To be irritated that my dh couldn’t just buy the kids a souvenir each

[Shitvenir]

Instead of a random plush to share?

He’s been away with work for a week. One FaceTime in all that time. Most of my text’s unanswered (I only sent 3 a day tops). It wasn’t his idea to bring something back for them, I suggested it might be nice so they knew he was thinking of them. A bag of sweets they wouldn’t get at home or something small, even a bloody pen each surely would be nicer than a stuffed animal that neither of them can have in their bed without the other being upset? I just wanted him to be a bit thoughtful.

Was it a holiday or working away from home?

One FaceTime in all that time. Most of my text’s unanswered (I only sent 3 a day tops). that sounds quite needy tbh. But yeah a toy each.. what was he thinking!

3 texts a day!!! That's a bit much.

3 texts a day is needy? I really didn’t think it was! It was just pictures of the kids and asking him how work was going. Nothing moany!

But thanks about the toys 😂

Do you generally need him to a bit more thoughtful? It feels like this runs deeper than a work trip.

Work

Probably, yes!

Really @albertoross ?

When my DH does business travel we generally get a call morning and night, texts depending on how busy we are.

I don’t think that’s needy at all.

OP I’d be miffed about 1 toy to share, I’d be hurt and concerned that he didn’t want to connect with us more.

3 texts a day isn't needy or 'a bit much'
sometimes I think couples on mumsnet don't even like each other, there's some competitive detachment thing going on. It's normal to communicate with your partner while they are away. Doesn't have to be text of course, but something.

I’m not sure 3 texts a day is a bit much- “morning how did you sleep all well here”, “kids back from school Annie got 70% on her geography test”, “kids all settled for bed hope work was ok”. When my DH is away we keep in contact often it’s not like he’s fallen off the side of the earth.

the present is shit OP and I’d be annoyed too. Like you say a bag of sweets would have been better.

Maybe he thought t would teach them to learn how to share

Yeah I do I think 3 texts If unanswered is a sign he wants to be left alone a bit on the trip. Perhaps he's finding it hard to be away from home or is out on the lash.

I know!! 3 texts a day is far from "a bit much" between a couple who ate apart for a week. I was away from DH for 5 days recently and texted more than that!

3 texts a day is not too much! I message my DH all day and we’re in the same house as he WFH and I’m on mat leave. 😂

They share just fine 👍

Now I feel bad. Anytime I’ve been away for work I’ve not brought a gift back. Mostly because during the day I’m working, and so evenings are dinner etc whatever. Not really time for shopping.

I'm away with work at the moment. Deniece and Denephew like to have a little souvenir from wherever I've gone. They've got a random keyring and a little tin of biscuits each this time. I did want to get a little cuddly each but they're super expensive. I wouldn't have got them one to share.

The family have had multiple calls and texts while I've been away. We're that sort of family though, not everyone is.

3 texts a day is definitely not needy 😂

I’d also be annoyed if he only brought one back, it’s not exactly something to share and it doesn’t take much thought to get them one each as a nice surprise

Are you joking? DH and I text 20+ times a day while he’s at work! It would be even more if he was away, though we would never take trips alone.

It's right there in the OP...

Yanbu - it’s just lazy of him. It’s an airport job as you go through departures really, virtually no effort required.

I do think it’s odd that 3 texts a day is being painted as ‘needy’. My husband and I must be unusually chatty or something.

I didn’t expect him to go around the city looking or anything, it’s just while he was in the airport waiting for his flight. Don’t feel bad though, obviously it’s not necessary.

This thread is going to be totally derailed by the level of texting. The answer to that is that every couple is different, there is no right or wrong and it’s up to them to work out the comfortable level.

The toys is the issue. Did he say why he only bought one?

I used to bring things back when the girls were younger but honestly it's such a faff and expensive and usually I only went between the work location and the airport.

I did used to buy sweets if I went to a large airport but these days i don't bother as for the most part I don't understand the ingredients and there are allergies to consider.

Also it's a pain carrying everything 😑