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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for help re missing clothes drama?!

303 replies

joggerdrama · 27/01/2022 16:27

24 y/o dd is autistic, she is high functioning but has a few sensory issues and struggles with mental health. She is fairly picky about clothes she’s wears and goes through periods of having a “comfort outfit” when her mental health is low. Recently her comfort item has been a pair of puma joggers.

Last night she did some washing and put said joggers in. I actually saw her taking them off and putting them into the washing machine so whether or not they were hers they’re the ones she’s been wearing. I came home from work today to her absolutely distraught because she went to take her clothes off the clothes horse and her joggers were missing, ds’ gf had hung some of her washing, and she is now wearing the same pair of joggers. I talked to gf and she says they’re hers, both dd and ds’ gf can show me proof of them buying the exact same joggers in the same size.

Dd wants me to make gf give them to her but I’m not willing to do that without any proof they aren’t hers. Gf emptied out the wardrobe and drawers to show me and dd that whilst she does have 2 pairs, they’re 2 different sizes so the joggers she’s wearing are definitely hers.

Dd is breaking her heart over this, saying she can’t go out with her friends today without them and she’s gonna call in sick to work at the weekend as she can’t wear anything else. She’s even gone as far as saying she wishes gf would go back to her own house and when I said that this is her home now she said well she wishes she’d just drop dead then (which I spoke to her about dw). She’s now crying her eyes out in her room and saying she wishes she was dead.

To save all this hassle I thought I’d just buy dd a couple of new pairs but they’re £35 for just one pair!! And then almost £6 for next day delivery to guarantee they’re here before she goes to work. I just can’t afford that right now and pay day isn’t for another 10 days! Dd also can’t afford to replace the joggers and she doesn’t get paid til the 15th.

I don’t know what I can do to fix this. I can’t demand gf hand over the joggers because they might belong to dd can I? But due to dds autism she probably isn’t going to move on from this for a while.

Just want to add after all that before anyone says anything due to how “dramatic” she’s being, I say dd is high functioning as that’s how she’s been labelled but I’ve suspected for a while she isn’t as functioning as she appears to be but has just adapted due to no-one suspecting autism until she was 13/14 and not getting an official asd diagnosis until she was 18.

OP posts:
Jimjamjong · 27/01/2022 21:59

In the end, it is just a pair of joggers. Since the gf pays 150 of rent per month, I would use part of that money to buy your DD 2 or 3 pairs of joggers so she can be comfortable and will have less laundry to do. She can then write down her name on the labels (I do it with a regular pen for DS and it seems to stay on) or perhaps sew some colored thread so the pairs don't get mixed up again.
I understand there is a bit of urgency so in the meanwhile, is it possible to cobble together some money from you, DD and perhaps your DS or close family members to get her a pair asap?

ChateauxNeufDePoop · 27/01/2022 22:04

Again, the animosity to the gf despite consistent positive character references from the OP is well off.

5keletor · 27/01/2022 22:05

I think you've handled this well OP, especially in refuting the posters who seem to be pushing you into saying you don't like the gf and getting you to force her to hand the joggers over.
As an adult, not too much older than the DD, with autism, no the gf should absolutely not be pushed into handing the joggers over - OP asked nicely, she declined, that's it. I also have specific items of clothing I'd be very distressed to lose/if they became unwearable for any reason, but other people don't have to put themselves out to accommodate that.

allmywhat · 27/01/2022 22:15

Per OP, she saw her daughter hang them up on the line.

Then her daughter couldn’t find them on the line.

OP has seen the girlfriend’s receipt for one pair of the joggers.

The girlfriend is in possession of two pairs of the joggers.

… oh ffs, it’s not even worth arguing about. But I hope your daughter feels
better soon, OP.

MichelleScarn · 27/01/2022 22:19

Per op, she saw dd hang a pair of leggings up, states could have been dds could also have been gfs.

mummykel16 · 27/01/2022 22:20

@joggerdrama

Lots of replies that I’m super thankful for but can’t reply to all rn!

To clear some things up;

Gf isn’t paying more rent, I can’t see where I said that but I may have made a mistake if I did say it. She pays the same amount as dd and ds pay, which is 150 a month.

Dd and gf both do their own washing. Dd because of her autism buys hers own washing power and softener and gf because she just prefer to do her own. Gfs wash and dds wash were 2 separate washes. We don’t have a tumble dryer so dds washing was hung up around 9pm last night, no idea when gf did hers as I wasn’t in at the time. Despite doing their own washing I do occasionally end up taking it off the airer for them so it’s very possible I gave a pair of joggers to the wrong person.

Dd didn’t say any of this stuff to the gf she’s very timid normally and I actually was the one dealing with it because of how anxious she got. It started with her just telling me she’s stressed and upset because her joggers were missing and gf was wearing them. It was after I spoke to gf and she insisted they were hers that dd got upset, gf wasn’t even in the house at the time and dd has since apologised to me for saying those things and said she didn’t mean it she just couldn’t see straight and once she calmed down she realised how horrible she was being. Surprising dd isn’t a horrible person, she just gets overwhelmed and acts out without thinking of it.

Yes dd and gf are both adults but dd has asd so doesn’t always think and act the same way a NT adult would. She also has anxiety which is why she came to me instead of asking gf herself.

As for no one having money to replace them, it's little over a week before pay day for me so my disposable income is limited, due to both dc being old enough to buy their own stuff I don’t budget for their clothing anymore. Dd works 24 hours a week on minimum wage. Gf is at uni, not working, and ds works full time but why would they buy a new pair when it’s dd who’s currently without?

I’ve helped dd look and she definitely doesn’t have her pair in her room.

I’ve spoken with gf and unfortunately she doesn’t want to hand over the joggers as they are apparently one of only 2 pairs she has atm (not including the other size she has)

As no one knows for certain whose they are maybe all could chip in for a new pair, or is it left on your shoulders because your child is so must be the one at fault?
hamsterchump · 27/01/2022 22:25

@joggerdrama

Which joggers are they? Can you post a picture of same ones on Asos or something then we can have a look for second hand ones in a XS for you on Vinted and depop and such which is worth a go.

MichelleScarn · 27/01/2022 22:32

[quote hamsterchump]@joggerdrama

Which joggers are they? Can you post a picture of same ones on Asos or something then we can have a look for second hand ones in a XS for you on Vinted and depop and such which is worth a go.[/quote]
Do agree with this as brief look on vinted shows loads of puma leggings in xs from £1!

chesirecat99 · 27/01/2022 23:02

@joggerdrama

Wow is that really possible?

Apparently so, I’ve seen gfs letters telling her she had to leave accommodation by a certain date in March 2020 and again in January 2021 so I know for certain they had been asked to leave and she actually lost part of her student loan because of it, they may have since been allowed to return but ds and gf say they haven’t.

I think you are being taken for a ride, @joggerdrama.

University halls did close during lockdowns when teaching was online but not this academic year. Have you checked the universities accomodation website to confirm her story? Is she attending university on campus?

If a student lives at home with their parents, they get a reduced rate maintenance loan (on the assumption that their living costs will be lower). She isn't living with her parents though, she is living with you as a lodger and paying rent so she is entitled to the higher rate. If she isn't getting the higher rate, that is her choice or mistake.

Branster · 27/01/2022 23:06

OP, when you order a replacement pair, check with GF about a student discount first.

JesusSufferingFuck22 · 27/01/2022 23:18

@joggerdrama

EBay was all mens, have never used vinted before but will check it out.
Vinted is good for this kind of thing. I am undiagnosed autistic and have issues with clothes. I can often find the exact pair of comfortable trousers that I wore until they wore out. The store don't make them anymore.
Livelovebehappy · 27/01/2022 23:24

Gf shouldn’t have to hand over her joggers to dd. She says they’re her joggers, so it really isn’t down to her to appease dd. Like someone said upthread, there are lots of Puma joggers on online sites, which are cheap. Buy them, and write initials on the label with a marker. Problem solved.

MichelleScarn · 27/01/2022 23:39

Ah but @Livelovebehappy the gf has been condemned on this thread as cruel/mean/uncaring/a thief/freeloader/liar.

Of course if there's one pair of joggers but 2 people saying they're theirs the gf is the evil genius who has a horrible dastardly plan. I have no idea why this thread has riled me up so much but I feel sorry for this poor girl!

mummykel16 · 27/01/2022 23:42

@Livelovebehappy

Gf shouldn’t have to hand over her joggers to dd. She says they’re her joggers, so it really isn’t down to her to appease dd. Like someone said upthread, there are lots of Puma joggers on online sites, which are cheap. Buy them, and write initials on the label with a marker. Problem solved.
She says doesn't make it fact
Concestor · 27/01/2022 23:46

There's no proof they are the girlfriends. They are more likely to be DDs, as age has been wearing a pair and washed them.
The girlfriend IMO has lost hers and thought she'd claim this pair but didn't realise how much upset it would cause, and has now dug her heels in.
Based on the events posted they are far far more likely to be DDs. I don't understand why everyone is siding with the gf?

MichelleScarn · 27/01/2022 23:49

@zurala hardly anyone siding with the gf? Most seem to want her thrown out of the house?

MichelleScarn · 27/01/2022 23:50

However its good to know that the action of putting something in a washing machine = ownership for MN.

mummykel16 · 27/01/2022 23:59

@MichelleScarn

However its good to know that the action of putting something in a washing machine = ownership for MN.
It's a better indicator than stealing them off the airer then swanning off
MichelleScarn · 28/01/2022 00:02

What's qualified your belief that the gf 'stole' them?

mummykel16 · 28/01/2022 00:07

@MichelleScarn

What's qualified your belief that the gf 'stole' them?
Stole them off the airer, because they didn't wash n dry in an hour while everything else stayed wet
TigerLilyTail · 28/01/2022 00:09

It's 50/50 whose joggers they are but possession is 9/10th of the law.

The OP's daughter seems to have calmed down now and many people have suggested places to buy a replacement pair, so it seems the issue has been resolved now anyway.

whynotwhatknot · 28/01/2022 00:18

seems a bit odd that she claims their hers when your dd was wearing them at the time they were washed

i thought everyone had gone back to uni now

MichelleScarn · 28/01/2022 00:20

@TigerLilyTail

It's 50/50 whose joggers they are but possession is 9/10th of the law.

The OP's daughter seems to have calmed down now and many people have suggested places to buy a replacement pair, so it seems the issue has been resolved now anyway.

Now @TigerLilyTail you know being absolutely reasonable and making sense like this (and like v reasonable @joggerdrama) just does not go down well here Grin it's got to be drama fuelled!Grin
mummykel16 · 28/01/2022 00:30

@TigerLilyTail

It's 50/50 whose joggers they are but possession is 9/10th of the law.

The OP's daughter seems to have calmed down now and many people have suggested places to buy a replacement pair, so it seems the issue has been resolved now anyway.

Why is it down to DD buy a new pair when she had hers on the airer and the gf took them? At most she should put half
steff13 · 28/01/2022 01:10

She probably doesn’t want her meal ticket to disappear hence the turning out of drawers etc but really why take clothes off the airer…?

Maybe she suspected they were hers all along, but didn't want to broach it because the daughter is so difficult. She saw them on the airer, and decided that was the time to take them back...

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