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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to really dislike DH after our holiday?

286 replies

HelpMEunderstand0 · 31/08/2026 23:44

I don’t know if I’m over reacting but I actually feel like I really really dislike DH and am questioning the relationship altogether based on a terrible holiday

DD13 ASD and DS15 ADHD

I have ADHD - suspect DH may be ASD but he refuses any testing as says he’s got to 45 just fine

A few incidents have happened and I’m really upset

Firstly we have not been getting on for a long time now and this was meant to be a bit of a deciding holiday as I’m struggling to connect with him at all in recent years mainly with the lack of understanding around the children’s needs or practical help with any of it

So far he has

  1. Made DD cry in a shop because DS kept putting a box of Maltesers in the basket that he said were too expensive and ended up tossing them on the side of the self checkout - they then fell on the floor and a shopkeeper asked if he was buying them and he replied “ Obviously not or they would be in my basket wouldn’t they ? “ and left the shop
DD very embarrassed and apologised to the worker
  1. A little boy of 8 years old is on the resort and is very good at pool and has beat both my kids in good spirits each time he’s played them. DH said “ Let’s see how good he is then “ and proceeded to floor him, hitting the balls in really hard and a little aggressively. I was mortified that a 45 year old would take joy in beating a small 8 year old and my son then got annoyed with DH and tried to knock the cue out of his hand on the last shot which made DH shout “ if you did that to someone in a real pool match they would punch you in the face “

Lastly, me and DD went to look in a shop at the airport and DH and DS were meant to wait outside

When we came out they were gone so we made our way to the gate thinking they would be there - they weren’t so I called him and he was furious that he had waited outside and we had gone anyway

Turns out he was nearby but not outside so we just missed him by accident but when we got back FD was upset as DH had said “ Well if they’re late it’s their own fault and they’ll have to deal with being stuck in Italy won’t they? “

DS panicked and told us when we met back up with them and DD then got upset as DH had her passport so in her mind we would have actually been stuck

My emotions are really high and I need some outside advice please

OP posts:
ThatLilacTiger · 01/09/2026 12:21

What a pig. You want to be careful the message you're sending your children by continuing to share a home with this man and tolerate his behaviour. Your son may not have coped well with the separation but he runs a serious risk of turning out just like him if you don't kick him out, and that would be a huge shame because from your OP it sounds like you've raised lovely kids.

HumberSquid · 01/09/2026 12:20

Lmnop22 · 01/09/2026 12:01

Did you miss the bit where he saw an 8 year old boy beat his children at pool good naturedly so he proceeded to challenge him as an adult and then be very aggressive when playing?!

On what planet is it OK to bully an 8 year old and attempt to humiliate him in perceived retribution for being better at pool than your own kids 🤯

Sigh. It is not bullying an 8 year old to beat them at pool, nor is it humiliating for an 8 year old to be beaten at pool by an adult. The only person he embarrassed was himself.

HumberSquid · 01/09/2026 12:18

PS5Gamer · 01/09/2026 00:23

He sound absolutely vile, and cruel. I could not live like that, or put my Children through it either.

Sorry but what has he done that's either vile or cruel? Got pissed off at his son pratting around? Beat an 8 year old at pool? Refused a random cat a treat?

He doesnt sound like much fun to be around but neither does he sound like the devil incarnate.

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 01/09/2026 12:10

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 12:06

Somebody signpost Botanicalf to a thesaurus tool....please.

Let's ignore. They just want attention.

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 12:08

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 12:06

Somebody signpost Botanicalf to a thesaurus tool....please.

Thought you were backing off. I can post as I wish.

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 12:06

Somebody signpost Botanicalf to a thesaurus tool....please.

TheSunBeatsDown · 01/09/2026 12:06

I would not stay with this angry horrible man for your son. First, your son needs a better role model, he's worried he will lose his dad so is clinging to him, it's his dad's moods that make him doubt this. The new normal will stabilise.

Second, you and your daughter count! Do not teach your dd that her life and feelings and sense of home are less important than your sons'.

Leave this angry man; you know that was the right thing to do. Step up and face your son and tell him you personally cannot live like this. You are a person in your own right, not just someone who has to be unhappy- teach him that mums and sisters matter too.

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 12:05

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:59

Read the room… you’re boring, attacking women and derailing a thread.

I am not attacking women, that is ridiculous. And disagreeing with posters is not derailing a thread. The question was posted in AIBU!!

Lmnop22 · 01/09/2026 12:03

HelpMEunderstand0 · 01/09/2026 00:14

At least it is to me in my brain but then I’m always very emotional so I can’t rely on my own judgement sometimes

This is because he’s gaslighting you into believing that. It is NOT true. The people have voted here and you can absolutely trust your judgment!!

Lmnop22 · 01/09/2026 12:01

SaySomethingMan · 01/09/2026 00:01

First one, I understand his frustration at having to take out maltesers multiple times where a 15 year old boy is involved. He needs to be firmer/clearer with the boy, it seems. He was rude to the shop
attendant.

Pool? I don’t know. Did you just want him to let the kid win? If the boy was as good as you say, I don’t see anything wrong with him playing him competitively, unless he’s a professional himself or something. I don’t know how pool sam be played aggressively or non aggressively. You need enough force to putt? Not too much not to little. He wouldn’t play well with aggression, I would imagine.

Airport, travelling can be stressful. People say or do things in haste during travel when anxious.
I wouldn’t let this be the deciding factor. However if you have already made up your mind based on previous situation, thrm that’s different.

If he’s autistic but won’t get the help he needs, that’s hard and not fair on yhe family.

All the best in your decision

Did you miss the bit where he saw an 8 year old boy beat his children at pool good naturedly so he proceeded to challenge him as an adult and then be very aggressive when playing?!

On what planet is it OK to bully an 8 year old and attempt to humiliate him in perceived retribution for being better at pool than your own kids 🤯

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:59

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:56

Of course🙄Heaven forbid anybody disagreeing with posters could be anybody other than the op’s husband.

Read the room… you’re boring, attacking women and derailing a thread.

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:56

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:54

I think OP’s husband might have entered the chat 🙄

Of course🙄Heaven forbid anybody disagreeing with posters could be anybody other than the op’s husband.

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:56

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:54

I think OP’s husband might have entered the chat 🙄

Almost feels that way. Said poster has had my last response; grey rock serves me well enough IRL when dealing with this type 🙄

birdinatree1903 · 01/09/2026 11:55

He sounds absolutely vile, what a nasty bully 😓

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:54

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:49

The thing is what are we disagreeing with? Someone who has used the phrase psychological analysis so many times on this post I think they must be a failed psychology student or something. And also has disdain and disregard for the actual experiences of abuse survivors. An absolute charmer.

I think OP’s husband might have entered the chat 🙄

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:54

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:54

Disdain from inflating the examples in the op to abuse and psychologically analysing a child they’ve never met over the internet.

And as for failed psychology student🙄, because somebody disagrees with you. Yet more inflating ..

🗻

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:54

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:49

The thing is what are we disagreeing with? Someone who has used the phrase psychological analysis so many times on this post I think they must be a failed psychology student or something. And also has disdain and disregard for the actual experiences of abuse survivors. An absolute charmer.

Disdain from inflating the examples in the op to abuse and psychologically analysing a child they’ve never met over the internet.

And as for failed psychology student🙄, because somebody disagrees with you. Yet more inflating ..

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:51

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:47

Oh god will you stop with this 'psychological analysis' thing. First hand accounts absolutely and categorically DO give survivors of abuse the right AND ability to contribute. None of whom are doing a bloody psychological analysis! Presumptious or otherwise. So first hand accounts of everything are utterly irrelevant are they? Be careful, as that will get you into serious hot water with people from all walks of life who have experienced abuse, atrocities, the list is endless. Your narrative basically says their experiences are worthless. As you have approximately 10 words in your vocabulary I'd be backing off.

Please do

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:49

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:45

Omg way to prove her point by calling a woman hysterical for daring to disagree with you

The thing is what are we disagreeing with? Someone who has used the phrase psychological analysis so many times on this post I think they must be a failed psychology student or something. And also has disdain and disregard for the actual experiences of abuse survivors. An absolute charmer.

Yellowishflowers · 01/09/2026 11:49

PyongyangKipperbang · 01/09/2026 01:27

I, at least three of my kids and my sister are a mixture of AuDHD or ASD.....you know what none of us are? Cunts.

Being ND is not a free pass on being a cunt. And as he wont actually seek a dx, then I think you need to take his word for it that he is simply a cunt for no other reason than.....he is choosing to be a cunt.

Do with that information what you will. But for your son's sake dont let him think that his father's behaviour can be excused.

Great post as usual.

Oh and agree with @5128gap, children often fawn over abusive parents as a protection and to keep the peace.

Only an ignorant would dismiss the validity of this.

LilyBunch25 · 01/09/2026 11:47

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:34

Nope. First hand accounts do not in anyway give anybody the right or ability to do a very presumptuous psychological analysis of a child they’ve never met.

Oh god will you stop with this 'psychological analysis' thing. First hand accounts absolutely and categorically DO give survivors of abuse the right AND ability to contribute. None of whom are doing a bloody psychological analysis! Presumptious or otherwise. So first hand accounts of everything are utterly irrelevant are they? Be careful, as that will get you into serious hot water with people from all walks of life who have experienced abuse, atrocities, the list is endless. Your narrative basically says their experiences are worthless. As you have approximately 10 words in your vocabulary I'd be backing off.

rfdm · 01/09/2026 11:45

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:35

Just hysterical! Yet more hugely inaccurate armchair analysis.

Omg way to prove her point by calling a woman hysterical for daring to disagree with you

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 01/09/2026 11:36

Let's ignore the disruption and focus on helping OP.

OP, what are your thoughts?

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:35

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 01/09/2026 11:25

This poster obviously can't identify abusive behaviour, and given their aggressive, minatory, dismissive approach on this thread, it wouldn't surprise me that they themselves are abusive in their own relationships. We here have the good fortune of being able to ignore this person, unlike the poor people who have to share physical space with them.

Just hysterical! Yet more hugely inaccurate armchair analysis.

Botanicalf · 01/09/2026 11:34

5128gap · 01/09/2026 11:29

I don't know why you want to dismiss learning on this issue and the first hand accounts of people on the thread to defend the husband of a stranger on the Internet. Perhaps you have just dug a hole for yourself now and feel compelled to defend your silly comment.
Either way, it's not helpful to the OP so we'll leave it there. It's up to OP which comments resonate.

Nope. First hand accounts do not in anyway give anybody the right or ability to do a very presumptuous psychological analysis of a child they’ve never met.

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