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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be angry with DH for not coming home?

957 replies

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 14:52

DH is on a 3 week work trip in Australia, he’s been out there for a week and has 2 more weeks to go. Our DD was admitted to hospital on Friday and DH is refusing to come home to see DD in hospital. He is just saying he “can’t abandon work” and that his boss will be “unhappy” with him if he comes home early. AIBU to he angry with DH for not coming home? DD is asking for him in hospital too and is really ill. I travel for work too sometimes but I would absolutely come home immediately if DD had been taken in to hospital whilst I was away, no matter how unhappy my boss would be with me for coming home. The most that DH has said is to send him “updates” on how DD gets on in hospital. I feel like he doesn’t care about her, he’s always been such a good husband and such a good dad but this makes me feel like he doesn’t care. He also won’t FaceTime her because of “the time difference” between the UK and Australia!

OP posts:
Starseeking · 14/09/2025 15:17

I wouldn’t expect him to come home from Australia, no.

I would however expect him to FaceTime; it’s not exactly a hardship for him, given you’re doing the hard yards at home, while he is by himself, albeit working (though presumably he has evenings to rest and nights to sleep). This is the bit I would be cross about.

Petrolitis · 14/09/2025 15:15

If my son had been admitted to hospital and my DH was trying to manage that situation and look after another child, you'd have to fight to keep me off of a plane.

How many women on here would honestly not rush back?

GerberasAreMyFavouriteFlowers · 14/09/2025 15:14

whatdoidonowffs · 14/09/2025 15:11

Bit of a leap isn’t it ?

Not really.... it was just a thought with regard to not wanting to FT his ill daughter

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:13

CoastalCalm · 14/09/2025 15:13

Has this happened before with her being chronically ill ? It sounds like he is basing this on previous experience and knows it’s not urgent as such

She has been admitted to hospital before but this appears to be a bit more serious although not life threatening and they are saying she “could” be out of hospital within a week but possibly a bit longer.

OP posts:
MadisonMarieParksValetta · 14/09/2025 15:13

Surprised at the replies. If my child was in hospital I don't care where in the world I am, I'd be coming home. My DH and I wouldn't be putting work before our child. He would also come home.

I honestly don't think I could forgive this. I hope your daughter is OK and that you have support elsewhere.

CoastalCalm · 14/09/2025 15:13

Has this happened before with her being chronically ill ? It sounds like he is basing this on previous experience and knows it’s not urgent as such

Littlek0406 · 14/09/2025 15:11

@Coffeeoftheworld Wishing your dear daughter a fast recovery 💐

I’ve got a sister who lives in Adelaide & a niece that lives in Perth. We talk at least once a week on FaceTime, that’s really shitty behaviour & I would be having strong words with your husband over this!

To be angry with DH for not coming home?
whatdoidonowffs · 14/09/2025 15:11

GerberasAreMyFavouriteFlowers · 14/09/2025 15:03

Are you sure he's actually out there for work?
Sorry.... but it's a bit of a red flag isn't it

Bit of a leap isn’t it ?

BuckChuckets · 14/09/2025 15:08

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 14:59

Serious admission. Don’t want to give too much detail on here though so that it’s not identifying but the admission also relates to a chronic illness that DD has.

Can you give a similar but not exact example? I'm not sure whether he's BU to not come home all the way from Australia, but he definitely is BU to not even Facetime. Vile!

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:07

He’s not usually selfish like this so it’s shocked me

OP posts:
Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:06

GerberasAreMyFavouriteFlowers · 14/09/2025 15:03

Are you sure he's actually out there for work?
Sorry.... but it's a bit of a red flag isn't it

Yes he is definitely there for work.

OP posts:
loobylou10 · 14/09/2025 15:06

Wouldn’t expect him to come home - it’s too far I think. Totally would expect him to FaceTime. Selfish pig.

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:05

KindLemur · 14/09/2025 15:03

How old your dd ?

DD1 is 3. DD2 (DD who is in hospital) is 7

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 14/09/2025 15:04

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:00

He says he won’t FaceTime because of the time difference and because he needs to rest a lot too because of his busy work schedule whilst out there in Australia apparently.

Is he normally such an uncaring bastard?
because that is horrible

in answer to the question tho if you’re child’s life is threatened then yes he should come home
if she’s ill but being treated and she’ll be ok then he should watch and wait on a decision

BUT I refer back to his refusal to FaceTime - is this unusual or a pattern ?

hope your DD is ok and you do have some support at the moment

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:04

Bearbookagainandagain · 14/09/2025 15:01

I also think it depends on how serious her condition is (or whether they're other children at home that make it difficult for you to attend hospital for instance).

It's not as black and white as saying he should come straight home because she is in hospital.

Our other DD is currently with my best friend whilst DD2 is in hospital.

OP posts:
GerberasAreMyFavouriteFlowers · 14/09/2025 15:03

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:00

He says he won’t FaceTime because of the time difference and because he needs to rest a lot too because of his busy work schedule whilst out there in Australia apparently.

Are you sure he's actually out there for work?
Sorry.... but it's a bit of a red flag isn't it

whimsicallyprickly · 14/09/2025 15:03

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 14:59

Serious admission. Don’t want to give too much detail on here though so that it’s not identifying but the admission also relates to a chronic illness that DD has.

So......husband is used to these health problems occurring and being sorted in hospital?

KindLemur · 14/09/2025 15:03

How old your dd ?

whimsicallyprickly · 14/09/2025 15:02

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:00

He says he won’t FaceTime because of the time difference and because he needs to rest a lot too because of his busy work schedule whilst out there in Australia apparently.

Goodness.

Does he have form for being a selfish shit?

minipie · 14/09/2025 15:01

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:00

He says he won’t FaceTime because of the time difference and because he needs to rest a lot too because of his busy work schedule whilst out there in Australia apparently.

That’s quite shit

Comedycook · 14/09/2025 15:01

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:00

He says he won’t FaceTime because of the time difference and because he needs to rest a lot too because of his busy work schedule whilst out there in Australia apparently.

That is incredibly selfish...I'd be very upset

Bearbookagainandagain · 14/09/2025 15:01

I also think it depends on how serious her condition is (or whether they're other children at home that make it difficult for you to attend hospital for instance).

It's not as black and white as saying he should come straight home because she is in hospital.

whimsicallyprickly · 14/09/2025 15:01

Your husband is in AUSTRALIA

Is your daughter's diagnosis life threatening, might she die?.... or is the diagnosis very distressing but she'll be home on Tuesday?

There is a BIG difference

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 15:00

He says he won’t FaceTime because of the time difference and because he needs to rest a lot too because of his busy work schedule whilst out there in Australia apparently.

OP posts:
VimFuego101 · 14/09/2025 15:00

JustFrustrated · 14/09/2025 14:53

Is this an "admitted but will be fine" or life changing admission?

I think this is key to whether he IBU or not. It would likely take him at least a couple of days to travel back, so if it’s ’admitted but will be fine’, he may not even be home before she’s discharged.

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