friend asking me to go away - AIBU ?

This is is such a weird thread. Your poor friend was only asking if you wanted to go away like lots of friendship groups do, including those with children

Given its a bank holiday weekend your partner won't even have to get the teens out of bed for school, it can't be that hard for him.

It’s an invitation, not a command.

Why choose to be offended when somebody has suggested a nice thing! How odd.

''Younger children''?
I was assuming 5, not teens and 12.
You have a partner with you...not remotely unreasonable that your friend should ask you to go away for the weekend!

Most women would jump at the chance in your situation.

YABU and so weird.

So it’s the fact it’s a bank holiday - how strange! 🤔
What’s the difference exactly?

You go away for two weeks a year on your own but three days away is an issue? Because it's a bank holiday?

This makes even less sense than your previous posts. It is ONE extra day on a weekend. Why is it any more mean to go away on that weekend vs 2 weeks away.
There is something very distorted in your thinking on this!

What's wrong with your partner watching the children whilst you go away and have a break?

Well yeah,, this ^... The kids are pretty grown! Sounds like the OP is looking for an excuse to not go.

If you don't WANT to go, then just tell her you're too busy plucking your eyebrows @Bigbusheyeyebrows

I'll get me coat........ 😬

Yep, for some reason, the OP seems very reluctant to go, with this kind of 'they neeeeeed me, I will feel sooooo guilty' kind of stance..

The patriarchy has done a number on you @Bigbusheyeyebrows . As I said, no MAN would think twice, he'd be off!

Unsure why your nose is out of joint over a suggestion for a girls's weekend? If your preference is to spend the weekend with your family just say so, but to call it 'swanning off' and say things like 'surely she realizes' ...
It actually sounds like you have a bit of an attitude problem and resent and are judgmental about your friend.

Do you not want to go because you'll realise that your family will do fine without you for a weekend? That's what it sounds like to me.

Your friend is not unreasonable.

I have 4 kids under 12 and I go away with my best friend a few weekends a year. Didn't do it much before because i didn't have anyone I cared enough for to want to go away with and at the same time enjoyed the same things as i do but I bloody love it with her. Husband is welcome to do the same. He is not interested in going away with friends but would go away for weekends dedicated to his hobby (he has only done it once but mainly due to practicalities / laziness). Just say you don't fancy it but certainly not unreasonable for her to ask. You are not tied at the hip with your partner/children!
Personally i need that escape. It's fabulous!

If you cannot articulate why you feel bank holidays are some sort of sacred family time despite having zero plans......how the fuck is she supposed to know?

You say yourself you swan off for two weeks every year with friends and leave your family. So why you are so mortally offended that your mate asked if you'd like a weekend away is beyond me to be honest.

It sounds fine to me, OP. My DH has just returned from a four-day jolly and he had a lovely time. We only have one teenager at home now though and he wasn’t any trouble, just wanted a couple of lifts over the weekend.

We all need a break sometime and she wasn’t being cheeky asking-take it as compliment that she wants you as a companion!

Jeez… I’d already have my bags packed and the trip planned 😆

Selfish? Your children are well old enough to be left a weekend.
How nice to have a friend who wants to go away with you, shame you don’t appreciate it.

This is bonkers. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with her asking, and you’re being so horrible about it! Your poor friend. If you don’t want to go as you want to spend bank holiday with your family, that’s perfectly valid. Just say no, you don’t fancy it.

making out there’s something wrong with your friend for even deigning to ask is so mean spirited though. Really unkind and uncalled for.

Really weird response from you to be honest. Your children are hardly tiny. You have a partner…. If you wanted to you could totally go surely..:.

As a woman with a husband and three kids almost the exact same ages as yours, I'm really struggling with your reasoning, especially as you are ok with going away for two whole weeks with friends at another time of the year?!

3 days away with a friend and a break from family life - yep I would jump over the fence and I off I go!

You are being extremely weird, your friend is not

yes you could “swan off” for a few days if you wanted, your kids are hardly babies. Is your fella that useless??? How strange and sad

Why can’t you just say no?

🤣🤣 blimey love, do you have a life outside your husband and kids? All she did was ask if you wanted to go away for the weekend.

Does it not sit right with you @Bigbusheyeyebrows 😂😂?.

I mean utterly bizarre response to a non obligatory suggestion but you do you babe.

You seem like you have some odd one-up manship over your friend because she’s single and you’ve got a PARTNER.

Her kids aren’t that much older than yours if they are nearly adults so not sure what all the fuss is.

A long haul 2 week holiday with your mates is however unusual. But if it suits you …