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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want my husband to go to the wedding

335 replies

scb2021 · 10/03/2015 23:13

I am a SAHM to three children, age 3, 2 and 3 months (I know before you say it, mad!). Needless to say I'm finding it really hard going - I don't have any help and my husband works long hours. His (childless) friend is moving to the US to marry his American fiancee and has asked my husband - one of his oldest friends - to be a groomsman. The wedding will be in the US in July and my OH will have to go from Friday morning to Monday night. Basically, I think he should say no. I understand that he wants to go - he is saying that his friendship will suffer if he doesn't - but the only thing that keeps me going all week is the thought of having his help and support at the weekend, and I can't stand the thought of effectively having a 12 day stretch with no help. Behind my back, he asked his mother to come and spend the weekend with me 'incase I said yes' to him going to the wedding. I went mad and told him that all childcare arrangements should be discussed with me before being discussed with his mother. I know that they are old friends, but our children are so young and it is such hard work (the baby doesn't sleep through the night so we're both exhausted) that I feel like his commitment should be to me and the children. He says it's only one weekend and I'm being unfair. Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
maskingtherealme · 12/03/2015 16:23

OP - it is obvious from your many, many replies that you are still justifying your thoughts about your DH going to this wedding. Why did you post if you had no intention of seeing your opinion about the wedding as being unreasonable?

However, I totally understand where you are coming from. Three children under the age of 3 is not easy and yes you BOTH agreed to having these children so close together so should equally be responsible for the childcare.

But there are a few things that, in my opinion, you are being unreasonable about. You say that he goes aways on buisness and this is okay because it isn't a wedding. That tells me you are more bothered about him going away to celebrate a wedding rather than be at home with you. Would you hold the same opinion as you do if someone offered to look after the children whilst you both went or if you all went? You say that you are bothered about 12 days of no help with childcare but this obviously happens when your DH is on buisness so what is the difference apart from the reason why your DH is away? If you manage when he is away, why can't you manage when he is away for a long weekend for a wedding? I also think it was good of him to think of asking his Mum to help you over the weekend. Granted, he should of asked you first but his heart was in the right place. If he was a pig he wouldn't have bothered. I know some may think he did this to ensure he was able to go, maybe, but he was ensuring you had help nonetheless.

Having kids shouldn't stop you from having a life of your own - and that includes YOU OP!

I will be honest and say that everything you have said points directly in the face of jealousy - and I don't blame or damn you for feeling this way. What life do you have outside of the children?

If this was me (and my DH would agree to what I am about to say) I would let him go, arrange for you and the kids to have a weekend that is easy but well planned with activities (stuff housework) and ask friends and family of your choice to help out, visits people and have junk and takeaways for lunch and dinner - make life easy for yourself. Go off routine - it won't hurt in the long term - and on his return, HE should agree to haven the kids for the same length of time whilst you do what YOU want to do.

Marriage is about give and take. Don't deny him this opportunity - weddings (hopefully) only happen once to people and I think you both need to reassess your lives. Children take up a lot off our time and we begin to neglect ourselves and our relationships with our husbands and partners. Happy parents = happy children.

I also agree that in July your kids are 4 months older. Don't stress. If you stress or loose your patience, they pick up on it, feed off it and are then the monsters from hell.

I am not trying to be unkind, although it might come across that way, but I am getting vibes from your posts that there is definite unhappiness in you and the wedding is the tip of the iceberg.

(And well done for surviving thre children under 3! I only have two and it's hard enough!)

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/03/2015 17:06

yabvu - its a few days/nights for his friends wedding - yes you would be alone but tbf dh did ask his mil to come and help you - that shows me he is trying to be thoughtful

if you are struggling being a sahm with 3 under 3 doing it all alone for 12hrs every week day, then get some help in, whether a mothers help or a part time nanny for a few hours

can mil have the eldest 2 at hers for the weekend, just leaving you with baby
can mil/your mum come over
get a temp weekend nanny in to help you

nequidnimis · 12/03/2015 17:54

If someone was offering to pay for DH to go on a holiday I'd tell him to bite their hand off. I just can't imagine not wanting him to go, and we'd find a way to make it happen. He'd do the same for me, obviously.

Joyfulldeathsquad · 12/03/2015 17:59

'Part time nanny ' ha ha ha ha ha ha Grin

They can't afford a family holiday. How the fuck can they afford to hire a regular nanny. Seriously some people live in cuckoo land.

Yes to bath and expat but to be fair it's exactly the type of thing my mil would do for her boys.

Shinyshoes2 · 12/03/2015 18:07

Yabu let him go
I really can't understand posts like this. It's his OLDEST friend whom is getting MARRIED ...
Suck it up , accept help from the MIL and let him go

Duckdeamon · 12/03/2015 18:08

The business travel and other fun trips for himself are relevant here. His W is struggling and if he's already away a lot for work (which presumably benefits his career and is enabled by OP providing 24/7 care) and has had trips, then any further "jollies" are pushing it.

Use of Family money is also relevant. If his mother has to pay for it (instead of something of benefit to the whole family or at least the H and OP) then he can't afford to go IMO.

Duckdeamon · 12/03/2015 18:11

Grin at the idea of the DH involving his mother and asking her to help OP being thoughtful!

his thoughtfulness seems to be mainly about the Bank of Mum to fund the trip!

expatinscotland · 12/03/2015 18:16

He has to use money from his mother. It's laughable to suggest there's money for part-time or temporary nanny.

Don't forget your spa weekend and nights out with the girls, OP.

Flipchart · 12/03/2015 18:29

TBH if it was either my son or DIL who needed some cash to do this trip I would give it to them so it wouldn't impact on the family finance. Don't see the problem if they needed help and were struggling. I'm guessing it wouldn't be more than a £1,000. I have been happy to help out and give money in the past.
I don't get why people are giving the DH a hard time. He has checked out to see if mum was available to help if OP wanted it. Mum may have offered ( I'm not re reading it to see if he had to ask). He has asked if he can go and OP as some of you haven't read has said yes.

It would only be a problem if In the future OP wants to away and DH says what the hell are you thinking! Don't be silly!

nequidnimis · 12/03/2015 19:35

I don't think that the business travel is particularly relevant - that's something he has to do if he wants to keep his job and maintain the family lifestyle, and I doubt it's enjoyable.

I also don't think it's fair to be so critical of his mother's financial contribution. My mum took me on a short cruise when my four were small and it was a kind gesture, not interference. I hope I'll always be able to treat my children, no matter how old they are.

The only thing that's relevant is whether he would be happy for OP to do the same.

BathtimeFunkster · 12/03/2015 20:08

^can mil have the eldest 2 at hers for the weekend, just leaving you with baby
can mil/your mum come over
get a temp weekend nanny in to help you^

Yes, the labour of many women must be employed so this man can go on (yet another) holiday without his family.

Grin

Prope men would be ashamed to go on three solo holidays in a year when they couldn't provide their wife and children with a family holiday.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 12/03/2015 20:45

Yes, the labour of many women must be employed so this man can go on (yet another) holiday without his family.

A three day turn around to the USA for a wedding is hardly a holiday

TheRealAmandaClarke · 12/03/2015 21:00

Yes. Its a holiday.
Of course it is.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 12/03/2015 21:07

Imagine having a mother in law who interfered in your life to the extent of paying for her son to take holidays away from you and your children.

Just wow Hmm

Tell him he can't go..... it's what you want. Job done.

BathtimeFunkster · 12/03/2015 21:10

Ah, he's a prefessional groomsman! Grin

Now it makes sense why he would be sodding off yet again and leaving his two toddlers and a baby behind for the women of the world to care for.

Cantbelievethisishappening · 12/03/2015 21:10

Yes Amanda two days travelling either side of a wedding.....a holiday indeed. Hmm

Cantbelievethisishappening · 12/03/2015 21:12

Jesus Bath you are starting to sound like one of those hysterical man haters.

BathtimeFunkster · 12/03/2015 21:13

My son has been on two solo holidays this year.

He now can't afford a family holiday.

As his mother AIBU to give him money to go on a third solo holiday?

His wife is struggling, and his children barely see him, but I really want to treat him because he deserves to act like a single man.

Joyfulldeathsquad · 12/03/2015 21:20

No no hardly a holiday - infact he probably won't enjoy it at all

If my son came to me and asked for that money I would ask him why he hadn't been to me for money to take his wife and kids on a much needed holday? Why did they not merit a holiday after all this isn't his first is it?

Selfish git

Flipchart · 12/03/2015 21:20

bathtime well its his old mates wedding. I always wondered if he would settle down. I'm glad our Jamie has been invited. I know money is tight. I'll pay for him to go and then it doesn't have any impact on their finances. I'll see if I can have the kids. That'll lighten the load hopefully. Good job he checked out I was free to help out if needed . I'd been thinking of going away myself but can go the week after. ( what I would do next. Hopefully if they want they can use the apartment in Spain in September so at least they all can be together. I have some cash for flights. I hope they won't be offended if I offer)

Flipchart · 12/03/2015 21:22

Well joy it's a god job he's not your son then because the OP has already said he can go!

goodnessgraciousgouda · 12/03/2015 21:31

Your dh wasnt unreasonable to ask, but he would be unreasonable not to accept your response without sulking or resentment.

he has clearly been away on other social events which You have covered for. Its not like You are chaining him to the stairs.

if This person Is such a close friend, then frankly he should understand That someone with three Young children has certain responsibilities, which May not be compatible with a four Day away cross atlantic trip. The first rule of ANY wedding Is if You have it overseas, then You have to expect That many people - especially people with familles - wont be able to come.

Joyfulldeathsquad · 12/03/2015 21:35

flip why don't you pay for them all to go? Or you have all the kids and op and her dh can go?

goodnessgraciousgouda · 12/03/2015 21:36

Hit send too soon: to be honest, it sounds like tour dh wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants the kudos of progressing at work, so works long hourd, He wants the amazing feeling of having a family, so has three kids, but he also wants to be able to go out to parties and fly off to international weddings whenever He wants.

having kids isnt always fun and games. Sometimes You have to say no to things You really want to do because OH YES, youre a parent now, and That doesnt mean fobbing off all the work onto tour spouse.

Romann · 12/03/2015 21:41

You must be really tired OP. I can see why you're dreading it.

Is he usually a nice and reasonable person, hands on with the kids and taking responsibility? If so, and he's still decided that he really has to go, then just be nice about it, and don't make him feel like he can't enjoy it. Hire a babysitter or send the toddlers to MIL for the weekend or both.

If he's usually a lazy slacker and just wants to go and get pissed with his mates then that's a bit more difficult!