lovely story!

ZZZenagain · 22/10/2013 22:48

did you rent a car? Maybe it got left in the car?

Sparklysilversequins · 22/10/2013 22:49

We left a Teddy at a hotel in the Cotswolds and I was also very upset. I posted a similar post to yours on here as the hotel had found him but for some reason couldn't seem to be bothered to send him back Angry.

A lovely, lovely MNetter who lived nearby went and got him for us and sent him back. It was six years ago and there's been a lot of name changes since then but I do wonder if she's still on here.....

I hope YOUR teddy turns up, I would keep checking with the hotel if I were you, he must be there somewhere.

trixymalixy · 22/10/2013 22:49

I totally understand. I did exactly the same.

I got to the airport and realised I had left DS's teddy on the top bunk in the hotel. Was totally kicking myself, and really upset.

Our story has a happier ending as I emailed the hotel, they found it and posted it. If they hadn't I would have been just as upset as you. Sad