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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My DH does not want me on the iPad while tv is on

107 replies

Cab65 · 19/12/2017 08:16

When we are watching tv in the evenings my DH does not like me being on my iPad even though it is on mute. He says we should be watching tv together. He does however look at his iPad various times during the evening. I can’t see what the problem with me doing the same is.

OP posts:
Fundays12 · 19/12/2017 09:55

If he wants you off the iPad tell him to put something in you both want to watch. If my hubby is watching football I am in the iPad or reading a book. If there is something we both want to watch we cuddle up on the couch. We try watch something together a couple of times a week though.

Iprefercoffeetotea · 19/12/2017 10:01

Watching tv is a shared experience

It really isn't.

My DH used to moan if I went out, and when I said I'd be bored watching TV if I stayed in, he didn't really get it. He thought we should watch everything together. But really I watch very little TV and get bored with it very easily.

sadie9 · 19/12/2017 10:05

He's wanting to control you and your every move. He's mixing you up with some kid who needs to be told what to do.

Trinity66 · 19/12/2017 10:07

I think it's nice to watch stuff together sometimes instead of looking in to different screen or whatever but I would find it a bit odd if I was told to turn my phone/iPad off by my DH, he's not in charge

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 19/12/2017 10:30

If the OP is constantly glued to her iPad I get why the H would want her to put it down while they watch a film/spend time together.

Some people are addicted to being on their phones all the time.

DiegoMadonna · 19/12/2017 10:32

Watching TV together is a shared experience. If my and OH specifically chose to sit down and watch a show that we like (or a film) it would be pretty annoying if one of us then spent the whole time on our mobile phone. Just like if they did it at dinner.

Neither of us would say "YOU MUST NOT USE YOUR PHONE DURING DINNER/WHEN WE'RE WATCHING TV", and both of us do it occasionally, but if it was a lot, it would be quite rude/annoying.

Shadow666 · 19/12/2017 10:36

Doesn’t everyone MN while watching TV? Confused

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 19/12/2017 10:40

Doesn’t everyone MN while watching TV? confused

I do if DH is doing work on his PC whilst we’re sat on the sofa but if we are watching a box set or a series we’re both following then no.

Trinity66 · 19/12/2017 10:42

DiegoMadonna

Yeah that's pretty much what i think as well

befbiund · 19/12/2017 10:58

My husband comes out with this shit. It's controlling and drives me mental.

ZigZagandDustin · 19/12/2017 11:33

I think in a healthy relationship it's normal to find this sort of thing irritating. And it's also ok to say it. Depends on what the rest of the relationship is like.

TheNaze73 · 19/12/2017 11:38

There’s a massive difference between getting an iPad out, during a film you’ve agreed to watch together for instance as opposed to shit that’s on all the time like Emmerdale.

kaytee87 · 19/12/2017 11:41

Well have you chosen to watch something together or is the tv Just on, or something he wants to watch but you don't want to?

I think if you've chosen to watch something together then you should probably watch it together but anything else is fair game,

Frogletmamma · 19/12/2017 12:12

Depends on whether you get a say in what is on tv. My DH tends to watch NCIS ans A Team so I wash up/ring my sister/ clean the fishtank etc.

80sMum · 19/12/2017 12:20

I must admit that I often find it annoyingly distracting when DH is using his laptop (which he does pretty well ALL the time when he is sitting down!) when I am trying to watch something on TV. I can see some game going on out of the corner of my eye, I can hear constant mouse clicking and then keyboard rattling while he carries on chats with the people he's playing with.

I do sometimes ask him to stop. I think I am a bit controlling and I find little noises, like clicking mouse, more irksome than I probably should.

Lethaldrizzle · 19/12/2017 12:58

Its really irritating when partner is on another screen all the time. Sometimes yes, but what's wrong with just watching something together. People have got such short attention spans.

DiegoMadonna · 19/12/2017 13:13

My DH tends to watch NCIS ans A Team so I wash up/ring my sister/ clean the fishtank etc

...watch paint dry/stick needles in your eyes/etc... Grin

Dozer · 19/12/2017 13:18

Where is OP?

Nanny0gg · 19/12/2017 13:22

I used to read and watch TV.
Now I would IPAD/phone and watch TV.

I do not need to be made to watch all of a programme to please someone else.

You're in your own home. You watch as much or as little of a programme as you choose. As does the other person in the room.

Nanny0gg · 19/12/2017 13:23

If the OP is constantly glued to her iPad I get why the H would want her to put it down while they watch a film/spend time together.

Why? Unless they're actually talking she can do what she wants.

stickytoffeevodka · 19/12/2017 13:26

Sometimes yes, but what's wrong with just watching something together.

Nothing, but not everyone wants to just sit and stare at the TV. If you want to sit and watch TV, then do so, but don't tell your partner that they have to do what you're doing!

Shoxfordian · 19/12/2017 13:39

He's being controlling

Why shouldn't you look at your ipad if you're not interested in the tv?

Lethaldrizzle · 19/12/2017 14:58

Surely relationships are about compromise

JustMarriedAndLovingIt · 19/12/2017 15:02

I find it quite annoying when DP goes on the ipad when we are sat on the sofa together. I like it if we watch something we both like (it's quite companiable) or just chatting.

Lethaldrizzle · 19/12/2017 15:04

Justmarried I am with you

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