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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask dh not to go to work Christmas party

367 replies

Edenviolet · 22/12/2014 10:28

Dh has his work party and I really, really don't want him to go.

I'm tired and could really do with the help with dcs in the evening,my Dgm passed away yesterday and I'm quite upset and I would really rather he stayed at home.

He seems to really want to go, was talking about getting the train in rather than driving as usual so he can drink. I feel guilty that I will be ruining his 'fun' but I need him at home.

AIBU ?

OP posts:
YouTheCat · 24/12/2014 12:04

Very often when your kids have additional needs plonking them in front of the tv is not an option.

IsabellaofFrance · 24/12/2014 12:15

Very often when your kids have additional needs plonking them in front of the tv is not an option.

Agreed - it wouldn't work with DS2. In fact if I was doing something as intimate as a cannula change with one of his siblings he would more likely to want my attention, and would do whatever it takes to get it.

notauniquename · 24/12/2014 12:31

he will not listen and keeps repeating that 'everything is fine'

but it's clearly not is it?

I think through all of this he said she said stuff, (and I'm pretty new so I haven't read everything or old threads).

My honest advice would be to try giving a family member a call, see if your sister could help you out over Christmas, get some real support (better than the support that he can't or won't give you).

and tell him that everything is not fine and ask that he stay at his mums house for the night. I know that's a pretty shitty thing to say on Christmas eve, but you're clearly not in a good way with each other, and probably both need a bit of time and space to sit down and figure out what you need to do any how you want to be.

If you don't want to do that on Christmas eve then how about he leave after the kids go to bed on Christmas day? (basically retreat to separate corners) -and do it at a time when it's not convenient to just go to the pub rather than actually sit and think! (yeah I guess that is a little controlling to make sure that he has to go and think...)

I'm not saying tell him "you wanted space so f'off and have it"

just say that you realise that you've not been great to him over the year, but that's because you need time and support, which he doesn't give you, you've both got to a place when you're feeling like you're going through motions rather than being in a real relationship that's not healthy.

If you don't want to send him away for the night, then why not ask him to look after the kids upstairs whilst you sleep on the sofa for a bit.

I guess you could use some building analogy,
You're both stressed, in need of help, probably both want to fix these cracks.
but you need to take a step back and check the foundations.

It seems that you either don't have, or at least don't show respect for each other.

You both appear to need some space to breath.

Nerf · 24/12/2014 12:42

So what did the two Cafs achieve??

Honestly I think something needs to change, you keep lurching from one thing to another and it's really stressful for you.

Do you have anyone to sit and make a list with? What are the issues? Is there a solution?

Eg this cannula - can school nurse do it? Can someone else be trained? Is it actually you needing to be former with the others and shutting yourself away with dd to do it?

Maybe your dh has a different perception of the children's needs? They are all at mainstream schools iirc, does that mean he doesn't get that they have serious difficulties?

PrivatePike · 24/12/2014 12:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 12:46

All th cats achieved was a lot of extra appts and meetings, and yes dcs are at mainstream school and that was the main reason the cwd team wouldn't accept them as their problems were 'purely physical and not impacting their learning' so basically despite them being in pain etc because they are doing ok academically at mainstream school they are not'disabled enough'

OP posts:
whois · 24/12/2014 12:48

I'm sorry that tbere are nine pages of this.

hedgehog for what it's worth, it really does seem like you've worked bloody hard over the past two years to improve your family's situation. No mean feat with all the difficulties you face.

Would you be better off financially if you were separated? If so could you buy in some care? You might be mentally better off knowing your DH was out of the picture and it was just the 5 of you.

Obviously I only have what you have written to go on, but your DH just sounds incredibly selfish and a bit stupid really - all the giving away of money, not seeing it's wrong for him to have a 10 day break when he wont even have the 4 children on his own for an hour.

You sound (obviously exhausted) but strong to keep on day after day when life is so hard. Not that many people who post on MN will have a combination of sick children as well as being sick themselves, and with a useless husband.

Anyway, happy christmas and I hope you manage to have a nice day with your children tomorrow.

ilovesooty · 24/12/2014 12:50

So what are you going to do? If he won't talk with you or attend a GP appointment with you to say you're not coping as a family what's your next move?

He might say everything is fine but his outburst in drink proves it isn't and you know it isn't.

ilovesooty · 24/12/2014 12:51

Her husband has health problems too.

Nerf · 24/12/2014 12:54

So what about listing the issues and thinking about what they are and what you need to change? Either yourselves or with help.
Could diabetes UK support you?
Maybe make some headings and lost the strengths and weaknesses underneath - you could identify what's working and what isn't.
For example, when does ds go to school? Can you get a nursery place now? Is school working for the others?

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:01

Ds2 has a place (started nov) for 2 mornings a week but as yet they have not let me leave him as he will not settle so working on that and have applied for funding under the disability criteria for a full time place as can't afford it otherwise

OP posts:
PrivatePike · 24/12/2014 13:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:10

School for other dcs is ok, dd1 has a full bursary for a wonderful school we picked as they could look after her really well. Ds1 is not particularly happy at school but has other issues and sees a psychologist to address those.dd2 has a lot of problems but has a great 1:1 and in the last week had done some full days but I had to be available for advice via text or phone numerous times throughout those days but they are getting used to her

OP posts:
ilovechristmas1 · 24/12/2014 13:10

does ds2 get dla??

Nerf · 24/12/2014 13:12

Do you think things will improve wrt phone calls etx - can they not tap into someone else for advice so you have school days free?

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:14

Yes but not mobility part till he is 3

The LA said it wasn't dependant on dla for funding they wanted a consultant report stating why he needed a funded place

OP posts:
Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:16

Not yet and I don't mind as they are getting the hang of things quickly, I think sometimes it a question directly involving her care or medication, other times a 'we did this is that right' reassurance thing. But its going in the right direction

OP posts:
GraysAnalogy · 24/12/2014 13:17

This sort of living isn't sustainable :( it's bordering, if not fully, abusive on both sides and you both seem really at the end of your tether.

I know you're tired but you keep needing to fight to get the help you need and deserve, there is help out there and if your children's health needs are as significant as they sound you should be getting more help then what you're getting.

TheFairyCaravan · 24/12/2014 13:17

Hedgehog they can't tell you you have to stay at nursery with DS2, and dare I say it but staying might be the reason he isn't settling.

When I was a supervisor in a nursery we never told parents what to do. If they wanted to stay they could, obviously, but if you had to go to work they'd have to settle him and look after him. We often found as soon as mum or dad went the little one would play quite happily.

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:17

Unless they contact dh I suppose. Nobody else trained to use the pump/sensor etc or would know what to do as it all comes from spending time with dd and getting to know her

OP posts:
Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:19

Its dreadful, he plays but gets sad if I'm not there so rather than distract or comfort him they phone me and I get there and he's by himself screaming by door and they say "oh we had to leave him as he got worse if we tried to help we just said you were coming" since then I've had to stay or sit outside and they will suddenly appear saying "ooh quick he's crying"

OP posts:
GraysAnalogy · 24/12/2014 13:24

hedgehog then obviously that nursery isn't good enough. They can't just leave him to sit there. He needs extra support, and since he's at sodding nursery you shouldn't be the one doing it.

For the sake of you and your children you need to stop accepting shit like that as the norm.

Really feel for you. How are you feeling this afternoon?

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:27

I'm ok, I realise something has to change.

I think the endless cycle of everything is just draining and I often feel like if I could just get ahead with things and have a clear week or two with no appts etc id be more levelheaded

OP posts:
ilovechristmas1 · 24/12/2014 13:31

cant you use the care part of DLA to either pay for extra nursery or somebody to sit him while you get some time

is that not what DLA is for

Edenviolet · 24/12/2014 13:40

That's what we are using to pay for the two mornings currently. Can't afford anymore so applied for funding

OP posts: