Page 5 | DH going to the gym on Christmas Day!

Wifetobe21 · 2025-12-22T22:11:38+00:00

For about 1.5 hours mid morning. A couple of his mates usually go and have roped him in. He is into his fitness but surely people can give it a miss for one bloody day?!

Cherrytree86 · 23/12/2025 14:08

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:48

Whereas you wouldn't catch me getting up at 6am to go to the gym in a million years

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@MandemChickenShop

aw, you deserve a lie in too! It’s ok to go when your family are up! I’m sure they’ll be happy you’re doing something for yourself that you enjoy

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 14:08

eastegg · 23/12/2025 14:01

This is one of those threads so full of people keen to disagree that they come out with all sorts statements you won’t have heard before and never will again. My favourite so far is you think Catholics don’t enjoy going to the gym on Christmas Day when it’s open? Oh come on!!.

If you can’t step back and see the humour in the trying-so-hard-to-disagree earnestness of that then I sympathise.

And claiming that it’s important to avoid burn out to do things like go to the gym on Christmas Day, when the DH does it everyday and is so obviously the least likely to be burnt out in this relationship…. oh the irony is too much.

I’ll keep reading, it’s comedy gold.

Most sensible people don't train every day. There's such a thing as over training. Many people will train four or five days a week. We don't know how often he trains.

SillyNavyTiger · 23/12/2025 14:07

Eyeshadow · 23/12/2025 12:44

You think it’s claustrophobic to spend 1 entire day with your own kids???

Geez poor kids!

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I think it's poor parenting to show a lazy example of adults staying home doing nothing an entire day, so there you go 😂

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 14:04

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 23/12/2025 13:48

Nip it in the bud now. He will think he can do it in a few years time when you may have more children and your parents will be older and may need more help. And his gym trip may get longer so it disrupts your timetable for lunch

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Timetable for lunch? Do women have to work to a timetable for lunch? Have I stepped back to 1955? Seriously give me strength. He's going out for 90 minutes. Are folk supposed to be chained to one another all festive season just because they live together and have kids?

SillyNavyTiger · 23/12/2025 14:03

Dollybantree · 22/12/2025 23:11

“Gym” is no.1 excuse for cheaters IME.

Ive been around the block a bit - don’t be naive.

Hopefully OP’s Dh is just a regular, selfish run of the mill male who prioritises his own wants on Christmas Day and lets the wife just suck it up.

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projecting much?

I am the wife, and the mum, and I am taking an hour on christmas day to go for a run. No need to play martyr because you are a parent who has to spend an entire hour with their own children 😂

You are free to be lazy, you don't have to enjoy exercising but no need to insult everyone else who is different.

eastegg · 23/12/2025 14:01

This is one of those threads so full of people keen to disagree that they come out with all sorts statements you won’t have heard before and never will again. My favourite so far is you think Catholics don’t enjoy going to the gym on Christmas Day when it’s open? Oh come on!!.

If you can’t step back and see the humour in the trying-so-hard-to-disagree earnestness of that then I sympathise.

And claiming that it’s important to avoid burn out to do things like go to the gym on Christmas Day, when the DH does it everyday and is so obviously the least likely to be burnt out in this relationship…. oh the irony is too much.

I’ll keep reading, it’s comedy gold.

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 14:01

Silverbirchleaf · 23/12/2025 14:00

I’m actually surprised there’s so many people in support of the gym trip.

If the gym time is 90 minutes, then it could be well over two hours if you include travel etc. The timing is mid- morning, so in the midst of post-stocking fun, plus meal preparation etc. Ops husband will be clock watching to go out, rather than going with the flow of the day. He’s also putting his mates before his family.

i wonder what op’s dp would have said if op said she wanted to go out for a two hour walk in the morning, without anyone else, leaving him to sort everything out, including looking after their child. I guessed he wouldn’t be best pleased.

But she's not being left on her own - she'll have her parents there. I think if she was going to be totally by herself with a toddler while trying to cook Christmas dinner, it would be a bit different.

Silverbirchleaf · 23/12/2025 14:00

I’m actually surprised there’s so many people in support of the gym trip.

If the gym time is 90 minutes, then it could be well over two hours if you include travel etc. The timing is mid- morning, so in the midst of post-stocking fun, plus meal preparation etc. Ops husband will be clock watching to go out, rather than going with the flow of the day. He’s also putting his mates before his family.

i wonder what op’s dp would have said if op said she wanted to go out for a two hour walk in the morning, without anyone else, leaving him to sort everything out, including looking after their child. I guessed he wouldn’t be best pleased.

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:59

FestiveFruitloop · 23/12/2025 13:58

I do realise not everyone keeps Christmas (and I don't want to be insensitive here, I also know circumstances prevent many from doing so, but that's a different topic), but I'd be very surprised if many families with children actively choose to treat it as just another day.

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Honestly, many people do. Yes, there are presents and a nice roast dinner, but otherwise it's just another day where we do normal things - including hobbies, reading, having some quiet time, doing exercise, walking the dog etc.

Dontgochasingrainbows · 23/12/2025 13:58

Eyeshadow · 23/12/2025 12:44

You think it’s claustrophobic to spend 1 entire day with your own kids???

Geez poor kids!

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Your poor kids if the only full day a year you spend with them is Christmas Day. Most of us regulary spend full days with them. Not that they need us to unless they are ill.

FestiveFruitloop · 23/12/2025 13:58

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:46

Or maybe he spends plenty of time with his child anyway and doesn't see how going to the gym for 90 minutes on the 25th of December is any different from going on the 25th of May or the 25th of September?

For many people, families with children included, Christmas Day is just another day.

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I do realise not everyone keeps Christmas (and I don't want to be insensitive here, I also know circumstances prevent many from doing so, but that's a different topic), but I'd be very surprised if many families with children actively choose to treat it as just another day.

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:57

Eyeshadow · 23/12/2025 13:55

I have autism and so does my DC.
We’re more than aware of the need for space.

I would never say spending 15hours a day with my child is claustrophobic.
Its just a standard weekend or sick day for most parents.

You’re the one who insulted the PP because they do things differently to you by saying they were joined at the hip if they choose to spend 1 entire day with their kids.
So I’m not sure why you’re trying to play the victim now.

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Saying people are "joined at the hip" is hardly on the same level as telling someone they "must have something wrong with them", is it?

What you said to me was downright offensive, and as someone with autism yourself, you should know better than to use language like that towards other people.

Have a good Christmas!

Eyeshadow · 23/12/2025 13:55

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:40

You're very quick to insult and criticise people who do things differently to you.

As for there being something "wrong with me" - I have autism and struggle a huge amount in social situations. I need space and time to myself everyday if I want to prevent a meltdown or over-stimulation.

But by all means, carry on being and offensive and making assumptions if it makes you feel better :)

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I have autism and so does my DC.
We’re more than aware of the need for space.

I would never say spending 15hours a day with my child is claustrophobic.
Its just a standard weekend or sick day for most parents.

You’re the one who insulted the PP because they do things differently to you by saying they were joined at the hip if they choose to spend 1 entire day with their kids.
So I’m not sure why you’re trying to play the victim now.

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:49

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 13:46

He's going out for 90 minutes. He's not going on a lads holiday to Majorca

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Exactly, do none of the posters on here take themselves off for a nap, or a bath, or to maybe ring a distant relative? Do none of them go out to walk the dog or want a bit of peace and quiet for half an hour?

Whyhaveibeencutoutofmamsnot · 23/12/2025 13:48

Wifetobe21 · 22/12/2025 22:27

1DD age 19 months. My parents will be here too so not just me left with DD

Nip it in the bud now. He will think he can do it in a few years time when you may have more children and your parents will be older and may need more help. And his gym trip may get longer so it disrupts your timetable for lunch

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:48

MandemChickenShop · 23/12/2025 13:46

Fair enough. I do the same but at 6am before the rest of the family get up.

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Whereas you wouldn't catch me getting up at 6am to go to the gym in a million years

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 13:47

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:43

Loads of gyms are open 24/7 with keycodes/cards to let members in.

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Yes they are but some are staffed on Christmas and new years day too

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:46

FestiveFruitloop · 23/12/2025 13:45

And some of us (well, me, anyway) think it's very narrow minded to assume family time together on Christmas Day, with a very young child, is of lesser importance because said child is too young to conceptualise Christmas.

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Or maybe he spends plenty of time with his child anyway and doesn't see how going to the gym for 90 minutes on the 25th of December is any different from going on the 25th of May or the 25th of September?

For many people, families with children included, Christmas Day is just another day.

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 13:46

FestiveFruitloop · 23/12/2025 13:45

And some of us (well, me, anyway) think it's very narrow minded to assume family time together on Christmas Day, with a very young child, is of lesser importance because said child is too young to conceptualise Christmas.

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He's going out for 90 minutes. He's not going on a lads holiday to Majorca

MandemChickenShop · 23/12/2025 13:46

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:36

Or it's just someone doing something that makes them happy for a bit?

My dad always went for a run on Christmas Day - because he ran everyday so the fact that it was Christmas made no difference to him. It was just his routine.

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Fair enough. I do the same but at 6am before the rest of the family get up.

FestiveFruitloop · 23/12/2025 13:45

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 12:32

OP's child is 19 months old and has absolutely no concept of Christmas.

And you can think it's "sad" all you want. I personally think it's very narrow minded to assume your way of doing things is the only correct way.

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And some of us (well, me, anyway) think it's very narrow minded to assume family time together on Christmas Day, with a very young child, is of lesser importance because said child is too young to conceptualise Christmas.

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 13:44

MandemChickenShop · 23/12/2025 13:34

It's the Christmas Day bit....

I always think it's a bit try hard, hey look at me, I'm such a dedicated athlete I even train on Christmas day.. that vibe.

Just my opinion that's all

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Some people train as I said earlier because they don't celebrate Christmas. Others will do it for different reasons - is it any different from training on Christmas Eve? Im probably not going to train on Christmas Eve this year and I am a PT.

It's got nothing to do with being a "try hard" - it's just maintaining a routine for me at times when I have trained on Christmas eve

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:43

Katypp · 23/12/2025 13:35

Our PureGym is closed at 4pm Christmas Eve until 8am Boxing Day. It must depend on the individual gyms. Are they a franchise?

Loads of gyms are open 24/7 with keycodes/cards to let members in.

vanillalattes · 23/12/2025 13:40

Eyeshadow · 23/12/2025 13:36

If you can’t stand being with your kids or even your partner for 15 hours then there’s something wrong with you.

Unfortunately it sounds as though you were raised with your parents feeling claustrophobic around you if they spent a day with you and so it’s not entirely your fault but it’s still sad that you grew up thinking that’s normal.

It’s not claustrophobic to spend 1 day with your kids.
Most single parents do this every weekend.

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You're very quick to insult and criticise people who do things differently to you.

As for there being something "wrong with me" - I have autism and struggle a huge amount in social situations. I need space and time to myself everyday if I want to prevent a meltdown or over-stimulation.

But by all means, carry on being and offensive and making assumptions if it makes you feel better :)

Roobarbtwo · 23/12/2025 13:40

PlaygroundSusie · 23/12/2025 12:06

To me, the main issue is the time he's going to the gym. Mid-morning on Christmas Day is often peak busyness in many (most?) households. People are prepping Christmas lunch, or tidying the house for guests, or entertaining/greeting guests who have already arrived, or still opening gifts. I think there's a strong chance the OP's husband will be leaving her to take care of everything when he's away.

If he was planning on going early in the morning (say, before 8am), or later in the afternoon, I'd say the OP was being unreasonable. But mid-morning? Not unreasonable to ask he stays home to pitch in, or goes to the gym at a different time.

Oh - and I know about 10-15 female friends/acquaintances off the top of my head who have husbands and young kids. I cannot picture any of those women swanning off to enjoy their hobby for 90 minutes mid-morning on Christmas Day. Not one. It would simply be unheard of.

Surely we can move away from the notion that it's always women that do all the prepping and the cooking?

I don't eat my main meal on Christmas day until around 5pm

I don't cook either - my family get a takeaway

Why would it be unheard of for a woman to "swan off" to the gym on Christmas day - why shouldn't they. It's 2025. Women shouldn't need to viewed as having to do everything around the house. Prepping chopping, hosting, tidying?

Some families will do all the prepping the night before. Will have already tidied