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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell my husband to fuck off

333 replies

cinq · 29/05/2022 23:13

I work full time as does my husband. We have 2 DC ages 9 and 5. My husband works away a lot so I have the responsibility of my own job as well as all the childcare and housework which is fine but tiring.

He’s been away on a boys trip recently and is scheduled to go on another one in a few weeks. Again, I don’t have a problem with this - we can afford it and it’s not a problem.

Here’s where I do have a problem. We are planning to go on holiday in December just after Christmas and I’ve been told by him that my MIL is joining us. I haven’t been asked - I’ve been told.

my MIL is fine in small doses but a week with her I dont think I can manage with snidey comments and just her generally being unpleasant.

i don’t want to say I’m devastated- it’s a first world problem - but I work all year, haven’t been on holiday since before the pandemic and now I’ll be on edge for a week and be spending a fortune for the privilege.

I’ve been clear with my husband that I don’t want to go with her but nothing is really sinking in with him. He just says we won’t have to do it again. I don’t want to do it at all!!!!

AIBU to tell him to just fuck off?

OP posts:
Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov · 30/05/2022 10:12

@billy1966 is 100% the holiday itself isn't a sackable offence it's the complete disregard and disrespect to his partner.

if he'd said I've messed up I invited Dm, here's why, I'm so sorry, here's how I'll make it up. If he realised it would be an issue without being told I could just about forgive but he sounds like a self absorbed arsehole. He sounds like Julia's husband in motherland.

Wizzbangfizz · 30/05/2022 10:12

Yanbu, if DH pulled this shit I would be livid.

Fraaahnces · 30/05/2022 10:13

I hope he’s looking forward to some quality solo parenting on this trip while you go to a spa or foreign city you’ve always wanted to see.

TicTac80 · 30/05/2022 10:14

XH tried a similar stunt once. Not with a holiday though.

FIL wasn't well (NB I'd told him to go to GP weeks before and get seen. He eventually did but then refused to take the meds that the GP had prescribed him...for his illness...and therefore got more ill - he didn't tell me this last bit) and XH TOLD me that his parents were going to come and stay with us so that FIL could have some weeks of "convalescence time". FIL thought it was a good idea as after all, "TicTac is a nurse and can look after me". XH thought it was a great idea too.

At the time, we lived in a 2 bedroom flat; I was working FT as a nurse; we had 2 DC (youngest was a poorly baby at the time); XH wasn't working (long story) but not parenting much either (so I was juggling that too); FIL was a heavy pipe smoker (and wouldn't think that he couldn't smoke in someone else's home). Not to mention that PIL lived out of area (so the logistical nightmare of getting him seen by his GP, meds prescribed etc would be a nightmare). The plan was that PIL would have our bedroom, and that I would help them out around the time I was working. I then found out that FIL hadn't bothered taking the prescribed meds as he didn't see the point. I suggested to XH that if he was so worried, he could go stay with PIL and look after them. That was out of the question, they had to come to our place. So I told XH that if he moved his parents in, then he could go right ahead....but I would be making damned sure that he/they would be moving out promptly (it was my name only on the tenancy) and I would be seeing a solicitor. Strangely enough, it didn't go ahead.

Don't put up with it OP, and stand your ground. Holidays are a precious time for spending with people that you want to spend time with, for R+R etc. Don't let him/MIL wreck this one for you x

PS if FIL had been really seriously ill (and had bothered to take his meds etc and follow his GP's advice), I would have made something work. But he wasn't, and he wasn't doing anything to help himself, and just wanted to come to mine and be waited on hand and foot by Muggins here, whilst I ran about like a blue assed fly trying to work, parent and keep household going!!

IncompleteSenten · 30/05/2022 10:15

Tell him you're not going. Him and his mum can go with the kids.
You'll have a nice break at home by yourself

Itstimetoquit · 30/05/2022 10:18

I would not be going x

carbuncleonapigsposterior · 30/05/2022 10:19

I think I'd tell mil that this was arranged without any consultation, maybe add "did you ask him whether when arranging the holiday, whether he'd run it past me first?^ and pretty much outline everything you have said in your opening post. Then add, whilst not wanting to malign her, her needs may well be different to all of yours, plus it's a brief window, given work commitments, of you coming together as a family. I'd lay it on the line, I'm not happy with your son I need time together alone to assess the state of our marriage. In particular how he is he no longer considering my needs. Perhaps mil you and son should discuss this thus batting the ball back into their court.

Grandville · 30/05/2022 10:26

Not a chance. He can do one.

reesewithoutaspoon · 30/05/2022 10:39

Nope. hes more worried about upsetting his mother than you. He's told you where his priorities lie. I would refuse to go. he can spend a week alone with his precious mother and do all the entertaining and childcare

theremustonlybeone · 30/05/2022 10:43

cinq why is it ok for your DH to work away alot, go on boys only holidays whilst you work fulltime, deal with the DC and housework and have him dictate that his mother is coming on your holiday without a discussion? He is acting like a single man and your just someone to look after his DC. He is an absent father and absent DH and just because you can afford his regular boys trips doesnt make them ok. You seem so passive

I think you should truly reflect what your getting from this relationship?

TalkingCat · 30/05/2022 10:45

Ok this is what you need to do. Firstly, you need to tell your 'D'H that if she goes, you're not going. And he will have to explain to his MIL why you are not there, AND, why he will be looking after the DC on his own.

You also have to point out that he MARRIED YOU, that 'I am the one you have to live with every day, so you are the one you should be worried about pissing off more. I am your wife and the mother of your children, and the woman you sleep with. You really want to piss off who you sleep with and live with everyday?'
He needs to know who he wants to piss off the least.

Whatever you do, say if she goes, you will NOT go, and stick to it. Also tell him that you will contact her to call it off if he doesn't.

DON'T FUCKING BACK DOWN!!!

billy1966 · 30/05/2022 10:46

Sweetmotherofallthatisholyabov · 30/05/2022 10:12

@billy1966 is 100% the holiday itself isn't a sackable offence it's the complete disregard and disrespect to his partner.

if he'd said I've messed up I invited Dm, here's why, I'm so sorry, here's how I'll make it up. If he realised it would be an issue without being told I could just about forgive but he sounds like a self absorbed arsehole. He sounds like Julia's husband in motherland.

Completely agree.

He's been suiting himself so long that he thinks she's the help.

CF.

Nanny0gg · 30/05/2022 10:48

cinq · 30/05/2022 01:15

He seems to think he can’t upset her feelings but mine are fair game.

i spent two hours with her on Saturday and couldn’t deal with her comments and general unpleasant which gets worse after a few drinks. A week will see me apoplectic with rage and no amount of all inclusive cocktails will help.

Have you ever fought back to her directly?

TalkingCat · 30/05/2022 10:49

Oh and 'works away a lot'? Nah, don't like the sound of that, that NEVER works out if you're not single, especially when you have a wife, and worse a wife and children. I'd be getting him to get a normal job and taking up 50-50 of the parenting. He is taking the absolute piss out of you, and the icing on the cake? Disrespecting you so much that you don't even have a say on your own holiday. Woman up, tell him she is not going and you'll tell her that, then you need to work on him getting a normal family friendly job. If you still want to stay with him that is.

OhCobblers · 30/05/2022 10:50

theremustonlybeone · 30/05/2022 10:43

cinq why is it ok for your DH to work away alot, go on boys only holidays whilst you work fulltime, deal with the DC and housework and have him dictate that his mother is coming on your holiday without a discussion? He is acting like a single man and your just someone to look after his DC. He is an absent father and absent DH and just because you can afford his regular boys trips doesnt make them ok. You seem so passive

I think you should truly reflect what your getting from this relationship?

yup this is exactly what i thought. You do sound far too passive. The fact that you can afford his trips doesn't make them right when you don't get equal "away" time. Like others have said say you're not going and that you will be spending that valuable alone time researching divorce lawyers - i'm not evening joking. There is no way on earth my DH would do this to me as we have far too much respect for each other. Its a shame your DH has none for you. Time for things to change OP.

StaunchMomma · 30/05/2022 10:51

Your DH sounds more than a bit selfish and doesn't seem to take your opinion into account at all.

He's getting multiple trips away a year and you get one that will now be a week of servitude and treading on eggshells around his catty mother?! Hell no!!

I think I'd make my case strongly (including a 'fuck off', I'm sure!) and if he still insists that his mum is going on the trip then I'd pull out. I bet he soon changes his tune when he's faced with a week on his own with the kids, the cheeky git!!

KettrickenSmiled · 30/05/2022 11:03

cinq · 30/05/2022 01:15

He seems to think he can’t upset her feelings but mine are fair game.

i spent two hours with her on Saturday and couldn’t deal with her comments and general unpleasant which gets worse after a few drinks. A week will see me apoplectic with rage and no amount of all inclusive cocktails will help.

Your reply to PP suggesting you simply ditch the holiday & leave DH to manage his own children & mother was sad OP. You said you can't think of a friend who would be free to go with you - so what? I would have thought a woman with a f-t job who is also doing the majority of childcare, housework & mental load would be delighted to have a week solo to do exactly as she pleases ...

Have a think about that freedom.
Because your DH's unilateral stunt is outfuckingrageous.
He can't upset his mother - but you don't matter?
Was he with you on Saturday when she spent 2 hours being a bitch to you? He allowed this to happen without pulling her up for insulting his DW?

This is larger than some disrespect over a holiday.
You seem totally blase about the unequal domestic burden.
He seems utterly blase they he gets to call the shots, & expects you to suck it up.

By all means tell him to fuck off.
But not before you have mentally excised yourself from this holiday, & booked YOURSELF something else. Somewhere you can totally relax & recharge.
Then give DH both barrels.
Tell him he is a disrespectful arse who expects you to shoulder the bulk of all domestic responsibilities & is now imposing his mother on you.
Tell him he has broken the camel's back, & you are not accepting his imposition. He & his mother will be in charge of the kids on the family holiday, because you are not going.

If you can't do that because you fear his reaction, or he won't 'allow' it' then you have a serious problem, & PP will support you with that.

Next: holiday or no holiday, unless she falls off a cliff you are still going to have to deal with his mother.
I'm going to be blunt now, so please brace yourself as this IS, I promise you, kindly meant.
You spent 2 hours on Saturday being insulted by the woman.
She insults you BECAUSE YOU LET HER.
This is not a criticism, please don't feel bad about it. I understand how the dynamics of power play build up, & the less powerful person becomes effectively silenced. The barbed remarks that are aimed at you but subtle enough that nobody else picks up on them. The DARVO tactics to prevent you from naming the behaviour. All the plausibly deniable little digs that get twisted back to make YOU the unreasonable-seeming one if you object.
So you end up not objecting, & seething in uncomfortable silence.

My advice is you blow her shit out of the water.
Next time she gets pissed & arsey with you - NAME THE BEHAVIOUR.
It is such a powerful tool, but we so rarely use it!
"Sheila, you're doing that thing you do when you're onto your 3 drink again - making rude comments so please watch your manners."
"Sheila, you're being unpleasant again & I'm so bored of it."
"Sheila, if you can't keep a civil tongue in your head perhaps it's time for you to go home."
"Sheila - why don't you take your unpleasant remarks & shove them up your arse, because I'm done giving you an audience."
Then you just walk out. Calmly, coolly, telling DH that you'll get a cab home & you'll see him when he gets back.

You need to change your mindset.
There is no law that says you have to even be in your MiL's company, let alone endure her insults.
Naming the behaviour is your friend. It takes a bit of guts first time (you might want to practice in secret so you get used to the feeling of those words coming out of your mouth) but it is instantly effective in stopping you from being seen as the doormat MiL can badmouth at will.

And if DH has the temerity to be displeased at you finally standing up to his mother, he can stick his displeasure up his arse as well.
Stop internalising the rage you reference in your update above. Use it, channel it, & unleash it in a controlled manner.
I think you have taken quite enough stick from this peremptory man & his awful mother. Reckon it's high time you took control, & explained very clearly that you are no longer tolerating their disrespect.

Carlycat · 30/05/2022 11:05

He's a CF of the highest order. Get a solicitor

ImAvingOops · 30/05/2022 11:15

I honestly don't know how women get themselves into situations where they allow their husbands to work away and have lots of child free time with their mates, while they shoulder all the additional work this entails.
You should have put a stop to all this years ago because you now have a husband who takes you completely for granted.

I wouldn't do any game playing. I would tell him straight to phone mil and tell her he's sorry, he made a mistakes in asking her before saddling you and that you both need a family holiday with just you and the kids. If he won't do this, then imo your marriage is over. It's not about mil, it's about his lack of respect and consideration for you.

If he does tell mil not to come, then your next thing to deal with is his complete piss taking over leisure time while you do all the work. You've got to put a stop to that and even things up a lot.

ImAvingOops · 30/05/2022 11:16

My autocorrect changed asking to saddling. See, even autocorrect knows this shit is wrong!

Thereisnolight · 30/05/2022 11:20

Your DC will probably enjoy having her there?
Just go but do your own thing a lot. Lie-ins, reading, sunbathing. Plenty of other people there to supervise the DC.
I’d be more irritated by the boys-only holidays your DH goes on. Do you get to take a few days off/away here and there?

Watermill · 30/05/2022 11:23

YANBU

I agree with PP, you do not go. He can go with DC and MIL he probably won't and you can go somewhere lovely on your own if you don't have anyone available to accompany you.

He is incredibly selfish. Flowers

greatblueheron · 30/05/2022 11:43

You don't have to go that week. Work the week he's on holiday with MiL and the kids. Book something with a friend on a different week/fortnight and he can work, look after the kids and do the housework for a week or two without you, just as you frequently do for him.

This. But book your week away sooner, pre-'holiday', and make him work around his children's schedules and do all the heavy lifting at home. Make him realise how good he has it. Make it clear going away with your MIL is not a holiday for you and you won't be joining them if he still intends for her to join you without your agreement. They can take the children and sort them out while you have a quiet week at home doing things you enjoy.

WallaceinAnderland · 30/05/2022 11:44

I think this is one of those threads where the OP doesn't take any responsibility for her own behaviour. No one can make you go on holiday. Just don't go. Don't pack anything for anyone, leave him to make his own choice over this and you make yours. You can't blame other people for your own actions.

greatblueheron · 30/05/2022 11:45

ImAvingOops · 30/05/2022 11:15

I honestly don't know how women get themselves into situations where they allow their husbands to work away and have lots of child free time with their mates, while they shoulder all the additional work this entails.
You should have put a stop to all this years ago because you now have a husband who takes you completely for granted.

I wouldn't do any game playing. I would tell him straight to phone mil and tell her he's sorry, he made a mistakes in asking her before saddling you and that you both need a family holiday with just you and the kids. If he won't do this, then imo your marriage is over. It's not about mil, it's about his lack of respect and consideration for you.

If he does tell mil not to come, then your next thing to deal with is his complete piss taking over leisure time while you do all the work. You've got to put a stop to that and even things up a lot.

I think this is pretty spotty on, too.
He's taking the piss, taking you for absolute granted while his life hasn't really changed at all, and now, without discussion, inviting his mother on your family holiday. Knowing you don't want her there and she's nasty to you.

I think your marriage is essentially over if he really doesn't see how he's treating you.