Working away on boyfriend's birthday

[ShellyT17]

My boyfriend of two years occasionally has to work away in another country and I have no issue with this as all. I show interest. I am currently in my final year of an OU degree, which I started six years ago. I encourage my boyfriend to do things with his friends when I am studying, for example, to book a hotel with his mate and go and watch the rugby.
Today, I came home and explained that I had been asked to support a student on a school camping trip as I have a good working relationship with him and we have a complex set of students going this year. It will be for three nights. He became really annoyed when he thought this might be on his birthday and I became cross. Huge bust up. AIBU?

[Fl0ellafunbags]

Since he's such a child perhaps he should go to his Mammy's house on his birthday for jelly and ice cream and the biggest slice of birthday cake

[RedSandYellowSand]

I'd better inform DH about this......
2017 we will be in seperate countries.
2016 my very very good mate bakes me a cake, bought a bottle of champers, and took me and the kids on a picnic. DH was abroad.
2015 he flew out of the country a couple of days before my birthday. Left money on the fridge for me to take the kids to tesco to buy me flowers -they would have been 6 and 4 years old.

[Renaissance2017]

Not unreasonable to work away. You are unreasonable for reminding me it's 10 weeks till the OU exams......

[ThePiglet59]

Perhaps he knows about OP's inability to sustain a relationship for more than two years, and fears he's on the way out?

[Willow2017]

How bloody childish he is an adult not a 6yr old whose party you just cancelled!!
Tell him to grow up, work comes first sometimes. You ha e planned something for later what more does he want?

[ShellyT17]

Thanks all. It's reassuring to know I am not being unreasonable. It is work and it will be a very challenging and tiring week supporting a student with very complex needs. I was asked to go because it is thought I am able to best meet his needs. I have invested valuable time with him and we have developed a very positive working relationship.

We have been together two years now and he always becomes grumpy if I am going away, usually just a couple of times a year. I always support his work trips away and encourage him to have fun nights away with his friends when I am busy studying.

Friends and family are trying to get me to 'fix' this relationship but my primary concern is my degree, as I have invested six years into it. I feel I have little left of myself to give... but it needs to go on my studies and I cannot lose sight of the ball now.

[ShellyT17]

In response to: ThePiglet59 Thu 30-Mar-17 15:28:59
"Perhaps he knows about OP's inability to sustain a relationship for more than two years, and fears he's on the way out?"

I see it more as a strength, not an 'inability'. Why stay in a relationship which makes me unhappy?