AIBU- Stuffed Toy in the office.

[2021x]

I work in a newly formed team in an office. We have our team admin who I am going to guess is at least 26-28 y.o. woman.

We did one of those "professional" corporate team-building tests, and she seemed really confronted by some of the feedback she got. Since then, she has started acting more childlike and dependent and constantly seeking feedback on things she clearly can handle herself.

Today, however, she started walking around the office with a stuffed toy. She brought the toy-a crocheted horse- into the meetings and had it on her lap, with the head poking onto the table while she was typing, and was hugging it to her body when walking back from meeting rooms like a child and talking to other team members.

She is getting married this year and has said she just wants to elope, as the cost and managing all the preparations are stressful, and she is dreading it because she will be the centre of attention. She is clearly very sensitive and going through a very tough time (none of her family lives here), but AIBU that this is a step too far, or am I just getting a bit too old/grumpy and should mind my own business as she isn't harming anyone?

Indeed it is.

I look forward to bringing my emotional support ironing board and my transitional boa constrictor to work on Monday.

What tab is being picked up if someone has a transitional object in the workplace?
Who is actually suffering for them having it? Someone with a crocheted horse phobia maybe.

It’s not about harming people it’s about maintaining standards, fairness and not allowing the world to go completely bloody mad ‘because it’s not hurting anyone’.

And the kids and young adults with SEN grow up to be adults with the same needs and coping mechanisms.
It hurts no one else at all.

You’re wasting your breath. I’m hiding this thread now. It’s one of the worst l’ve seen regarding mental health. No understanding. No empathy. Just ridicule. God help disabled people being forced into the workplace if this thread is a reflection of what’s waiting for them.

Amazing how people managed to do everything in the past without transitional rattles and toys isn’t it.

Someone holding a toy to held them regulate is fair. The world hasn't gone mad because someone is holding a toy.

What about elderly people with dementia who hold pretend babies to help give them a sense of purpose and keep them grounded - is there something wrong with that as well?

She’s not disabled.

People with dementia aren’t in business meetings

I really just don't see the big deal. Sure it may be weird to some and annoy them but all manner of things can do that!

But the reasoning is the same. If it helps someone and their management don't have an issue with it - what is the actual problem with it?

It’s ridiculous and unprofessional

I was about to mention that too.

There is a centre near me for people with brain injuries. They go out on walks, and a lot of them have prams with dolls in.

The reasoning is not the same. Your powers of reasoning could do with some work.

If her managers don't have a problem with it, that's not for you to decide.

It’s ridiculous. However, there’ll be plenty along to make excuses for such behaviour. I despair that this would be considered acceptable in the workplace by some.

Does this woman have a brain injury?

If she is ND, then she will be.
But OP does not know that. OP just wanted to start a gathering of pitchforks. Tell me... what do you have to gain by coming on here and ridiculing this lady OP is on about?
From her behaviour, and how OP has described things... it sounds like she is ND... because there are people on this thread who have seen the exact same with people in thier lives.

Dementia, brain injuries…. 🙄
This person is working in some sort of professional setting, she doesn’t have either. Scraping the bottom of the barrel like this is just embarrassing.

I think a few posters on this thread do

They didn’t. These people were locked up in “lunatic asylums” and shunned from society.
l

I have someone like this in my team. Married, on the face of it a competent human being, however she is very damaged by childhood trauma. She works at home but frequently produces soft toys during meetings. How she wants to present herself is up to her - I know her habits damage her credibility wider round the company, but that’s up to her. I focus on her results and where her behaviour crosses lines for instance she will go through periods when she wants everyone else to reassure her and make decisions. I lead the team though so I can be a bit firm with her whilst being sympathetic, but requiring her to do her job and not rely on everyone else inappropriately. I don’t accept her trauma dumping on me or anyone else - but I do make sure she is accessing all the support she needs. Mostly she does what she needs to and she’s a great member of the team. People are all different.

Not quite.

Both objects can serve a similar emotional and regulatory function, even though the people, circumstances and objects are different.

Bless you.. this thread is awful and I don't blame you at all.

But she hasn’t got a brain injury or dementia, you are scraping the barrel trying to justify the ridiculousness of a woman who is stressed about her wedding and had a meeting at work that caused some angst as equivalent to someone with dementia, frankly that’s pretty disgusting.