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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:
Birdingbear · 21/07/2024 21:33

Your husband would drive me nuts! I couldn't live with someone that is thi suffocating.
All my family live 400 mile away. I visit them nearly every school holiday and my husband doesn't come. There's also countries I want to go to that he doesn't so I book them for me and my kid and tell him ill see him in a week or 2.
Your husband really needs to stop being so needy

mm81736 · 21/07/2024 21:36

So your family are saying they will pay for you, but only if you come without dp or else they will pay nothing.
That is manipulative and unpleasant.
I think you need to back up your dh on this one

Donsyb · 21/07/2024 21:56

My family have all moved abroad and I sometimes go to visit them on my own without DP. He comes from another country and also goes to visit his family without me sometimes. I have friends who have married someone from another country, the wife often goes to visit her family alone, or with the children. The children have often spent summers with family on their own whilst the parents are at work.

its quite common and I don’t see the problem with you taking a few weeks of mat leave to go visit your family 🤷🏼‍♀️

mm81736 · 21/07/2024 22:11

Donsyb · 21/07/2024 21:56

My family have all moved abroad and I sometimes go to visit them on my own without DP. He comes from another country and also goes to visit his family without me sometimes. I have friends who have married someone from another country, the wife often goes to visit her family alone, or with the children. The children have often spent summers with family on their own whilst the parents are at work.

its quite common and I don’t see the problem with you taking a few weeks of mat leave to go visit your family 🤷🏼‍♀️

If everyone is on board -fine, but they are not.Furthermore, her family seem poisoned against her dh, and the op needs to make a stand against that

Itsmecathy87 · 21/07/2024 22:18

My family is in a different country. I don't go back often enough for different reasons but I understand your predicament. I think you are reasonable. Try to convince your husband. It would cause a lot of issues if you just went away with your (and his) daughter against his will

Mumof3confused · 21/07/2024 22:47

He was so bored last time that he forked out £100
for a cab to go to a different town. You just want to hang around with family.

If this was me I’d go. I have family abroad and see them once a year. This time is so precious. Two years is so long when you consider how fast children grow and how fast the older generation can get ill. Your husband can cope for a few weeks without you both. Could you make the trip a little shorter maybe?

Tuliptimes · 21/07/2024 23:11

In similar situation in that we live a long way from family. When we got married, DH said he really realizes the importance of family and that no matter what was going on we would always find the money for me to visit and take the kids so that they could have a relationship with their grandparents, even if we couldn’t afford for him to go with us or if he couldn’t leave work at the time. He’s always stuck to it and I think it’s reasonable, especially considering his parents live nearby and get to see the kids all the time. On the other hand, we are probably both too sensible with money to have done it if it would have created any serious financial issues!

Needanewname42 · 21/07/2024 23:25

mm81736 · 21/07/2024 22:11

If everyone is on board -fine, but they are not.Furthermore, her family seem poisoned against her dh, and the op needs to make a stand against that

I think their might be a bit more to why he felt the need to spend £100 on a taxi to get to the next town.

Was he just bored, or was it one of those things they'd had enough of each other, they and he needed some time apart?

Lots of people can only tolerate their ILs in small doses. Staying with someone else's family can be very intense. And awkward at times - is it OK to go and put the kettle on or Is that rude?

JoBrandsCleaner · 21/07/2024 23:50

I wouldn’t have this at all I’m afraid. It might be a bit awkward now but you shouldn’t have let it be up for discussion so that he thinks can tell you what to do, all this she’s mine now type crap. I’d hate the thought of my kids just seeing with me with their other half in tow all the time when they’re older.
My husband is Bengali and he can go back there whenever he likes without me, that’s just how it is when families are living far apart, he went for 3 weeks last year, he went for 2 months when I was pregnant with one of my daughters.
He’s being controlling and it’s out of order, I’d go and say you’re not putting up with his attitude about it or id just go back home and be tempted to not go back.

T1Dmama · 22/07/2024 01:00

It’s not only unfair of him to stop you seeing your family, it’s also awful of him to stop your DD seeing her grandparents and extended family.
Why doesn’t he want you to go out alone? What does he think will happen while you’re visiting your parents?? I mean it’s a visit with your baby not a hen weekend to Ibiza!

SnozPoz · 22/07/2024 06:50

I've been in this situation and actually I think YABU, your priority needs to be with your husband and children. It's also a lot to ask someone to use their holiday time to not actually go on holiday but to stay with your family. Could you and your family agree to meet halfway somewhere and go on holiday together?

Needanewname42 · 22/07/2024 07:03

@SnozPoz that's exactly why she should go to visit with the baby herself while she's on maternity leave and has time on her hands.

ThisOldThang · 22/07/2024 07:23

SnozPoz · 22/07/2024 06:50

I've been in this situation and actually I think YABU, your priority needs to be with your husband and children. It's also a lot to ask someone to use their holiday time to not actually go on holiday but to stay with your family. Could you and your family agree to meet halfway somewhere and go on holiday together?

I think a joint holiday is the most sensible solution that's been suggested so far.

Islandgirl68 · 22/07/2024 07:25

Your DH is being unreasonable, there is nothing wrong with you taking your child to see family without him. Take the opportunity while your child is free to travel. It is unreasonable to say you should only ever travel as a family. It is not a holiday as such you are going to visit family. Go and enjoy quality time with your family.

Sleepytiredyawn · 22/07/2024 07:58

Make the most of going now whilst you’re able to. Once your child starts school it will be very expensive and you may only manage it every 3-4 years.

kikisparks · 22/07/2024 08:06

Personally I wouldn’t want to be away from my DD and neither would DH. My DH has family abroad and we always go together when we visit. I’m genuinely not a controlling person but no, he would not be taking DD out of the country without me and vice versa, I would not take DD out of the country without him. I have told him before if he wants to visit his family on his own that’s fine, I don’t decide where he goes, but I do get a choice in where my DD goes. So I am with your DH in this scenario.

On the other hand I’m happy for us to visit his family every year because we can afford it and if we couldn’t afford it I think every other year would be a fair compromise. When I do go to his family I’m happy eating in, going to local play parks, visiting his relatives, going for walks etc so living cheaply. Can you ask your DH if you can all go together this year but make it a cheap trip, then next year you do a different family holiday?

Donsyb · 22/07/2024 08:36

mm81736 · 21/07/2024 22:11

If everyone is on board -fine, but they are not.Furthermore, her family seem poisoned against her dh, and the op needs to make a stand against that

have you RTFT? OP says they really like her DH and the only reason they won’t pay if he goes is because they can’t really afford it, and if she can afford to pay then why should they pay. Which is fair enough. There’s no “poisoning” to stand up to.

The problem is he just doesn’t really want to go but doesn’t want her to go without him, which he needs to just get over. As the DC get older she’ll probably go more often without him.

Bugbabe1970 · 22/07/2024 09:37

He’s being unreasonable
My DH would never stop me doing this - it’s only a few weeks! Your DC is under 2 so being away from him for a few weeks isn’t going to be detrimental to her and she will be able to build her relationship with her DGPs which is so important

Needanewname42 · 22/07/2024 09:48

Donsyb · 22/07/2024 08:36

have you RTFT? OP says they really like her DH and the only reason they won’t pay if he goes is because they can’t really afford it, and if she can afford to pay then why should they pay. Which is fair enough. There’s no “poisoning” to stand up to.

The problem is he just doesn’t really want to go but doesn’t want her to go without him, which he needs to just get over. As the DC get older she’ll probably go more often without him.

As her baby gets older she'll be tied down by limited annual leave. And the cost will mount up the second she needs to pay for 2 or more flights.

Now while she's on maternity leave is the perfect opportunity to go visit. But her husband is being pretty selfish to say No.

Maternity leave can be a wonderful time, but for lots of mums it can also be quite lonely, especially if the partner is working long hours, and all your friends are working too. Trying to make new "mum friends" isn't always easy either.

Longma · 22/07/2024 09:53

GoldFrame · 21/07/2024 20:23

Oh for goodness sake, it’s three weeks

I'd have hated to be away from my baby/toddler/young child for three weeks.id have been really upset to be so far away and unable to be with her for since a long time.

Jac1970stone · 22/07/2024 10:02

Go. Your DH will see DD for 50.5 weeks this year, your family will get to see them 1.5 (if you do go for the 10 days). Daughters are generally closer to their parents than sons are and it is usual for a daughter to want to spend time with their mum and family when they have a new child of their own. You are on maternity so have the time and you may not have as much for years to come so make the most of it. I have read your responses and can see a change in emphasis from my DH says I can’t, to DH doesn’t like the thought of me going, and I do hope it is the latter. It took me years to realise the soft control that gradually developed into far more control over the years. You should take up your families assistance with the flight and go, or risk that this will increase further over years so you can’t go.

celticprincess · 22/07/2024 10:25

One of my family loves the other side of the world. Before moving there was lots of talk of the revolving door of family and friends visiting all the time. In reality 15 years later only one friend visited before they had their own family, and a couple of family have been once and my mother a few times. It’s expensive. The flights alone are expensive. Especially if you need the 6 weeks holidays to be able to go long enough and get over jet lag etc. I went not long after they moved and will be visiting this year. And only because I came into some inheritance. The reality is they visit every couple of years here. It’s not ideal for them either as they have become acclimatised to the weather in their country so find it a bit miserable visiting here, even in the summer. But they can actually afford the trips. Financially they’re better off. Some of our family here are too old now to visit. It’s a hard journey when you’ve got health conditions.

I don’t think anyone should be pressuring either party to do the visiting though. But if you want to go just you and child then do. Although that flight alone with an under 2 is hard. We had a baby and toddler when we went last time. It was gruelling with 2 parents. I’m hoping this time as they’re teens and I’m the only parent it will be easier, but who knows. Edited to add this means the kids won’t see their dad for a month. But depending on work patterns they sometimes don’t anyway- we are divorced.

Caroparo52 · 22/07/2024 10:32

Think it's fine for you to go over on your own with dc. When you met dh he knew the situation... he can't expect you to be cut off from family.
OR suggest you MOVE BACK to other side of world permanently.

Ask him which he prefers.
Don't be bullied by dh into a life that's not acceptable to you

BlueJayCailin · 22/07/2024 10:33

I’d definitely go but pay for it myself. It’s important to have time with your family. It’s not like this is an every year thing - soon your DD will need her own seat and then it will be more expensive, and you may not be able to make every other year work.

I’d talk to your husband and say look I have unlimited time; we don’t have unlimited money so here’s how I plan to cover it with our shared resources - remember your meals and coffees at home all cost money too! I will miss you and we will call every day or whatever suits you all to stay in touch.

my husband did similar with our daughter at 18 months when we couldn’t really manage 2 flights but could manage 1, to see great grand parents, and it was awesome. I also had an amazing time going out with friends that week with no babysitter! 😂

Lyraloo · 22/07/2024 13:02

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?

Wow, seeing your family every other year is reasonable! What planet do you live on? You clearly don’t have much feeling towards your own parents/family.

I only moved 120 miles away from my family when I married, but I regularly went alone, and then with dd, to see my family. My dh came as and when he wanted/work allowed.

She already said her dd was free and parents would pay for her, so hardly going to cost anything at all. Her dh is just petty and controlling, and it strikes me he either doesn’t like her parents or he’s jealous. He needs to grow up, being married doesn’t mean you give up on the rest of your life!