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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Playgroup CF

37 replies

unyummy4amummy · 17/10/2018 23:09

I have a local friendly playgroup. I was feeling very proud of myself for managing to change two toddlers without having a poonami or leaving a big mess or any clothes behind. There are several mums waiting to use the facilities so I rush out.

Later as we are about to leave I notice that DS is upset as he can't find his favourite toy. I ask all the team members and no one had seen anything.

Luckily the last person I ask says he heard another boy say to his Mum "look what I found". The boy describes the same toy and says he just found it in the baby change/toilet. The staff member tells him someone will be missing it and for his mum to hand it into the lost property but doesn't take it off them and do it himself. Adds if no one claims it in 2 weeks he can keep it. It would have been obvious the toy was left by a playgroup user.

The staff member explains to me that the Mum has left, but is a regular and they toy will no doubt turn up.

My DS was really upset. I go in every day for 3 weeks. It was never handed in.

I know I should have been more careful, but AIBU to hope that
a) you don't just keep something that isn't yours
b) if you work somewhere and a customer finds something you put it in the lost property.

Am totally skint so will have to save to replace. Any other playgroup CF stories to cheer me up?

OP posts:
SpottingTheZebras · 17/10/2018 23:11

Your poor DS. Of course you don’t just keep something and if someone hands something in, you keep hold of it for at least a couple of weeks.

Hopefully this woman will be at the group soon and you can get it back.

Maelstrop · 17/10/2018 23:11

Speak to playgroup worker and get them to speak to the mum to return it. I’m surprised you’ve waited 3 weeks.

Peakyteaky · 17/10/2018 23:12

:(
What was the toy?
Would the staff be willing to ask about? Particularly at groups they know she goes to.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 17/10/2018 23:18

Yes it’s a shame that the other Mum didn’t hand the toy in, but that happens in life. Replace the toy for Christmas if funds are short.

My CF story was my nieces 3rd Birthday when a parent gave the toy she had bought DN as a gift to her DD to play with then they went home with it. When DSIL mentioned this to her she said her DD obviously liked the toy more than DN!

Original poster
unyummy4amummy · 17/10/2018 23:19

Yep, kept getting told to try the next day as it would turn up.

I did ask the staff member who looked a bit embarrassed but said he hasn't seen the Mum again. Just wish I knew who it was! Toy is an action figure (a gift)

OP posts:
saltandvinegarcrisps1 · 17/10/2018 23:19

She's not a CF - she's a C U N T

Original poster
unyummy4amummy · 17/10/2018 23:20

OOh all the good that is a super CF!

OP posts:
LucyAutumn · 17/10/2018 23:28

Not so much CF, more judgey but...

At my local playgroup last week another mum had been chatting to my friend who I regularly go with. We all have babies around the same age, but both of their babies are particularly tall (and advanced) for their age, so they were enjoying discussing and comparing.
When I went over to join them my friend introduced me to the new mum who referred to my 15 month old (who was tired and I was holding at the time) as a "little baby" and asked how old he was, I then explained how he's the same age as hers and I suspect his lack of hair doesn't help!
She then leant in to me nudged me in the arm and said " ...or perhaps it's the dummy ay?" and looked at me with raised eyebrows! I was so taken back by her judgeyness I spluttered "no I'm sure it's the lack of hair" and walked off! BlushConfused

Wish I'd had a more witty/ mumsnet-esque response now!

PerspicaciaTick · 17/10/2018 23:35

Find a picture of the toy online, make a poster and put it up on the playgroup door (with permission).

Along the lines of a "missing" poster but making it very clear exactly where it was taken from, when and how sad your DS is. Suggest it is handed in to staff if anyone "finds" it.

Original poster
unyummy4amummy · 17/10/2018 23:37

Perspicacia great idea, will try that

OP posts:
Iaimtomisbehave1 · 18/10/2018 00:02

I've just done a clear out of my boys action figures as they were growing out of some. They're currently in a black nag seating a charity run. Which figure is it? If it's a superhero or Ben 10 one there's a good chance it's in the bag and you can have it.

ohtheholidays · 18/10/2018 00:31

Maybe post on here what it was OP and someone might have one that's no longer played with that they would post to you.

As for the evil fucker who kept your DC's toy(I mean the mum the child knows no better)I hope they lose something that's important to them maybe a bit of karma will make them think next time.

SandAndSea · 18/10/2018 00:39

Could you make up a LOST poster with a pic of the toy and where you lost it and put it up at the venue? You never know...

DontWannaBeObamasElf · 18/10/2018 06:50

This is the Bing at the Park post all over again Sad

Does anyone remember that? A poster had made her son a Bing toy before the official merchandise was on the go and a woman admired it then stole it from the little boy!

I hope you get something sorted OP, it’s bloody awful!

blueberryandrhubarb · 18/10/2018 07:03

I remember bing 😩 why are some people like this?!

EK36 · 18/10/2018 07:11

Ask all the mums if they have seen it. Keep asking. I would never keep a toy that wasnt mine. Think you may have to buy a new one though. We have a rule that no toy leaves the house. So that they don't go missing.

SnuggyBuggy · 18/10/2018 07:15

That's pretty low. I imagine when her kids start school she will be that parent who keeps uniform that's been accidentally taken home.

blueberryandrhubarb · 18/10/2018 07:29

Do tell us what the toy was op in case we can help :-)

ButtPlugInMyHalloweenHaul · 18/10/2018 07:32

Oh yes, Jar jar Binks (spelling?) I had forgotten about that. Now she WAS a CF!

Tahani · 18/10/2018 07:42

Go and ask who it was

Or ask each parent/ child in turn

ShadowHuntress · 18/10/2018 07:46

Oooh I remember bing. Didn’t the creator of bing read the thread and offer to send the op a replacement for free? I’m sure there were some cynics out there saying it was all fake and a way of advertising the new bing toy. I like to think the lovely bing creator is just a lovely person!

Anyway, OP I’m loving a pp idea to put up a lost poster with a picture of the toy on it. Failing that, I’m afraid you’re going to have to save for a new one. Unfortunately there will be many more favourite toys lost over the years.

pinkpinkeverywhere · 18/10/2018 08:08

My DD once left her favourite soft toy in the school playground when we were picking up her big sister. On our way home we realised and turned back to look for it. We couldn’t find it anywhere and she was devastated. On the way out we walked past a family who were also leaving and I spotted the toy in the child’s hand. I spoke to the mother and said I believed she had my DD’s toy and she just said ‘yes, she just found it and liked it so was taking it home.’ I very pointed out that it was obviously someone’s toy and maybe they should have handed it in, but as we were here now we’d have it back thank you! The mother looked quite put out I expected her to get her child to hand it over.
This was the same mother who would never RSVP to parties though and always looked surprised when you said you weren’t expecting them when they turned up.

Yokohamajojo · 18/10/2018 09:04

Seeing that the toy was found in a playgroup setting, the mum would have known that the toy was either someone elses OR belonged to the playgroup so either way she shouldn't have let her DC take it! very odd behaviour

We had a few instances like that in the sandpit when my DC were young. Quite obvious that toys belonged to someone in the sandpit but people just thought it was free for all and walked off with buckets etc

greathat · 18/10/2018 09:22

Thief not cf

Original poster
unyummy4amummy · 18/10/2018 09:52

Thank you, to Iamtomisbehave and everyone, for being so kind Cake and Brew to you all.

The toy was a Batman figure, about 12 inches tall.

I did ask who it was and the staff member didn't want to tell me Hmm. I have also asked around other mums and got no joy or obviously guilty looking faces.

Shadow, I know you are right this is just the first of many, think I felt worse as not only did it upset DS, but my brother bought it as a gift and I felt really Blush for losing it.

EK36 I did say not to take it but the clever little blighter hid it in my bag and only pulled it out when we got there. It is now a very effective warning to my DC. Don't take it or it could be lost forever ...like Batman

pinkpink sorry, she sounds truly horrible as well as being a CF.

I do think the poster idea is a good one.

I am now having a medicinal chocolate crispy cake and some tea. Thank you again, you lovely, cuddly nest of vipers.

OP posts:
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