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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WYB miffed? Dd in hospital and dh fucked off to Glastonbury?

889 replies

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 15:58

Just that really.

Long story short, dd 12 has been in and out of hospital the last couple of weeks having to have her obs done as a result of an ED that has really accelerated in the last few weeks. It has been extremely stressful and is obviously upsetting. She’s under camhs and they took her readings last week resulting in me having to take her to A&E. She then had a ward review yesterday and her readings were so low they kept her in overnight. I stayed with her.

DH has been mentioning going to Glastonbury for a while to meet up with an old friend who goes every year. They haven’t been able to get tickets but h seems convinced they’ll be able to bribe someone his friend knows and get in 🙄 apparently “loads of people do it”.

I left the house for her appointment yesterday at 12pm (was supposed to just be a routine appointment) and didn’t manage to ring him until about 7pm as there was no signal in the hospital. I thought he’d have been trying to ring me but no, nothing. He has a stressful job (wfh) and I don’t honestly think he’d even given it a thought. He can be very one track minded.

He has form for being uncaring and unempathetic (I suspect he’s autistic - he has a lot of traits) but we nearly split last year after a build up of issues and he’s been like a changed man since. A lot more caring and considerate. I am starting to notice a few of the old behaviours creeping in though.

Came home last night to get some overnight stuff and after asking how it went/how dd was etc he was like “oh, I’m not going to be able to go to the festival now am I?” I said “it’s up to you, I’m not going to stop you - yes go if you want!” I said (in a jokey way) “it’s on your conscience” But quite honestly I thought he wouldn’t go.
Had a horrible night in the hospital. I’ve had one text from him this morning which I responded to telling him they were still concerned about her blood pressure/heart rate being low and low blood sugar etc and wasn’t sure whether they were keeping her in or not. The dr has now let us come home (he doesnt know this yet - I tried to ring him as we were leaving but he didn’t answer) but we have a nurse coming out at the weekend to check on her and do more obs, so it’s pretty serious. They said if she doesn’t improve over the next couple of weeks it will be another hospital admittance and complete bed rest with a feeding plan which is usually for two weeks.

Anyway, got home and he’s not here - he’s fucked off to Glastonbury!! No message either since the one this morning. No note, he’s just gone and when I asked ds he said “I think he’s gone to Glastonbury” (ds is a typical teenage boy hooked up to his Xbox and probably wouldn’t notice if the house was burning down)!

Im not angry I just think he’s a selfish arse and I’m a bit incredulous really. Can you imagine one of us mum’s doing that? It’s not even like he has a ticket and would lose the money.

Oh, and it’s our anniversary this weekend which I’m guessing he’ll be missing too.

He isn’t a sociable or “going out with the lads” type of person usually - this is a one off to be fair to him. He is a good dad generally, just often seems to be missing some kind of empathy gene. I know he’ll be thinking “it makes no difference whether I’m there or not”. But what if they’d kept her in and I needed him to bring stuff/come and take over for a bit? It’s selfish and unthinking imo.

Anyway, I think I just wanted to get opinions really. Feeling a bit upset and like “no, he hasn’t changed really has he?”

But maybe IABU and it’s not a big deal bc she’s not in imminent danger?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Twiglets1 · 27/06/2025 05:44

I would be booking a spa weekend trip just for myself for a coming weekend and announcing it cheerfully on the family WhatsApp.

Use the time at the spa to really think about everything and whether you see a future with him or not and if not, when would be the optimum time for you to separate. Chance to relax, read, recharge, sleep. Let him carry the burden of family life for a change.

spicedapplestew · 27/06/2025 06:00

ClareBlue · 27/06/2025 03:49

Why does the realisation of autism only manifest after marriage and the birth of children. Is it not there before. Or, just maybe, it's just an excuse. Does it make any difference. You live with it or you don't. Or it is easier if you have a reason for bad behaviour.

Because during the early stages of a relationship, their partner is their autistic obsession and they hyperfocus on them. This makes them the ideal partner. Usually, by the time this has run it's course and worn off, you are married to them. Same with ADHD.

When I married my DH, he hadn't yet been diagnosed. It was many years before he was.

HomoHeinekenensis · 27/06/2025 06:01

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 21:25

I would do this but he’d probably use it as ammo of how “petty” I am and ruining his fun.
I think he started it anyway so I can’t 😡

I would feel inclined to go on to the family group and tell them what he's done.

OP please see this as the end. Don't be persuaded by him this time. You might find that your DD will pick up once you have a quiet and thoughtful space without him?

Whatever you do, he will twist it round to make you look unreasonable. He's an appalling bell end. Stop listening to him and get legal advice. You can't live the rest of your life with him. He has something missing!

My upbringing was hectic but I knew my Dad loved me and he would never have buggered off anywhere if I was in hospital.

whynotmereally · 27/06/2025 06:11

He shouldn’t have gone but equally you shouldn’t have said if you want to. You essentially said it’s upto you but then are annoyed he made a different choice to you. I’d be amazed if he can get in it’s not the eighties with holes in the fences.

1apenny2apenny · 27/06/2025 06:12

‘He’s one track minded’ translates into selfish and self centred. All these men have very very stressful jobs, most of them are just very good at making you think that so they can get their free ticket to do what they like.

2Rebecca · 27/06/2025 06:22

He sounds selfish but you were stupid in not talking to him like an adult and just saying “ no of course I don’t want you to go. Our daughter has an eating disorder and is in and out of hospital and we are supposed to be supporting her and each other and you don’t even have a ticket”. A passive aggressive “ do what you want” was stupid reply.

PepsiForEva · 27/06/2025 06:24

AllTheOtherCats · 26/06/2025 16:03

What has being unempathetic and uncaring got to do with being autistic?

Thank you. Sick of this being trotted out so blithely.

HomoHeinekenensis · 27/06/2025 06:26

2Rebecca · 27/06/2025 06:22

He sounds selfish but you were stupid in not talking to him like an adult and just saying “ no of course I don’t want you to go. Our daughter has an eating disorder and is in and out of hospital and we are supposed to be supporting her and each other and you don’t even have a ticket”. A passive aggressive “ do what you want” was stupid reply.

To be fair, OP sounds like she's had a titful of him. The "Do what you want", sounds like something I would have said to my ex when I was done with his endless infantile behaviour in the face of an absolute shitshow that I was dealing with hour to hour that, had he been an actual adult, he could have helped me with massively and it wasn't on the level OP is dealing with.

LoudSnoringDog · 27/06/2025 06:41

What a selfish arsehole. This is nothing to do with autism. It’s a manchild who has no respect for his family.
most people would think “no, my daughter is unwell, I need to be at home to support my family”
My DP would be returning from Glastonbury to his entire belongings on the front drive.
what a pathetic, selfish excuse of a man.

Hoardasurass · 27/06/2025 06:49

Hopetheportaloosareminging · 26/06/2025 16:07

I just mean he sees things quite black and white and doesn’t seem to ever get upset/show emotion.

I’ve never seen him cry in 20 years together or get particularly upset about anything.

Maybe that’s not an autistic trait I’m not sure but he def has a lot of them when I’ve done an online test. I’m not saying it in a mean way, more of an excuse really.

Maybe he’s just a giant bellend 🤷‍♀️

1st off he's a complete dick and you need to seriously think about leaving him
2nd lack of empathy and inability to cry aren't autistic traits and those online test are a pile of crap but are designed to be taken by the person not someone else.
Please stop blaming his shitty behaviour on your diagnosis of asd in him as its really insulting to those of us who are diagnosed (by professionals) as asd, its not a catchall for shitty behaviour

Paperweight7 · 27/06/2025 06:50

MissyB1 · 26/06/2025 16:06

I wonder what he would think of you if it was you that disappeared on a jolly, and he was left caring for the sick child on his own?

Exactly.

Not just what he would have thought but society in general too. She would have been seen as a neglectful mother but these men get a free pass by pretending their children are not their responsibility.

Xyloplane · 27/06/2025 06:54

Cynic17 · 26/06/2025 16:01

Going without tickets is stupid, but going while the child is possibly in hospital......well, him being at home would probably not make any difference to her, tbh.
If he IS autistic, is all this disruption causing him stress? He may feel he has no choice but to "run away"?
Also, has anyone investigated possible autism in your daughter? It can be very closely linked with eating disorders.

Edited

Seriously? Your first thought in this situation is his feelings? No wonder men get away with this shit.

You are a lone parent OP, it’s up to you whether or not you’re prepared to make it official.

Endoftheroad12345 · 27/06/2025 06:55

You should really leave him for good this time @Hopetheportaloosareminging

You are being very brave about it but I think you’ve normalised his awful behaviour & while you rationally know it’s very bad and you’re angry about it, you’re disassociated and you’re not really acknowledging what a terrible husband and father he is.

I was married to a man like that and I look back on how he treated me and our kids and it blows my mind that I tolerated it for so long. I’m now engaged to a lovely man who would never in a million years do something that he knew would hurt or upset me.

My sister is married to a man like your DH/like my ex and I’ve heard so many times “oh, H just lacks the empathy gene, he’s so good with the kids… he makes their lunches/takes then to cricket practice”
or whatever. If your H is devoid of empathy towards you I don’t think there’s a relationship there worth salvaging (speaking from bitter experience). One of my sister’s kids is also struggling with an ED type condition and I am sure their father’s behaviour is a factor.

Imisscoffee2021 · 27/06/2025 06:56

He phrased his fake question about not going anymore in such a way that backed you into a corner of either reluctantly saying go if you want or saying very explicitly no you can't go and therefore fulfilling the reputation of nag that he seems to have given you from your updates?

You shouldn't be his moral compass or be taking responsibility, you didn't "give him permission" to go, he should be able to make the right choice himself. By asking you in that way "oh I guess I can't go anymore...?...?" Is quite manipulative actually.

Xyloplane · 27/06/2025 06:57

2Rebecca · 27/06/2025 06:22

He sounds selfish but you were stupid in not talking to him like an adult and just saying “ no of course I don’t want you to go. Our daughter has an eating disorder and is in and out of hospital and we are supposed to be supporting her and each other and you don’t even have a ticket”. A passive aggressive “ do what you want” was stupid reply.

Or maybe he could have been an adult and prioritised his child’s needs over his own? Maybe the OP was not prepared to have to make a case for why he needed to prioritise his family? These situations shouldn’t even come up, and by him asking for the OP’s permission he is making her responsible. It’s very manipulative. And don’t blame the OP for her husband’s shitty behaviour.

Endoftheroad12345 · 27/06/2025 06:59

Also my ex never cried (except out of self pity when he realised I was serious about leaving him and he was going to lose half of “his” money). He didn’t cry because he didn’t give a fuck about anyone’s feelings.

TheaBrandt1 · 27/06/2025 07:04

Seriously he must have had a ticket in advance. They are like golddust. You can’t just turn up at the site and blag one. Or maybe his old friend had a friend who couldn’t go.

MsMcGonagall · 27/06/2025 07:09

I'm so sorry about the stress and worry about your daughter, it sounds horrendous for you.

But you said "yes go if you want ". To someone who you know takes things literally and probably isn't always sure what the socially normal course of action is.

In your husband's case I too would have read that as, ok, I can go to Glastonbury.

Next time, if he says "I can't go now can i" say "no".

BusyMum47 · 27/06/2025 07:21

@Hopetheportaloosareminging

Holy fucking Christ, what a colossal bellend- I'd have to leave him. I just couldn't ever get past that. And don't play it down to your kids - why should you protect him? You're carrying everything & everyone while he's merrily fucked off to play with his mates like a pathetic child - with no thought whatsoever about his family! Ick beyond words.

Shetlands · 27/06/2025 07:21

2Rebecca · 27/06/2025 06:22

He sounds selfish but you were stupid in not talking to him like an adult and just saying “ no of course I don’t want you to go. Our daughter has an eating disorder and is in and out of hospital and we are supposed to be supporting her and each other and you don’t even have a ticket”. A passive aggressive “ do what you want” was stupid reply.

When you've lived with someone like the OP's husband you learn that it doesn't really matter what you say because it will always be twisted to favour him. If he goes, it's her fault for 'giving him permission', if he doesn't go, she's a controlling nag denying him any enjoyment. People like him are arch manipulators who always plan to do what they want, regardless of their responsibilities.

I suspect he's had a ticket for a long time but has hidden the purchase so it can't be traced.

CluelessAboutBiology · 27/06/2025 07:27

@Hopetheportaloosareminging I’ve never wanted to slap someone so muvh

There’s bound to be some MNetters at Glasto who would be happy to track him down and slap him on your behalf!

sweetpickle2 · 27/06/2025 07:29

Is he wearing a wristband in the pic? If so, he had a ticket.

Fedupoftheshits · 27/06/2025 07:35

I’m so sorry that you’ve had to deal with all of this OP. I really hope your DD is ok. Like so many others who have posted already, I am furious on your behalf, there really is no excuse for him going to Glasto and to have the gall to send messages and selfies not even asking about your DD is quite frankly disgusting selfish behaviour.

I think this would be it for me, I cannot fathom how a father can behave like this (although I shouldn’t be suprised as there sadly many threads about useless dads and husbands).

Sending you strength to get through this x

throwawaynametoday · 27/06/2025 07:35

Oh FFS with the male apologists on this thread.

It's funny how these poor clueless men (autistic or not) who apparently need their wives to tell them what good parenting looks like never seem to ask, "Is it OK if I skip football training this weekend to spend time with you and the kids?"

The fact that these men only ever ask their wives and partners for permission when it relates to them wanting to do something that is self evidently selfish, shows that that they are fully aware of just how badly they are behaving. Their only care is for themselves, and their only motivation for asking is to absolve themselves of their guilt.

DistanceCall · 27/06/2025 07:43

I don't want to make you feel worse than you are already, but I think you need to consider how your daughter's ED is affected by family dynamics. If your husband behaves like this when his daughter is seriously unwell, you can be absolutely certain that your daughter knows that her father is not there for her in a way a father should be. Children know.

And this is connected to her ED, or at the very least has an impact on it.