To not understand why some couples have to do everything together

You don't need a show of solidarity to go to a six year olds birthday party 🙄

Also, if you'd read the post properly, you'd see op is single

Some spare comma's for you ,,,,,

Presumably they were out in town generally tho not specifically left the house just to buy tampons. Or he drives and she doesn't. I mean unless he's giving her advice or stating his preference it's hardly secret woman job. She could have sent him if she knew what she wanted.

I’m not sure personal insults directed at the OP are necessary.OP doesn’t sound in the least bit pathetic to me, quite the opposite.

Is ‘familiar solidarity’ really needed on the school run or a random classmates birthday party? It’s not aimed at those who occasionally do the school run as a couple, it’s aimed at couples who can’t do the school run alone.

I always used to talk to any parent standing alone. I would feel awkward rocking up and chatting to a couple. And to those saying what does it matter, the classrooms I have waited outside, children find it hard to locate their own parent if there are double the amount needed crowded into the area near the door. Same at a birthday party. How do these parents know, who turn up en masse, that the birthday child might feel more nervous around lots of adults they don’t know?

I think its lovely for family time when both parents are there but I was once in Boots where a woman was shopping for Tampons with her partner 🤷🏻‍♀️Seriously I know Prince Charles wanted to be a Tampon but shopping for them with your partner in tow where your both browsing the selection? I just hope I am not so joined at the hip that I need to consult harang a man into Tampon shopping on a Saturday morning

What's the issue with both parents doing the school drop offs?

More people missing the point 🤦

So it affects people that are walking down the road and during pandemics? Really 😂😂😂

OP
I have been a single mum and your post showed you was a single mum way before you mentioned it.

Just because you’re used to doing things alone it doesn’t mean that people that aren’t should have to do things alone, why wouldn’t both parents want to be at the school open evenings, all the things you mentioned are quite reasonable and normal tbh.

I mean if I was going to a ladies night and my husband rocked up like heyyyyy girls then yea it would be more WTF but at family meals and school meetings? I don’t think it’s unusual.

Also most people I would imagine, actually marry people that they like and want to spend time with, including the children they made. Why not do school pick up together if you can?

People work and spend time away from their partners and children so perhaps they take the time when they can to see them?

I do think this is unreasonable. Why do you care if other couples like doing things together? Surely that's up to them and their choice?
You have your life and live it your way, and if you like to do things without your partner that's great, but if others would rather be with the other half what's the problem with that?

The first two points show familial solidarity you sound pathetic maybe annoyed your own partner doesn’t do this!?

Indeed. Particularly when you arrange to meet a friend one on one and their partner comes along for a drink or for the whole thing! It’s rude.

She said her ex in laws we're joined at the hip, and gave an example that her MIL wouldn't go to the shops without her DH.

She did not say there's anything wrong with a couple going to Tesco together. Only that it's a problem when they can never go separately.

I genuinely don't know why so many are misunderstanding this, unless it's deliberate.

Others are defensive of stuff that I haven't even mentioned, like doing the weekly shop together

Also a bit confused as in your opening post you literally alked about doing the shopping together as one of your examples...?

but then, is any couple together literally 24/7 365 days a year?

DH and I more or less are. He works from home, and he is semi retired. I go to the office one day a week and WFH for the rest of the week.

But you aren't together 24/7 365 days a year are you @surreygirl1987.

No you're right we're not... but then, is any couple together literally 24/7 365 days a year? Retired people maybe, but it must surely be unusual for that to be the case for anyone under 60ish? We spent nearly all of our non-working time together anyway.

I can understand your point of view, OP. :) My daughter has a friend whose parents do every.single. school run together. In fact, they truly thought I was a single mum because I do them on my own and have for the longest time. When I then referenced my hubby to be they were shocked. I said “He works full time, I do this side of things”. We are all different. I do find it irritating at times because they walk along holding hands and trying to push a buggy, too. Many times I actually have to excuse myself and walk ahead of them because they have to walk side by side. Love is grand, but come on - a family of five who have very little understanding they’re blocking the way for others? That shit gets old fast.
I have zero jealousy issues, I’m happily engaged. I just don’t bring my husband to be everywhere I go.
Once a week I do go and do my weekly shop with DH. I can’t drive anymore and we both enjoy getting exactly what I want. I do all the top up shops by myself though, again because we are fine together and independently.
There was a time I wasn’t fine though, mentally. He was my rock and I couldn’t cope without him. I’m sure we raised quite a few eyebrows during this period, because I truly followed him around like a puppy.

OP I think people are taking your examples too literally - they were just examples of instances you've seen, no need for people to deconstruct every example.

Anyway, I know the couples you mean - thee married couples that just overly rely on each other. IME the girls from school who perpetually had boyfriends then rushed to get married and never had periods of independence seem to be the ones who aren't able to do anything without dh.

I too am single and realize how important it is to be independent.

But you'll be getting a kicking for criticizing what couples do. I once called marriage 'dysfunctional codependence' because I do think it encourages a level of reliance and support which can become unhealthy and frankly can mean men use women, but... I got barked at and told 'I must be jealous' of married couples.

PS I love the comment by @WhimsicalGubbins criticizing you for 'coming onto an internet forum and complaining about how other people live their lives.' Um, duh, what if not is Mumsnet for?

This annoys me. I have two young children and we do family time with my husband. We also often meet friends and family together. However I also take the children myself to meet friends without him. I have a friend and her partner has to be there ever time we meet, even when I am on my own with the children. It makes it awkward as there is a lot of stuff you then just can’t talk about it. I don’t mind him being there sometimes but there is no need for all the time.

But you aren't together 24/7 365 days a year are you @surreygirl1987. As you are both in the same profession and out of the house in term time I'm sure you will have plenty to talk about. This isn't what@DottyPeacock meant.

What the hell do couples talk about if they’re together 24/7. I’m not convinced it makes a healthy relationship to never be apart.
Maybe my husband and I are unusual then, and lucky I guess, but this is often us. We are both teachers and right now we are on summer holidays. We're pretty much living in and out of each other's pockets and loving! When the kids are in nursery we play tennis together, paddle board together, do house DIY together, and it's just lovely! I see other friends as well (evenings and weekends as most are at work during the week) and that's lovely but a huge amount of time is spent with my husband and we NEVER run out of things to talk about. Maybe our shared hobbies means there's more to talk about actually! Anyway, as I said, maybe we're unusual. I wouldn't have it any other way though and I feel lucky to really enjoy my husband's company.

As an example, when my dad died I spent the next few weeks travelling down to visit my mum every weekend to support her - a round trip of around 500 miles. I didn't expect DH to accompany me every time. We also had pets so it would have been difficult anyway.

FGS, so many posters are completely missing the point. The OP is talking about couples who are totally unable to spend any time apart whatsover. She is not bitter or jealous.

Stop projecting your insecurities. Most secure and happily together couples do spend some time apart - either pursuing hobbies, visiting their own families or going out with friends.

What is so difficult to understand about that?

Yes you're sooo special 😂

Yup, everyone else just detests their partners. You guys are just so special 🙄🙄