Ghost children

[Stubbornfairy]

Hi all,

I am looking for some input or suggestions for how I might resolve what I assume to be a haunting in my house.

It's a fairly old house (1880s) and stuff has happened here since we moved in. It used to be my Grandfather's house, and activity generally happens around Christmas (like my daughter seeing a 'man'). Other things include moving keys and post, me waking up to see a man stood over me and hearing someone walking around upstairs.

On Boxing Day I went to bed, it was past midnight and I was awake and alert, and I heard children talking and calling out playfully downstairs. I heard them loud and clear, and it happened twice that night. Both my kids were in my room asleep at the time.

Anyway now my ten month old son's stuff has started disappearing literally off the face of the earth. Mainly his clothes. Since Christmas, separately a tank top knitted for him, his big wooly hat and most recently his duffle coat have gone from the house. The house has been turned upside down several times to find them, these things were absolutely definitely in the house when last seen, and besides his hat and coat are only used for walks and never taken off during those, there's nowhere else they could have been left, nowhere this stuff could be hidden, no one could possibly have stolen them, every possibility has been considered.

This morning, both toy cupboards were open when we came downstairs. There's one on each side of the fireplace, each has a double door, and both doors were open on each cupboard. They are shut at the end of each day without fail, shut firmly, and one set has to be shut to get to the light switch to turn the light off, which of course we do before going to bed. So we know something has opened them. My kids can't get downstairs, there are two stair gates. Again, we have covered all possibilities.

I'm gutted about my sons missing stuff, it's costing me a fortune- I had to buy a new coat today because of the weather. Plus it's unsettling, why his stuff?!!

Any advice? Similar stories?

I would really appreciate it.

[Missgraeme]

I have had a spook in my life for nearly 30 years. He is just an accepted part of our lives now. I have seen him so has my dh, he bounces on my 21 year old sons bed!, moves stuff, finds stuff! Changes TV channel often! Plays on the stairs! Goes with my kids when they sleep at their older siblings house - unpacked their pj's! Better off getting used to it!! Your house must be a loving home it wants to be in!

[FamousSeamus]

The existence of an older sibling in the house (but one who is still young enough to need a stairgate), along with a new baby whose belongings are disappearing regularly suggests a far more obvious potential explanation than ghosts, OP.

[ZippyNeedsFeeding]

If you are C of E, I think every diocese still has an exorcist (although they tend to be called stuff like "Deliverance Consultant" these days). It's highly unlikely to be a bell, book and candle job, but a blessing might help. Look on the diocese website or contact the bishop's office.
Do not talk to it. Attention will make it worse.
Assuming of course, that someone is not just stealing from you or trying to wind you up. Have you changed the locks recently?

[AlanPacino]

A poltergeist is a horrible thing to have to live with

I'm guessing that the number of a and e admissions due to poltergeists is about zero.

[Dapplegrey1]

'Know' not 'no'.

[Dapplegrey1]

Get a clergyperson. not all Vicars will do exorcisms but they will no someone who will. A poltergeist is a horrible thing to have to live with.

[AlanPacino]

Covered all possibilities

So it's most likely a ghost rather than loose hinges/floor boards etc?

[TheMouseThatRoared]

Get an exorcist in

[NellysKnickers]

I'm no expert but try talking to them to ask for your stuff back and to please shut the doors. Might work.

[southeastastra]

bump