This is bom/wickedsm etc 
It's like Mum wants to create conflict out of nothing! DH paid half of DSD's orthadontist bills for the last two years (as you know on top of CM, mobile phone, half of clothes, pocket money etc etc) at over £50 a month. He did so happily. The braces have now come off and DSD's mum has bought the retainer for her which is just over £100. DSD needs to wear it every night but her Mum wont let it leave the house. She says DSD can't be trusted with it (yet can be trusted to carry around the iphone and laptop that DH bought her to and from houses!)
DSD called to say that he needed to buy one for her for when she's here (one night a week if that) DH told her that he would rather dicuss it with her Mum because we are trying desperatly for DSD to avoid being in the middle of things that adults should be dealing with. He doesnt think he should buy a retainer. She is quite capable of bringing it around here and using it. And her Mum has engineered this stupid scenario where Dsd is hardly ever here, then expects us to have a full house of things for her. It's not about her not being able to look after it - its a pathetic atempt at trying to squeeze as much money out of DH as possible, and turning DSD further against him.
Anyway, Mum never called.
Then tonight, a week or so later, DSD calls again telling DH that he must buy her a retainer, she can't believe he is so selfish, how could he deny her medical equipment when her mum has happily paid out etc, etc. He pointed out that it isn't his decision that she can't bring it here but she is absolutely incapable of conceiving even the teeniest thought that her Mum could be in the wrong... ever. So it must all be dad's fault.
So the drama is back. I feel cross for me, hurt for DH, but most importantly - sad for this little girl getting stuck in the middle again because of her pathetic excuse for a mother being unable to behave like a normal human being.
Grrrr.