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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What would you advise- Job/ Money/ Family?

6 replies

littlemisspigg · 19/12/2024 06:10

3 of us- good friends for many years, lets say F1, F2 and myself- approaching middle age, we all have done fairly well in terms of careers. Kids are adults, at Uni/ otherwise settled, just DHs at home now.
My friend F1 gets job offer abroad- about an hour's flight from home- good money, good weather- but primarily money- really really good offer. Her DH doesn't want her to go as he feels it will 'disrupt the family'. She is someone who has always moved around the country due to her DH job, and always put herself last due to family reasons, changed jobs as per needs of DH- better job for DH, good schools for kids etc etc. Now she feels its 'her time', she has done her bit, kids are grown up and fairly settled....and wants to move away, even if it means living separately from DH (she rather welcomes that!) because she can finally focus on herself and her career and make her own money, as she truly deserves. Her DH not keen to move himself as he is very well settled where he is.
I am all for it- encouraging her to take up this job offer because I know she will really thrive there and it is something she has been wanting to for a long time, but always pushed it down due to 'family needs'; F2 telling her its not right- she should stay with her DH as his job is settled where they are, he earns good money anyway, they have a big house, friends around etc etc. If she does move, it will mean setting up life all over again for her...but she is more than up for the challenge.
AIBU to encourage her? I can sense this is what she wants as well and I sincerely believe she should not compromise at this stage of her life...

OP posts:
Yennefer44 · 19/12/2024 06:13

She should go. She can get a divorce later on if it comes to that.

User37482 · 19/12/2024 06:14

She should go, life is short, if you have put everyone else first for decades its ok to put yourself first. She has an opportunity, she should grab it.

Sunseed · 19/12/2024 06:15

She doesn't need to move away completely - she could fly back home at weekends?

littlemisspigg · 19/12/2024 06:20

Sunseed · 19/12/2024 06:15

She doesn't need to move away completely - she could fly back home at weekends?

Exactly, that's what she been telling her DH...I get the feeling he wants her around to do the housework, keep him company.... basically every she's been doing all these years . I feel for her really

OP posts:
distinctpossibility · 19/12/2024 06:33

I would find it hard to advise a friend in this situation as living apart from my DH is not something I would ever, ever want to do, and certainly not just for a job. I enjoy the boring minutiae of our lives together. If he feels the same way s me, it'll likely spell the end of their marriage, but perhaps the writing is on the wall anyway.

To be honest the husband's concerns that it'll "disrupt the family" are spot on, but the disruption happened the minute she started to seriously consider it. It's a real crossroads for her. All you and F2 can do is be there for her and allow her to bore you to death with the ruminations on this decision. You are both good friends😊

BendingSpoons · 19/12/2024 06:41

She should go if she wants. It doesn't need to be a forever thing. If she does the job for a year or 2 and has had enough, she can get another job back where you are.

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