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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want husband's friend in the house?

49 replies

adriatche · 29/12/2022 16:18

Name changed for this.

We have three boys and my husband's circle is more than questionable. His friends smoke weed (DH has always had a problem with weed and I strongly believe the people he hangs around with are a huge factor) and are a bad influence in general.

We had multiple arguments over this, but I don't want him to invite them inside the house.

He calls me controlling and thinks it's unfair as he's never refused any of my guests. But my friends are not into the same things and I don't fear my sons being around them.

AIBU?

OP posts:
pictish · 29/12/2022 17:21

I think you're harbouring a fantasy whereby the friends disappear and so do your husband's bad habits.

Don't imagine it would work quite like that. Your dh is his own man. He hangs out with them because that's who he likes.

You can't do anything about it. Banning them from your house won't change that. Your kids aren't at any risk from them. You just don't like them. He'll just go to them then lie about it to you.

adriatche · 29/12/2022 17:31

pictish · 29/12/2022 17:21

I think you're harbouring a fantasy whereby the friends disappear and so do your husband's bad habits.

Don't imagine it would work quite like that. Your dh is his own man. He hangs out with them because that's who he likes.

You can't do anything about it. Banning them from your house won't change that. Your kids aren't at any risk from them. You just don't like them. He'll just go to them then lie about it to you.

So I can't protect my kids from bad influences in their own house?

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 29/12/2022 17:32

They made him the way he is

They didn't, though. And, even if they did, he's still giving your children the exact same lessons they would be.

adriatche · 29/12/2022 17:36

girlmom21 · 29/12/2022 17:32

They made him the way he is

They didn't, though. And, even if they did, he's still giving your children the exact same lessons they would be.

Wouldn't it normalise it though if I allowed it inside the house?

OP posts:
MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 29/12/2022 17:42

Normalise what?

You've said yourself they won't smoke weed in the house?

Don't get me wrong, they wouldn't be fucking coming in my house either but my DH isn't a weed-smoking thug.

shruggingitoff · 29/12/2022 17:43

I think you need to take a long hard look at your DH.

He is the issue here. Not his friends. And as long as you continue to blame his friends, you are enabling his behaviour.

Open your eyes.

Snoken · 29/12/2022 17:56

adriatche · 29/12/2022 17:31

So I can't protect my kids from bad influences in their own house?

Your husband is supposed to be their role model, but you seem to be perfectly fine with him being a druggie because he has a kind heart. Your mistake was having three kids with someone like that, of course his friends will all be of similar standard. Your are having double standards. If you actually want to keep your boys from drugs, then keep them away from their dad, the friends will follow.

dolor · 29/12/2022 18:08

Full disclosure - I am a weed user. I use it for pain, I don't use it to get smashed as I don't like the loss of control. It helps me sleep and do the things I couldn't do otherwise.

Unfortunately, I don't think you will be able to alter how your husband feels about it, but you do have some say who you allow into your home.

Is weed the only reason you don't like his friends, or do they have other offensive qualities that cause upset?

I never use weed inside my home. I always do it outside, unless I am using it in edible form.

It would be entirely reasonable to ask him not to use it inside, and not in front of your children. If he thinks otherwise, he's in the wrong. You would be absolutely in the right to ask him not to do that.

If there are no other reasons for disliking his friends, and it's the weed alone that's the bone of contention, then I suspect you're going to be faced with an unpleasant decision.

Tropicaliyes · 29/12/2022 18:18

This is a weird dynamic! I smoked weed for over 10 years especially medicinally and my dp would have her group of boys that would come to socially smoke. Firstly we called all the shots as they needed somewhere to be, secondly if they were rude or I felt disrespected in any way they would be pulled up on it immediately, if they chose to not change then that would be the last we had them here. Thirdly we stopped smoking a while ago now so when they would call up to see if they could come down, I know they smoke and so it would be something they expect to have the freedom to do, I would have to decide if I wanted them to even visit knowing that big detail. Now that I’m pregnant I am less likely to allow ANYONE to smoke here regardless of the situation. If they wanted to come and visit now I would make it explicitly clear it’s a no smoking zone so unless they are stepping outside to smoke, this isn’t the place for them.

Now I’m not someone that has friends, and since this is my house my dp’s friends have to respect that everything is passed through me. My partner will ask if so and so can visit and I will say yes or no, if no she would ask to meet them elsewhere.

we have never had “Thugs” around us the whole time or “gangs”. Yes we would smoke in a group but was never classified as either of those. I’m not sure if they actually ARE “gangs” and “thugs” or if that is just your perception of them however if you don’t want them smoking in your house and around your DC then make it known. Tell your partner you are not happy to have the smoke around your kids, in your house or whatever the case may be however if your partner chooses to meet them elsewhere as that was his time to socialise with them, then you cannot stop that.

If they are willing to compromise and will go outside and keep it away from your kids and house I don’t see the issue. If your making your concerns known and your partner is ignoring you then that’s another story, it’s his friends and down to him to sort out, if he refuses to hear you out then there is clearly a lack of respect there. At the same time it seems you knew your partner smoked weed before you both got serious or it was known early in the relationship so I don’t understand why you continued in the relationship if you knew you couldn’t work with that? At this stage I think you need to compromise, there is no point constantly arguing over it but you cannot stop your partner being friends with anyone. Ask him to take it out the house or even he goes to their house or something but you cannot change him knowing he has always been like that.

I always grew up with Weed around me as it was more cultural than anything so most in my family would smoke. It wasn’t hidden away from us as kids but knew there were rules and boundaries that needed to be met and respected. It didn’t effect us and how we grew up as adults and I didn’t even start smoking until I was 18 and was because I was sick otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered.

This is something that will need to be sorted or it will break your relationship which is unnecessary especially if this is his only fault. Speak with him without an argument, come to some form of compromise and if all else fails consider breaking up since you know how you want your kids raised and what they are exposed to.

Tallulah28 · 29/12/2022 18:36

Surely the kids are already getting that same message from their father in that case? Would you feel it was reasonable if one of your partners friends were saying they would be fearful to have your partner in their home or around their children?

BloomingXmas · 29/12/2022 18:47

You have a dh problem.

Were these his friends when you met him?

slashlover · 29/12/2022 18:54

So I can't protect my kids from bad influences in their own house?

Who do you think will have more influence on your kids - their weed smoking father or his weed smoking friends?

Jux · 29/12/2022 19:01

Rude loud thugs is very different from weed smoking losers. If you think your dh will just stop being a weed smoker when you get him away from the rude loud thugs, think again. If your dh becomes a rude loud thug when they come round then by all means remove them from your home.

I'm assuming your dh doesn't mind your mates coming round, having a drink and getting tipsy?

Newwardrobe · 29/12/2022 19:04

adriatche · 29/12/2022 17:05

They made him the way he is

Don't be bloody daft 🙄

ThePoetsWife · 29/12/2022 19:08

slashlover · 29/12/2022 18:54

So I can't protect my kids from bad influences in their own house?

Who do you think will have more influence on your kids - their weed smoking father or his weed smoking friends?

This.

You chose to have three DC with this loser.

So you're not exactly protecting your DC from drugs.

amylou8 · 29/12/2022 19:26

Well I wouldn't want a load of DHs mates in the house either, making a noise and disturbing my evening, would actually be a deal breaker for me more than occasionally. But as for them leading him astray, what is he 12?

LlynTegid · 29/12/2022 19:39

Your husband and his friends take illegal drugs. The trade in which leads to murders often of young black men, or people in Mexico or Columbia, to give examples. Probably has led to at least one of the murders in the Liverpool area recently. Is no doubt responsible for some of those crossing the Channel in small boats.

Your refusal to have the friends in the house is reasonable, but only part of the problem.

Pulipalaver · 29/12/2022 19:44

Having a little private weed habit is not a big thing OP.
I would rather that than a husband that spent a fortune on n expensive hobby and was out all the time. Or a husband that gambled.
It's not illegal. It doesn't make him a bad person. It's not 1950, people.

Snoken · 29/12/2022 19:49

Pulipalaver · 29/12/2022 19:44

Having a little private weed habit is not a big thing OP.
I would rather that than a husband that spent a fortune on n expensive hobby and was out all the time. Or a husband that gambled.
It's not illegal. It doesn't make him a bad person. It's not 1950, people.

Um, pretty sure it is illegal if it’s for recreational purposes. Having an addiction to an illegal drug is a big thing for most people, especially if it’s the person who is supposed to be your kids role model. I’d much rather have a husband with a time consuming hobby than a drug addict, but I don’t quite get the point of having to choose between a drug addict or a gambler. Most people have higher aspirations than that.

girlmom21 · 29/12/2022 19:51

Pulipalaver · 29/12/2022 19:44

Having a little private weed habit is not a big thing OP.
I would rather that than a husband that spent a fortune on n expensive hobby and was out all the time. Or a husband that gambled.
It's not illegal. It doesn't make him a bad person. It's not 1950, people.

It's illegal.

dolor · 29/12/2022 22:00

Some of the responses here are so hilariously dramatic.

5128gap · 29/12/2022 22:07

The occasional visit from the local undesirables is going to do your sons far less harm than living with a father too weak to make his own decisions and control his own behaviour.

Cosycover · 29/12/2022 22:10

What are they doing to make them thugs?

What are their jobs?
Are the married?
Do any of them have kids?

You are being so overly dramatic here.

5128gap · 29/12/2022 22:21

Pulipalaver · 29/12/2022 19:44

Having a little private weed habit is not a big thing OP.
I would rather that than a husband that spent a fortune on n expensive hobby and was out all the time. Or a husband that gambled.
It's not illegal. It doesn't make him a bad person. It's not 1950, people.

It can be a big thing.
It's not always a respectable little smoke in the privacy of your own home with like minded friends after dinner.
It can also mean smoking all day ever day, in the street, on the school run, outside the shop, so your clothes and home stink of it and you become an idle tedious layabout.
The OP says her partner has a problem and his friends are a bad crowd, so odds on it looks more like the latter.

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