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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for shouting after being locked out with my sick child?

363 replies

Kittenwatch · 24/06/2026 15:45

How often have you really shouted/lost your temper at your partner/spouse?

I’ve been with my DH for over 20 years. We generally have a calm relationship. Neither of us are perfect obviously but we generally divide stuff up fairly well. We’ve probably only had 2/3 serious blow-ups in that time.

They all stem from his shit memory.

Today I screamed at him like I’ve never before. He was in the wrong but people still shouldn’t be shouted at. I was so angry and still am. I’m not sure what’s next.

He’s wfh today. I was called to collect our youngest son from school. I told him and he acknowledged the message - he’s interviewing all day so had limited opportunities to communicate which I get.

I arrived back home to the chain on the door. For no fucking reason. I rang the door, messaged and called him. Nothing (and I can see he didn’t read the messages). I drove around for 30 ish mins with windows down because I couldn’t sit on the drive in the car with sick DS and my neighbour wasn’t home.

After half an hour my neighbour returned home and very kindly yanked up her fence so I could climb under and get in.

So we’re in and he came down after his meeting finished oblivious and I screamed at him that he was stupid and to go away.

He’s upstairs interviewing again. I’m calmer but still angry.

Points to note:

DS is autistic with high support needs - he’s 8 but intellectually more like a 2/3 year old. He’s non verbal and cannot communicate how he feels. I collected him because he’d been sick at school.

I have a mobility issue. Getting under the fence was a significant challenge.

There is zero reason for the chain to be on.

I had messaged him repeatedly and called him too. Even if he couldn’t answer I think that a phone repeatedly buzzing when you know your wife was collecting your sick child warrants at least a glance.

I don’t even know what my AIBU is. I’m angry with him and disappointed in myself for losing my rag.

OP posts:
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Stepmum900 · 24/06/2026 15:54

I told my ex not to lock the front door as I didn’t have my key and of course he went and locked it when he went out. Wasn’t answering phone, in fact it went straight to voice mail.
Sat on the step for ages then went and searched the local pubs. Finally found him, pissed up. Had a right go at him. Said I’d been trying to call him, and he got his phone out and breezily said ‘battery died’.
not proud of this but I slapped him in front of his mate which I feel very ashamed for even now.
it was the blasé drunk attitude which tipped me over the edge.

WelshRabBite · 24/06/2026 15:54

What grown man puts the chain on the door during the work day when he knows his wife and sick child are on their way home?

Does he have form for doing little things to make your life harder?

Kittenwatch · 24/06/2026 15:54

luckycookie · 24/06/2026 15:53

He was clearly having a wank. What a pig. I’d have sat on the drive on the horn.

He wasn’t wanking.

OP posts:
Kittenwatch · 24/06/2026 15:53

cordeliavorkosigan · 24/06/2026 15:50

Remove the chain permanently. No need for it ever, and that's one thing you can do so this never happens again.
Your DH was very very stupid to do that and not to think: what if there is an emergency?
He may be ND too I suppose.
It's have lost my temper too, I'm sure.
The question is really what if next time there is an bigger emergency, one that requires him, and he is like this, does something like this?

We do need it because DS can use keys and likes to open the front door. His not able to take the chain off (yet) so we know he can’t get out when it’s on. We are only supposed to use it overnight.

OP posts:
luckycookie · 24/06/2026 15:53

He was clearly having a wank. What a pig. I’d have sat on the drive on the horn.

LivelyGreyShark · 24/06/2026 15:53

Why would he deliberately put the chain (that isn't used) on unless he was keeping you out?

Ablondiebutagoody · 24/06/2026 15:53

Probably better the chain than to be caught wanking by you and DS.

Kittenwatch · 24/06/2026 15:52

nooneliterallyspatouttheirtea · 24/06/2026 15:48

YANBU. Are you sure he was interviewing? The chain suggests to me that he was doing something that he didn't want to be disturbed doing. And I don't mean interviewing. It was totally inappropriate of him. You deserve an apology. How is your son doing now?

Definitely interviewing. I’m not concerned about him doing anything other than what he said. I thank god the back door was opened or we’d have not been able to get in for ages.

Son is very lethargic but no more vomit so hopefully it’s heat rather than a bug.

OP posts:
Sparkletastic · 24/06/2026 15:51

YANBU - stupid pointless thoughtless thing to do

cordeliavorkosigan · 24/06/2026 15:50

Remove the chain permanently. No need for it ever, and that's one thing you can do so this never happens again.
Your DH was very very stupid to do that and not to think: what if there is an emergency?
He may be ND too I suppose.
It's have lost my temper too, I'm sure.
The question is really what if next time there is an bigger emergency, one that requires him, and he is like this, does something like this?

arethereanyleftatall · 24/06/2026 15:49

I’m really sorry op but of the two of you, you come off far worse here. Should he have left the chain on? No. Is it rational to respond in the way you have? Not at all.

LauritaEvita · 24/06/2026 15:48

YANBU. Sounds like a horrible day and his absent mindedness has caused some of it.

nooneliterallyspatouttheirtea · 24/06/2026 15:48

YANBU. Are you sure he was interviewing? The chain suggests to me that he was doing something that he didn't want to be disturbed doing. And I don't mean interviewing. It was totally inappropriate of him. You deserve an apology. How is your son doing now?