to be upset I lost his umbilical cord stump?

[gleefullymine]

I decided to keep my 6 month old's umbilical cord stump. It connected me to him and that quite frankly is amazing. I left my abusive ex and have realised that he now has this (and I have no hope in hell of getting it back). He's destroyed all my stuff and I think it was in one of the boxes he threw away.

AIBU to be a bit gutted about this? Or is that a bit weird? I've actually cried over it. Feel a bit silly...

I have no idea what happened to my DD's stump. After it fell off I probably killed it with fire for it was truly repulsive.

But don't beat yourself up for losing it, plant the tree for your baby, and they will grow up together. Make it a fruit tree, and he will always have something to eat.

Really? I kept the identity bracelet and a couple of tiny items of clothing.

It’s ok to feel upset. As others have said I think you are justifiably upset about all the other horrible things that have happened to you. Be kind to your self

I kept and still have far too much! My youngest and last had chicken pox at 6 months. I still have her first c.pox scab. It is laminated.
I look at it now and wonder why on earth did I keep it, yet I can't throw the damned thing away x

The cord stump. It just looks minging but its fine 11 years on

God some people are arseholes. Utter arseholes.

Yanbu to feel sad. You feel the way you do. But it is a bit of dried organ meat. So your son probably won't be upset to not have one! clip his hair and save that.

Chicken pox scab?

I’m sorry you’ve lost the stump OP. Well done for being so brave I’m leaving your ex, I think the idea floated upthread about this being the price you have to pay to be rid of him might be comforting.

Also, your making me feel like a terrible mother - three times I have wrapped the stump up in the nappy I was changing and thrown it away quite unceremoniously. It is very sweet of you to think about the physical connection and cherish it in that way. You will have lots of other little mementos over the years. Perhaps, if you haven’t already done so, you could get hand and footprints done, or a lovely photo shoot with you and DS, or if you are BF you can get breastmilk turned into a piece of jewellery, or a little locket with some of his hair in.

Best of luck OP.

I soaked all of my babies umbilical clips until everything fell off then put them on my keys I absolutely love them!

Somehow ours ended up in the pot purri. Can only think that when fell off during a nappy change I put it somewhere and DH later thought is was a dried something or other a d stuck it in the pot purri bowl.

Grim.

You have a real life lovely child - look at him and get jut every day that you created such a marvellous human. Don’t need the big if dead flesh to feel that!

Your DNA has been changed forever since carrying your son so maybe that will give you comfort. I'm sorry you lost something that was important to you x

I just took a picture of it and binned it. But I still have my positive pregnancy tests, so I'm not judging. 😁

You exchanged it for your freedom, and your son's freedom.
Onwards and upwards op, there will be lots of new things to treasure in your new free and happy life.

(But YANBU to be upset. It mattered to you and I'm sorry it's gone.)

I can understand why you are upset. It meant something to you.
I still have each of my kids "first hair cut"
But kind to yourself, you have been through a lot.

You’re a brave, strong woman who has been through a helluva time. You will never lose the connection between you and your son. Plant a tree as a sign of all the good things that will grow in your little family. Your son doesn’t need an umbilical cord stump, he has his mummy and a home where he won’t grow up with abuse. You’ve given him so much more.

I’ve kept both of my kid’s stumps, so I get where you’re coming from OP. There’s a sort of magical quality to them, disgusting as they may be. I’m sorry you’ve lost it, but well done on losing the ex! Focus on the present and the future, there’s lots more memories to make!

I kept my DS's. The one day I was looking through his keepsake boxes and this grotty thing rolled out. I thought it was a dead bug and threw it out. Only later I realized it was the stump. I don't think either DS or I will miss it...