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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect a courtesy email?

294 replies

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 11/11/2024 09:22

So my husband has a spinal condition which means he often falls. This morning he fell up the stairs with two hot cups of coffee. He's OK but clearly shaken as am I. The walls are a disaster but that's not important!
At 6.59 I emailed the school where I have been teaching since September to explain the situation. I informed Head, Deputy Head (both non-teaching) and also my job share. I also called the school office as per policy. It's the first time I've been off at this new school.
It's now 9.19 and I've not even had an acknowledgement of my email or a quick "Are you OK" message.
AIBU to have expected one?
I know with absolute certainty my other previous schools would have checked in.

OP posts:
KateDelRick · 13/11/2024 06:56

Well, that's unusual in teaching, especially calling it a probationary period. Is it a state school? They're usually so grateful for maternity cover.
Anyway. Talk to the HT about your situation, make it clear about what happened on Monday and what your situation is.
Why did you leave your last school?

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 23:40

@KateDelRick I've only been there since September and it's a maternity cover so don't think it will be likely?
They say they this time is counted as a "probationary period" with reviews at 2 months, 6 months, 9 months and year I think it is. I've had my 2 month one just and all good.

OP posts:
KateDelRick · 12/11/2024 23:05

In this cycle of Performance Management, you could ask about going up to UPS?. You must have evidence.
What the heck are they doing giving you a "probationary" period anyway? You must have passed that 20 years ago? Get them to drop that, at least it'll reduce your stress a bit.

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 22:44

@KateDelRick M6. I've been in the job almost 21 years but reduced to p/t after kids and 3 spaced out MAT leaves. So I guess it's my fault I'm still on M6 really?

OP posts:
shehasglasses48 · 12/11/2024 22:27

they are too busy organising your cover

shehasglasses48 · 12/11/2024 22:25

They’re too busy trying to organise cover

PaminaMozart · 12/11/2024 22:22

He says he doesn't have enough to cover it either. I get his pay isn't megabucks - he comes out with about £1800 pm.and our monthly rent and council tax alone is £1,500.

So where is the money going?
Do you have a budget? If not, why not?

Your family's setup seems to be all over the place. Financially, practically and emotionally.

If finances are as tight as they seem to be it is imperative that there is a solid framework in place and both partners pull in the same direction.

As it is, you are frazzled, overwhelmed and completely on your own. He absolutely needs to start doing his bit.

cestlavielife · 12/11/2024 22:21

I hope you can work something out for the bill can you pay in instalments?

Use a credit card?

DoreenonTill8 · 12/11/2024 22:21

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 18:21

@KateDelRick Complete with hot tub and swimming pool may I add!
But again, tbf to him again he did warn me that if I was to leave him I'd lose the boys and be left penniless.
Better than it was though... couldn't afford bunks for the boys at first so shared the three of us.
At least now they have their own (small) bedrooms.
In the meantime, I have no idea how to pay the rent and bills...

When did you meet your current dh move in with you? What level of contribution has he ever made?

KateDelRick · 12/11/2024 22:02

You must be on UPS, do you have a TLR post?
It sounds as if your salary is accounted for with expenses, though.

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 21:49

@cestlavielife The bill is £129 and I have exactly £34 in my account to last until the end of the month. He says he doesn't have enough to cover it either. I get his pay isn't megabucks - he comes out with about £1800 pm.and our monthly rent and council tax alone is £1,500.
He currently works ft as work have made lots of adaptations as advised by occupational health assessors.
I've said he should apply for PIP but he swears he wouldn't get it as he thinks he's not "disabled enough".

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 12/11/2024 20:03

husband won't pay it (says hasn't got the money) so no idea what to do.

You said he works
A brilliant dad would find a way to pay the bill between you and him

KateDelRick · 12/11/2024 18:40

I agree. It's not sustainable. Your husband has to just come to terms with his situation, and you need to get help.
Is he still working? What's the situation?

MMUmum · 12/11/2024 18:29

Op with the greatest of respect to you this situation is unsustainable, you are going to crash and burn very soon if you don't catch a break. You seem to think all your avenues are blocked and that this is to be your life from now on. You have a work break coming up at Christmas, between then and now make a list of what you need to make your situation doable and over Christmas start exploring ways to make it happen. Contact Social Services adults team and ask for an assessment of needs, they may be able to help with adaptations, housing etc. Tell Dh this can't go on and that you are going to take any help offered whether he likes it or not, you'll be well and truly stuck if you get ill too, don't let it get that far 🥰🥰

Gloriia · 12/11/2024 18:28

Op you say your dh is registered disabled at work but are you claiming PIP? You must to help top up wages and help with adaptions etc. Also ask his specialist nurse (i presume he has one) for a home OT assessment. I know tricky if rented but still a risk assessment will help towards any grants etc available Flowers.

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 18:22

Thinking of selling my car, but work a 10 mi drive so will have to see if buses do-able from our village. And not sure how much I'll get for a knackered old diesel!!! 😄

OP posts:
Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 18:21

@KateDelRick Complete with hot tub and swimming pool may I add!
But again, tbf to him again he did warn me that if I was to leave him I'd lose the boys and be left penniless.
Better than it was though... couldn't afford bunks for the boys at first so shared the three of us.
At least now they have their own (small) bedrooms.
In the meantime, I have no idea how to pay the rent and bills...

OP posts:
H0210zero · 12/11/2024 17:57

It's 9.20 on a school morning do you honestly think their priorities lie with checking in on you instead dog covering your shift.

KateDelRick · 12/11/2024 17:43

Wow. That's awful. Now he lives in a fancy property! I'd be seething.

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 17:39

@KateDelRick I married a very shrewd chartered accountant. He deliberately made himself self-emlpoyed before court settlement and claimed to be earning £26k pa. I got a settlement but it wasn't enough to buy a 3-bed and I had to pay out for a solicitor for sons as he applied for full custody of boys (punishment for me leaving - he warned me about that before I left to be fair to him).

OP posts:
KateDelRick · 12/11/2024 17:30

Why didn't you get more from the divorce? I don't understand why there's such a disparity in how you live?

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 17:25

Thanks all. Just come in from work to a £129 water bill I can't pay and husband won't pay it (says hasn't got the money) so no idea what to do.
My ex has the boys equally so no maintenance due. He lives in a million pound property and boys have their own wing there so I guess a small room each at mine is a bit of a let down (I can see it from their pov).
Off to collect daughter from Rainbows now.

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 12/11/2024 16:46

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/11/2024 08:06

@Necky1 He's a brilliant dad/stepdad. I've been through divorce before and it was hell. Never going through that again! And that was with a wealthy ex!!

It seems that, because your previous husband was an asshole, you are now willing to accept shit from your current husband - because he is less bad than the Ex.

I couldn't live like that. Brilliant dads do not do stuff that causes their wives such anguish and anxiety. Especially since all your frustrations are totally justified.

Yes, his disability must be very distressing for him. Quite likely he does suffer from acute depression. But this doesn't give him carte blanche to not only not contribute according to his best ability, but to actively sabotage your efforts to earn a living and keep your household running.

You need to put your foot down before you burn out.

Calmhappyandhealthy · 12/11/2024 15:38

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 11/11/2024 11:24

I just think even a brief acknowledgement of email would have been nice.

I think you're asking too much of the school

The situation with your stubborn and poorly husband is huge for you

It isn't huge for the school

I think you'd do well to see your GP about medication for your MH

BeNavyCrab · 12/11/2024 15:28

Toenailz · 12/11/2024 12:44

To offer another side to the DH problem (whilst I am in general agreement he is causing more problems for the OP than necessary, again not with being disabled, but his reluctance to accept it and any help), disabilities do impact us all differently.

When I was (finally) diagnosed with mine, I found it incredibly hard to accept, and made life so much harder for myself as a result. It's not an instant process when you gain a disability in adulthood, to accepting this and adopting your new, reduced, way of life.

It's devastating, its unacceptable, you can out-think it, you can just try harder, you CAN do this if only you try that bit harder. Then as the realisation creeps up on you (often very slowly, for me it took years to realise and the process of acceptance), the depression and useless-ness feeling begins to creep in as you realise you are no longer you, and you can not be the 'you', that you are inside the failing body, anymore.

Don't care what anyone says, it's a different process for everyone, some are able to accept it sooner than others, it is very akin to a grieving process. It's not easy and it's not instant.

Rather than OP's OH being a complete cockend to her, I think he's in not in a good way in his journey. So, he IS having a massive impact on her, but it's not all intentional.

Hard for some to get bothered about carpet, phoning insurance, stains on walls, when you're falling all over the place, probably in some pain, and inner turmoil over what is happening to you and the realisation it's not going to get better, and in fact, may only get worse. Doesn't make it OK of course, but, I understand.

@Toenailz I think that you are right, there's likely an element of denial or depression about the diagnosis. It's a very difficult thing to come to terms with, that your life is never going to be the same. I took at least a couple of years for both my husband and myself to get to a place where we had protocols in place and come to the understanding of what the new normal looked like. As a society we tend to think about disability and chronic illnesses as something that is primarily the domain of older age. So we are under prepared to face it when we become disabled at a young age. It can make you feel like you are worthless and you no longer have a purpose or the ability to look after your responsibilities and family.

Hopefully today feels better than yesterday for the OP. She would benefit from some support structure, so that there's others who could step in, if there's a future emergency. She also needs some trusted allies who can allow her to express herself and vent, without judging or telling her what she's doing wrong or how horrible her husband is.

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