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AIBU?

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WYB miffed? Dd in hospital and dh fucked off to Glastonbury?

889 replies

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 15:58

Just that really.

Long story short, dd 12 has been in and out of hospital the last couple of weeks having to have her obs done as a result of an ED that has really accelerated in the last few weeks. It has been extremely stressful and is obviously upsetting. She’s under camhs and they took her readings last week resulting in me having to take her to A&E. She then had a ward review yesterday and her readings were so low they kept her in overnight. I stayed with her.

DH has been mentioning going to Glastonbury for a while to meet up with an old friend who goes every year. They haven’t been able to get tickets but h seems convinced they’ll be able to bribe someone his friend knows and get in 🙄 apparently “loads of people do it”.

I left the house for her appointment yesterday at 12pm (was supposed to just be a routine appointment) and didn’t manage to ring him until about 7pm as there was no signal in the hospital. I thought he’d have been trying to ring me but no, nothing. He has a stressful job (wfh) and I don’t honestly think he’d even given it a thought. He can be very one track minded.

He has form for being uncaring and unempathetic (I suspect he’s autistic - he has a lot of traits) but we nearly split last year after a build up of issues and he’s been like a changed man since. A lot more caring and considerate. I am starting to notice a few of the old behaviours creeping in though.

Came home last night to get some overnight stuff and after asking how it went/how dd was etc he was like “oh, I’m not going to be able to go to the festival now am I?” I said “it’s up to you, I’m not going to stop you - yes go if you want!” I said (in a jokey way) “it’s on your conscience” But quite honestly I thought he wouldn’t go.
Had a horrible night in the hospital. I’ve had one text from him this morning which I responded to telling him they were still concerned about her blood pressure/heart rate being low and low blood sugar etc and wasn’t sure whether they were keeping her in or not. The dr has now let us come home (he doesnt know this yet - I tried to ring him as we were leaving but he didn’t answer) but we have a nurse coming out at the weekend to check on her and do more obs, so it’s pretty serious. They said if she doesn’t improve over the next couple of weeks it will be another hospital admittance and complete bed rest with a feeding plan which is usually for two weeks.

Anyway, got home and he’s not here - he’s fucked off to Glastonbury!! No message either since the one this morning. No note, he’s just gone and when I asked ds he said “I think he’s gone to Glastonbury” (ds is a typical teenage boy hooked up to his Xbox and probably wouldn’t notice if the house was burning down)!

Im not angry I just think he’s a selfish arse and I’m a bit incredulous really. Can you imagine one of us mum’s doing that? It’s not even like he has a ticket and would lose the money.

Oh, and it’s our anniversary this weekend which I’m guessing he’ll be missing too.

He isn’t a sociable or “going out with the lads” type of person usually - this is a one off to be fair to him. He is a good dad generally, just often seems to be missing some kind of empathy gene. I know he’ll be thinking “it makes no difference whether I’m there or not”. But what if they’d kept her in and I needed him to bring stuff/come and take over for a bit? It’s selfish and unthinking imo.

Anyway, I think I just wanted to get opinions really. Feeling a bit upset and like “no, he hasn’t changed really has he?”

But maybe IABU and it’s not a big deal bc she’s not in imminent danger?

OP posts:
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6
Slightyamusedandsilly · 26/06/2025 19:13

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 16:01

Oh I do take responsibility - obviously these men have good points too otherwise we wouldn’t marry them would we?

He'd have to be able to walk on water to make up for leaving, and being uncontactable, while HIS OWN CHILD is ill in hospital.

But if you think he has redeeming features, then maybe you deserve him?

TrentCrimmsflowinglocks · 26/06/2025 19:10

I love my husband very very much. However if he fucked off to Glastonbury whilst our child was in hospital, he'd come back to find the locks changed and his stuff in boxes on the pavement....just saying...

Hotflushesandchilblains · 26/06/2025 19:09

If he is autistic, sarcastic communications will not work. You needed to say no, dont go.

Viviennemary · 26/06/2025 19:08

You told him he could go if he wanted. He took this at face value. If you didn't want him to go you should have been clear as you know what he is like.

Zanatdy · 26/06/2025 19:04

I think in these situations you should say, no you can’t go now given the circumstances, as always the case the woman says its up to you (which means I want to test it you’d really go) then get angry when they go. You should have said well it’s our anniversary anyway so maybe next year. It is quite selfish yes, but guess if he will just be sat at home whilst you’re in hospital it won’t make a big difference. No, a woman wouldn’t go, but even these really good dads, still put themselves first it seems.

Kirbert2 · 26/06/2025 19:02

SaturdayDream · 26/06/2025 18:57

You said he could go!! He didn’t ’fuck off to Glastonbury’ you gave him your blessing.

Learn to speak up at the time.

OP isn't his mother. He shouldn't need her to 'speak up' to know that if your child is ill enough to be in hospital, you don't fuck off to Glastonbury.

Lookuptotheskies · 26/06/2025 18:59

Urgh.

This would massively give me the ick AND probably be the final nail in the coffin of the relationship tbh. Sounds like you were pretty close to that last year anyway.

It must be really shit for your two youngest to see what a selfish arse he is! They're old enough to realise he isn't there for them or for you. 😔 Not really what I'd describe as a good dad!

Uol2022 · 26/06/2025 18:57

Sorry your daughter is unwell. Eating disorders are horrible and I know it must be taking a massive toll on you as well. Your husband is an idiot and a loser, as you already know. But you are doing wonderfully in a really tough situation. Keep focusing on your lovely kids and forget about the dickhead x

SaturdayDream · 26/06/2025 18:57

You said he could go!! He didn’t ’fuck off to Glastonbury’ you gave him your blessing.

Learn to speak up at the time.

Uol2022 · 26/06/2025 18:52

His excuse is always that he’s extremely busy and important and he can’t just drop things like other men.

what’s most ironic about this is that he probably would gain social value at work for showing a more caring side and it would end up benefitting his career. There’s evidence that, while women are punished at work for their family responsibilities, men see the opposite effect.

whackamole666 · 26/06/2025 18:51

StartleBright · 26/06/2025 16:15

You gave him permission to make a choice. A choice that comes with a consequence. The consequence is now you are totally sure he is a selfish and emotionally stunted person capable of doing vast emotional damage to those around him without a second thought. What are you going to do with that information OP? Only you can decide, and I wish you the best of luck.

I guess what the OP should have said is ....

You have a seriously ill daughter. I can't make those kind of choices for you.

lifeonmars100 · 26/06/2025 18:48

Shetlands · 26/06/2025 18:44

When I was 13 I fractured my wrist and after I'd been seen in A&E and strapped up, given a sling etc. my father left me there and told me I could get a bus home, on a Sunday, because he was going out with his mates. So I had a long walk to the bus stop (in pain) then waited ages for a bus (Sunday service) then a long walk from the bus stop home.

He was immature and selfish - always - never changed. Some parents are like this and you can make all the fuss you like but it won't make any difference. You either tolerate it or you leave.

That was appalling and I am so sorry. No words for such negligence and downright cruelty.

commonsense61 · 26/06/2025 18:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

TomatoSandwiches · 26/06/2025 18:46

@Shetlands that is diabolical, I'm so sorry.

likeafishneedsabike · 26/06/2025 18:46

Shetlands · 26/06/2025 18:44

When I was 13 I fractured my wrist and after I'd been seen in A&E and strapped up, given a sling etc. my father left me there and told me I could get a bus home, on a Sunday, because he was going out with his mates. So I had a long walk to the bus stop (in pain) then waited ages for a bus (Sunday service) then a long walk from the bus stop home.

He was immature and selfish - always - never changed. Some parents are like this and you can make all the fuss you like but it won't make any difference. You either tolerate it or you leave.

Christ. That’s harsh. Sorry that happened to you (although I suspect it’s one example among many).

Danni2224 · 26/06/2025 18:45

He really sounds narcissistic to me. It’s beyond selfish and just horrible. I’d hate forever for it.

Shetlands · 26/06/2025 18:44

When I was 13 I fractured my wrist and after I'd been seen in A&E and strapped up, given a sling etc. my father left me there and told me I could get a bus home, on a Sunday, because he was going out with his mates. So I had a long walk to the bus stop (in pain) then waited ages for a bus (Sunday service) then a long walk from the bus stop home.

He was immature and selfish - always - never changed. Some parents are like this and you can make all the fuss you like but it won't make any difference. You either tolerate it or you leave.

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 26/06/2025 18:43

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 17:07

Exactly. And he does understand sarcasm etc. He hasn’t gone bc I said “whatever it’s up to you”, he’s gone bc he wants to and I didn’t explicitly say “don’t go”. If I’d said don’t go I’d be getting punished now with martyrdom of how “he missed Glasto bc he’s so great he does as his wife tells him”. He’d be watching it on tv and saying “oh look, I could’ve been there”! I can’t be doing with it so I left it as his call.

So he's just an arse - bad husand and father.

Why are you stopping with him would be my next question - is life easier with him or without? Does he make you happy improve your life - if not I'd got back to plan to leave him TBH.

FreebieWallopFridge · 26/06/2025 18:43

Wilfrida1 · 26/06/2025 17:02

He won't get in without a ticket.

However, you tell us he has autistic traits, so when he asked you about going and you said 'it's up to you', how the heck did you think he would react? As far as he was concerned, with his autistic thinking, you openly said he could choose!

Freedom of choice does not equate to freedom from consequence. As an adult who can hold down a job he will understand that, regardless of any potential ASD diagnosis. To pretend otherwise does everyone involved a disservice.

TomatoSandwiches · 26/06/2025 18:43

It's not the potential ASD, it's the male entitlement that made him ask, the asking highlights that he knows on some level that he should stay and support his family but he doesn't want to because there's nothing in it for him.
He asked because he knows op will say something flippant because over many previous similar circumstances op has said no and his behaviour after has been so horrendous it's easier for op to say "go if you want to" he has trained her, he has worn her down.

This man doesn't care about you, he would have picked you up from your operation if he did, love is action, love is behaviour.
He doesn't care about his children, he would be with you now if he did.

This man has his life, or the things in life he doesn't want to do or thinks he's above doing facilitated by you, you're his trusty domestic appliance he doesn't want to lose because his life will be harder and he doesn't want to look for, convince and train another one if he can help it.

Have a good think op, does he make your life better in any way, does he make your life easier in any way, or does he just take and take and take?

CanOfMangoTango · 26/06/2025 18:42

Garbera · 26/06/2025 17:09

OP I don't want to be a baying horde crying LTB, but FWIW if you were to split over this, it would send a really powerful message to your daughter that she matters to you. Your default thinking might be that we can't upset her while she is so ill - such a tightrope with ED - but she might find it very validating and something of a relief.

We have been through a lot of trauma processing with our teen (different arena) and an adult really standing up and saying "it's not OK that he did this to you" is huge.

I agree with this.

He has really let your DD down, and tbh the rest of the family. Even if he "can't do much" which is arguably true at the minute, silent support and presence is everything.

Your DD knows that she might end up in hospital. For dad to have gone away when there is a potential crisis hanging over you all is appalling.

He's not autistic, he's a fucking arsehole.

itsobviousright · 26/06/2025 18:41

*about men

itsobviousright · 26/06/2025 18:40

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 17:19

Haha, haven’t heard moron for years!

Obs is observations as in heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels etc and ED is eating disorder.

Ive unfortunately had to become conversant in these terms the last few weeks.

OP - my stbxh is having an operation tomorrow. I'll go and collect him from hospital, because we are all in the same house currently and I'm not a dick

Also, regardless of what you did and didnt say, remember that your daughter is seeing that she doesnt matter enough for her dad to be there when she comes home from hospital....is this what you want to teach her about how men?

Time for a serious think

Kirbert2 · 26/06/2025 18:39

I'd be furious and it would be over.

My son had a lengthy hospital stay and if DH wasn't at the hospital, he was working. It wouldn't have occurred to him to fuck off anywhere.

Seeingadistance · 26/06/2025 18:36

BoredZelda · 26/06/2025 17:42

I hope you gain more of an understanding of autism for supporting your daughter.

The OP's husband doesn't have a diagnosis of autism.

Given that there is often an unfortunate tendency to conflate autism with being an arsehole, the odds are that the OP's husband is in fact simply an arsehole.

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