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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you update your OH when you are out for the night?

105 replies

Candykitten0173 · 07/12/2025 18:04

My DP rarely updates me throughout the night if he is out for the night, we have DC. This means I often have no idea what time he’s coming home and he just rocks up without any pre message to say he’s coming back.

I wouldn’t say I’m angry or anything I just find it bizarre as I am always one to just sent a courtesy text to give an update or say I’m on the way back.

AIBU to think this is unusual behaviour in a relationship with kids? Or are we just different people?

OP posts:
ExquisiteDecor · 07/12/2025 18:58

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 07/12/2025 18:47

Surely its common courtesy between partners to do so?!

I'm not talking about a blow by blow account but a message to say "I'll aim for the 10pm train" or "dont stay up, I'll be out all night" is reasonable?

I'll text DH when I'm leaving, as he worries if I'm walking or getting a cab on my own. And he messages me as he knows I simply cannot get to sleep if I'm expecting him to walk through the door at any moment as I simply cant settle.

I'll never understand people who are just not nice and courteous to their partners in this way.

I’ll never understand an adult who can’t settle till their partner walks through the door though, we’re all different.

If there’a drastic change (eg was just going for a drink after work but we’ve decided to make a full night of it) or he’s offered to pick me up from the station then yes but otherwise no, same with him, he tends to stay out later than me and I’m nearly always asleep when he gets in as it tends to be after midnight.

Candykitten0173 · 07/12/2025 18:58

Genuinely didn’t post for others to argue, every couple is different and everyone’s “normal” as we can read is different. I guess it’s got to be something you are both aligned with so it works

OP posts:
gannett · 07/12/2025 18:55

No, unless I've said I'll be home for dinner and have changed my mind; or if I said I won't be home for dinner and have changed my mind; or if I said I'll be home for dinner and that's still the case, just running a bit later than normal dinnertime. So just practical stuff. We don't update each other for the sake of it and we don't worry about each other especially.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 07/12/2025 18:55

snoopythebeagle · 07/12/2025 18:51

Not everyone has the same idea of "nice and courteous" as you do, though.

I would find what you describe to be quite claustrophobic.

Really, that's pretty pathetic. You'd feel claustrophobic by just letting someone know you're on your way home by text? Its just being thoughtful.

gamerchick · 07/12/2025 18:52

I don't. Even when I rock up at dawn and he's up. Although that hasn't happened for a few years.

snoopythebeagle · 07/12/2025 18:51

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 07/12/2025 18:47

Surely its common courtesy between partners to do so?!

I'm not talking about a blow by blow account but a message to say "I'll aim for the 10pm train" or "dont stay up, I'll be out all night" is reasonable?

I'll text DH when I'm leaving, as he worries if I'm walking or getting a cab on my own. And he messages me as he knows I simply cannot get to sleep if I'm expecting him to walk through the door at any moment as I simply cant settle.

I'll never understand people who are just not nice and courteous to their partners in this way.

Not everyone has the same idea of "nice and courteous" as you do, though.

I would find what you describe to be quite claustrophobic.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 07/12/2025 18:51

We both always go out so late that the I’d expect to be asleep when he’s coming home so I wouldn’t want a text that might wake me up!

Ibizaonmymind · 07/12/2025 18:49

No need to update here. If I’m out he might let me know he’s going to bed and he’s left a key out.
Or one of us will message we’re on our way if it’s earlier.
I don’t expect it though and neither does he.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 07/12/2025 18:47

Surely its common courtesy between partners to do so?!

I'm not talking about a blow by blow account but a message to say "I'll aim for the 10pm train" or "dont stay up, I'll be out all night" is reasonable?

I'll text DH when I'm leaving, as he worries if I'm walking or getting a cab on my own. And he messages me as he knows I simply cannot get to sleep if I'm expecting him to walk through the door at any moment as I simply cant settle.

I'll never understand people who are just not nice and courteous to their partners in this way.

snoopythebeagle · 07/12/2025 18:45

Hillarious · 07/12/2025 18:34

I’m an adult who lives with someone and it’s just a simple courtesy to let them know when you expect to be home. It’s not seeking permission to be out. I gave up the “don’t need to report back to anyone” when we decided to move in together and share our lives.

I didn't say anything about seeking permission in my post Confused

Sharing your life with someone doesn't mean they need to know all your comings and goings. If I'm out with my friends then I'm not really thinking about DH and don't feel the need to tell him I'm on my way home (or not). We don't have children though, which probably makes a difference.

Whsys · 07/12/2025 18:44

Justthethingsthatyoudointhisgarden · 07/12/2025 18:41

I wouldn't, no. Seems a bit unnecessary to me. You are both adults, you don't need to be in constant touch.

I agree. Also if I’m out I don’t have a set time of when I’m leaving (unless I’m relying on a train home.)

Whsys · 07/12/2025 18:43

DarkForces · 07/12/2025 18:08

I often let him know when I'm on the way home. He usually picks me up from the train station as he's amazing 🤩

Literal bare minimum 🤣

Sassylovesbooks · 07/12/2025 18:42

My husband usually lets me know what time he's coming home. He often might text me mid-night-out with some funny story that's happened too! If I'm out, I always let him know what time I'll be home or what time to pick me up.

Justthethingsthatyoudointhisgarden · 07/12/2025 18:41

I wouldn't, no. Seems a bit unnecessary to me. You are both adults, you don't need to be in constant touch.

AlexandraPeppernose · 07/12/2025 18:40

No and I wouldn't expect him to either

Maray1967 · 07/12/2025 18:40

PurpleThistle7 · 07/12/2025 18:10

my husband and I will give an estimated home time - like should be home by 11. And then we will update if it’s not going to happen. Otherwise… no, we aren’t really in touch with each other if we are out with our friends

Same as this for us.

CakeAndCake1 · 07/12/2025 18:39

Yes!
I didn't go out much in my marriage, but always gave an estimate then an update and then an "on way home via.xyz"
I guess partly courtesy in case waiting.up for one another (my dp now does wait up for me and me for him) Might sound soft but even at our age we miss eachother and usually have cuddle on sofa before heading to bed.
My mariage was massively controlling and id be in massive trouble if he didnt know exactly where I was and who with and id also have to get 'signed off as wearing appropriate clothing before i went out" that was weird and a whole other story.
However with my DP we do this ie keep in touch but there is no funniness at all about times.
It's unlikely id be out past 11 anyway..😂 dont know if this makes a difference.
Do whatever is comfy in your own realtionship

Candykitten0173 · 07/12/2025 18:37

AwfullyGood · 07/12/2025 18:33

No, if I'm out, I'm out.

Same for him but he does text on his way home if he's going to the chipper to see if I want anything. (This is done so I don't eat is chips rather than as act of kindness!)

Haha this is brilliant, and understandable.

OP posts:
VioletMountainHare · 07/12/2025 18:35

When I’m out with other people, no, unless they’ve nipped to the toilet and he’s messaged to ask me something. I always let him know I’m on the way home though and he does the same. It’s not something either of us would be annoyed about though if the other forgot.

Hillarious · 07/12/2025 18:34

snoopythebeagle · 07/12/2025 18:13

No. I'm an adult and don't need to report back to anyone.

I’m an adult who lives with someone and it’s just a simple courtesy to let them know when you expect to be home. It’s not seeking permission to be out. I gave up the “don’t need to report back to anyone” when we decided to move in together and share our lives.

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 07/12/2025 18:34

Always, yes. But then I rarely go out in the evening. It's too.... people-y.

AwfullyGood · 07/12/2025 18:33

No, if I'm out, I'm out.

Same for him but he does text on his way home if he's going to the chipper to see if I want anything. (This is done so I don't eat is chips rather than as act of kindness!)

snoopythebeagle · 07/12/2025 18:31

Candykitten0173 · 07/12/2025 18:26

@TheChosenTwo also love this. Maybe I just worry too much.

Why are you worried? He's an adult.

Sashya · 07/12/2025 18:31

Candykitten0173 · 07/12/2025 18:21

Sorry just to manage understanding by updates I just mean if you are getting back later. For example if I say I’ll be home by 8pm and at that time I’m still having a ball, I’ll message to say I’ll be back later not sure what time.

its not about permission or not “being an adult” as a couple have suggested.

was just asking what other couples do, to understand what’s “the norm”

Edited

Look - if you are expecting him for 8pm to help with kids - and he is actually not showing up and comes in after midnight - sure, he should let you know he is not going to be there to do something he was supposed to.

But if he is out in the evening, where you are the one dealing with kids - not sure why it really matters when he actually comes - 10? 11? 12?

He is a grown up - and knows what he needs to do to get himself to work the next day. He is not letting you down by not shouldering his load. He is having a night off. To be it'd be controlling if I was expected to be "updating" my partner on my night out.

I'd qualify it all by saying - it all needs to be in balance. If he is out late all the time and it's affecting what he is able to contribute as a partner at home - I'd be unhappy about that. Not the fact he wasn't texting, but about the split of responsibilities.
Otherwise - I'd say that for me - updates are needed in certain circumstances, not as a usual thing to do.

Some couples do seem to be constantly in touch - with frequent communication during the day and if they are out separately. For me, I'd find it stifling.

Endofyear · 07/12/2025 18:30

Nope, if I'm out with friends, I'm too busy having a nice time to update him (about what?) and I'm never that late home so I just say 'Bye, see you later' and get home whenever. I don't expect him to tell me when he'll be home either. We're both adults, I don't worry about him when he's out or vice versa.