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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Massive disagreement over the way of food shopping (DH and I)

232 replies

igotvegandbreadforyou · 23/04/2020 11:11

NC for this topic as I'm going to discuss an argument/disagreement between DH and me had last night and he would hate to be identified in RL.

We have been strictly sticking to the lockdown rules and I've stepped out of our home only three times so far, all for food shopping. DH has been out almost everyday but for his once a day exercise or/and visiting his very isolated allotment. He goes out only early morning, usually comes back home at around 7 am. He says no one is around as it's so early.

My first trip to our local Tesco Express was with DH - he drove and waited in a car and I went grab stuff. It was at the opening time so very quiet.

The second trip was to our local corner shop and I went alone on foot (3 mins) in an evening. My friend told me the shop was usually very quiet in the evenings (7-8 pm) and I needed milk and bread for DH (I don't need them). DH didn't like it as he believed early morning was the best time to go but it was quiet as my friend said and I got what he needed - he needs lots of milk for his cereal and snacks on toasts daytime. So this didn't develop into an argument.

The third trip was to our local Tesco Express by car - this was last night and I went alone. Earlier the day, DH said we were running out a few essentials such as vegs and bread so we would need to go shopping again soon. I heard our local Tesco was fairly quiet in the evenings so decided to go. I am the cook in our household so I really wanted to fill our fridge to feed my family the next day.

When I got back home with three huge shopping bags, I started sterilizing them as I always do then had a shower as I always do. I got a lot of yummy stuff which would make DH super happy the next day. But he wasn't happy and he got very very angry that I went shopping...

His point was that I was risking my family by going out for shopping. Apparently I was being selfish and irresponsible. He thinks we should only go out once two weeks and only very early morning.

I can see what he means but as the one who plans meals, once two weeks is a bit too ambitious. I would like to go at least once a week. Some of my friends go twice a week! We have a teen boy who eats like a horse too. Also, I think it doesn't matter if I go in the evening or morning as long as the shop is quiet. I can see early morning may be 'cleaner' as fewer people have entered the shop on the day but evenings work better for my schedule.

I argued back to him that if I was selfish because I went shopping for family (and it happened only three times so far) he would also be selfish that he would go out for his exercise every single day. I had asked him to buy milk and bread on way home sometimes (then I don't need to go shopping so often) but so far he hasn't done this and always comes back home empty-handed. I think he thinks going to shop is high risk in general, but it's very early morning which is the time he thinks the safest to shop.... I have no intention to push anyone to do something they feel unsafe or uncomfortable so I had never ever complained about it. But last night I pointed this out too. At this point he wasn't listening to me so I am not sure how much he heard what I said.

This morning, I said 'good morning' to him but he ignored. Clearly he is still very angry. But I know he would happily eat whatever I prepare using the stuff I bought yesterday.

I understand he is only trying to protect us so his anger is coming from good intention but I feel he is forcing me what he believes best and zero understanding nor flexibility to try to see what I think fine to do. I wear a mask and gloves, clean all the items I bring into our family home, have a shower straight and wash all the clothes I wore outside. I think I am doing all I can to be responsible and at very least I go out to get what my family need not just for exercise to fulfil my need.

Am I missing anything here? How could I make him see my point? Or phahaps I need to understand his views more? Please tell me your thoughts! I may show DH this thread if needed...

OP posts:
ViciousJackdaw · 23/04/2020 11:16

I may show DH this thread if needed...

Christ almighty, don't do that! Oh hi husband, look at all these people saying what a wanker you are...

Actions speak louder than words - he can get his bread and milk himself.

ViciousJackdaw · 23/04/2020 11:20

Posted too soon - if you are the person in charge of meals then YOU know best. Whilst most things are back in stock, the range at Tesco Express (or any of these convenience stores) is not great and no, you cannot always get everything you need in one go. Non-shoppers don't always understand how sparse offerings are at the moment.

Greenkit · 23/04/2020 11:21

The idea of isolating is to slow the spread not stop it completely, all this washing shopping and having a shower is totally over the top.

We are all going to get at some point and as the government have stated this disease is not going away, like flu, it here for the long run. Are you going to wash shopping and shower ever time you go out forever?

-misses point of thread- 🤷‍♀️

Lumene · 23/04/2020 11:22

If he is happy to plan and shop, or arrange and pay for deliveries for food he can decide how often your family goes shopping. Simple.

PlanDeRaccordement · 23/04/2020 11:23

Personally, it’s cabin fever. You’ve been cooped up like sardines and now are just snapping at each other out of stress.

I agree shopping once every two weeks is not feasible if you need fresh foods. Once a week is about the maximum. So he is BU.

Exercise is essential and lower risk than shopping, so you were BU flinging that back at him. (Although you were provoked). It honestly sounds like your DH is very fearful of the shops (explains why he isn’t being picking things up in the morning). So talk with him and try and get him to get over that fear.

I personally don’t understand why you have only stepped outside only 3x and just to shop. Are you especially afraid of that? For your own mental well being, go outside to exercise/walk. Maybe join your husband at the allotment a few times a week. Then you can steer the two of you by the corner shop now and then for fresh items you need.

Spending time together will increase your communication and make you feel like a team tackling the lockdown too.

sleepyhead · 23/04/2020 11:23

Are any of particularly high risk?

Sorry, this all seems a bit ott to me.

Lumene · 23/04/2020 11:23

Nothing wrong with being cautious with shower etc though.

Maybe we will all get it but I’d rather do so when there is better medical treatment, if so.

Squirrelblanket · 23/04/2020 11:23

We tried shopping every two weeks but we eat a lot of fresh stuff and found it difficult to get enough to last (salad for example) and we don't have tons of storage space.

I go once a week now, first thing in the morning. I don't wear gloves or a mask or wash my shopping. 🤷‍♀️ Washing hands is fine.

senua · 23/04/2020 11:25

I needed milk and bread for DH (I don't need them)
Let him get his own!

AlwaysCheddar · 23/04/2020 11:25

Way OTT! He’s a knob. Yanbu.

CandleNoBra · 23/04/2020 11:26

Honestly ..... he’s being a knob. You did nothing wrong and he needs to stop sulking and giving the cold shoulder.

He’s also being overly strict as your precautions are all actually more than fine and he’s over-stressing.

KnobJockey · 23/04/2020 11:27

I think early morning is worse- most supermarkets aren't opening until at least 7/8, they're opening for the first hour for NHS or the vunerable, and so by the time they open for the general public there's a queue waiting. I've spoken to the cashier's several times in several supermarkets, and all of them have told me that they are busy first thing and quiet late afternoon.

dementedpixie · 23/04/2020 11:28

Surely first thing in the morning is when NHS workers shop? It really doesn't matter when you go and if you find a quiet time to go then you're lucky.

We tend to go twice a week and it often involves more than 1 shop as the first one doesnt always have everything needed.

We dont wash shopping or shower afterwards or wear gloves or masks either.

He's being an arse tbh

Ivegotnothing · 23/04/2020 11:29

You are a person in your own right, free to make your own decisions.
Bullying and sulking just feels like manipulation to me. Carry on doing what you think is right for you, it’s not like you are insisting he only goes to his allotment late at night (but perhaps you could, so he sees what it feels like).

HostessTrolley · 23/04/2020 11:29

Are any of you high risk? If not then he’s definitely being OTT - there are people still working every day, shops, offices, drivers etc in addition to care/health workers, getting on trains etc.

Let stocks of things he ‘needs’ run out and see if his views change?

Iwalkinmyclothing · 23/04/2020 11:31

Is your DH or someone else in your house particularly vulnerable?

PatriciaHolm · 23/04/2020 11:32

Are you shielding? Have you really not gone out for any sort of exercise in 5 weeks? What about your teen?

KnobJockey · 23/04/2020 11:33

Regardless, it's possible that you and your husband are taking it too far, unless you are vunerable. The measures are not put in place to keep you safe, they are put in place to keep the NHS safe. The NHS is coping with the level of cases.

The likelihood is that you will get the virus sooner or later, as you are going to have to go back to normal life while the virus is still about. So cut yourself some slack, stop sterilising the shopping (which the government hasn't said is necessary) and try to get your husband to relax a little. Unless you are vunerable, it's very unlikely to be dangerous, and even then, it's not guaranteed you will be seriously ill.

AnaphylacticAnnabelle · 23/04/2020 11:37

It's not about the shopping routine !

YetAnotherSpartacus · 23/04/2020 11:44

He sounds controlling. If a man treated me this way I'd fucking give him something to think about.

Bringringbring12 · 23/04/2020 11:45

It all sounds a bit batshit at your place OP

How come you’re not going out for a walk or exercise?

mencken · 23/04/2020 11:45

as he considers it selfish to go shopping, don't shop for him and let him starve. Hopefully he will develop some critical thinking skills before that happens.

BTW you can freeze milk and bread so easy to buy two weeks worth at a time.

P1nkHeartLovesCake · 23/04/2020 11:46

God is this what lockdown has done to you.

Look you needed food, you got food. So much drama about nothing

As your DH drives you to the shop, you and him aren’t in the shielding group so what is his actual problem??

I don’t wash my shopping, I don’t wear a mask, I don’t shower after the shop. I wash my hands that’s it, me and my family are not dead yet 🤷🏻‍♀️

dementedpixie · 23/04/2020 11:47

OP get out and go for a walk. It's not good to be cooped up in the house all day. If he wants bread and milk tell him he can buy them himself

vanillandhoney · 23/04/2020 11:48

So many questions!

Why have you only gone out of the house three times in the last month?

Why are you sterilising your shopping and having a shower every time you come home?

Why can't your DH buy his own bread and milk on his way back from exercising or the allotment?

Why is he so angry with you for buying food?

Is your marriage otherwise healthy and happy?

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