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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think we should go as a family to lunch with my boss

362 replies

OopsyDaisie · 22/08/2024 19:51

I'm the breadwinner in the family and have 2 small DC. Upper management in a small-ish company.
I'm quite friendly with my boss (although wouldnt class us as friends), who has a small DC and a DP. We work together foe many years, wish happy birthday to each other kids etc
Boss has invited me and my family for lunch at their house in a couple of weeks, another colleague (who is single and no DC) will also be going.
My DH doesn't want to go, says he can't stand it and it's fake and there's always an ulterior motive (ti gauge how commitment I am to the company, how happy, to try to convince said colleague to join our department etc).
He told me I should go with the kids and come up with an excuse for him not joining. I said that's OK if he doesn't want to go, that's fine its his decision. He plays a sport on Sunday morning (not every Sunday), so I would just say he i doing that. He then said I actually should go alone and not take the kids either, but then "oh but then we will have nowhere to leave the kids if I'm playing" (we have no family around) and O just said then he couldnt play that day if that's the case.
I'm not TOO happy about being told not to take the kids, we were invited as a family and I would like us to go as one. I think these social interactions do help careers and I could use that!
But also wouldn't terribly mind to have a nice lunch and some wine without being called Mummy-mummy every 2 mins, although I would have to lie as I wouldn't want to say simply my DH wanted me to come by myself. So:
YABU - its your job and should be kept separate from family life. Your DH is right to want you to go alone
YANBU - Your DH should understand the impact of these (very rare) social interactions in your career and should want to go in your support.

OP posts:
OopsyDaisie · 22/08/2024 20:10

Pandasnacks · 22/08/2024 20:09

It's fine for your husband not to go, I can't see why he gets to decide wether or not you take the kids though.

I think this is the part that I'm slightly angry about... Why?
Although I don't rhino it's worth an argument... (pick your fights, and all that)

OP posts:
lazyarse123 · 22/08/2024 20:10

I would take the kids but DH would be made very aware that he is able to be a sahp precisely because of your job. Ungrateful twat. Not saying he doesn't bring anything valuable to your lives btw.

Pandasnacks · 22/08/2024 20:09

It's fine for your husband not to go, I can't see why he gets to decide wether or not you take the kids though.

OopsyDaisie · 22/08/2024 20:07

Octavia64 · 22/08/2024 20:04

I've done a few of these as the trailing spouse.

Honestly they're boring as fuck and very stressful. The person who works there knows most people, you don't know anyone except your spouse and kids and you're desperately trying to keep the kids on best behaviour.

Do you think your kids will trash your boss's house if you go without your DH?

You won't get much career positives out of it if you spend the whole time childwrangling and don't talk to another adult at all.

I can totally see that...
It will be just the other colleague, and us - very small and personal.
My kids will be totally fine with just me, and will love playing with Boss DC. That's why I suggested to DH I wouldn't ask him to go if he doesn't want to, I would go myself with the kids...

OP posts:
Augustisnearlydonesogoodbyesun · 22/08/2024 20:06

So he expects you to go smooze while he plays sport affordable via your job? Isn't he the cf....

Octavia64 · 22/08/2024 20:04

I've done a few of these as the trailing spouse.

Honestly they're boring as fuck and very stressful. The person who works there knows most people, you don't know anyone except your spouse and kids and you're desperately trying to keep the kids on best behaviour.

Do you think your kids will trash your boss's house if you go without your DH?

You won't get much career positives out of it if you spend the whole time childwrangling and don't talk to another adult at all.

OhcantthInkofaname · 22/08/2024 20:00

Go and take your children.

OopsyDaisie · 22/08/2024 19:55

Pomegranatecarnage · 22/08/2024 19:54

Does your DH work at all? I think it’s really rude of him to say he doesn’t want to go, and disrespectful to you and your career prospects.

He doesn't work, he is a SAHP

OP posts:
rubeelum · 22/08/2024 19:54

Sounds horrific. I’m with your DH.

Pomegranatecarnage · 22/08/2024 19:54

Does your DH work at all? I think it’s really rude of him to say he doesn’t want to go, and disrespectful to you and your career prospects.

Doggymummar · 22/08/2024 19:53

I would have said no thank you. Weekend time is precious

Pushmepullyou · 22/08/2024 19:53

Your DH benefits significantly from you being the breadwinner. In this instance he should just suck it up!