Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Spends all his time with parent

160 replies

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 19:03

Background, four years ago my husbands Dad died leaving behind his mum. His dad was very much the domesticated one so mum needs a bit of support which is fine.
However this has snowballed from support to daily excursions, weekly trips to her favourite bar where she goes with her friends every Friday and multiple holidays a year. Which me and the children don’t go on because they are pensioner holidays.

this has taken a huge toll on our relationship. Where we would normally talk or go out of an evening, he’s with his mother, where we would normally take our Childeren out for weekends away, we’re now not allowed to do that. Mum has to come with us on every meal out we may have and Mum is worked into every plan. Even to the point of apologising to mum if we go anywhere or talking down about it, if we even take a simple lunch out, as if it wasn’t a very good lunch and sorry mum!
mum is actually doing very well all things considered however this has now become my husbands full time occupation (on top of his full time obligation to his occupation) and I’ve simply had enough.

mum is lovely and it’s not her fault but the whole thing just leaves me raging that I’ve been pushed literally to the end of the line. My needs aren’t cared about let alone met and if I say I am lonely, it’s laughed off in favour of keeping mum company.

Mum is very hale and his could end up going on for another 15 years and I have no idea how our relationship can be sustained.

im not asking him to do less, because I know he won’t. He’s utterly devoted to her and I know completely there’s no compromise to be had, so the question really is -
am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
User5512 · 02/02/2024 20:39

How is your DH able to go on “pensioner holidays” and not you ?

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/02/2024 20:39

Most of the time I’m 100% sure, I’ll see mum afterwards and they’ll refer to what they’ve talked about at the pub etc

I know that doesn’t mean he isn’t going somewhere after and we haven’t had sex for years but I don’t think anything like that is going on. I think it’s his mum he’s obsessed with not another woman

Fair enough OP; after all you're the one who's present to see how the land lies

It wouldn't do for me though, especially if the DCs were being impacted too

abeeabeeisafterme · 02/02/2024 20:42

How have you put up with this for so long?

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 20:47

User5512 · 02/02/2024 20:39

How is your DH able to go on “pensioner holidays” and not you ?

I don’t want to go on them

OP posts:
MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 02/02/2024 20:49

AnAdultCat · 02/02/2024 20:08

@WhyWhyY can I offer the other side of problem...
My dad was the 'man of the house', did everything for mum. When we lost him 18 months ago I promised him I'd look after mum (I guess because I'm quite independent / strong-ish). But, it's completely affected every part of my life. I feel guilty if I do things without her because I know how lonely she is. I speak to her daily. We visit frequently (together or on my own). I know it's changed my relationship and my teenage daughter moans every time we have to go for dinner etc. But I'm completely torn. I loved my dad and was so close to him, I feel I'm letting him down. I'm also completely miserable. All of the time.
So, just a different take on it, your husband might feel like I do so please try to talk to him first before sending him packing...

Would you neglect and ignore your children to sit and chat with her? Go on holiday with your mum instead of your children?

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 20:50

abeeabeeisafterme · 02/02/2024 20:42

How have you put up with this for so long?

I guess from time to time my mind is taken off it through my own stuff and then other times my attention comes back to it full
force.
some weeks i just ignore the fact they go off for coffee every evening and other times it grates

OP posts:
DoILookThrilled · 02/02/2024 20:51

@WhyWhyY lm guessing he was very supportive immediately after dad died but then never eased back to his own life and what should be his priorities like his wife and children. I’m also guessing while he is off gallivanting with his mother you are holding the fort at home. Not fair especially 4 years in. They are both cheeky fuckers. They are relying on you “being nice”, poor old MIL “is on her own” etc. Its quite functional for them both with her getting constant support and him swerving the grind of family life

As others have said so what if she bought the house. From what you have said you probably have a medium length marriage, good chance of you getting 50/50. Then you can have the chance to be with someone who wants to prioritise you and engage with you

GabriellaMontez · 02/02/2024 20:53

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 19:44

Oh he’s never go to counselling.

we’re in our 40s and children are tweens. They mention how dad is always with grandma and how what grandma wants takes precedence over them, sometimes I feel bad because I can’t argue it and have to back up my spouse when I agree.

Hang in a minute!!!

You don't have to back up your spouse.

You don't have to say stuff that isn't true.

You're gaslighting your own children! Stop pretending it's OK. It's really not.

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 20:55

It does sound like a nice gig for them. Coffee and pub and excursions and holidays… the get out clause is always “well you can come”

what and watch you leave me behind while you hold the door for mum and drop it on me? Hear you speak so nicely to mum about her day knowing you don’t ask me? Silly little petty things but no, I stay behind

and I probably make it even worse on myself

OP posts:
abeeabeeisafterme · 02/02/2024 20:56

I'm really sorry you've fallen into this as your normal, as your reality. Its obviously not how you started your marriage nor where you expected to be. It seems to have slowly crept up on you that he is distant and never present. Do you want to even try to make it work? It may be wasted years. What are your hobbies- or what would you chose to go out and do in the evenings if DH was home with the kids? How would he react to needing to stay in because you have an independent social life? And can you take the children on your style of holiday- either without him (and MiL) or when they are away elsewhere?

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 20:56

GabriellaMontez · 02/02/2024 20:53

Hang in a minute!!!

You don't have to back up your spouse.

You don't have to say stuff that isn't true.

You're gaslighting your own children! Stop pretending it's OK. It's really not.

I know but isn’t it right to say
“dads just looking out for grandma she is elderly”
rather than
“I know your dads forgetting about us” it almost feels like im
bad mouthing him?

OP posts:
WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 20:58

abeeabeeisafterme · 02/02/2024 20:56

I'm really sorry you've fallen into this as your normal, as your reality. Its obviously not how you started your marriage nor where you expected to be. It seems to have slowly crept up on you that he is distant and never present. Do you want to even try to make it work? It may be wasted years. What are your hobbies- or what would you chose to go out and do in the evenings if DH was home with the kids? How would he react to needing to stay in because you have an independent social life? And can you take the children on your style of holiday- either without him (and MiL) or when they are away elsewhere?

Oh I am expected to know I cannot make plans for a Friday, ever. There would probably be a fuss if I did.
id love to spend time with my friends more
I do have hobbies and I love my dogs and walking so I do plenty of that.
I miss a partner though, more so now than ever I guess

OP posts:
Sceptre86 · 02/02/2024 21:03

What strikes me is that you are being incredibly passive. Speak to him, have the conversation and if he says that you can't dictate or control how he spends his time that is fair enough. What you can do is control how you and the kids spend your time. So whilst he's swanning off with his mum every Friday night why are you the default parent? Get a babysitter and go out yourself. Make a point of doing weekend trips away with the kids, assuming ypu could go for a family room and he can be left to his own devices. Or you could ditch him for good which I'd be inclined to consider if he can't see how his behaviour is impacting your relationship.

GabriellaMontez · 02/02/2024 21:03

Your relationship isn't OK. He's treating you badly. Oh and he's a shit dad too. Stop covering for him.

Why are you normalising this to your children? Why he is deserving of such loyalty?!!

"Yes Dad has been at Grandma's every night this week. Yes it would have been nice to see him."

You don't have to say. "I'm fed up of him, he's a fucking twat, there's nothing less atractive than a mummys boy"

sandyhappypeople · 02/02/2024 21:05

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 20:58

Oh I am expected to know I cannot make plans for a Friday, ever. There would probably be a fuss if I did.
id love to spend time with my friends more
I do have hobbies and I love my dogs and walking so I do plenty of that.
I miss a partner though, more so now than ever I guess

There would probably be a fuss if I did.

there's that word again .. probably

stop being a bloody doormat and stop putting your husbands probable "feelings" before your own kids, they know what's happening, and I would hazard a guess that the reason you don't want to admit it to them is because you aren't prepared to do anything to change it.

justthecat · 02/02/2024 21:06

I have a 32 yr old, he rang me today about a house purchase, 2 min in his partner called and he cut the call short. My younger son was joking ooh he loves her more than you.
My reply was good that's a healthy relationship, he needs to put her first
I've done my bit and always will but it's their relationship now

Bilingualspingual · 02/02/2024 21:08

You’ve also casually thrown in that you haven’t had sex for years, like that’s normal. You’re only on your forties! This is heartbreaking. It doesn’t have to be like this.

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 21:09

I have been very passive. I should be more demanding of my needs. I think I set that up by moving into his house in the same town as his parents many moons ago. I’ve always felt like the side act to his “main event” and my behaviour probably is inviting this

OP posts:
LakeTiticaca · 02/02/2024 21:10

Are you sure he's actually with his mother? Could he be having an affair?
It's time to put your cards on the table. He can either be a proper family man or he can pack his bags and move in with his mother ( if that's where hes actually spending his time)

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 21:11

Bilingualspingual · 02/02/2024 21:08

You’ve also casually thrown in that you haven’t had sex for years, like that’s normal. You’re only on your forties! This is heartbreaking. It doesn’t have to be like this.

Thank you.

as my children grow up I am scared what I’ll be left with, nothing, if I don’t change it.

you’re right I know, it doesn’t have to be

OP posts:
WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 21:13

justthecat · 02/02/2024 21:06

I have a 32 yr old, he rang me today about a house purchase, 2 min in his partner called and he cut the call short. My younger son was joking ooh he loves her more than you.
My reply was good that's a healthy relationship, he needs to put her first
I've done my bit and always will but it's their relationship now

That’s what my family were like. I’d alwYs be sent off back to my family after visiting, it was right for me to go back to them

OP posts:
mycatsanutter · 02/02/2024 21:17

This is absolutely ridiculous , he has just totally checked out of family life in your home . Why on earth is he seeing his mums friends on a Friday night ! It's just crazy . It's that intense I can't see him changing any of it , what is the point in him actually being in the house ?!

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 21:21

Oh he enjoys his Fridays immensely. When they go out in the week it’s normally and her friends (of all genders - most widowed/windowers)

OP posts:
Vinrouge4 · 02/02/2024 21:24

WhyWhyY · 02/02/2024 21:21

Oh he enjoys his Fridays immensely. When they go out in the week it’s normally and her friends (of all genders - most widowed/windowers)

Do You have any friends you could start going out with on a Friday night? Join a gym? Yoga? Go out for dinner with the kids? Arrange a weekend away? Don’t stop having fun and a life because he has checked out.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/02/2024 21:28

I am expected to know I cannot make plans for a Friday, ever. There would probably be a fuss if I did

So why not make the plans anyway, giving him reasonable notice?
What's he going to do?

Swipe left for the next trending thread