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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have ditched twat DH at the airport and gone on holiday without him?

1000 replies

AskingForTacos · 14/03/2025 16:07

I’m 32 and have never had a holiday abroad. It’s a combination of things really, growing up I had 2 disabled siblings and it wasn’t practical or financially possible to travel. Had a couple of caravan holidays in the rain but hated them as it unsettled my siblings and everybody was stressed.

Became a single mum at 21 (DD now 11), so once again couldn’t afford holidays. Met DH 4 years ago and we have a 2 year old DS. DH has been well-travelled over the years, but hasn’t had a holiday since meeting me as we’ve been saving up for general life expenses. The end of last year I have a bereavement and became quite sentimental, emotional about my children and general life experiences and sort of had a “grab life by the reins” moment and told DH I wanted to have a sunny family holiday together, and he agreed. We’re both a bit tight and I also don’t cope with overly hot weather (anything above 25 degrees is too much) so have chosen to go in March and set off early this morning. And before anybody asks yes I’m going to pay the fine from DD school.

Flight was with Ryanair. I had a checked bag for mine and the toddler’s stuff, DD had a 10kg carry on. Mine and DD’s bags were full but within guidelines. DH travels light so decided to just take a personal bag and filled it to the brim. He even ordered some sort of zip extension thing from Amazon to make it close more than it naturally should. I’m sure you can see where this is going.

Me, DD and the baby sail through the gate and he gets stopped. I asked, in fact, begged him to just pay the extra charge so we could be on our way, we could afford it. It could’ve just been chalked up a lesson learnt, but no, he had to be a dick about it. He was abusive to staff and called a girl who only looked about 20 a “jobsworth bitch”. At this point, he was told he would not be travelling (rightly so). He changed his tune then and tried to pay the fine but they weren’t having it. It was like an episode of Airline circa 1999. He then started an irritating speech about how it’s disgraceful etc etc and tried to get us all escorted out with him. I initially was going to go with him because I was stressed but DD was absolutely devastated as she’s been looking forward to the holiday for months. She started crying and I decided me and the kids would still go.

We arrived a few hours ago and are settled in our hotel but I’m on edge. I’ve spoken to him on the phone and he thinks I was a cow for leaving him. He’s coming out tomorrow on a different flight (from a different airport...) and I’m dreading it. On the phone he said we should’ve all gone out tomorrow together. It’s only a 7 night holiday and who knows when the next one will be so for me every second counts especially as we wanted a combination of excursions and chilling days in the resort. If we flew out tomorrow we'd only get 2 resort days not to mention paying for all new flights. He’s not physically abusive or anything like that, I’m not scared, I just can’t be arsed listening to the moaning. Was I wrong to go without him?

OP posts:
MyDeftDuck · 15/03/2025 08:11

He sounds like a very angry, unconforming individual! My EX was a bit like that......at one time he refused to acknowledge the clocks altering and kicked off because the pub was 'closing an hour earlier'!!

PruthePrune · 15/03/2025 08:11

You did the right thing OP. He is pissed off because he knows he is has been an arsehole and is too embarrassed to admit it. When he arrives get it sorted ASAP to nip anything in the bud or else your holiday will be made even worse.

blippitybloppitybloo · 15/03/2025 08:21

You did the right thing, he was acting like a twat!

And for all the people criticising you for taking your daughter out of school, wise up! I’m a very experienced teacher and without a doubt would take my kids out during term time if I could. Education comes in all different forms and a trip away for the first time sounds like a wonderful all round experience for an 11 year old! Also, family is important. Holidays like this is where memories are made, they can build confidence and family bonds. So huge pat on the back for you @AskingForTacosfor putting your daughter and your family first…

OnlyHerefortheBiscuits · 15/03/2025 08:24

ignore the term-time weirdos. You're fine, your daughter's education is fine.

you weren't wrong to get on the flight without him, but you need to have a think if this is a character you can bear to be with for the rest of your life and if you are OK with DD growing up thinking the way her dad treats service staff is normal.

It's OK to be angry at poor service, frustrated on the phone with the gas company at a screw up or whatever but getting personal and insulting an agent calling her a bitch is absolutely unforgivable.

Alwaysinamood · 15/03/2025 08:33

I have to say I’m surprised he’s paying for a new ticket and to take the bag on 🙈 he might not even make it onto this plane either if he tries to take the same bag on! Enjoy the peace while it lasts!

AzureLurker · 15/03/2025 08:45

Throwntothewolves · 14/03/2025 16:13

Good for you! He was completely in the wrong and deserves the consequences. If you had stayed back with him it would have sent the message that you'll stand by him regardless of his behaviour. Tell him not to come, and use the time apart to decide whether you want to be with someone who thinks nothing of behaving abusively toward a young woman trying to do her job, upsetting his family into the bargain.
I hope you have a great holiday with your kids

This. Ask him if it would be OK if someone had called you similar for just doing a job. You've done the right thing, have a nice holiday!

Lindy2 · 15/03/2025 08:46

You did the right thing OP. He's caused a problem, he's the one that needs to sort out his new flight etc.

With any luck he'll decide not to pay for a new flight and will stay sulking at home. You can then enjoy your holiday without this stroppy, rude man-child.

I'm hoping you might have time to reassess what you want out of life while you have some time alone. A person who is regularly rude to others isn't a nice person. They're an embarrassment. He got removed from a flight/airport for goodness sake. That's not normal.

If he does arrive and kicks off at the hotel I think you need to make it really clear you've had enough of this. Perhaps he can get kicked out of the hotel too so you can have a peaceful break with your kids.

Good luck.

SnoopyPajamas · 15/03/2025 09:02

"Jobsworth bitch"?

Your first and only holiday and he ruined it?

Caused a scene so bad he made your 11 year old daughter cry?

He sounds awful. I'm sorry, OP. He would probably be one of the things in your life I'd reevaluate, if I was you

Vitrolinsanity · 15/03/2025 09:04

It doesn't matter how unreasonable ground crew are, and let's be honest they really can be, you never ever piss them off. He was totally in the wrong on all counts.

I couldn't hear a woman that was searching my bag when she asked me a question. I'm slightly hard of hearing and explained that so she. Started. To. Shout. Her colleagues stepped over and asked if I would like another member to help. I said no, but they stayed right next to her and I saw them walk her away as I moved on. The point is, I knew that if I'd protested to her directly she would've ramped the situation up so I looked unreasonable.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 15/03/2025 09:08

I would be absolutely mortified if DH behaved like this and probably would have told him not to bother getting another flight.

If it had been a one off bad tempered snap - I’d still tell him he was being a complete dick and that I was mortified by his behaviour, but would move on, but a similar pattern of behaviour would make me really question how I felt about him tbh. Being horrible to people who are just doing their job really unpleasant and a terrible example to set your DC, and men calling women bitches is just vile.

You said you want to grab life by the reins OP, how do you want to live it? You’re still young, do you want to spend decades being embarrassed by your DH and/or being on eggshells waiting for him to kick off?

Nikki75 · 15/03/2025 09:09

You so did the right thing going without him...tell him his behaviour was out of order and he wasn't going to ruin yours and your childs holiday because he couldn't control his shitty attitude to the airport staff ( his own fault )
Also warn him before he arrives that he best not spoil the rest of the holiday for you all, he needs to grow up.
Why would you back up behaviour like that no way.

VisitationRights · 15/03/2025 09:10

How unfortunate that he is flying out for the remainder of the holiday.

BungledUp · 15/03/2025 09:16

No, no, no. I absolutely hate it when people are disrespectful to people who are simply doing their job and enforcing what they’ve been told to do. And then trying to get freebies by moaning about insignificant things.

I just couldn’t be with anyone who has that little empathy for others, picky and trying to flaunt rules.

Hiw us inspecting hotels for bird poo NOT jobsworthy, yet someone pointing out they are above baggage allowance is??
The hypocrisy is astounding.

That said - taking a child out of school. I mean there is clearly a rule break there. So you are saying it’s ‘ok’ to break rules about schooling, baggage. Not ok for a hotel to break a minuscule ‘rule’ about bird poo and skirting boards. Hmmm.

Jellyslothbridge · 15/03/2025 09:17

You had to make a split second decision when his behaviour was affecting you and the children and the holiday. In that moment you choose the most cost effective and least distruptive to the children. Waiting for your bag to be found to deplane would have had you all upset and hanging around.
I think you would have to rebuy return flights for all of you (8 flights) and potentially the loss of the hotel room as a no show. You were logical. Perhaps it is time to query your H behaviour and ask him to work on himself.

CannotWaitForSummervibes · 15/03/2025 09:18

AskingForTacos · 14/03/2025 16:11

He's annoyed that I didn't back him up and show a united front against the Ryanair staff, it's pathetic.

Tell him you’re fuming he chose being abusive to staff over quality time with his family. Be very clear that he has no right to moan because it’s his own fucking fault. Also tell him you will not accept him ruining this holiday in any other way. Either he enjoys the holiday without another shred of drama or he stays home.

Arrivals4lucky · 15/03/2025 09:19

I’m not sure I could be with someone who calls women ‘bitch’ or treats service staff like that. His insecurities shine through.
ignore the idiots in here claiming that an 11 year old missing a week of school is going to jeopardise their entire future too! Obvs not true.
Once a year we take our kids out for extra days to fly overseas to see family at Easter or Xmas- they’re both flying in school and the eldest is on track for top universities if they sonchoose… we need the extra time for the long haul trip plus literally save about £3k on flights…

Harry12345 · 15/03/2025 09:29

My partner of 20 years is like this, thinks everyone is taking the piss and he’s so defensive with them, has road rage, his mums the exact same so it’s been learned. It’s worn me down so much I’m planning on leaving him

mindutopia · 15/03/2025 09:32

Ah yes, my dad was exactly like this. Please do not continue to teach your poor dd that this is acceptable behaviour from a man. I bet she’s seen this a million times. It’s a bit like men who treat animals poorly. It’s an abusive tactic that’s also for your benefit.

You toe the line, keep quiet, smile, try to smooth things over because it’s better to be on his side of the firing line than on theirs. It’s triangulation. You’re still being abused, but there is another scapegoat taking the the fall while you try to stay in the shadows over on the side.

It’s no way to live. I was about your DD’s age when my mum left my dad. I was so relieved! We had such a different life after that. I could finally exhale. We’d been walking around holding our breath and walking on tiptoes for so long.

Lambington · 15/03/2025 09:35

Ask if you can be moved to a different hotel before he arrives and don't tell him which one.

dottydodah · 15/03/2025 09:36

What an arse! Really insulting staff,over packing luggage and being abusive and unpleasant .Do you want him with you? I would be very cross.However try to enjoy your holiday .Hopefully he may have learnt a lesson!

willowbrookmanor · 15/03/2025 09:40

The lesson you have taught your daughter here about poor behaviour towards others equals consequences is priceless, as well as showing her, you are independent, confident and will not tolerate such behaviour from your DH. Well Done. 👏 👏👏👏👏

RayofSunshine18 · 15/03/2025 09:40

Good for you, well done for leaving your other petulant adult child at home - you absolutely did the right thing. I'd be telling him not to bother joining you at all and if he could kindly see his way to finding somewhere else to live for your return!!!

LookingAtMyBhunas · 15/03/2025 09:41

I was ready to say YABU because I couldn't imagine how bad a situation could have been to have gone without him. But OMG, YANBU at all.

If he is absolutely hell bent on coming today I'd be giving him a hugely wide berth, how dare he try and ruin your children's holiday.

crumblingschools · 15/03/2025 09:46

What is he like if you disagree with him at home? Is he normally okay at home because you tend to agree with him to avoid any confrontation

NiceProblems · 15/03/2025 09:47

You absolutely did the right thing.

I would be tempted to report his passport as lost so he can’t join you tomorrow and then end the relationship. He sounds like an utter knob.

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