Missing money turned up (very annoyed)

[CakeMonster1]

Just wanting to know if I'm being unreasonable. Pretty sure I'm not, but unsure how to go about it ...

Moved to Scotland with hubby and 2 DC several years ago, we packed almost everything but had to leave a lot of stuff as wouldn't fit in the removal van and car which was devastating tbh, my mother offered to store our remaining boxes in her garage.

We didn't realise what was in the boxes at the time as was so chaotic.

Been back several times (a very very long journey) hoping to sort the stuff out or transport remaining stuff out to bring home.
Whenever we've been, it's always been arranged weeks in advance however when we've arrived we've been unable to get our boxes and stuff due to some problem or another (we cant find the garage key, there's too much stuff in the way so you will have to get it next visit) it's ended up a case of we haven't bothered going and thought what's the point. It's like our belongings are held to ransom.

Anyway, mother's house went up for sale (weren't even told) so last visit which was arranged she had out everything in secure storage with her belongings so we couldn't get our stuff. She didn't have the decency to tell us.

Just last week I sent a message as she never answers the phone saying we will plan a trip there can we arrange for us to get out stuff from storage etc, she replied 'oh I'm visiting Scotland so will bring the stuff up' well she didn't come, but I received a message saying,

'sorted through your stuff, most of it was not much apart from #*"£ (DS) steif bear and a money box from his christening, won't tell you how much was in the money box lol'

Absolutely fuming, so all our stuffs been thrown away/donated to charity as I rang her immediately. The steif bears now back in storage and she just laughed when I asked for the money box back. The money box has sentimental value, not so bothered about the money as the notes probably aren't in circulation but it's besides the point, it's not my money it's DS money. 😡

AIBU - I'm making a fuss about nothing
YANBU - she had no right to do what she did and it's DS money

6 hours each way isn't a very long journey. From your OP I assumed you'd moved to the Outer Hebs! Plenty of people travel 6 hours home every weekend.

WTF who travels 6 hours each way every weekend? On this small island a 6 hour journey will always be considered a long distance - we’re not American! My parents live 4 hours away and by the time weekend clubs and kids parties are accounted for, there’s not many weekends it’s feasible to do such a long trip. I normally only travel 3-4 times a year and try to coincide it with bank holidays or the school holidays.

After speaking to DH and contacting mum's sister, we've came to the conclusion as others have stated, she got rid of the stuff long ago. Had she been honest, fair enough it's the deceit and lies and excuses over the few years that is unacceptable to us, as is the fact that it's one of our child's personal items that carries sentiment.

We don't care about the money so much, it's the principle. On reflection we trusted my mother who never in a million years would we believe this would happen, we never had any reason to suspect she would stoop so low. But she has and that's it for us no coming back from this at all. We've made the decision to exclude her from our lives.

Thank you for the positive input on this thread, it's made me feel not so alone knowing that I'm not the only one who has a shitty parent and thank you for sharing your similar experiences. I honestly wouldn't wish this on anyone, may seem trivial to some but it would feel so much easier to be burgled than go through this.

It's scary these people get to vote. It's not just in the OP but repeatedly explained in the thread...

My mil told people she helped us move and was storing out stuff. All lies. Made her feel (and seem to others) important to us when she wasn't.
We are nc now op. Since before our move.

Hell's Bells!

That is APPALLING @longtompot .

The absolute toads!

I blame the modern education system.

6 hours each way isn't a very long journey

Yes it bloomin' is! Especially if you are travelling witch children.

6 hours IS a long journey, whichever way you look at it. The only way it isn't a very long journey is if you live in America and regularly drive through different states.

Anyway, Thanks for the update OP. I have all the feels for you but you're doing what I would do in your shoes. hugs.