Well loved, slightly grey, “Flat Ted”
Eliza (3) has a teddy, affectionately known as Flat Ted. Shortly after he was chosen as “the one”, Marks and Spencer kindly discontinued it, so despite numerous attempts, I can’t acquire a spare!
Flat Ted is much loved and goes everywhere. Flat Ted has helped through various situations, starting pre-school, nights away from parents, injections, cheering up sad situations or just when she is tired. He is part of the family! He is harder however, much harder to get in the bath than Eliza and Henry!
For over 3 years we have successfully known of his whereabouts, he has had a night at pre school but we knew where he was so we managed to persuade Eliza that he was just “having a night out as a special treat!”
A few weeks ago, we properly lost Flat Ted for the first time. Anybody that has experienced probably remembers the feeling, it’s awful! I literally turned the house upside down, cars seats out, car emptied and I looked everywhere. After much wracking of brains, it was decided that Ted could be in one of two places: Lidl or in the immediate area of Henry’s School.
My husband was at a meeting in Malton so I rang him and he left the meeting to hot foot it to Lidl to check….nothing! A bit cross he’d been sent on a wild goose chase he went back to his meeting. One of Henry’s School friend’s lives locally and kindly went to scour the area. The kindness of such an effort made me cry in my time of anxiety! Teddy was then shamelessly plastered over Ryedale Mumbler and people were so kind, sharing and keeping an eye out.
Eliza sobbed her way to sleep with an “alternative” teddy. I felt awful, that I had failed her! That whilst running around trying to achieve everything we had lost the centre of her world! A sleepless night for mummy followed, still I hadn’t been able to recollect where he could be.
Next morning, Eliza got into our bed And said “Mummy, please find Teddy, I really miss him and want him to come home”. The guilt and the worry that I just might not be able to fix this! Eliza seemed sad, bewildered and troubled, we had lost her “wing man”.
More suggestions of where he may be and offers to help look came, but still no Flat Ted.
On the School run we went. The kids pulled down the rest in the middle of the back seat, something of a novelty in our new to us car. Squeals of joy followed as there was an even flatter Ted, having spent the night squashed in the central console. Eliza was visibly relieved to have found him. I believe he is like her safety blanket, when she doesn’t like something, is unsure or just tired, in goes the thumb and Flat Ted is in for a cuddle. I was mightily embarrassed to have had Malton on high alert when all along he was with me!
The school run was a bit like a walk of shame with me having to come clean, as was delivery of Eliza at nursery. I was so relieved to have him home, I was happy to accept the embarrassment! What an emotional rollercoaster!
Two weeks later, Eliza announced she had lost Ted again. This time we knew he should be in the house, 4 hours later and still no Ted. Charlie and I were starting to panic. Henry had been bribed that if he could find him he could have a packet of football cards! Eliza started to laugh and it became evident that she had hidden him…..hmm…..not a particularly funny joke!
I am trying to encourage her to leave him at home, safely in her bed but I am yet to convince her that this is the way forward!
Talking to others, losing a teddy has been a stressful situation for many, so if you lose one, do get in contact and I will do my best to plaster him on social media in the hope that it beings them home.
A few ideas when you are looking!
Do feel free to let me know where you have found yours and I will add them – you never know it may help someone else in their time of need!
If you lose your little one’s “best friend” or you find someone else’s, do let me know and I will post on all our social media channels. If you see one posted, I encourage you to like, share and comment as it increases the reach and may help the pair be re-united.
