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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

That this conversation has made me utterly lose the will to live?

48 replies

ForgottenLore · 14/12/2021 18:56

Name change for this, as it’s massively outing.

A bit of background: I run (and own the majority of) a business that I built almost ten years ago after marrying DH. The business is in DH’s industry. He is extremely good (even a genius) at what he does, but has zero head for the business side of things. (For example, when he’s tried to run things on his own for a few days here and there when I’ve been sick, we’ve ended up paying out many thousands each time in mistakes he’s made). He’s well aware of this and prefers not to run things as he says it gets too expensive, which is true. I’ve now put things in place to stop these gaps if I get ill.

I don’t love the industry, and he knows this. But I’m very good at what I do, and I’m in it for the long haul as he well knows. I’ve put a tremendous amount of my own money and nearly ten years of my life into building it into a very successful enterprise that’s now on the brink of a breakthrough that would mean we would finally get a chance to start enjoying all our hard work.

Now to the point. I’ll start by saying my DH has ADHD and has known since he was about five. He’s been on various medications over the years, and his latest one doesn’t seem to be working for him, especially since his job means he works from home. He has problems focusing, won’t get to brushing his teeth until after noon, etc. He chatted with me and decided he would ask his doctor about changes to his meds. All fine there.

But then he started talking out of the blue about how work in general is really busy (true), and how medication just won’t cut it for him and how he would like to replace what I do with a (and I quote), “Filipino assistant” to keep him organized because they “come cheap” and “Alan has one.” Confused (Alan is a client, so now I’m a bit Hmm.)

I stopped him immediately, saying how inappropriate he was being; but he had no problem with either his massively inappropriate comment or, frankly, any other part of it. He was also very surprised to hear that no, I wasn’t keen on being replaced by a random person who he thought he could hire for only 1-2 hours a day to do my entire job, and he kept insisting that I don’t seem to like the industry and therefore should love the idea, plus medicine alone won’t be enough to keep him on track (it has in the past, but they had to change him to a new one due to health effects).

He thinks I’m being unreasonable for not jumping on the idea, and apparently he doesn’t think I’m “proactive.” 🙄

I have no words.

OP posts:
Faevern · 14/12/2021 20:38

@Iveputmyselfonthenaughtystep oh the million things and picking one is so familiar. I’ve even said to my DP sometimes, pick another option.

SparrowNest · 14/12/2021 20:38

@ForgottenLore Got it. In that case you aren’t being unreasonable at all imo.

Iveputmyselfonthenaughtystep · 14/12/2021 20:53

Of course my usual issue is trying to say all the thoughts at once. Then nonsense comes out. But at least nonsense isn't usually hurtful. Good luck. I'm constantly amazed DP puts up with me.

ForgottenLore · 14/12/2021 20:59

@Iveputmyselfonthenaughtystep, DH is normally a generous, lovely man who has quite literally given the shirt off his back. This appears to be just a blip. He’s now mortified.

OP posts:
Reusablebags · 14/12/2021 21:27

I assumed what made you lose the will you live was saying I’ll get “a Filipino woman” in like all Filipino women are the same and also like they’re a possession. Creepy and bigoted.

ChequerBoard · 14/12/2021 21:37

I agree, it's not ADHD that's made him refer to your potential replacement as 'a Filipino woman'.

That's really creepy and bigoted. I would be so disappointed and would lose all respect if my partner made a comment like that.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 14/12/2021 21:39

Glad he's apologised to you and yes, I hope his med review puts him onto one that prevents these blips!

(also - I'm assuming shirt off his back, rather than shit? Cos otherwise gross...)

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 14/12/2021 21:39

And now it says shirt. Or maybe my eyes are shot. Sorry! Xmas Blush

Skeumorph · 14/12/2021 21:47

Oh dear, he forgot his anti-racist meds? Easily done I guess.

For the rest, get him when he's newly dosed and tell him he needs to sign everything over to you.

This time it's suggesting you could be replaced by a randomer, next time he takes out a loan or sells his shares to the window cleaner.

Franklyfrost · 14/12/2021 21:56

What he said and the way he said it was wrong.

But, if he’s your employee and has told you (albeit in a stupid way) that he’s struggling to get his work done because of a health issue then it might be worth having a documented meeting about it.

SertralineThrash · 14/12/2021 21:56

There are some very reactive views on here that aren't aware of the complexities of adult neurodiversity. OP you sound amazing. Having had some experience of this sort of situation he needs some slack, but obviously that's no excuse, his meds need reviewing against everything you've said here. Sounds like you are normally a great partnership.

Hankunamatata · 14/12/2021 22:04

Sorry your post did make me laugh a bit as I can so sympathise with ADHD logic without meds. I have had a few arguments with my DH where I have shown him evidence to prove he was wrong, family have told him he is wrong but he gets stuck in a weird loop - incredibly frustrating. He has also come up with some ideas that are a bit out there and I'm like wtf.
My teen adhder is totally illogical without his meds or should say brutally logical to him never mind anyone else's feelings - its like a filter removal. We have had fun with meds tolerance building up and usually have to take a month break in the summer - not sure how that will pan out once he is working

Hankunamatata · 14/12/2021 22:05

Would an online PA work for him to help with his organisation without putting more work onto you

Silvershroud · 14/12/2021 22:11

Where did the fact that it is a woman come into it? Though I'm guessing it is a female he has his mind on.

ForgottenLore · 14/12/2021 22:33

@Silvershroud, no gender was mentioned, it was quite bad enough as it was! He’s tried to explain about how he came up with what he said, but got confused. From what I gather, Alan mentioned the ethnicity of his own assistant and said the salary was very reasonable. I’m genuinely not sure how it ended up being the comment DH made, but he is at least now mortified.

OP posts:
ForgottenLore · 14/12/2021 22:42

Never mind, it’s all been muddled and something about the assistant mentioning something about her country, etc. I’m just tired and still Hmm about the whole thing. And about Alan, tbh.

My mother was born in a Spanish speaking country, and English is her second language. I’m not impressed, to say the least.

OP posts:
Hereagainnewlogin · 14/12/2021 22:42

I rarely log back into MN because I have ADHD and find it too addictive. But I'm also Filipino and am disappointed it took until the 2nd page of this thread for someone to point out that his comment was not only ridiculous but pretty racist too.

I mean, fine if 'Alan' has a Filipino assistant but it sounds like he is exploiting them. Most of us speak perfect English, but it's people like Alan and apparently your husband who are shitty enough to think that just because someone isn't white and western it's somehow ok to pay them less, or get them for 'cheap'.

CovidPassQuestion · 14/12/2021 22:44

@Hankunamatata

Sorry your post did make me laugh a bit as I can so sympathise with ADHD logic without meds. I have had a few arguments with my DH where I have shown him evidence to prove he was wrong, family have told him he is wrong but he gets stuck in a weird loop - incredibly frustrating. He has also come up with some ideas that are a bit out there and I'm like wtf. My teen adhder is totally illogical without his meds or should say brutally logical to him never mind anyone else's feelings - its like a filter removal. We have had fun with meds tolerance building up and usually have to take a month break in the summer - not sure how that will pan out once he is working
Is this what ADHD is like? I thought it was about focus and concentration etc. I have literally have had arguments with DS where he has argued the absolute opposite of the truth even though he knows he's wrong and will not back down under any circumstances. Could he have ADHD? (I have always thought he may not be entirely neurotypical).
ForgottenLore · 14/12/2021 22:49

@Hereagainnewlogin, I’m so sorry I wasn’t more clear. That was the entire basis of my being upset with him in my OP. What he said was wrong, and you are utterly correct that it’s racist. My mother’s entire family is in a similar position. There’s no excuse.

OP posts:
Hereagainnewlogin · 14/12/2021 22:58

@ForgottenLore No worries sorry I didn't pick that up more! If I were you I'd be equally as angry at the fact he thought someone else could do my job as well so crap comment from him all around really.

Maybe he needs reminding of how central you are to the business, sounds like he's somehow forgotten!

Thegreencup · 14/12/2021 23:04

Am I the only person who suspects that Alan's assistant is doing a lot more than filing his paperwork?

ForgottenLore · 14/12/2021 23:05

Thank you so much to everyone here who has taken the time to reply. It’s been very helpful and I truly appreciate you all.

OP posts:
Mermaidwaves · 14/12/2021 23:15

Alan's Philopino assistant doesn't happen to be a young attractive female does she? Is this what your DH is after?

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