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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to drive 4 drink people home?

123 replies

alwaysblonde · 30/04/2014 19:02

Its DH’s birthday in July and by then I will be 7 months pregnant. Hes asking that we go to this fancy restaurant which is a 2 hour drive away, that I drive him and his 4 friends back to our house after the meal so they can have a drink (fine, I don’t normally drink that much as I hate hangovers).

The problem I have is that my DH gets really drunk and his past performance is not great. Last year I drove them home from a rugby match and he and a friend was drunk they were shouting in my ear all the way that a couple of times I nearly crashed.

At easter, DH and another friend got so drunk (and I believe had some illegal substances) that firstly he came into my room trying to find his ‘jacket’ and woke me up, I then went downstairs after him (worried about what state he was in) to find him putting a tray of filo pastry into our powerful oven at 3.30am whilst completely wrecked.
I confronted him and his friend argued with me (DH was so out of it he was incoherent) that I was being unreasonable that I demanded that they both went to bed and stopped cooking the filo pastry. I angrily went upstairs and Dh tried to pull me down the stairs by my dressing down leaving me naked on the stairs (with a visible baby bump) so I turned around and slapped him (I know i shouldn't have done but it was a scared reaction but thats not the issue) Then both of them tried to apologise to me by trying to come into the room with me. I was having none of it and told them both to f**k off. DH eventually got into bed and I was so disgusted in him (and he was so wasted I couldn’t get him to go in another room) that I went and slept on the sofa in the study. I couldn’t sleep there as its so damn hard and given I had on that same day had some pregnancy sickness, felt bloody awful for a couple of days that I had to call in sick- it was like I had the flu!. I felt that I had been drinking like they had!

Next day DH apologized but his friend was taking the piss out of me for going ballistic. They have this thing that whenever I ask for something they say ‘Im pregnant’ in a crazed way.

I am concerned that history will repeat itself. I’ve had a troublesome pregnancy so far (SPD, reflux, sickness etc) and I don’t want to put myself in the situation that I feel shit again as im desperate to stay in work and stay healthy. As well, people staying over involves me doing loads of hovering, bed making, bathroom cleaning etc etc whilst my husband fannies about making them ‘canapes’ and I don’t feel I know yet if my SPD is going to get worse and I wont be able to do this. Honestly, our house is like a hotel!

I’ve said to DH that hes got some choices- either its cancelled and he has a bigger one next year or that I don’t come and that he sleeps in another room so he doesn’t wake me up. He’s chosen that he’s going to book a room up there and they are all going to stay- this is fine with me.

However hes not talking to me now (hes being childish) I am going to ignore it until he sees sense. His argument is that I have no evidence that he will behave like that, however my stance is that hes done it before.

I’ve said that I don’t even know if I will be able to drive then (SPD is already bad) and he’s rubbished this saying I will.

Am I being unreasonable? A sense of humour failure or does my husband need a kick up the arse?

(I don't know if DH was using illegal substances, it looked like it but i am quite naive about that- i know he has before)

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 01/05/2014 00:06

WRONG THREAD Blush

alwaysblonde · 01/05/2014 00:08

Nope they aren't the norm. He's normally quiet placid but seeing his friends and alcohol seems to be a raw nerve.

I was seriously cross with him but reasoned he was pissed, didn't know what he was doing and seemed genuinely sorry the next day, not remembering anything.

OP posts:
alwaysblonde · 01/05/2014 00:14

I don't know what to do now.

OP posts:
alwaysblonde · 01/05/2014 01:03

What else can I do? He's apologised and promised not to do it again.

The only alternative is to leave him. I don't want to do that.

OP posts:
Mim78 · 01/05/2014 03:03

Do not do the party driving on any account. No good will come of it.

Cerisier · 01/05/2014 04:08

He has to build up the trust over the coming weeks and show he is the mature man who deserves to be a father.

Is he going with you to antenatal classes? Reading up on what to expect, changes to your body and how to look after a baby? Helping you to eat right and supporting you?

At the moment he sounds self absorbed, irresponsible and downright dangerous. It is time for him to step up now before he loses you.

And obviously don't do the driving and don't put up his obnoxious friends in your house.

qazxc · 01/05/2014 04:14

Leaving aside the issue of your DH, why on earth would you want to ferry around, spend the evening and have to cater overnight for his mates who seem to have no respect for you/act like dangerous morons (shouting in ear/cooking when absolutely ossified)/mock you. Even if your DH stayed sober, you would still have to deal with them. Would you be happy with your DH treating their wife/girlfriend the way they treat you?

Bodicea · 01/05/2014 06:26

No way in earth I would ferry around his friends that distance - even if I wasn't pregnant.
As others have pointed out there will be a DVT risk driving that sort of distance when pregnant.
If it was me I would never let his friend stay in my house again after disrespecting me like that and at 7 months pregnant I would not allow anyone at all to stay in my house
I think your dh needs to take your pregnancy more seriously. Maybe show him this thread?

MooseyMouse · 01/05/2014 06:32

This sounds like abusive behaviour to me. It can be hard to see it when you're in it. It's ok to make your own decisions about what happens next but you just said "if he subjects me or dc to this behaviour I'll leave him". Remember that because when he does subject you and dc to this it's likely you'll want to minimise what he's done and make excuses.

Be aware of the people on this thread who are saying the behaviour is abusive and maybe do some reading about abuse.

Good luck.

Squeegle · 01/05/2014 07:01

I agree that the signs are not good. But OP- you don't need to do anything at the moment except think about it! Think whether the way he behaves towards you is the way that you think you should be treated? Then you can start to form your plan. Do your parents know what he's like or do you cover for him? Is he moody with anyone else? Sometimes the first step can be to talk about the behaviour with someone you trust in RL. Sometimes we end up glossing over the bad behaviour as it feels like it must be our fault if someone treats us like this. Which of course it's not!

That you have somewhere to go if you need to is good news. The option is there.

Inertia · 01/05/2014 07:05

Glad you are beginning to see how appalling - and downright dangerous- your husband's behaviour is.

He and his friend were so drunk you were unable to drive safely and almost crashed.

He ripped off your clothing on the stairs in such a way that you almost fell, and left you naked in front of his friend. They both then mocked you.

He expects you - while heavily pregnant- to drive 4 of his pissed abusive mates about, and cook and clean for them. He strops when you won't.

He gets so out of his head on drink and drugs that he risks setting the house on fire.

You really are not being unreasonable. The problem is much bigger than the birthday ( why couldn't just the two of you go, as a romantic night out before the baby arrives? ). Something needs to change.

Deathraystare · 01/05/2014 07:12

If he is like this now, how is he going to behave when he is 'free' to go out with his mates and you have a tiny baby to look after. He will think it very reasonable of him to invite his mates back home to stay over -cue aggressive actions and loud noises whilst you are frantically trying to ssh them.

He will still want his fun when the baby gets here. Horrible abusive creature.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/05/2014 07:24

The 3cs re alcoholism:-
You did not cause this
You cannot control this
You cannot cure this

You have written that you do not want to leave him; why is that exactly?.

Being there enables him and this sorry situation that you have found yourself in to further continue.

He is really as well no different from his own family, the apple did not fall far from the tree.

Your H is not going to change; this is the real him, a binge drinker who cannot control his intake. If he is indeed an alcoholic he should not drink alcohol at all.

You have a choice re this man; your child does not.

Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 07:27

No no no be assertive!. Their past bevahiour was unacceptable, no is a complete sentence! Add to that youare 7 months pregnant, your h is being a dick!

Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 07:35

Let him go by himself and book a room not your worries. He sounds a dick when sober, caring only for himself and acting like a child when he does not get his Jen way. Way is he expecting a heavily pregnant woman to drive him and his rowdy mates to and from the venue and entertain them in your home. Says a lot for him. See how it goes, I would leave if it dies not change. He does not sound like he cares or respects you!

Sunnydaysablazeinhope · 01/05/2014 07:40

Christ what is it with mn and the faux 'expert' issue spotting all the fucking time. The first few in every thread diagnose the poor bloke as drunk depressed abuser and advice is LTB without fail. I wonder sometimes is that just easier to do? Saves giving actual help. Means you can just shout negatively instead of (novel idea for a forum) talk?

He's a what 30 something guy? Sees his mates how often? Every few weeks? (If every night maybe just maybe there's bigger issues...) He is probably just so unused to letting the leash go a little bit now because of family etc that when he gets the chance he slips the collar altogether and goes to far. I've done it too! (I'm not male.) you just get too exuberant at being 'you' you forget your say not 24 single and act silly and push everything too far get too drunk and upset your partner.

He can be a normal guy that just acts like a dick occasionally. (Or in my case, girl.)

Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 08:05

No sunny that is beside the point, he is not respecting her like a d h should, even when he is not drunk he is acting like a child. Op has said he is a binge drinker yes he des have a problem. Op knows him better than us, and is comming to the conclusion herself. Mabey she could see how it goes, and see if he dies shape up. Noway should she drive him and his rowdy mates and entertain them, especially at 7 months pg nor should she be expected to. Yes if he does not improve she has the option of leaving him, just because she is oregnant by this guy does not mean she has to stay with him if he treats her like that!

Quinteszilla · 01/05/2014 08:07

Sunny, this is way beyond "upsetting" the partner, this is endangering the partner, and unborn child. You are welcome to be a dick with your partner if that is who you are, but your partner does not have to accept it! (And in ops case will have to start thinking about the child she is bringing into life with this man, and not just herself.)

Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 08:34

After te first incident where he and his mates were so rowdy they nearly caused her to crash would be the last time I would do this favour. Sunny you might like being a dick with your partner, that's fine if your both happy, but op is not, there is a problem. Yes now he is going to be a dad, he had better grow up, and stop acting like a teenager.

Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 08:36

Not all guys act like a dick, especially towards their heavily pregnant partner,

alwaysblonde · 01/05/2014 09:01

Sunny- he sees them every couple of months as we live 200
miles from everyone.

Im really annoyed about the friend. He tried to get involved between a discussion between my DH and me at the time and then tried to fake 'dance' with me, forgetting that I have SPD and at times can't move. I couldn't reason with either of them.

DH refers to when I got drunk at a hen party and he had to pick me up from bath at 2am as I missed my train home. Was about 2 years ago.

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 09:05

Always, see how it goes, but don't accept being treated like crap, don't drive him and his rowdy mates, let them get a hotel or b&b

Aeroflotgirl · 01/05/2014 09:06

His friends are also disrespectful to you and he allows that, you owe them nothing. Stay at home and have a nice relaxing weekend on his birthday

HannerHet · 01/05/2014 09:11

YANBU, I wouldn't want to drive them even if I wasn't pregnant. Don't do it, say no, it's your choice!
Your not stopping him from going, but he can sort out his own way home or (preferably) stay there so he doesn't come home drunk.

softlysoftly · 01/05/2014 09:36

You ask what you can do and that he apologised, but apologies are empty words without actions.

His leaving you naked and risking pulling his pregnant wife downstairs was extreme. He thinks apologising is enough but I'm afraid he isn't really sorry or ashamed orhe wouldn't risk it again and actually be guilt tripping you into putting yourself at risk. Both from him and his friends and from driving so far at this time.

So practicality wise if this was my marriage I would be making clear to DH that he had a choice to make. His behaviour was abhorrent and can't be at risk of a repeatso he doesnt drink near you again. Full stop. His friends come nowhere near you and your home. Full stop. You won't block him seeing them but he makes arrangements away from the home which do not involve you at all.

if he doesn't understand why this is necessary or uses emotional blackmail (like the silent treatment) call him on it. Tell him he is indicating he doesn't care how abudive his behaviour was and how dangerous he is to you and his child when drunk as proved on multiple occasions and to drop the attitude about it.

if he fails to agree to the above see if an external councillor can make him see sense. If that fails then you have to leave him.