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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

If your partner goes away for a jolly…

40 replies

ticketwoes · 30/01/2026 19:08

Do they step up at home a bit more in the few days before they go?
kids are involved. Away with friends for a week.
step up as in offer a bit more alone time, do the odd school run to save you having to. That kind of thing.

AIBU to think that they should??

OP posts:
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Thoseslippers · 31/01/2026 01:38

My DH doesn't unfortunately however I do get equal time on 'jollies' and theres no exoectation for me to step up housework and childcare in those instances. So I've left it like that.
I do personally think in an ideal world you'd have everything a bit more sorted for the person who was caring fir the kids alone whilst you're gone.
I used to do that before I realised I wasn't going to get it in return

Makingpeace · 31/01/2026 01:35

He doesn't offer to step up or give me more alone time, I just take it and leave him to work out what's going on. The kids will tell him if he doesn't know.

BlackCatDiscoClub · 31/01/2026 01:32

Before my DP goes away I expect them to help with things they might miss before hand. So if they are away during school time, I expect them to help reduce the weight on me by making sure school uniform is sorted, taking bins out etc. I dont think I should have to carry the can of double responsibility while they are off having fun!

Daytimenighttime · 31/01/2026 00:08

NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 22:46

Whether I am male or not makes no difference. She could go away and leave him to do everything but chooses not to. I was raised by a strong woman with lots of sisters, but they accepted that if their husband was working 50-60hours a week, a lot fell on them re the home.
I have a tiny part time job where I work a max of 3 hours a day at most 4 days a week My wife works 20hours a week but her mum is her late 90s and my wife runs a charitable organisation one day a week so I cook, clean, wash up etc....because she's doing other stuff that's important. The op works part time, her husband works "long hours" to facilitate this, she doesn't ask for time off but he's off for a bit...

The op works part time, her husband works "long hours" to facilitate this,

This is just downright offensive.
It feeds into the narrative that looking after a home and caring for children is fun. That it is not hard work. And is not worthwhile.

Strawberry53 · 30/01/2026 23:00

I do wonder if some people on here live in the 1950s with these comments.

OP works part time in order to take on the bulk of the caring responsibilities in the home, which NEWSFLASH is draining and hard work.

Nobody is saying her DH doesn’t work hard or deserve time away but banging on about him affording her the LUXURY of working part time when she has in fact got majority of the caring responsibilities as well as working part time is just like ugh!

Anyway, OP YANBU a kind thoughtful partner would most defo go the extra mile to make sure they could cover a few extra bits before they go and make your week a little bit easier. It’s called teamwork and you deserve that.

ticketwoes · 30/01/2026 22:50

Also, just to pick you up on something else you’re wrong about - i haven’t ’not asked for time off’
For the last 4 YEARS I have pointed out that I would like him to give me time to myself and pick up some of my slack before he goes away and I pick up all of his. I’ve been vocal on what I would like to happen.

OP posts:
NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 22:46

Daytimenighttime · 30/01/2026 21:18

@NotAnotherScarf
Oh I have now seen that you are actually a man.
That goes way some to explaining your point of view point regarding the value of a woman and her contribution.

Whether I am male or not makes no difference. She could go away and leave him to do everything but chooses not to. I was raised by a strong woman with lots of sisters, but they accepted that if their husband was working 50-60hours a week, a lot fell on them re the home.
I have a tiny part time job where I work a max of 3 hours a day at most 4 days a week My wife works 20hours a week but her mum is her late 90s and my wife runs a charitable organisation one day a week so I cook, clean, wash up etc....because she's doing other stuff that's important. The op works part time, her husband works "long hours" to facilitate this, she doesn't ask for time off but he's off for a bit...

ticketwoes · 30/01/2026 22:46

NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 22:38

Exactly affords you the luxury.

Us.
Not me.
I’ve offered to go back to work full time and we’ll split the home/child work load 50/50. He’s said he’d rather I didn’t.
I wonder why.

also, my working hours aren’t actually the topic of conversation here.

OP posts:
NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 22:38

ticketwoes · 30/01/2026 20:56

I think that working to facilitate my lifestyle is unfair - he affords us the luxury of me working part time, but that also benefits him because my ‘free time’ is used on household chores and school runs, meaning he doesn’t do them.
he absolutely deserves a break - I just think that saying ‘hey; I’ll pick up the kids tonight, give you some time to chill before I’m away’ would be a nice acknowledgement of the fact in order to have that break, I have to do everything at home and adjust my diary too.

Exactly affords you the luxury.

theflat · 30/01/2026 21:27

None of us do extra before going away, it’s not necessary.

Daytimenighttime · 30/01/2026 21:18

@NotAnotherScarf
Oh I have now seen that you are actually a man.
That goes way some to explaining your point of view point regarding the value of a woman and her contribution.

minipie · 30/01/2026 21:16

Book yourself on a women’s retreat. There’s all sorts.

If he works full time and you never go away then he probably has no experience of managing everything without you.

He needs that experience- then he might think of doing things to make your life easier when he goes away. Also you need it :)

Daytimenighttime · 30/01/2026 21:11

NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 20:51

But she could have them, but doesn't. He is working to facilitate her lifestyle and of course, his so isn't he entitled to a break, isn't she?

You make it sound as though OP is a " lady of leisure " for heavens sake.

I hardly think working part time, looking after a home full tine as well, and looking after children is an easy life. It's incredible hard work. And still very very undervalued.

You obviously are one of those who puts no value on anything other than paid employment. You don't see any value in the incredible contribution made by those who keep the home running and care for children. It's very very insulting.

Snoken · 30/01/2026 21:05

I was married to a man who travelled more than he was home and I never expected him to make it up to me. Actually, life was easier when he wasn’t around. I think rather than expecting him to offer, ask him to do whatever it is you want him to do. He’s clearly not picking up on your hints.

MsSeuss · 30/01/2026 20:59

I don’t expect him to do more as he’s so helpful when he’s home. My DP doesn’t often get to go out and enjoy himself (our lives are quite full on) so I wouldn’t want him feeling stressed before a weekend away doing more than his lions share.

ticketwoes · 30/01/2026 20:56

NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 20:51

But she could have them, but doesn't. He is working to facilitate her lifestyle and of course, his so isn't he entitled to a break, isn't she?

I think that working to facilitate my lifestyle is unfair - he affords us the luxury of me working part time, but that also benefits him because my ‘free time’ is used on household chores and school runs, meaning he doesn’t do them.
he absolutely deserves a break - I just think that saying ‘hey; I’ll pick up the kids tonight, give you some time to chill before I’m away’ would be a nice acknowledgement of the fact in order to have that break, I have to do everything at home and adjust my diary too.

OP posts:
NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 20:51

Daytimenighttime · 30/01/2026 20:43

I didn't miss either.
Doing all, or most of the work looking after a home and children also involves long hours.
Plus OP also has a part time job.
She is doing far more than her share without the holidays with pals.

Edited

But she could have them, but doesn't. He is working to facilitate her lifestyle and of course, his so isn't he entitled to a break, isn't she?

Peonies12 · 30/01/2026 20:45

No because I would then have an equal amount of time away. Do consider the risks of relying financially on a man you arent married to. Very risky.

Daytimenighttime · 30/01/2026 20:43

NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 20:38

What part of long hours/she's part time did you miss

I didn't miss either.
Doing all, or most of the work looking after a home and children also involves long hours.
Plus OP also has a part time job.
She is doing far more than her share without the holidays with pals.

blankcanvas3 · 30/01/2026 20:41

Yes he does more before and after, and I get the time back for a holiday for myself or split into weekends away. Duty free gifts too obvs

BalloonsBubbles654 · 30/01/2026 20:40

Yeah whenever DH goes away he does cook extra for me and the toddler and leaves portions in the freezer. He'll also do a bit more "babysitting" to let me go out properly. I couldn't go anywhere the first year as I was BF so this was a way to make up for it.

NotAnotherScarf · 30/01/2026 20:38

Daytimenighttime · 30/01/2026 19:36

Doesn't sound very equal if you are the house maid and nanny and he goes off with his pals to enjoy himself and leaves you to your household tasks.

What part of long hours/she's part time did you miss

SleepingStandingUp · 30/01/2026 20:09

Neither of us would go away that long but he would certainly facilitate me having some free time before he goes / once he's back

oustedbymymate · 30/01/2026 20:06

Erm no. But we generally do things in a 60/40 split. I do get a little treat like a massage when he gets back and I’ll have a day.

HollyIvie · 30/01/2026 19:59

If he goes away for a week, I’m also booking a week away. Should be equal time off.
if you don’t do that yes I’d expect him to do more around the house before he goes.