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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:
coupdetonnerre · 20/07/2024 19:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Likewhatever · 20/07/2024 19:52

MrsSunshine2b · 20/07/2024 19:21

The family relative who OP has specified does not visit her because it's inconvenient and expensive, wants her to visit and thus expects her to fly long haul alone with a baby and be separated from her husband (and the baby from her Dad) for several weeks. And you think it's OP and her DH who are taking the piss...

The OP wants to go, she’s said she very much enjoys the visits, she has friends there. This is not about the family member’s preference.

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 20:09

Whoa! This has taken a swerve calling her DH an "afterthought" and her family being dicks who won't pay for him to visit.

I know what it is like to be an expat, I am one currently and have been for a long time. When you have small kids in school, annual leave restraints etc, it can be really, really hard to find a way to see each other. OP is on maternity leave and her DD can fly free, that flexibility won't be available forever and I assume is why her family can't come to her as easily.

OP, I would go personally. I see your DH's point but it's only three weeks, that is nothing in the grand scheme of a lifetime of living apart from your family. I understand why they offered to pay for only you - I would think it's precisely because it's the easiest option all round. And I think you can explain that to him. Would 2 weeks be more palatable?

My DH doesn't come back with me every trip, his annual leave is less generous than mine. He encourages me to go because he knows how much I miss them all but I have been hamstrung a lot by the kids and their needs/schooling esp as a large part of his job involved long travel trips, it was so much easier when I wasn't working and the kids weren't in school. Now they are older, I can be flexible again but from about ages 4-16 we were all at the mercy of their schedules

DoreenonTill8 · 20/07/2024 20:23

@StellaLaBella no issues with those calling him a 'controlling dick' though?

CelesteCunningham · 20/07/2024 20:26

MrsSunshine2b · 20/07/2024 18:05

Can you imagine the reverse:
"DH visits his family every year in a country on the other side of the world, I usually go with them and in the past we have spent thousands of £s on this trip. This year, his family have said they will pay for him to visit them but only if I don't go. He wants to take my 1 yo baby with him. I'm not really comfortable with it, I'd be happy to go as a family EOY but I don't want my baby taken to the other side of the world for several weeks without me."
The comments would be almost 100% in support.

Not to mention "he expects us both to take all of our annual leave for the year in one block for the visit, which is spent in relative's home doing day to day things like watching TV. No tourism or visiting new places. So that's all my holidays, forever, under his plan. He doesn't seem to have any understanding that leave will be needed when DD comes home with chickenpox or a tummy bug or any of the thousand of other reasons kids soak up annual leave. It's just all about his family, who don't even seem to like me."

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 20:28

DoreenonTill8 · 20/07/2024 20:23

@StellaLaBella no issues with those calling him a 'controlling dick' though?

What do you mean?

DoreenonTill8 · 20/07/2024 20:31

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 20:28

What do you mean?

You're shocked at posters Whoa! This has taken a swerve calling her DH an "afterthought" and her family being dicks who won't pay for him to visit. but there's no 'whoa!' re his being called a controlling dick by posters?

bigageap · 20/07/2024 20:32

Do you plan on spending all your holidays in this same place watching tele & playing uno?
your poor DH. I would not tolerate this. It’s every other year I’m afraid. Your family moved so they need to stop asking you to visit and get on a plane themselves.

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2024 20:33

LashingsOfLemonCurd · 20/07/2024 19:00

Would you honestly say this if the DH was taking the baby away from the mum for a few weeks, and didn't really give her a choice? Really?

It’s not the same, is it? She’s on mat leave and he’s at work. He’s never going to be on mat leave.

Hankunamatata · 20/07/2024 20:33

Your on mat leave and this trip is a big expense.

I think once every two years 2 years is a decent compromise. It's a bit much to expect dh to holiday evey year with your family

GuinnessBird · 20/07/2024 20:34

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2024 20:33

It’s not the same, is it? She’s on mat leave and he’s at work. He’s never going to be on mat leave.

He has annual leave though.

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2024 20:36

GuinnessBird · 20/07/2024 20:34

He has annual leave though.

So does she and this trip won’t be using any of it.

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 20:37

DoreenonTill8 er, ok. Did you want me to comment on every PP or just the ones you think I should? Nowt so queer and all that

GuinnessBird · 20/07/2024 20:40

BIossomtoes · 20/07/2024 20:36

So does she and this trip won’t be using any of it.

What's your point? DH could still take the child away for a few weeks if he wanted to.

helpfulperson · 20/07/2024 20:47

Do you think he is concerned that you will decide your prefer to be with your family and choose not to come back? Would you be able to stay for a period on any type of visa?

DoreenonTill8 · 20/07/2024 20:49

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 20:37

DoreenonTill8 er, ok. Did you want me to comment on every PP or just the ones you think I should? Nowt so queer and all that

Well no, but you're shocked and not ok that posters are calling her family dicks, but its fine for him to be?

Sirzy · 20/07/2024 20:53

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 20:09

Whoa! This has taken a swerve calling her DH an "afterthought" and her family being dicks who won't pay for him to visit.

I know what it is like to be an expat, I am one currently and have been for a long time. When you have small kids in school, annual leave restraints etc, it can be really, really hard to find a way to see each other. OP is on maternity leave and her DD can fly free, that flexibility won't be available forever and I assume is why her family can't come to her as easily.

OP, I would go personally. I see your DH's point but it's only three weeks, that is nothing in the grand scheme of a lifetime of living apart from your family. I understand why they offered to pay for only you - I would think it's precisely because it's the easiest option all round. And I think you can explain that to him. Would 2 weeks be more palatable?

My DH doesn't come back with me every trip, his annual leave is less generous than mine. He encourages me to go because he knows how much I miss them all but I have been hamstrung a lot by the kids and their needs/schooling esp as a large part of his job involved long travel trips, it was so much easier when I wasn't working and the kids weren't in school. Now they are older, I can be flexible again but from about ages 4-16 we were all at the mercy of their schedules

But he had said he can go, they have said they can pay for both flights but it is wrong somehow? The family would rather split up a new family to prove some sort of point.

it seems the OP and her family don’t see the father of the child as part of the family which is pretty sad really

BruFord · 20/07/2024 20:54

bigageap · 20/07/2024 20:32

Do you plan on spending all your holidays in this same place watching tele & playing uno?
your poor DH. I would not tolerate this. It’s every other year I’m afraid. Your family moved so they need to stop asking you to visit and get on a plane themselves.

@bigageap That's why I think that this particular trip is worth doing as it won’t waste her DH’s AL and will be relatively cheap. The OP spends quiet time with her family while she’s on maternity leave and perhaps they (DH, OP and the baby) can also have a nice holiday together.

I agree that dragging him over every year to do nothing much is too much to ask. That’s why I often visit my Dad alone and DH sometimes visits his parents alone (or we visit with just children).

BruFord · 20/07/2024 21:00

Sirzy · 20/07/2024 20:53

But he had said he can go, they have said they can pay for both flights but it is wrong somehow? The family would rather split up a new family to prove some sort of point.

it seems the OP and her family don’t see the father of the child as part of the family which is pretty sad really

@Sirzy My impression from the OP’s first post is that it’s more the cost of entertaining her DH while they’re visiting that’s the issue. She says that she’s happy just to hang out at home, whereas he gets bored and they spent ££££ doing touristy things last time.

Perhaps it was also expensive for her family and they can’t afford to do that again? It’s not entirely clear, but money’s the issue, not dislike.

StellaLaBella · 20/07/2024 21:04

DoreenonTill8 this is a really weird take and you are inferring quite a bit. Pronouncing on my behalf that I'm both 'shocked' and 'not ok' from what I wrote is well, odd, and not true. But no, I don't think he's being a "controlling dick". I have a perspective that I hadn't seen on the thread - if I missed one, mea culpa, I haven't gone through every response with a fine tooth comb - so I shared it, much to your disconcertion apparently. I simply thought her family were getting a pasting unfairly because I have been in same boat as them and I understand better than most the tensions/disappointment it can cause.

That's it. It's really not that deep✌️

Bushmillsbabe · 20/07/2024 21:05

Needanewname42 · 20/07/2024 19:06

While it's unfashionable to say the Mother is more important than Dad to a Baby it is actually the case. Naturally a baby would be breastfed until toddler years.

Why would it be acceptable to go against nature?

What would happen if Dad can't settled the Baby because Baby wants Mum?
Is their a risk of attachment disorders is Baby is taken away from their primary carer for 3 weeks?

What happens if mum can't settle the baby as baby wants Dad. Both of mine settled better with their Dad, probably because he is more relaxed and just happy to hold them for however long it took. Now they are a bit older it's random who they want, bit when they want then, they really want them and the other person just will not do. Both parents are primary carers.

Cincin22 · 20/07/2024 21:09

@Hausss @betterangels So you're saying all the dads that go away for work and have to stay away from their young children are dying inside from the separation?

@Expatfamily from one expat to another. Go. Chances to see your family is precious and we all know babies are completely still enmeshed with their mothers at that age. They don't even know they are a separate being yet, so these strange counter-claims don't wash.
Life can be unpredictable, and people are not around forever.

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 20/07/2024 21:12

I think OP that you got so used to being able to go and visit your family frequently before meeting your DH, that it's become a habit, and you didn't really think about whether it would be viable to continue the frequent visits before moving in with him. You're now an adult with a husband and a child, and I think that you need to revise your priorities. Your family won't come to you, because they have other commitments to the family that live with them, so they too have to accept that the status quo has changed, and realise that you are now in the same boat, and may only be able to visit every few years, rather than the regular visits that you were making. Time to grow up and live with the commitment you've made to your DH, as you would expect him to do for you.

Hausss · 20/07/2024 21:12

Cincin22 · 20/07/2024 21:09

@Hausss @betterangels So you're saying all the dads that go away for work and have to stay away from their young children are dying inside from the separation?

@Expatfamily from one expat to another. Go. Chances to see your family is precious and we all know babies are completely still enmeshed with their mothers at that age. They don't even know they are a separate being yet, so these strange counter-claims don't wash.
Life can be unpredictable, and people are not around forever.

No....weird reading words that aren't there. I literally said 'he' and 'him' so not ambiguous in the slightest. He isn't fine with being separated from his child and there's nothing wrong with that. What any other man wants or does is irrelevant just as what you would see as fine is irrelevant as you can do whatever you like. This loving parent wants to be with his child. It's no more difficult to understand just because he has a penis

Expatfamily · 20/07/2024 21:19

I think I’ve overly confused things.

I was trying to put the back story that I used to visit for a month prior to moving in with (now) DH. I did mention somewhere but I think it’s been lost that I’d be happy to visit for 7-10 days with DD just because I’m a bit bored on maternity. It’s only because apart from DH missing us (which i do take seriously/care about) is the only barrier as we could easily afford the £650 all in for me to go. If money was a barrier family would happily pay for me to go.

DH has said he’s happy to visit every other year - and as it will be our holiday that year we’ll be making it one with excursions and mini trips too. I 100% support this as I would like to holiday elsewhere/just the three of us too. He does enjoy it over there, he likes my family and they love him too.

As some posters have pointed out I’m on maternity leave and that’s why there’s lots of talk about me going over to visit as I have the flexibility and time, something in the future I won’t. My family did come over when she was born and we did go over last year. Me going over this summer would be a whistle stop, quick, bonus visit. I wouldn’t see it as a holiday, I would tell people ‘I’m going to see family that week…’

There’s basically a few options here:

A) I go over for a week and let DF (Darling family) pay. I’m not using any family money/annual leave for the visit. DH could be potentially upset with missing us for that week.

B) I accept the offer for them to pay for my flight and explain that we’ll be paying for DH to fly over. I tell DH that we’ll just be hanging out locally and to bring a book. They’d be more feeling guilty for not entertain DH/letting him mull about than not wanting him there full stop.

C) We might as well make it a holiday. Pay for both flights and spend around £3,000 like we did last year doing excursions/eating out/treating ourselves. This would mean dipping into our house renovation savings.

D) We decline all invitations and hopefully make it work next year before she turns two just like we had planned. Give my head a wobble as I’m lucky to go every other year.

E) I pay for my flight, take my £200 spending money for two weeks and quench my homesick feeling that I’ve only seemed to have developed because everyone keeps banging on how I should go because I’ve got the time. I’m also a bit bored as DH works long hours and sensory classes/meeting other mums for coffee only seem to fill a few hours here and there in the week.

Honestly it’s no great conspiracy against DH. It’s just because I complain that I’ve got my hands full with DD and a bit bored ‘Hey why don’t you find a cheap flight and hang out here for a bit… we do miss you guys. If money is a bit tight we’ll chip in for your flight as it’s cheaper than us coming over again this year’.

OP posts: