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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

OH refusing Xmas plan change

304 replies

lamby12 · 21/12/2020 22:57

I think OH is being selfish and childish - is he?

We were always going to have Xmas day at our house, for one reason or another we've never been at home or not having major renovations etc so we said since last year we'd have this Xmas at home and host for my parents, his parents and any other family. We have a 2yo.

MIL & FIL decided last month they wouldn't be coming. They are boderline vulnerable and have been shielding throughout. My grandma would usually be with relatives aboard (she alternates each year) but she's in the equation with us this year due to restrictions. She's not bothered about Covid, says she might not be around much longer anyway (she's been saying that for 10+ years).

So it's now us, my parents and grandma on Xmas day (3 households) nobody's done much prep re food and we're taking it all very relaxed this year due to the uncertainty.

My mum suggested yesterday they'd feel more comfortable re grandma if we came to them as their house is considerably bigger with lots more socialising space, so more scope to naturally distance. She also knows OH is working flat out up to Xmas as a key worker, we haven't done any food shopping yet, we're tight on money and I'm knackered from being on my own with a toddler all the time. So all that combined she is trying to be helpful and relieve any pressure of us hosting.

I said great idea. OH flew off the handle, poking holes in the science of whether more space is safer, being argumentative about it, calling them stupid for suggesting it (all this just said to me). Acting like they're doing something malicious 'I've been looking forward to Xmas at home and they throw this in at the last minute' type ranting.

Saying he's not going?!? The decision hasn't even been made it was just discussion, not expected to be heated discussion.

I don't know if their science about space is right but if it makes them feel more comfortable who cares? They do everything for us. They are also offering to host coming from a nice place. Oh and I'm pregnant, so I'm bloody knackered and would love to not cook etc.

Should add, we're at home just us Boxing Day and I've offered to cook mini Xmas dinner #2 with OHs fave bits, so that will be our day at home if that's what he wants.

His reaction was so angry and nasty about my parents I told him he's a selfish and needs to take a long hard look at himself. All he ever gives a damn about is what he wants to do. Normally we all just go along with his preference but why should we? He's no reasons other than he'd prefer it. Who the hell at this time of Covid suggests NOT coming to Xmas day because of what house were at. Who cares?

AIBU to tell him he's a selfish ?

OP posts:
Upsiedasie · 22/12/2020 06:07

He obviously behaved badly in the way he spoke to you. People on here always jump to husbands being selfish, horrible men etc, and scream to LTB, but only you know the dynamics of your relationship.

Having said that, I am a key worker, working a long shift on Christmas Eve too. If my husband suddenly told me 4 days before Christmas that he and his Mum had decided we’re going to hers instead, I’d be pretty annoyed and upset (I have done my food shop already though). I am looking forward to not travelling for Christmas and not having to act like a guest in someone else’s house.

It probably is a better idea to go to a bigger house, but this should have been broached before now- the virus is hardly a surprise. Maybe it would have gotten a better reaction.

I can see why he is upset and I think you should be open to hearing his point of view. He needs to be open to the fact that if you stay home, he needs to pull his weight! And he should apologise for his outburst.

GenerallyCoping · 22/12/2020 06:12

@soopedup That is some of the best advice I have read on here about how to live with a self-centred or selfish person. You have to live your own life, not theirs. Their life isn’t your life.

Sorry it is something you have learned through personal experience though 😢

Fallsballs · 22/12/2020 06:14

Nice bit of male apologist claptrap Upsiedaisie.

ivfbeenbusy · 22/12/2020 06:29

OP you are the one who called him names and swore so who exactly is the bully here????

You said you wanted to spend Xmas at home this year after a few years of being at other people's? Clearly he was looking forward to that and now you've gone and changed the plan? I wouldn't be happy with you either? And FYI I have a young child and also heavily pregnant with twins and it took one quick shop to get all the food in.....

Upsiedasie · 22/12/2020 06:35

Nice bit of male apologist claptrap Upsiedaisie.

Grin hilarious and very predictable.

Meanwhile in the real world, people don’t threaten to leave their partners at home for Christmas over an argument!

missbipolar · 22/12/2020 06:37

So you've been planning a Christmas at home for a YEAR now and 4 days before the event you and your mother change the plan? I can see why he's pissed off tbh- he overacted but I completely get it

ittakes2 · 22/12/2020 06:38

You had me at key worker! Although flying off the handle and what he said is not ok it’s likely he’s had a shit stressful year. You are both tired. Rather than berating him, you both need a minute to calm down and find out what exactly he is feeling. It’s likely he is feeling something something making him act this way but has not quite worked it out himself. He might have been looking forward to relaxing in his own home at Christmas. Yes I get it’s more work for you and your parents are a better option - but let his rational brain catch up with his gut feelings.

wildraisins · 22/12/2020 06:52

That sounds awful OP - no one needs that extra stress at Christmas and especially this year!

Do you think his mental health is suffering because of the current situation, or is he always like this?

I would be tempted to go anyway but the risk is increasing division between you/ him/ your parents in a time when everyone really needs to be coming together as much as possible.

Do you think he maybe feels a bit awkward at your parents' place? Maybe he wants to feel comfortable on Christmas day at home and was looking forward to it, and just has a short fuse at the moment because he is stressed (like everyone in the country!) He's not being very kind but just trying to understand what's beneath his behaviour?

Hopeisnotastrategy · 22/12/2020 06:57

Your mother is absolutely spot on about having a bigger space to celebrate in. Being in a small room for hours cooped up with other people is a really bad idea at the moment. You need to ventilate well and change the air regularly too.

I think it is a real shame that there haven't been more programmes on the television teaching people how the virus spreads and the best ways to protect themselves since all this started. ☹️

Fallsballs · 22/12/2020 06:59

Dress it up whatever way you like Upsiedaisie. I wouldn’t suggest leaving anyone at Christmas (or anytime) but I wouldn’t defend very bad behaviour. On your part it’s predictable to jump to incorrect predictions to justify being a male apologist.
I have a different point of view and that’s life. Only the OP knows the real story,

Catchytune · 22/12/2020 07:00

The thing is he hasnt planned a nice Christmas in his own home he has expected OP to do all the planning and prep.

We don’t actually know if he has had any time to prep. Op says he’s been ”flat out” which could mean just that. Nothing to do with having a penis. My DP is currently a delivery driver for a supermarket and even he wasn’t able to shop, the shifts are 10 hours of very hard heavy lifting until 11pm, at which point the store is closed.
I work full time and find the mental load very hard especially with Covid making shopping more stressful and time consuming.Both of us are now off until after Christmas and it’s an amazing feeling, like a weight has been lifted.

Her OH was looking forward to Christmas at home so I’m not sure why it’s a surprise that he’s not delighted at spending it being a guest. Maybe he’ll come round when he’s had time to think about it. .At least with the Op being pregnant she can be designated driver.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 22/12/2020 07:04

Sounds like my ex
He wanted to give 6 year old ds covid test despite us not having symptoms or being in contact with any confirmed cases....the poking holes in the science bit really resonates . Twisting everything so that he is right ....be careful op the nastiness really starts when they realise they are " losing " and not going to get their own way .

Upsiedasie · 22/12/2020 07:04

Incorrect predictions? Male apologist? Sorry, but you’re just laughable with that.

I’ll mute this thread now, it’s not fair to derail the thread like this. I’ve given my opinion, which as you pointed out, is just a different one to yours. Xmas Wink

eurochick · 22/12/2020 07:08

Is it legal to mix three households where you are?

rwalker · 22/12/2020 07:20

I'm with him if he'd been looking forward to Christmas in his own home then you change the goal post.
I can't relax the same in someone else house you are always a visitor being your parents you won't see that.
TBH Christmas dinner can be as big or as little as you make it no different to a Sunday roast .

Fbtw · 22/12/2020 07:35

His reaction is OTT.

but.

You should have discussed the changed with him and not just presented him with a fait accompli.

If he’s never had Christmas at home, I can understand him really wanting Christmas at home.

I was married for a long time and I never in 22 years had either Christmas or Boxing Day at home in my own house just us. It’s one of the absolute delights of being divorced that I don’t have to do that anymore.

DHdweller · 22/12/2020 07:40

His behaviour isn’t right, but I’d be annoyed too at plans changing last minute, he just wants Christmas at home for once

crankysaurus · 22/12/2020 07:52

While he's not handled it at all well, I get the looking forward to Christmas in his own home for once. Would he do the food shop and cooking on the day so it's not all on you? To what extent would lack of spacing be an issue?

BumbleFlump · 22/12/2020 08:01

You’re pregnant and have a toddler - your OH is very very wrong. I don’t suppose he’s planning to do all the cleaning, wrapping, shopping, cooking etc is he?!

ThelmaNotLouise · 22/12/2020 08:02

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

I'm really surprised at the amount of people backing up the dh here. He is the only selfish one in this situation. He is putting his wants ahead of everyone else involved.
He’s not saying they all can’t go though, he’s just saying he won’t.

I’m not defending his rudeness but I get being upset about the last min change of plans when he’s been looking forward to being at home, especially as from OP’s post it sounds like she agreed to it without asking him. I wonder if there’s an underlying pattern of always her deferring to her parents, that might explain his OTT reaction?

BringMeTea · 22/12/2020 08:04

Do NOT pander to this OP. I think you really need to see what he is like when he does not get his own way. Then reassess your relationship's future based on how it goes. Sorry he's being so horrible to you. Flowers

toocold54 · 22/12/2020 08:04

I usually find it easy to see both sides of the argument but I think the fact he is not even willing to discuss it is so selfish!

It would be different if you had said this is what’s happening and he had no choice Or if you were isolating and he didn’t want to mix families then I’d understand why he’s so upset. But not even having a discussion and being so OTT about it is terrible and I’d be thinking of other examples where he always gets his own way.

I’m assuming if you have it at yours he’ll be doing all the shopping and cooking?

Luckyrabbitfoot · 22/12/2020 08:06

I can hear the Northampton accent in that post @ViciousJackdaw Grin

dontdisturbmenow · 22/12/2020 08:09

Changing significant plans that were agreed a long ago without discussing them with your partner first is extremely rude and show no respect for their views and input.

You're in the wrong.

Aprilx · 22/12/2020 08:10

If I were looking forward to Christmas at home all year for the first time in years but on the 21st December my husband spoke to his dad and told me they had decided we were going to FIL’s, I would be pretty annoyed too.

I bet if I came on here and said that had happened they would be called all kinds of names. It is fine of course if a woman and her mother pulls a stunt like that though.

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