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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think he shouldn’t go?

85 replies

ChangeNameMcNameChange · 21/08/2019 19:03

I think I’m not, but maybe I am.

My DP and I were invited to a wedding last year. His oldest friend from his first job. My DP was asked to be in the wedding party, and the wedding is next weekend in America (his fiance was born in the states but hasn’t lived their for some time).

In that time, we’ve had a baby who is now 6 weeks old. I assumed from the off my DP would back out of the wedding but he hasn’t. I’ve told him how anxious and upset I feel about being alone with the baby (he is really colicky and has such bad reflux) but he’s still adamant he’s going.

He’s spent hundreds on flights and accommodation as he’s taking his adult children from his previous relationship, who weren’t on the invite but he’s taking them in my place. I floated the idea of us taking the baby a while ago and he shot it down saying he thinks he is too little to fly (that’s when I assumed he wouldn’t go).

They’re going for a week and spending three days sight seeing as well.

I’ve been doing all the night shifts with the baby, I’m knackered, I’m anxious, I’m tearful, I’ve only just stopped bleeding after a very difficult birth.

We don’t live in the same country as my parents so it’s not even like they can step in to help (and they run their own business which is hard for them to take time off from - this time of year is their busiest time).

There’s no changing his mind but I suppose I just wanted some reassurance that I’m not the most unreasonable bitch ever, as I’ve been told I am being difficult.

It’s an irrelevant side note but this old friend didn’t acknowledge the birth of our baby at all and my DP is always going on about how weddings are pointless and marriage is meaningless, so that stings a bit too.

I just keep crying. It’s all they keep talking about in the family WhatsApp group we have and I honestly just feel sick when I think about it.

OP posts:
ChangeNameMcNameChange · 21/08/2019 19:50

Should caveat - I name changed as I don’t want this to be linked to my other posts just in case!

OP posts:
AmIThough · 21/08/2019 19:51

Go home when he's at the wedding and go for your friends 40th!

ChangeNameMcNameChange · 21/08/2019 19:52

@pinkyredrose they weren’t invited but he asked if they could go, which I know is a huge no-no. But I think as it is a destination wedding there have been some declines.

The b&g haven’t met the younger child and have met the older one once.

OP posts:
ChangeNameMcNameChange · 21/08/2019 19:53

I’m booking flights for my friends 40th tonight!

OP posts:
Lollypop701 · 21/08/2019 19:53

Decide what you want to do and do it. Dh has been and is doing this? Or do as you are told...your choice. I know this is easier said than done but you are currently isolated from family and financially vulnerable... so your choices now really matter. You cannot let dp rule your life or you may as well paint walkover on your forehead and give up. Good luck op

tiredandgrumpyx · 21/08/2019 19:54

Do you know what I would do if I were you? I'd let him go with my blessing and the understanding that he owes you big time later. I'd get all my supplies in and I would spend the week having lots of skin to skin cuddles which is good for restless babies I would eat food I like without having to worry about duh I would watch what I want on tv I would spend the time bonding with little one you never know you might find it's not that bad spend the week in your pjs and chill x

MummBraTheEverLeaking · 21/08/2019 19:54

I was invited away for my best friend’s 40th next month but he said ‘you’re not going right?’

What a dick thing to say, unless you're breastfeeding or YOU don't want to go then it's not up to him to tell you what you're doing (and pose it as a question for extra dick points!)

If you want to go, then go, and I think he owes you anyway.

Oh and not doing ANY night wakings (unless his job involves driving or he's a surgeon etc) is not on. He could do with pulling his head out of his bottom.

timshelthechoice · 21/08/2019 19:56

He's a dick. You got your baby but it's time to realise he's Me Myself and I and this is who he is.

HaileySherman · 21/08/2019 19:58

Yanbu and he is inconsiderate. Not just about the wedding trip, about dictating the baby can't fly, that you don't go to your friend's 40th, that he sleeps in another room. You are post partum, and no matter what that deserves support from your partner. Since you know you can't change him, work on changing your perspective on your rime alone. Try to frame it in your mind as something that will remove any of his unsupportive attitude from the atmosphere and allow for you to really bond with your little one. It will be tiring but try to remove the pressure you've put on yourself if nothing else.

timshelthechoice · 21/08/2019 19:58

Oh, I'd ditch him with the baby for the 40th. Wouldn't bother telling him until the day before and then just bail. Fuck him.

Nogoodusername · 21/08/2019 20:07

Baby isn’t too young to fly. I flew long haul with my 6 week old

furrytoebean · 21/08/2019 20:07

Apart from everything else I think you sound really isolated.
Are there any new mums meet ups where you live to see if you can make some new friendships?

Gracie300 · 21/08/2019 20:08

I voted YABU but then I read that he said you aren’t going away to your friends bday. That’s bollocks - I don’t think he’s unreasonable to go, but massively unreasonable to go AND say you can’t.

My baby was 6 weeks old when my cousin got married in another country - I didn’t go, but my husband said he’d be fine with it if I wanted to, and he’s stay home with baby. He has to work abroad sometimes so I was on my own with baby when she was about 8 weeks - bit of give and take goes a long way.

Gracie300 · 21/08/2019 20:10

Glad you’re booking the flights!!

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 21/08/2019 20:17

He does sound like a dick. Babies are fine flying, much easier than toddlers (have done numerous flights with both), they usually just sleep.

I voted YANBU. Just because some people coped fine and welcomed the time alone to 'get into a routine' doesnt mean everyone does. I was a tearful mess the first few weeks. I'd say until about 10 weeks. I was anxious leaving the house, I hated being alone, i found it dragged so much I'd just be pacing and waiting for my husband to come through the door after work and hand him the baby so I could have a shower and make some food. The baby wouldn't be put down to sleep or play so was just on me constantly so was hard to shower or eat and it would have been a struggle if I was by myself. I was also severely anaemic which exhausting in itself also can make you emotional. Yes you can use a sling but that's not appropriate for everything you want to do. Anyway I think his post partum wife and newborn should he his priority right now, and if you have told him you're struggling and worried about being alone then he is being a dick to say you shouldn't at least fly home. What evidence was he basing this on!?

And his dictating what you do and dont do while not even listening to your concerns sounds very selfish. As does his 'I dont care how tired you are I'm not doing any night feeds because I work'. He could at least do one at the beginning or end of the night and just go to bed a bit earlier or later. New parents are meant to be tired! Working or not. And being at home with a newborn isn't exactly relaxing, why does he think it's ok, or safe, for you to do it all when you're exhausted?

Crafting1Queen · 21/08/2019 20:25

Op, I've changed my initial vote from YABU, to YANBU after seeing your first update, and now it's a hell yeah, YADNBU after your further updates.
I'm not going to pile on to your not so "D"P, as pp have already done that for me. Sorry, cannae help masel - he's being an arse about the whole thing! He can go swanning off, but you cant, (you don't even get a break whilst he is there) and the wee one's too young to fly - what utter shite! He won't help at night, cos he's working? Well he made the baby with you, so he takes his 1/2 fair share of the good and bad bits. Don't even get me started on the assumption that of course you wouldn't even consider going to your friend's 40th b'day. You can and should go & he needs to deal with caring for HIS baby when you are away.

@AmIThough: Go home when he's at the wedding and go for your friends 40th!

This up arrow thingy, was going to be my short and sweet post, however ….

He sounds quite a cleverly controlling person, it all appears so, so very reasonable when he says things like of course you're not going to x, or she won't/can't manage that, so on and so forth, because he will always couch the comments to himself, you, and more worryingly/importantly to others, that he only says/thinks/does these things/speaks/decides for you FOR YOUR OWN GOOD. She's so tired after having the baby, im a bit worried for her health …. she needs a rest so gallivanting about isn't such a good idea for her now, so we're staying at home to chill etc.

I think he's using reverse psychology on you as a way to subtly control you, all whilst appearing as the perfect gent/partner/all round good guy, which will make you agree more easily to things & not even realise he is controlling you by stealth. It's only later when you think, I actually wanted to go on that night out/have xyz to eat from the takeaway/watch that programme/veg out this day/visit family & friends on my own those few times. So when you do say later, well no I'd actually quite like to go, or I am going, he can say things like you're being unreasonable, it's too short notice, you're so flaky chopping and changing your mind about things, moving the goalposts or my favourite BUT WE AGREED, to the thing/outcome HE decided, so then he can throw a strop, and you're left never knowing if you're coming or going, and permanently walking on eggshells and not sure why, cos I mean, he's such a good guy isn't he???

So, there I've managed to massively self project (sorry not sorry), but maybe I am completely wrong, and you aren't in danger over the coming years in this relationship of losing yourself, your wants, your needs & your voice, and he will be absolutely fine with you saying, Wee one's passport is ordered, flying home on these dates with them, and flight's booked for pal's 40th, smile sweetly and pass wee one over as oops, think they've filled their nappy with a bit of a wet one and it's your turn. (I hope I'm wrong.)

Rtmhwales · 21/08/2019 20:36

I flew with DS five weeks North America to Australia so you'll be fine.

Out of curiosity (and not that it matters in the end etc), did your DP want to start over with a baby when his youngest were adults, or did he want to make you happy having a baby? I only ask because my DP has older kids (not that old though) and I want more children which he agreed to providing I do all the overnights. Otherwise he's not keen to have another baby as he already did half the overnights with his first lot and was happy to be out of the thick of it.

minibroncs · 21/08/2019 21:03

You don't seem to get a say in very much. I hope he doesn't do anything to stop you going to your friend's 40th.

He sounds quite a cleverly controlling person, it all appears so, so very reasonable when he says things like of course you're not going to x, or she won't/can't manage that, so on and so forth

I thought so too after reading all the updates.

ilovetree · 21/08/2019 21:31

Having read your update which I cross posted with, I’m upgrading my view from he sounds very inconsiderate to he sounds like a total cunt

I think quaffy nailed it. Grin

You are being too kind to him, if I had a colicky 6 week old after a difficult birth and a partner who hadn't lifted a bastard finger in helping with the night feeds and then fucked off for a jolly for the week I think I'd probably loose my shit and pack his bags early for him and tell him to get to fuck. But I'm a fiery bastard sometimes. Your post is so frustrating to read op!

Please make sure you get yourself as much support as possible Thanks and keep posting here if it helps.

palahvah · 21/08/2019 22:01

In addition to the flights for your friend's 40th I'd be booking a cleaner/housekeeper to take the pressure off you, and maybe a night nanny too if you're not EBF.

maddening · 21/08/2019 22:16

He can also spend money on a doula, cleaner etc? If he makes sure you are comfortable and supported it could be doable?

MyOtherProfile · 21/08/2019 22:21

Are you booking to go home while he's away too? I would. You can get baby's passport done at the local embassy can't you? How far from your home country are you?

CTRL · 21/08/2019 22:39

Girl,
BOOK your flights back home
BOOK your friends 40th birthday
And when he comes home things are going to change. Night feeds will be 50-50. Regardless of his work, is his child and you both need to rest. Bloody cheeky git

And I agree with the other post saying don’t even mention your friends 40th until the night before, and fly out the door and don’t even look back. He will HAVE to manage, same as you do.

F*cking men Hmm

StCharlotte · 21/08/2019 22:47

His job is really high pressure and it affords us a good life

A good life for him sure. For you? Not so much.

NChangingAgain · 21/08/2019 23:05

He sounds like a massive arse.

He can't just dictate all this stuff to you - of course you should go to your friends party if you want to!

He should be doing half of the night times - you also work during the day and your work is a heck of a lot harder and more draining than his.

Also v weird that he just invited his kids to the wedding. Totally not on. And he could at least cut the sightseeing portion of the trip.