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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Going abroad against DH wishes.

427 replies

Expatfamily · 20/07/2024 14:27

DH is firmly in the camp that we travel together as a family, and if I’m desperate to go abroad to visit family we’ll use every penny of our savings to go. He understands how much I love my family, he does love them too, but it’s slightly unreasonable to be expected to spend every holiday, every year, visiting my family. He feels it’s fair that we go every other year, with alternate years holidaying elsewhere.

Don’t want to be too outing but my family are British but immigrated to the other side of the world. The place where they live does feel like home to me, I’ve spent considerable time over there and have my own friends etc there too. I do love it over there. My family used to visit over here often but not going into too much detail it’s difficult for them to visit due to their kids in school/costs for all them to fly/not many family members over here to visit/we don’t have a big enough house to host for a prolonged time etc.

It’s expensive for us all to visit them, it’s a long-haul flight away and it’s an expensive country. Before living with DH when I’d visit, as I’ve been many times, we wouldn’t bother doing much touristy things, just hanging out really. The same as what you’d do staying with family here: BBQs/cooking in/watching tele/visiting friends/enjoying the local area/running errands/taking the kids to their activities etc. Stuff that doesn’t really cost that much money apart from the odd day out, getting a coffee in town, getting the odd burger at the street food fest etc.

Obviously when I’ve gone with DH we’ve done the expensive tourist attractions/days out/treating it as a holiday. The last time we went we spent ££££s as spending money. On of the days we spent a ‘home’ DH got a taxi into a different local town as he was a bit bored, and that cost him just over a hundred quid.

I’ve gone on bit of a ramble but essentially I do want to go home. I want to watch tele with my family, share DD with them, and just do normal family things. I know they miss me/DD terribly and everyone in my life keeps mentioning it. I’d love DH to be there, but we’re a bit strapped for cash, and really cannot justify ££££s at the moment.

My family have offered to pay for me (which I/we could afford to just pay for my flight) but when I said about DH joining they said (rightly in my opinion) if we can afford for his flight, why can’t we just pay for me to come over (they’re not loaded by any stretch of the imagination).

The very simple solution is that I just go with DD1 (she’s free until she’s 2). But DH really isn’t a fan, and if anything it’s the first time he’s ever dug his heels in. I think it’s wound him up that everyone in my circle keeps expecting me/us to go over. He somewhat snapped the other day (for the first time ever) that if they were so desperate for us to visit this year they could pay for both of our flights, if not, we’ll hopefully visit next year.

The subject is becoming painfully awkward on all sides (and other family members/friends/acquaintances often mention it as chitchat too).

It would be the first time me and DH would have ever had a real disagreement/either of us has plainly vetoed the others feelings/opinions.

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 20/07/2024 14:30

He’s out of order. This is your family and it’s visit to see them. You’re not proposing to cruise round the world without him.

He should be stopping you seeing your family if you can do it cheaply.

Maray1967 · 20/07/2024 14:30

Should NOT!!

Hasbean2 · 20/07/2024 14:31

Hmm
How often are you going?
We often are pulled to really regularly go and visit family and it is frustrating to have all your vacation time/money used on someone that chose to move away

Has he had long away from DD before?

Sirzy · 20/07/2024 14:31

Would you be happy if he took your child away without him?

rubyslippers · 20/07/2024 14:32

Neither of you are being unreasonable
This is what happens when families are scattered - you cannot see each other as often as you’d like
I think you should take your DD as it’s a low cost option and your DH can deal with it - then plan a family holiday for the three of you
your family have to be pragmatic - they can’t keep expecting your to pay and come over

Valeriesimpleton · 20/07/2024 14:32

It's the first time you will be establishing normal, healthy boundaries in your relationship then. He sounds awful, adults are not owned or controlled by other adults. He sounds weird and mean to boot. I bet your family are trying to find a way to see you without having to put up with his miserable presence.

EatTheGnome · 20/07/2024 14:33

Its really controlling rather hewont 'let' you go for a few weeks. The only side ofnhis i can see is if he is absolutely 100% so involved in DDs everyday life in such a way that she will be really really upset to be away from him, then there is bo reason not to go.

Why can't he be alone for a few weeks? It doesn't cost the family anything. Jealousy that you are getting a "free holiday" isn't good enough.

Yes, they moved, but they are offeringntonpay and nits cheaper to pay for one flight than all of them, plus once DD counts as a full seat you will find it much harder.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/07/2024 14:34

Your husband is being absolutely ridiculous and alarmingly controlling.

Go visit your family.

BarbedButterfly · 20/07/2024 14:34

I'm on his side tbh. If you are strapped for cash you shouldn't be going full stop. Every other year seems reasonable to me also. How often do they come to you?

YoshiIsCute · 20/07/2024 14:35

He’s being ridiculous, unless there is a drip feed coming that you’re expecting to go alone / with your DC for several months?

whats the point of you both using up all your holiday allowance and savings to all go? Makes much for sense for you and DC to go on your own for a couple of weeks, save the rest of the money, and take a separate holiday all together somewhere else later on

EatTheGnome · 20/07/2024 14:36

For context as to why i think he is being unreasonable, my husband would say go, have a blast, and when you get home ill book some leave to take some time with DD and you can catch up on some sleep.

Dayoldbag · 20/07/2024 14:37

He is completely out of order.
Of course you can visit your family without him.
He sounds very controlling and I would be most concerned about that as your family is so far away.
Go see your family and have a think about your relationship.

EatTheGnome · 20/07/2024 14:37

BarbedButterfly · 20/07/2024 14:34

I'm on his side tbh. If you are strapped for cash you shouldn't be going full stop. Every other year seems reasonable to me also. How often do they come to you?

It'd literally free. Her family are paying for her and DD is free as she is under 2.

Sounds like he didn't mind going when he thought OPs family would pay for her and then they would have the cash to spend on him going as well.

TheFlis · 20/07/2024 14:38

BarbedButterfly · 20/07/2024 14:34

I'm on his side tbh. If you are strapped for cash you shouldn't be going full stop. Every other year seems reasonable to me also. How often do they come to you?

But why? Her family are paying so it won’t cost anything.

OP, what’s the situation with his family, how often does he see them?

Mrsttcno1 · 20/07/2024 14:39

See I’m on his side here because I wouldn’t like my daughter to be away from me for 3 weeks and I know my husband would hate to not see her for 3 weeks so it would be everyone or nobody for us here. They chose to move, the consequence of that is not being able to see people as much as they’d like

YoshiIsCute · 20/07/2024 14:41

Mrsttcno1 · 20/07/2024 14:39

See I’m on his side here because I wouldn’t like my daughter to be away from me for 3 weeks and I know my husband would hate to not see her for 3 weeks so it would be everyone or nobody for us here. They chose to move, the consequence of that is not being able to see people as much as they’d like

That’s just selfish in my opinion. Yes OP’s parents may have chosen to move but these things are never as simple as “they chose to move, their problem”. OP has admitted they don’t really have the room to adequately host at her home, so it makes more sense for her to go to them. a few weeks apart is nothing as something anyone can deal with once a year or so.

Merrow · 20/07/2024 14:43

I'm on your DH's side to be honest. I assume if it's long haul you'll be away for a fair whack of time? I wouldn't want DP to take DC away from me for ages.

Also, the whole thing about paying for you only if you're coming yourself makes it seem like they don't like him.

I think you could have a much cheaper experience when you're all over though, I don't get why he needs to do tourist things or get taxis to other towns.

OhmygodDont · 20/07/2024 14:43

would you be happy for your husband to be away with your DD for however long with no invite for you across the other side of the globe?

Sirzy · 20/07/2024 14:43

EatTheGnome · 20/07/2024 14:37

It'd literally free. Her family are paying for her and DD is free as she is under 2.

Sounds like he didn't mind going when he thought OPs family would pay for her and then they would have the cash to spend on him going as well.

It reads as if they are going to have to pay for her flight though? Which will still be a significant cost probably if long haul so not free!

GoldFrame · 20/07/2024 14:46

He’s being totally unreasonable and very selfish.

Livinghappy · 20/07/2024 14:47

Are you working? If so would you use up much of your annual leave to go, therefore np family holiday?

How long do you propose going?

As someone else mentioned I don't think either of you are unreasonable. Both valid points. What is his reasoning for you not going solo?

Zanatdy · 20/07/2024 14:49

I think he’s being really selfish stopping you seeing his family as he won’t be going too. If he had family abroad he would understand. You want to go and just chill, not spend loads doing holiday stuff. Why can’t he stay at home alone for a few weeks? He could catch up with family / friends / anything really. I would go anyway personally as I wouldn’t have anyone tell me I’m not visiting my own family.

CelesteCunningham · 20/07/2024 14:49

What's the cost to your family of you going? I know you've mentioned the finances, but will you be using up a lot of annual leave to do so? Any other disadvantages?

I don't think it's reasonable to expect to use the kind of money and time that long haul travel necessitates on visiting your family every year. Every other year is a good compromise, and allows you to see them but also allows you all travel to other places and do the touristy thing.

Zanatdy · 20/07/2024 14:51

Merrow · 20/07/2024 14:43

I'm on your DH's side to be honest. I assume if it's long haul you'll be away for a fair whack of time? I wouldn't want DP to take DC away from me for ages.

Also, the whole thing about paying for you only if you're coming yourself makes it seem like they don't like him.

I think you could have a much cheaper experience when you're all over though, I don't get why he needs to do tourist things or get taxis to other towns.

Or maybe they can’t afford another adult flight to the other side of the world? Sometimes parents just want to spend a bit of time with their own child, and not the DH constantly there. As OP said it changes the vibe of the visit, from lazy days spending time with family to day trips and doing something constantly. I get why OP wants to go alone but I’ve got family who live elsewhere and it does change the visit when someone else is there to consider who might be bored

RobinStrike · 20/07/2024 14:51

Is this the last year when DD would be able to go free? I understand your POV, it's not just parents it's extended family and friends and just relaxing at home, not really having a holiday. If your family paid for your ticket, then maybe you and DD and DH could have a break somewhere when you are back home?
Does DH have family? Are they nearby, or does he like to see them regularly? This may affect his view of all this. Looking forward to future years, will he always want to spend his holiday going to visit family? It would seem reasonable to think k maybe you alternate. He goes with you one year, then the next visit be it one or two years after would be just you and DD, then the next visit all of you.