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AIBU?

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Ultimate Betrayal

512 replies

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 21:43

Been bugging me for a while so here we go.

My wife had her graduation this summer, was so proud of her and all the work she put in. I paid for her gown and graduation photos (solo photo and 1 family photo).

because she’s picked an early morning slot - with travel and the kids it was going to be tight us all making it. So we agreed if me and kids missed pre ceremony photos (wife was driving with parents and siblings) we’d take family photos after the ceremony. To get there on time me and kids needed to set off at 08:00 and with kids being very young the intention was never for us to go into ceremony with it being 90 mins. They’d disrupt the whole thing.

well you guess it we didn’t make it out until after 9, then with driving around for ages looking for parking we just arrived at the end of the ceremony in time to take family photos after.

this was a disaster kids were hungry and in tears in all the photos not looking forward the lot.

fast forward to a few days later and we get to see the photos to choose which ones to order. And the wife has taken beautiful happy photos with her parents and siblings prior to me and kids arriving.

I feel totally betrayed

me and kids were only there for 15 mins despite us being stuck in the car for 2.5 hrs to take photos.

we’ve obviously argued and part of me feels guilty for putting a stain on her big day but the other half thinks why would you take photos without us knowing you that only one family photo could be chosen to purchase.

think it hurts more that’s without us shes got a lovely family photos and with me and the kids she’s got a very messed up unhappy photos.

YABU - she never intended to buy photos without us knowing you and kids and was just indulging herself.

YANBU- yeah she stabbed you in the heart, back and everywhere else. She shouldn’t have taken the photo even if the intention was never to buy.

OP posts:
Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Read my replies! My kids looked immaculate. Apart from when it came to actually taking photos time

OP posts:
Babayagahaha · 16/10/2026 22:36

They're under 5 but go to school....

It's not really much difference. They need feeding and dressed. Everything else (snacks/bags) COULD have been done the night before.

Aine1974 · 16/10/2026 22:36

Great that your wife has got her degree..(with the gown u paid for)
I hope she will be very happy when she drops the dead weight holding her back!

BlueMaya · 16/10/2026 22:36

You sound extremely sensitive and selfish. This was a day for your wife to celebrate her achievement. You should have stayed at home with the kids so she can have her day. Then have a private celebration with you and the kids. She was probably too scared to suggest if considering you previous over the top reactions!

summersweatbox · 16/10/2026 22:36

If you’re still reading through this thread Mufasa, I think you’re being given an unduly hard time. Your only mistake I can see is that you chose to post on Mumsnet openly as a man and expected level feedback. Keep on keeping on - nobody gets everything right and it sounds like you tried really hard. Have a sincere chat with your wife about feelings of exclusion once all this has died down a bit.

Muffsies · 16/10/2026 22:36

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:27

No both previous occasions were intentional

Wait, you think your wife and her family waited for you to leave the room to take photos without you, and your wife and SIL didn't want you at the wedding? Are you sure?

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:37

Muffsies · 16/10/2026 22:36

Wait, you think your wife and her family waited for you to leave the room to take photos without you, and your wife and SIL didn't want you at the wedding? Are you sure?

No my wife knew I wasn’t there and still allowed the photos with the photographer I paid to be taken

OP posts:
FlutterShite · 16/10/2026 22:37

I agree with you, OP. Her graduation photo should have been the one with angry, crying, frustrated kids in it. What kind of woman wouldn't want that?

Elsvieta · 16/10/2026 22:38

You don't sound like you have the maturity to be married tbh

Horses7 · 16/10/2026 22:38

What a let down of a stab in the heart betrayal story 🤦‍♀️
Tired, bored young children crying in photos that they don’t realise the importance of - unheard of!!

Babayagahaha · 16/10/2026 22:39

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:37

No my wife knew I wasn’t there and still allowed the photos with the photographer I paid to be taken

So was she supposed to waste the money?

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:39

Anyway I got the feedback I was looking for.

I’d reversed the genders to get a balanced view. It was my husbands graduation.

but fair enough I messed up and made it worse by arguing.

OP posts:
Hohofortherobbers · 16/10/2026 22:39

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:34

It’s a bit different getting kids ready for 8 to drive to the local school versus getting kids ready for 8 to tackle rush hour traffic into a major city. By leaving a bit later it meant we weren’t sat around on the motorway unecassaily!

Its not different at all, if you can get dc up, dressed, fed and out of the door for 8am every other day, then you could have done it on graduation day. Why did it take an extra hour on graduation day?

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:40

Elsvieta · 16/10/2026 22:38

You don't sound like you have the maturity to be married tbh

I agree

OP posts:
Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:41

Hohofortherobbers · 16/10/2026 22:39

Its not different at all, if you can get dc up, dressed, fed and out of the door for 8am every other day, then you could have done it on graduation day. Why did it take an extra hour on graduation day?

I mean the ceremony wasn’t at my front door it was 40 miles away

OP posts:
persisted · 16/10/2026 22:42

I’m baffled about why either of you thought taking 4 children under 5 was a good idea in the first place. My own graduation was long and boring, it isn’t a thing for children.

One to chalk up to experience and move on from.

oviraptor21 · 16/10/2026 22:42

YABU.
You were late - very late.
Your wife thoughtfully arranged to get the parent side family photos done before the ceremony so there would be less hanging around after for your kids.
You have spoilt her day now. I'm glad she's at least got some happy pre-ceremony photos to enjoy.

OneShyQuail · 16/10/2026 22:42

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 21:43

Been bugging me for a while so here we go.

My wife had her graduation this summer, was so proud of her and all the work she put in. I paid for her gown and graduation photos (solo photo and 1 family photo).

because she’s picked an early morning slot - with travel and the kids it was going to be tight us all making it. So we agreed if me and kids missed pre ceremony photos (wife was driving with parents and siblings) we’d take family photos after the ceremony. To get there on time me and kids needed to set off at 08:00 and with kids being very young the intention was never for us to go into ceremony with it being 90 mins. They’d disrupt the whole thing.

well you guess it we didn’t make it out until after 9, then with driving around for ages looking for parking we just arrived at the end of the ceremony in time to take family photos after.

this was a disaster kids were hungry and in tears in all the photos not looking forward the lot.

fast forward to a few days later and we get to see the photos to choose which ones to order. And the wife has taken beautiful happy photos with her parents and siblings prior to me and kids arriving.

I feel totally betrayed

me and kids were only there for 15 mins despite us being stuck in the car for 2.5 hrs to take photos.

we’ve obviously argued and part of me feels guilty for putting a stain on her big day but the other half thinks why would you take photos without us knowing you that only one family photo could be chosen to purchase.

think it hurts more that’s without us shes got a lovely family photos and with me and the kids she’s got a very messed up unhappy photos.

YABU - she never intended to buy photos without us knowing you and kids and was just indulging herself.

YANBU- yeah she stabbed you in the heart, back and everywhere else. She shouldn’t have taken the photo even if the intention was never to buy.

Geeezus you had to get the kids somewhere for 8 and couldnt do it, and your wife is in the wrong?!

InOverMyHead84 · 16/10/2026 22:42

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:39

Anyway I got the feedback I was looking for.

I’d reversed the genders to get a balanced view. It was my husbands graduation.

but fair enough I messed up and made it worse by arguing.

Interesting that you felt the need to do that.

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:43

persisted · 16/10/2026 22:42

I’m baffled about why either of you thought taking 4 children under 5 was a good idea in the first place. My own graduation was long and boring, it isn’t a thing for children.

One to chalk up to experience and move on from.

Exactly which is why we agreed I would arrive after the ceremony, take photos and go for a nice lunch

OP posts:
Babayagahaha · 16/10/2026 22:44

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:41

I mean the ceremony wasn’t at my front door it was 40 miles away

So you set an earlier alarm and leave time.

Do you never leave at different times?

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:44

InOverMyHead84 · 16/10/2026 22:42

Interesting that you felt the need to do that.

There’s a definite gender bias on mumsnet let’s be real. The number is posters who resorted to calling me financially controlling and abusive says it all really. But the sentiment of whether I overreacted is valid and taken on board

OP posts:
Hohofortherobbers · 16/10/2026 22:45

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:39

Anyway I got the feedback I was looking for.

I’d reversed the genders to get a balanced view. It was my husbands graduation.

but fair enough I messed up and made it worse by arguing.

YABU regardless of your sex.

Namemechangey · 16/10/2026 22:46

Is this real?? Are you really feeling like she stabbed you in the heart and back because the photos were not great due to the timing?? If so you are a massive drama lama and should consider a career in reality TV!
editing to add that I saw this was a gender reverse and my comment still stands

Mufasa1992 · 16/10/2026 22:46

oviraptor21 · 16/10/2026 22:42

YABU.
You were late - very late.
Your wife thoughtfully arranged to get the parent side family photos done before the ceremony so there would be less hanging around after for your kids.
You have spoilt her day now. I'm glad she's at least got some happy pre-ceremony photos to enjoy.

She does but she can only chose one family photo (because of the package bought pre ceremony) with me and kids or without

OP posts: