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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Fathers Day weekend disasters

80 replies

BeWittyTurtle · 16/06/2025 10:13

I’ll try to keep it brief but it may still be a long one…

Other half was taking his kids (older teens) to a football tournament about an hour away yesterday, and going to see his parents on the way back. He said he wouldn’t be home until about 5pm.

He told me he’s never had a decent Father’s Day before so while I told him I’d use the way to write an assignment, I actually set about deep cleaning and decluttering the kitchen/diner and cooking a roast from scratch, complete with homemade apple sauce and gravy (not bragging, just telling you so it shows the time taken). He always knew about the roast and had picked what he wanted for it.

For context on the decluttering, it’s been like that since I moved in a year ago. On Saturday we went to a friends bbq at their beautiful home and on the way back he said he loves hosting and he’s missing that part of himself, he just can’t host with the house as it is.

while he was out, he text at 2pm saying they’re coming back early. I said no, you can’t… then there were several texts saying he’s dropping his kids back then, what’s going on etc. I said ‘it’s Father’s Day….just wait and see 😊’.

5pm he came in, I was making cheese sauce and he grumpily said ‘aren’t you going to give me a cuddle’. I explained I’m just in the middle of the sauce and will do in a second.

He then complained about the roast almost being ready and that because I said not to come back until 5 (the time he said he’d be back!) they got a McDonald’s and weren’t hungry.

when we eventually sat for dinner, he had a go at me for moving his things (done carefully so they weren’t out of any order). He had such a go we all ate in silence. He then said he can’t store things under the stairs because ‘it’s a mess’. I reminded him the storage isn’t a mess but we all have to put our coats on top because he has so many jackets hanging up.

I made myself scarce for the rest of the evening. When I went to bed he started on about it all again, said he must be imagining things or maybe I’m confused about things. He then started reading a book on how to win arguments- I kid you not.

for further context, on Friday he came back from a work day drunk, said he’s never shaken my hand before. I am a left handed so without thinking put my left forward. He said I am so entitled thinking the right handed who are on the majority should yield to me. I said it’s not like that, I’m just left handed, I did it without thinking. He said ‘I don’t need this shit,’ then walked off before shouting ‘I don’t need this shit!’ and slamming a door.

i can’t bring up Fridays events and Sundays with him as he will say they’re different events, not to be joined together and I was fine on Saturday. If I tell him how it’s all making me feel he’ll stop me and say to give specific examples as just saying how I feel isn’t helpful.

AIBU?

OP posts:
BeWittyTurtle · 16/06/2025 14:32

Neemie · 16/06/2025 14:21

I think you should leave him. He doesn’t sound nice. The whole situation does sound a bit forced though. He is not your father or the father of your children so you don’t need to make him father’s day dinner, tidy his stuff or buy and wrap gifts from his children. It is all a bit fake. A bit like if your MIL organised a valentines meal and gift from him to you. He should appreciate you but you sound more emotionally invested in your setup than him or his children.

I get what you mean about the fake bit. I didn’t have much of a family when I was a child so I sometimes try too hard/ replicate what I’ve seen in films or tv because celebrations aren’t something I’ve learned to do. Same with hosting- no idea, we didn’t have people to the house

OP posts:
Naunet · 16/06/2025 14:41

BeWittyTurtle · 16/06/2025 13:55

He thinks they did it all.

Fuck that, tell him!! I can't believe the little sods took all the credit. You're being treated terribly, I'm glad you know you deserve better

HideousKinky · 16/06/2025 14:50

BeWittyTurtle · 16/06/2025 13:00

They’re very self absorbed, lovely but it is all about them. The sad thing is he was crying about the beautiful card they bought him and how thoughtful they were to pick such a meaningful design. It was me. They didn’t contribute, nor come to the shops. Didn’t even wrap his gifts.

Rather than you buying card/presents, wouldn't it have been better to explain to them that unless they put the effort in it's meaningless? And therefore you wouldn't be doing it unless they came along too?

Mothership4two · 16/06/2025 15:14

@BeWittyTurtle

I get what you mean about the fake bit. I didn’t have much of a family when I was a child so I sometimes try too hard/ replicate what I’ve seen in films or tv because celebrations aren’t something I’ve learned to do. Same with hosting- no idea, we didn’t have people to the house

Honestly OP, you don't have to do anything other than, maybe, remind them to get/do something for him as a kindness. My Mum never did. I did when the boys were little, but not since they were teenagers. I may have cooked a nice meal, but that's it. Full disclosure, I buy their card to make sure there is one (as I get my Dad one it's no big deal)! Yesterday one DS cooked supper, the other did something sporty with DH and they spent £70 each on his present - which we both thought was far too much, but they won't let us chip in for it.

Somewhat81 · 22/06/2025 14:54

BeWittyTurtle · 16/06/2025 10:44

I am planning that as I type…

How you getting on with this Op?

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