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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Where is this £60?

195 replies

SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:19

My just turned 8 year old DS got a little blue wallet a few months ago from a museum giftshop. I gave him a £5 note to put into it as he'd never had any 'paper money'. He then got around £25 in money at Christmas and at his birthday 1 week ago got a further £30. After the last sum I was aware that it was mounting up and made a mental note to take it and put it in his bank account. Today it is missing.

To recap, he had the wallet with his saved £60 in it a week ago. He swears blind it was on his drawers in his bedroom. I haven't seen it elsewhere in the house despite the fact I've been doing lots of tidying in preparation for some decorating. I have just turned his bedroom upside down looking... Looked in every drawer, cupboard, behind drawers, even inside all pockets, under the rug, under his mattress, everywhere.

In the last 3 hours I have searched the entire house, even down the sides of sofas and under furniture.

The only other people who came are 2 cleaners who were here on Wednesday. I don't want to point the finger but if it was in his room and now isn't, would it be unreasonable for me to at least contact the cleaning company and ask if they'd seen it? Or do I have to chalk it up to experience and write it off?

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 02/04/2019 12:21

I would first assume he's remembered wrongly where it was placed.

You've looked behind and under the drawers?

Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:23

I am cross at my son for being careless, despite the fact I was giving him some independance by allowing him to look after a small sum of his own money, on the other hand I now have the fear that there could be someone coming to my house who has stolen a child's birthday money. That said, although I don't know them, the cleaners seem nice and you really wouldn't think they'd potentially risk a load of grief for £60 would you? I think I'm going to have to write it off aren't I? I can't risk accusing innocent people, no matter how adamant my son is that it's disappeared into thin air.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:25

Henny Penny, I have pulled all of the drawers out and searched his room methodically. He swears the wallet hasn't left his room and I think he could be right there since I haven't seen it anywhere else in the house.

OP posts:
porridgeface · 02/04/2019 12:25

Do you have a car that he could have left it in? X

MyDcAreMarvel · 02/04/2019 12:25

I think £60 is a lot of responsibility for an 8 year old to look after. You can’t blame him.

Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:27

We have looked in both cars and I agree @Marvel, although initially it was small sums that built up to £30, he only got the additional £30 a week ago which is why I was looking for it today to bank it. I am kicking myself

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TheGrey1houndSpeaks · 02/04/2019 12:27

No, you can’t. Neither has it disappeared into thin air, he’ll have left it someone random. Are you sure he didn’t take it into school and lose it there?

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 02/04/2019 12:28

Can you mention it in passing to the cleaner, eg D's has misplaced his birthday money, I know it's in the house but haven't had time to do s thorough search. Could you keep an eye out while you do the cleaning, it's in a little blue wallet. Gives them a chance to put it back, if it then turns up somewhere you checked, sack the cleaner.

Clawdy · 02/04/2019 12:31

I really think you would be better leaving it. If you contact the cleaning company, I'm sure there would be repercussions for the cleaners. Then if the wallet turns up eventually, in some weird place, you would feel dreadful. Not worth it.

Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:32

Greyhound, I checked his school bag and rung school on the off-chance. No sign.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:32

Great idea Clawdy, thankyou x

OP posts:
Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:36

Sorry, I meant thankyou Zippy. You're right Clawdy, I can't trust he hasn't himself put it somewhere.

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BabyDarlingDollfaceHoney · 02/04/2019 12:38

Bit bonkers leaving an 8 year old in charge of £60.

Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:41

Cheers Baby, am aware of that. It was a fiver initially, then increased after Christmas. He was enjoying 'saving' and watching his money grow which I would argue is a bit more meaningful for an 8 year old when they can hold it in their hand then if you just take it off them and put it into the bank. When it turned into £60 last week I decided to bank it but haven't had chance to go until today, when it's missing. I have learnt a lesson though.

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 02/04/2019 12:41

Although I don't know them, the cleaners seem nice and you really wouldn't think they'd potentially risk a load of grief for £60 would you?

Yes I would. What seems paltry to you is a huge amount to others. Some people only have 20 for their weekly shop! And yes...working people included.

HennyPennyHorror · 02/04/2019 12:42

Better off with a piggy bank in future OP. In the kitchen cabinet or somewhere you can see it.

Em308 · 02/04/2019 12:43

Could another family member have borrowed it without telling you?

Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:44

Em, no one has been in in the past 7 days apart from us and the cleaners.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:45

Henny Penny, it doesn't seem paltry to me, I just think (hope!) £60 is a sum that most people wouldn't risk their job over.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpoilsburyToastGirl · 02/04/2019 12:46

Henny Penny, he has a piggy bank but now I'm not sure that's safe either. He was enjoying having money in a wallet 'like daddy,'

OP posts:
babysharkah · 02/04/2019 12:47

Absolutely do not point blame at the cleaners.

It will be somewhere completely random due to your son.

theycallmebabydriver · 02/04/2019 12:49

Do you think he might have taken it somewhere with him and lost it but doesn't want to tell you in case you are cross with him?

(I'm not saying you would be, just trying to use 8yr logic)

Kobea · 02/04/2019 12:50

£60 is a lot of money to a child so he has probably spent it himself and now he has 'lost it'.

I doubt a professional cleaner is going to risk their job and reputation over £60 Hmm

RedSkyLastNight · 02/04/2019 12:51

Are you sure he hasn't spent it or given it to others?
Or he took it to school/club and lost it on the way?

nelsonmuntzslingshot · 02/04/2019 12:51

Have you asked your husband if he has moved it?