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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:
BeckAndCall · 19/05/2014 07:46

OP, what would actually happen if you said 'no' do you think? How does that play out in your head - either 'no' to working the weekend and missing contact with dss or 'no' to the next night out with the friend?

(Waves back to at b&c)

Coconutty · 19/05/2014 07:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SciFiFan · 19/05/2014 08:04

I'm another who is concerned that this is an OM situation. A close relative of mine is gay and you'd be surprised how many married men he's had affairs with!

weatherall · 19/05/2014 08:07

Why stay with him?

wowfudge · 19/05/2014 08:12

I think the OP is no fool, despite what others are saying in here. Nagging someone like her DH is not likely to have any effect so getting him to think for himself how not seeing his first DS is likely to resonate more. That said, sounds like the time for tough talking is now.

When someone works away like your DH it is boring as hell and I bet Twatmate being around is a novelty to some degree - someone to have a meal with, etc. My DP works away, but he has some hobbies he can occupy his time with and he does socialise after work more than he did when he wasn't working away. I think that's normal.

Your DH does need a wake up call though.

Southeastdweller · 19/05/2014 08:19

Males perspective here agrees with most of the replies, that this is either an OM situation or the friend is enabling your DH to have an affair with an OW, or several.

ViviPru · 19/05/2014 08:24

Even if it's not OW, OM, ONS on the pull or *add acronym here, his behaviour is still completely off the scale of acceptable.

If after explaining why and presenting the expectation that he should choose to prioritise his family in this forthcoming circumstance and he still insists that his desires take precedence then that would probably be a final straw for me and I'd be making some pretty self-prioritising plans of my own.

expatinscotland · 19/05/2014 08:33

Some people don't deserve kids. This man is a nob.

Rebecca2014 · 19/05/2014 08:55

Actually lets think about this for a second.

He is putting this man above seeing his own child, a child he has not seen for months.

That says everything about this 'man' do not expect him to bother with your children either if you were to separate one day.

Fairylea · 19/05/2014 08:58

This may or may not be relevant but this is exactly how my ex started behaving about 6 months before we split up. Exactly even down to the younger friend.

I think he was trying to distance himself from the relationship. To try out being single and to work out if that's what he wanted. It wasn't even a midlife crisis really - my ex was 29 at the time. His friend was 19.

What also became apparent is that he was living his life through Facebook more and more. Does your dh have an account? All kinds of women he worked with, lots of photos of them all out together etc etc. Very single man behaviour.

Gradually he just withdrew more and more from me and dd and would go to bed at 8 pm the nights he was home. And then.... He dropped the bombshell he didn't love me anymore and was leaving.

2 weeks later I found out he had been in contact with an ex from before me he found on Facebook (she had always been on his list, I never felt the need to worry, there was little contact and no flirty comments) but somehow in that period he started talking to her again and went back to her!

Be wary. Honestly.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 19/05/2014 09:04

He's gone to court to fight to see his son and now he's volunteered to work so he might not even be there? You'll look after the kid, after months of him not seeing him?

What a complete and utter arse.

He doesn't give a shit about any of you.

ChasedByBees · 19/05/2014 09:09

Your poor DSS. I know you want to let him come to his own conclusions about how he's behaving but I think he needs it spelt out to him.

MargotThreadbetter · 19/05/2014 09:15

I think OP is scared to call him on his behaviour as she doesn't want to be like his first wife (who, the more I'm reading, I don't blame for having an affair if this is how he carries on).
Honestly OP, what is keeping you with this twat? What is he doing to help you? How is he supporting you?

Rarely do I get angered by a thread but this one, and your apparent complacency, is!
You have children together, and another on the way. Your relationship with him is their model for their future relationships - think about that if you are happy for him to treat you like some kind of doormat.

And you've not been out with anyone but him for 4 years? Jesus Shock

JohnFarleysRuskin · 19/05/2014 09:16

Really, I am incredulous that he could treat you all so badly.

How about you tell him you'll call his ex that he can't be arsed to see his boy this time? What would he say then?

thebodylovesspring · 19/05/2014 09:18

I airways judge men by how they treat the vulnerable people in life, children, elderly neighbours, disabled folks.

If a man is kind, tolerant, decent then he's decent to weaker people. Your dh sounds silly shallow and vain.

Do you talk to his ex wife? Might be a good idea to get her perspective on him

I think he is most definatly either gay or one night standing with his mate. Sorry op it sounds awful for you.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 19/05/2014 09:21

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. Seven times in three months?

I do have to ask, why are you facilitating this? Why are you so scared of saying this isn't on? why are you so keen to be cool or unlike his ex wife?

basgetti · 19/05/2014 09:25

He is an absolute arse hole. And he might not get another chance to see his son for a long time now, I hope he thinks his bromance is worth it.

ICanSeeTheSun · 19/05/2014 09:27

Op I take it you do everything in the house including doing all his washing and cooking.

This stops today.

Fine go out, but don't expect your shirts to be cleaned dried and ironed. Same with meals if he can't be bothered to do the shopping, preparing some of the meal and the dishes afterwards why should you be bothered by it.

Lanabelle · 19/05/2014 09:38

You should call him out. I know you are pregnant so not entirely in the mood for a night out but I would arrange a day away like a spa or shopping with someone and tell him your nipping out for bread or milk or something, reappear hours later and let him see how it feels. I'm with nat tho - I'd have went off like a rocket if it were me

StanleyLambchop · 19/05/2014 09:38

I haven't seen friend since but usually he's very quiet and barely says two words to me

Fuck, that really sounds like he sees you as the OW in his relationship. Please get yourself checked out for STD. Tell your DH you are doing so and the reason why.

Him not wanting to see his son after three months - um.. no sorry, words utterly fail me.

EduardoBarcelona · 19/05/2014 09:39

he is obviously having an affair

AnyFucker · 19/05/2014 09:39

I truly hope that OP sounds so calm because she has made her mind up that this bloke is taking the piss bigtime, has been doing for years actually (can't put his own dc to bed ??) and this is the end of the road

I suspect there is pulling birds, possibly coke, waste of family money etc etc on his pleasure and certainly a whole lot of terminally stupid and unforgiveable behaviour going on here

Op, you are enabling this Manchild. Time to stop now.

EduardoBarcelona · 19/05/2014 09:42

why do you give him a LIFT to go there?

Schwarzeneggersgirl · 19/05/2014 09:43

Have you actually told him No yet to him going out.

You say he can't put children to bed then maybe it is time he learnt.

Maybe point out to him that he is coming across as gay or that maybe his friend is gay and he is the object of his desires. What 24 year old asks an older man to move in with him.

Think it needs to be spelt out to him what his actions look like from outside.

Badvoc · 19/05/2014 09:43

It's not a midlife crisis.
Sound a like he has always been a cock.
Sorry op.
You (and the kids) deserve better

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