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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to have zero empathy for DHs 'mid-life crisis'

455 replies

nincompoopascoop · 18/05/2014 22:42

I'm currently five months pregnant with dc4, who was a surprise, though we always planned on having dc4 at some point. Our other children are aged 6, 3 and 2 and DH also has a son from his previous marriage who is 8. Recently DHs behaviour has changed and I think it's a because he's made friends with a young (male) colleague who has expensive cars, clothes, holidays, night's out etc.

As examples - in the past three months DH has had seven nights out. More than he's had in the past three years. Now, while I have no problem with him going out per se, I think he's massively taking advantage of my good nature. He's arranged them and told me after the fact, expected lifts to get there, spent the day before shopping for a new outfit/getting his hair cut, stayed the night at his friends house 'so he wouldn't wake us' and not surfaced until the following evening because he's so hungover. Obviously its irrelevant now because I'm pregnant, but I haven't had a night out in four years and DH would be livid if it took days to have one.

He's volunteered for extra work which has meant working away with his friend, again - telling me after the fact. He and his friend have then been sitting in the hotel bar drinking the extra they've earned, while the kids and I are left home without a second thought.

His friend has made some - what I consider - really disrespectful comments about me. We're moving soon to closer to this friend and he joked to DH that he should leave us where we are and houseshare with him 'because he's fun and not just a freeloader' and then in the same conversation 'i guess I see why you'd pick her though, she does have a cracking arse.' DH hasn't pulled him up on this, which is out of character.

The final straw for me has been with regard to my dss. We've spent a great deal of money and time in court to achieve a court order as his mum was obstructing contact. As a result, we haven't seen dss for three months now. Finally last week we received good news and the first scheduled contact weekend is this weekend coming. However, DH came home from work on Friday saying he'd volunteered to go away (several hundred miles away) for a few days with work as of Tuesday, but it could end up oveerunning. I asked what that meant for dss and he said he'd tell exW/court he had no choice. His only concern was whether he'd get in trouble with court, not that it meant he might not see dss for several more months! You won't be surprised to hear that the friend has also volunteered to go...

Aibu to tell him to get a grip and realise he needs to face up to his responsibilities at home rather than making decisions like he's a single man?

OP posts:
GarlicMayonnaise · 21/05/2014 13:52

a way round it that I've missed ...

How about he moves into a flat-share with his BMF? He'll still turf up at the family home when he can fit it in. You'll still organise everything. The only difference will be that you won't be planning round his unpredictable activities: just carry on as if he wasn't there (which he isn't,) and treat him more like a flaky uncle (which he is) than a husband & father.

Have you thought about this?

nincompoopascoop · 21/05/2014 14:00

Thanks bumbley - I agree with your posts completely.

Nanny just because your children are happy with whoever puts them to bed, doesn't mean mine are or should be. If dc should just accept complete change there'd be no call for settling in periods with nurseries etc. My dc want what they know.

OP posts:
Backinthering · 21/05/2014 14:03

Why do you think your husband didn't pull his friend yp on calling you 'freeloading fanny'? Hoe does that make you feel?

nincompoopascoop · 21/05/2014 14:10

Because he thought (knew) it was a joke I should imagine. We are pretty laid back. I couldn't care less about a virtual strangers opinion of me.

OP posts:
OnlyLovers · 21/05/2014 14:12

OP, I wouldn't care about a stranger's opinion either, but I WOULD care if my DP's reaction was anything other than 'OI! Do not talk about OnlyLovers like that.'

That's how I'd respond if anyone said anything as horrible about him to me, too. That's how people who care about and respect one another act (some of them might use more elegant language, granted Smile)

WhistleTopTomato · 21/05/2014 14:14

From the OP:
His friend has made some - what I consider - really disrespectful comments about me. We're moving soon to closer to this friend and he joked to DH that he should leave us where we are and houseshare with him 'because he's fun and not just a freeloader' and then in the same conversation 'i guess I see why you'd pick her though, she does have a cracking arse.' DH hasn't pulled him up on this, which is out of character

Today:

  • Why do you think your husband didn't pull his friend yp on calling you 'freeloading fanny'? Hoe does that make you feel?
  • Because he thought (knew) it was a joke I should imagine. We are pretty laid back. I couldn't care less about a virtual strangers opinion of me

What a difference a day makes.

Backinthering · 21/05/2014 14:17

Then why mention it like it was a bad thing?
Look, you're now determined that the two of you are totally happy and have a great marriage apart from a couple of niggles. That's great, you enjoy. But I must say I've seldom seen such a dramatic about face in anything I've read on here and I find it odd as hell.

nincompoopascoop · 21/05/2014 14:19

So, Onlylovers, if a friend called him the male equivalent- let's say, workaholic Willy, you think I'd jump in and defend him? Nope, I'd think it was ridiculous and laugh it off like DH did.

It was the part about me having a cracking arse that bothered me more. His friend shouldn't be looking and certainly shouldn't be admitting to it. If anyone else said that about/to me DH wouldn't be impressed

OP posts:
MexicanSpringtime · 21/05/2014 14:22

if I moved to my hometown three hours away, that makes contact with young dc awfully difficult, particularly when DH probably has one full weekend off every six weeks at most. So unless I sacrificed my life to stay close by...

Sorry OP, I know you want to sweep it all under the carpet now - quite understandably I might add - but on top of having a husband who works twelve hours a day, six days a week, you are also living in a place you don't want to live in for his sake (and supposedly the sake of the children)?

As you are decided to settle for this life, maybe you could think of ways of improving it for yourself, so that you like the place you live, for a start.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 21/05/2014 14:23

"Nanny just because your children are happy with whoever puts them to bed, doesn't mean mine are or should be. If dc should just accept complete change there'd be no call for settling in periods with nurseries etc. My dc want what they know."

Nursery- a day care setting where all faces and routines are unfamiliar to the child. Not surprising a settling in period is required.

Bedtime with dad- a daily routine that happens every single day being carried out by a person they have known since birth and see in their home most days. No settling in required but would be perfectly doable for a father who wanted to. This one doesnt and interestingly- you dont want him to.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 21/05/2014 14:30

It was the part about me having a cracking arse that bothered me more. His friend shouldn't be looking and certainly shouldn't be admitting to it. If anyone else said that about/to me DH wouldn't be impressed

So you dont care about a strangers opinion of you when they call you a free loader (off your own dh) but you do mind that they said you have a nice bum? Confused

And you accept your DH's agreement with freeloading comment but his acceptance of nice arse comment is a problem? Confused Confused

Also, " If anyone else said that about/to me DH wouldn't be impressed"

But he didnt object to this friend so there's your proof he wouldnt care if anyone else said it.

Like someone said upthread - when someone tells you who they are, believe them.

nincompoopascoop · 21/05/2014 14:34

Youre I've said several times now that DH doesn't seethe children on his work days so to suddenly swoop in and take over after many days apart is unrealistic. I know several people who's husbands work away or long hours and have the same issue.

OP posts:
YoureBeingASillyBilly · 21/05/2014 14:36

So really what benefit is there to you or the children of staying? According to you he gets 1 weekend off every 6 weeks so he isnt seeing the children for 6 weeks.

basgetti · 21/05/2014 14:37

Then surely he should be eager to spend time with the children as soon as he gets the chance, and you should be encouraging that too. What would happen if you got hit by a bus tomorrow?

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 21/05/2014 14:40

OP - you seemed pretty cross about everything at the beginning of the thread. What has changed?

You said you wanted it sorted - have you now decided there is nothing to sort?

mrsbucketxx · 21/05/2014 14:46

im sorry OP but the answer to the night out would be NO!!!!

maybe a pow wow with the friend and lay it all out there. He has a family he should not be acting like this.

suggest to the friend you need to spend some quality time with you dh and his dc.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 21/05/2014 14:48

Your Dh's mate clearly convinced you DH that you are a freeloader as otherwise he would have stood up for you. You're a mother of his Dc and you are contributing to his career. Angry he should be pissed off with his mate for saying that!
OP: is my DH shit?
M: yes, he is shit
OP: (back-peddaling): oh no,he's great, I don't mind.

I get it, it's not nice when people agree your partner is not being good to you but you did ask. and he isn't. hope you sort it out.

house-share, ffs. I'd be telling him about muttons dressed as lambs. Hmm.

mrsbucketxx · 21/05/2014 14:50

my dh works away and when he is here he looks after them if i cant (at work) all day he would gladly bath them and do everything i do.

many on here seem to think if your d works away they are less of a parent somehow, its the attitude of them when they are with the dc and giving you some slack that really matters.

yours however doesn't seem to want too or you wont let him which seems odd to me

Spero · 21/05/2014 15:52

If anyone said I had a cracking arse I would be quite pleased.

But if anyone said I was a freeloader for raising my husbands children and said husband did not immediately leap to my defence, I would be very displeased indeed.

It's the lack of respect and recognition for what you do that is so sad. I don't think you should ever be 'laid back' about that.

Shewhowines · 21/05/2014 17:14

me too spero

kinsorange · 21/05/2014 17:19

op is back to thinking her husband is wonderful again.

I'm off this thread.

BrunoBrookesDinedAlone · 21/05/2014 17:30

Jesus.

He wouldn't be 'swooping in and taking over'.

He'd be spending a bit of time with his own children.

He's a loser, OP, and you know it - his first wife had the right idea.

Jux · 21/05/2014 17:45

Please think! If the only way your dh sees his children at all is because they are conveniently close to him when he is at home, then he's really not doing that well as a dad. He doesn't seem particularly attached to any of you, tbh. Even I can put on a Disney-dad-like show occasionally!

Is it possible that as his career, at least his boss' good regard, depends upon his being a family man - or being seen as one, whether he really is or not; and having lost one family through the exigencies of his ex, he has made himself another family, thus continuing to please his boss and keep his career on track. I hate to say it, but all the things you have said, all the fears about lack of contact, lack of engagement, the assumption he had that he could just lie about things so he can work instead of seeing his son, all of it, looks like you are there as part of a career plan and not much more.

Whatever, I am sorry it is happening to you, and do urge you to keep all your options open. One day, your children will recognise what is going on, whatever it is, and will make their own decisions about it.

MajesticWhine · 21/05/2014 19:12

"DH doesn't seethe children"
fantastic freudian slip there Grin
Sorry just ignore me

merrymouse · 21/05/2014 19:20

I think you can argue the toss about bedtimes and nights out - sometimes there are two sides to these arrangements/disagreements.

However, going to court to get access and then compromising that by volunteering to work is absolutely staggering behaviour.

OP have you told him to get a grip yet?