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.

Disagreement with husband

40 replies

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 11:21

I need perspective and for people to tell me if i was being unreasonable or not so I can reflect and either apologise or not when he gets home!

For context, 2 children age 3 & 1. Both awake around 7am. The 1 year old normally naps around 1pm for a couple of hours although she'd be happy to nap anytime from about 11am but we normally push her through lunch.

Not that it really matters but I'm full of cold and feeling rough - didn't have a good sleep and feeling pants today so this is where I don't know if I've gone off on one just because or if it was OK.

We have my car (a family car with child seats in) and predominantly I use, and his work van (which fits the car seats in but only just and he is allowed to use for private use). He uses his work van a lot for private use when it's just him and prior to this recent one which he got a few months ago we used his old work van a a lot more as it was bigger.

Today he planned to go see his mum, with the children, 20 mins away, for a park play and lunch.

10am he says he's going to take his work van and drive to a town to go and buy a new car seat for one of the children which would fit better so he doesn't have to pull his seat so far forward. Fair enough, we need a new seat.

However I pipe up and say that's a ridiculous idea - why would he drive 25 mins in the opposite direction to his mums house, to take 2 children to a shop to buy a car seat, which will then need fitting, to then drive all the way over to his mums house? 10am, my head does a quick calculation of arriving at shop 10:30/40 by the time we now got them sorted to go. Both out the car on his own, into a shop, big box of car seat, get them back to the car, probably put one child in whilst he opens box and leaves the other one ?in a trolly in the car park or messing around in the front seat? Whilst he fits as new seat.

All back in and over to his mum, probably arriving around 11:30 or later, to then have to go to a shop to buy lunch (his mum has dementia so we normally provide food), try and fit in a park play and then lunch. Bearing in mind the little one will be tired and wanting a nap straight after lunch which by now will be about 1:30-2pm?? Arriving home probably around 3pm.

Makes no sense to me.

So he then says he was planning to let the children nap in the car on way home and do a long drive so they can nap rather than bringing them home. Or just give the little one a much later nap.

For one the older one doesn't nap now and if she does fall asleep even for 10 minutes then she is a nightmare at bedtime. So allowing the little one to have 1-2 hour nap means a shite night with the older one, and a rubbish car nap for the little one (she needs good sleeps at weekend as has a busy week with child minder etc). For 2, normally when the little one naps I spend time with the older one just us for a short time. For 3, they will have spent an hour in the car doing a car seat purchase trip, and then another 2 hours for "nap". To me,, 3 hours in a car for the sake of park play and lunch is just silly.

Finally, he is going to that town either this afternoon or tomorrow afternoon ON HIS OWN as needs to help someone out with something. So surely he could zoom into the shop on his own then, nice and easy, no children. He is literally passing it within the next 24 hours!

JUST TAKE THE FAMILY CAR TODAY! All set up with correct seats, pram, changing bag and coats.

This is my thought process.

Was I being unreasonable?

His defence when I asked him why he wanted to do this is "I just wanted to do what I want to do".

In my mind no consideration for the children or his mum. Or me who will deal with the crap bedtime.

Tell me I was in the right here??

OP posts:
RunningAwayToJoinTheCircus · 16/12/2023 11:25

He's thoughtless, and possibly a twat, depending on if he displays a modicum of common sense at any other time.

jolies1 · 16/12/2023 11:37

It sounds like it makes no sense at all but given the time of year is the urgent trip for a “car seat” possibly a week excuse for “we’re off to buy mummy’s Xmas presents”?

DeedlessIndeed · 16/12/2023 11:41

jolies1 · 16/12/2023 11:37

It sounds like it makes no sense at all but given the time of year is the urgent trip for a “car seat” possibly a week excuse for “we’re off to buy mummy’s Xmas presents”?

Ooh good shout! That does sound most reasonable considering we're on the last proper weekend before Christmas Eve.

margotrose · 16/12/2023 11:41

I would just let him deal with it. He's their dad and they're his children - let him deal two grumpy toddlers and a three year old who doesn't want to sleep at bedtime if that's what he wants to do.

I also agree with PP that it could be a cover for buying Christmas presents.

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 11:43

@jolies1 no chance - that doesn't happen until Xmas eve! Haha!

But in all seriousness, no that definitely wouldn't have been a reason. He has lots of time to do that in his own time without the kids. Lots of driving for work so always passing places / shops / towns etc. Unfortunately I know that won't have been a reason today.

More so that he had an idea and I squashed it, but he wanted to do what he wanted to do so wouldn't back down.

In the end I just loaded the children into my car and he gave in / agreed to skip the skip the purchase but was super pissed off with me / annoyed that I had meddled in "his day".

OP posts:
SpringboksSocks · 16/12/2023 11:47

I’m on the fence.. I see where you’re coming from, but on the other hand he’s happy to take the kids for a few hours, which seems to be a lot more than half the guys you hear about on MN!

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 11:48

margotrose · 16/12/2023 11:41

I would just let him deal with it. He's their dad and they're his children - let him deal two grumpy toddlers and a three year old who doesn't want to sleep at bedtime if that's what he wants to do.

I also agree with PP that it could be a cover for buying Christmas presents.

Yes I do partly agree with that and this is why I wanted to ask other opinions.

I agree he's their dad and I could just let it go.

The thing is I know it will fall to me this evening to deal with them as he is likely going out this afternoon (to do something which at turn into a longer thing) so chances are he'll be out 3-7pm ish and it will be down to me to deal with the children all afternoon / teatime.

OP posts:
Trisolaris · 16/12/2023 11:49

You aren’t wrong in principle but telling someone their idea is ridiculous will generally put them on the defensive in a way that suggesting alternatives and pointing out that there might be a better solution will not.

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 11:50

SpringboksSocks · 16/12/2023 11:47

I’m on the fence.. I see where you’re coming from, but on the other hand he’s happy to take the kids for a few hours, which seems to be a lot more than half the guys you hear about on MN!

Totally - he's a smashing dad in that respect / often takes them out / I have evenings out etc. so not knocking him at all on that front.

Just this particular thing today really frustrated me because I just can't understand why he'd want to do that instead of going for a much easier day and just buying the car seat later (or any time at all in the last month).

OP posts:
summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 11:52

Trisolaris · 16/12/2023 11:49

You aren’t wrong in principle but telling someone their idea is ridiculous will generally put them on the defensive in a way that suggesting alternatives and pointing out that there might be a better solution will not.

You're right here. My choice of words was probably not great. I don't like being told I'm being ridiculous, so he probably doesn't like that either. Noted - thanks. I can apologise for how I phrased it.

OP posts:
margotrose · 16/12/2023 11:52

In the end I just loaded the children into my car and he gave in / agreed to skip the skip the purchase but was super pissed off with me / annoyed that I had meddled in "his day".

How would you feel if he treated you like that? Just rode roughshod over your plans and dictated what you could do even though he wasn't going to be there?

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 11:52

margotrose · 16/12/2023 11:52

In the end I just loaded the children into my car and he gave in / agreed to skip the skip the purchase but was super pissed off with me / annoyed that I had meddled in "his day".

How would you feel if he treated you like that? Just rode roughshod over your plans and dictated what you could do even though he wasn't going to be there?

Yep I'd probably feel pretty upset / annoyed / angry. I can see how I caused this feeling in him now. Thank you.

OP posts:
YaWeeFurryBastard · 16/12/2023 11:58

A total non-issue to be honest and I’d be really annoyed if my husband tried to micromanage me like that. He’s taking the kids so as long as they’re safe let him do what he wants, if they’re a pain in the arse that’s his own fault and he can deal with it. Why can’t you just say “if X naps too long he’ll be a terror to get to sleep so you’re on bedtime tonight” and then enjoy some rest while you’re not feeling well.

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:02

YaWeeFurryBastard · 16/12/2023 11:58

A total non-issue to be honest and I’d be really annoyed if my husband tried to micromanage me like that. He’s taking the kids so as long as they’re safe let him do what he wants, if they’re a pain in the arse that’s his own fault and he can deal with it. Why can’t you just say “if X naps too long he’ll be a terror to get to sleep so you’re on bedtime tonight” and then enjoy some rest while you’re not feeling well.

Edited

Yeh this is probably what I need to be doing. I do feel like I get het up on "non-issues" and I don't really know how to not do that. I think the more I think about it now I probably should have gone down this route, I think I just over think about things too much.

I'm thinking about the kids being dragged around in the car, the bigger one wanting longer at the park and the little one being hungry and tired, his mum waiting for them as they would be later than planned which might throw her, and then all the afternoon and evening re-percussions.

So how do others not overthink about everything to do with motherhood? How do others just ""go with the flow"? How do others not micro-manage / are able to step back? I feel like I genuinely need some tips on this!

OP posts:
MagentaRocks · 16/12/2023 12:03

jolies1 · 16/12/2023 11:37

It sounds like it makes no sense at all but given the time of year is the urgent trip for a “car seat” possibly a week excuse for “we’re off to buy mummy’s Xmas presents”?

This

Devilsmommy · 16/12/2023 12:07

jolies1 · 16/12/2023 11:37

It sounds like it makes no sense at all but given the time of year is the urgent trip for a “car seat” possibly a week excuse for “we’re off to buy mummy’s Xmas presents”?

Exactly what I thought 🤔

YaWeeFurryBastard · 16/12/2023 12:09

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:02

Yeh this is probably what I need to be doing. I do feel like I get het up on "non-issues" and I don't really know how to not do that. I think the more I think about it now I probably should have gone down this route, I think I just over think about things too much.

I'm thinking about the kids being dragged around in the car, the bigger one wanting longer at the park and the little one being hungry and tired, his mum waiting for them as they would be later than planned which might throw her, and then all the afternoon and evening re-percussions.

So how do others not overthink about everything to do with motherhood? How do others just ""go with the flow"? How do others not micro-manage / are able to step back? I feel like I genuinely need some tips on this!

I sort of get where you’re coming from and I can tell you mean well. You just have to think to yourself that you trust him with the kids, they’re safe and well and nobody ever had lasting damage from eating a bit later or not getting to stay long at the park. If they start crying, well that’s for your husband to manage, I’m sure they’ll be fine and he might realise for himself that next time he needs to do things for himself, either way it’s no skin of your nose! Again, his mum is for him to deal with.

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:12

I know for sure it won't be present related - his mum has dementia and he has to do lunch & medication so he wouldn't be able to skip this. Plus he has lots of other opportunities without then children, or with them another 2 days next week when he doesn't need to be going to his mums. Plus he's lost his debit card so took mine for lunch (or car seat) so any spending would be on my card.

I just know this 100% wasn't the reason.

In addition, I would fall over if he bought me a present in advance - normally it's Xmas eve or an after Xmas thought.

OP posts:
margotrose · 16/12/2023 12:16

So how do others not overthink about everything to do with motherhood? How do others just ""go with the flow"? How do others not micro-manage / are able to step back? I feel like I genuinely need some tips on this!

Do you trust your partner?

If so, you just need to sit on your hands and let him be a parent. He might screw up occasionally but who doesn't? In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter if they nap for too long or are a bit grumpy at bedtime so just let him get on with it.

You say yourself you wouldn't like to be treated that way so try and think of that next time too. Think about how you'd expect him to behave if you had plans that he didn't agree with and try and go from there.

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:20

@YaWeeFurryBastard that's sound advice - thanks. I'm going to keep re-reading that. I do trust him, they are safe, there isn't harm in eating later etc. This is all true.

I don't know why I feel that every day has to be the same with regards to routine - one day here and there doesn't matter.

And yes, if they cry when they are out with him then that's his issue.

Thank you, I do actually really appreciate this because this is what I was thinking I should have been approaching it from, which is why I asked for advice. I was just so annoyed earlier I knew I was missing the opposite perspective, and I knew it.

Thanks. X

Will now go and enjoy some quiet time to myself for an hour or two before they are back.

And will have a think about how to apologise to him without opening an argumentative conversation .

OP posts:
summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:21

@margotrose I hadn't read you message before I wrote the message to a previous poster, but I value and appreciate your advice also. Same goes with everything I just said in the previous message. Thank you.

OP posts:
Dotcheck · 16/12/2023 12:22

Just leave him to it.
Would you be happy if he micromanaged how you deal with the kids? Just let him sort it.

margotrose · 16/12/2023 12:25

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:21

@margotrose I hadn't read you message before I wrote the message to a previous poster, but I value and appreciate your advice also. Same goes with everything I just said in the previous message. Thank you.

No problem! Like a PP said, it's clear you mean well, you just maybe need to think that there are different ways of parenting and just because you wouldn't do something, doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong.

It's hard though, I know.

summerlovingvibes · 16/12/2023 12:52

@margotrose it is super hard isn't it? I think because I'm so used to having to think about everything day to day during the week I find it really hard to let go and release that control. I feel like if I don't say something then it will all be terrible, but chances are it won't be.

OP posts:
WorriedMum231 · 16/12/2023 12:59

I actually think you’ve been quite unfair here. It really doesn’t seem like a big deal. You would just prefer he done it tomorrow but because he wanted to do it today (because of all the reasons you said) you got annoyed - it seems a bit controlling.

You get home at 3pm, so? It’s a Saturday assuming you’ve got no where to be at 3:30 or 4:00 I don’t see what the big deal is.

Swipe left for the next trending thread