Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect DH to not drink alcohol during the week?

115 replies

Jules198 · 07/09/2022 12:56

How much do you drink / days you drink?
i barely drink, probably once a year or so. It doesnt bother me. Im getting annoyed by partner constantly having a drink of alcohol in his hand when hes at home. Am i right to be annoyed or should i let it go?

background to this is- he drinks pretty much daily, sometimes will go mon- weds no drinking. Would drink around 4 cans a day mon - weds, then 4 cans plus 2 pub pints thurs and fri. Saturday & Sundays he drinks from around 130pm to 10/11pm beer and wine. He holds down a job during the week day. Hes overweight, unfit and approaching 50. No health issues so far.

im annoyed he is not available for parenting and i end up doing the majority. Im fed up quite frankly. When i try to have a conversation about it, he doesnt listen and gets defensive. Last night i left to go to a class. He didnt have alcohol in. I got home, no empty cans on the side. Great i thought, but then i brushed past him and could smell it. I put my youngest to bed and she told me daddy had gone to the shop across the road and bought 6 cans. I asked how she knew it was 6 and not 4 but she said, i counted 3 on one side. How do i tackle this. I know Its not good for kids to see and be around and horrible for me and him as were drifting apart, not sure i want to get it back, sadly, as i feel he takes up too much head space with all this lieing/drinking/sneaking.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/10/2022 18:54

He has a serious problem with alcohol. That’s why. He has no intention of changing. All you can do is control your response and protect your children. Sadly that’s likely to mean splitting up.

pointythings · 19/10/2022 18:57

He's hiding his drinking - that is a really bad sign. It really is time for you to make a move, for your own sake and to protect your children.

Suzi888 · 19/10/2022 18:58

justaladyLOL · 07/09/2022 13:20

He like a few beers
Yes you are being unreasonable

A few?!?! This is not a few beers. He’s an alcoholic.

Regardless of what he is drinking, he’s leaving the childcare and household responsibilities to you.

I would be fuming.

I enjoy a drink, I’ll have a wine when DD is in bed- not every night. But your DH is drinking to excess. It must be costing a fortune!

Anniefrenchfry · 19/10/2022 19:02

Well I was going to say the four beers a night, which is like two pints depending on what it is, id be ok with, the all day weekend not ok. I’d have significant issue with, but the hiding wine in your lunch bag? Yeah I think he’s an alcoholic.

Stumpedasatree · 19/10/2022 19:05

It sounds like he is drinking at work or on the way home from work, with the half bottle in his lunch bag. Definitely an alcoholic.

daisyjgrey · 19/10/2022 19:07

PileofLogs · 07/09/2022 13:14

So:

M- 4 cans
T- 4 cans
W- 4 cans
T- 4 cans, 2 pints
F- 4 cans, 2 pints
S- 9 hours straight drinking wine and beer
S- 9 hours straight drinking wine and beer

That's absolutely masses and I'd suggest the issue is more serious than whether he's drinking in the week. Sounds like an alcoholic, especially given the lying.

He drinks this much and is defensive if you talk to him about it. He's unable to parent.

He's an alcoholic.

Banana7 · 19/10/2022 19:10

Jules198 · 07/09/2022 12:56

How much do you drink / days you drink?
i barely drink, probably once a year or so. It doesnt bother me. Im getting annoyed by partner constantly having a drink of alcohol in his hand when hes at home. Am i right to be annoyed or should i let it go?

background to this is- he drinks pretty much daily, sometimes will go mon- weds no drinking. Would drink around 4 cans a day mon - weds, then 4 cans plus 2 pub pints thurs and fri. Saturday & Sundays he drinks from around 130pm to 10/11pm beer and wine. He holds down a job during the week day. Hes overweight, unfit and approaching 50. No health issues so far.

im annoyed he is not available for parenting and i end up doing the majority. Im fed up quite frankly. When i try to have a conversation about it, he doesnt listen and gets defensive. Last night i left to go to a class. He didnt have alcohol in. I got home, no empty cans on the side. Great i thought, but then i brushed past him and could smell it. I put my youngest to bed and she told me daddy had gone to the shop across the road and bought 6 cans. I asked how she knew it was 6 and not 4 but she said, i counted 3 on one side. How do i tackle this. I know Its not good for kids to see and be around and horrible for me and him as were drifting apart, not sure i want to get it back, sadly, as i feel he takes up too much head space with all this lieing/drinking/sneaking.

I have to admit I'm drinking more than I'd ideally like, an average of one glass and a half at night. I'm telling myself I'm going through a phase, that's all. DP drinks a can a night. We can definitely do better. However, it doesn't stop us parenting at all, we're very much on the ball and making sure the children are on a routine which works well for everyone.
If drinking becomes an issue between you and your partner, it needs to be addressed. Maybe he would benefit from counselling or something similar?

AnaJeff · 19/10/2022 19:27

I have to admit, it crossed my mind that perhaps hes drinking on the way home. I can usually tell though by his eyes, even if hes only had one or two. It is worrying. Its really odd behaviour. I feel like he hides his drinking because ive made it an issue at home. He will go all (silly voice) “oh im not allowed to drink at home and relax because Jules says so” makes me feel like im a right debbie downer. I just wanted perspective on if its normal or odd his whole drinking behaviour 😥

Jules198 · 19/10/2022 19:28

Sorry name fail 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/10/2022 19:30

Of course it’s not normal. Drinking over 70 units a week. Hiding alcohol. Opting out of parenting as you’re drinking. Lying and being defensive. Having affect your life with your partner.

Flowerpower36 · 19/10/2022 19:31

YANBU. Drinking is a dealbreaker for me. I could never have married anybody who drunk regularly. DH and I probably have two drinks a year, at Christmas.

Harpin · 19/10/2022 19:51

He can’t go a day without a drink means he’s a functioning alcoholic.

My brother is the same and after 20 years, finally going to AA.

Worried234 · 26/03/2023 18:11

My ex husband was like this. Still is, as far as I know. It's not a good way to live. If I were you, I'd get out now.

CocoFifi · 26/03/2023 18:19

You don’t state how strong the beer is, or how big the cans/bottles are, which makes a big difference. You also say he does not drink on Monday to Wednesdays sometimes. At worst he is probably drinking a couple of pints, at the most and that is if they are big bottles/cans. It is not up to you to control your husband because you do not drink.

PinkSyCo · 26/03/2023 18:20

He is an alcoholic. A functioning one right now, but that could change. How long as he been drinking daily like this?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page