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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be angry with DH for not coming home?

957 replies

Coffeeoftheworld · 14/09/2025 14:52

DH is on a 3 week work trip in Australia, he’s been out there for a week and has 2 more weeks to go. Our DD was admitted to hospital on Friday and DH is refusing to come home to see DD in hospital. He is just saying he “can’t abandon work” and that his boss will be “unhappy” with him if he comes home early. AIBU to he angry with DH for not coming home? DD is asking for him in hospital too and is really ill. I travel for work too sometimes but I would absolutely come home immediately if DD had been taken in to hospital whilst I was away, no matter how unhappy my boss would be with me for coming home. The most that DH has said is to send him “updates” on how DD gets on in hospital. I feel like he doesn’t care about her, he’s always been such a good husband and such a good dad but this makes me feel like he doesn’t care. He also won’t FaceTime her because of “the time difference” between the UK and Australia!

OP posts:
99bottlesofkombucha · 15/09/2025 22:16

Hadmysay · 15/09/2025 18:06

And what will this do?
How will airing your dirty laundry which most people will not care about improve the situation?
As I said before some of you need to seriously grow up

It means friends and family will understand that the op is alone as a parent, and needs more support than your average married woman who has a husband to trade off with her re the kids and as moral support. It also means they recognise who he really is so he can’t pretend she’s unreasonable.

99bottlesofkombucha · 15/09/2025 22:19

I hope the op has messaged ‘a dad who can’t FaceTime his ill seven year old in hospital does Not Care. You’ll have to call the hospital for updates, I have my children to concentrate on.’ Then call his parents and tell them.

GerberasAreMyFavouriteFlowers · 15/09/2025 22:43

99bottlesofkombucha · 15/09/2025 22:16

It means friends and family will understand that the op is alone as a parent, and needs more support than your average married woman who has a husband to trade off with her re the kids and as moral support. It also means they recognise who he really is so he can’t pretend she’s unreasonable.

I'd be doing a round robin message and seeing if anyone could support me and telling them exactly why I was reaching out

Tiswa · 15/09/2025 22:56

@Hadmysay the OP doesn’t need to and neither do I grow up. She is texting him because that is the only form of communication

a phone call discussing options (which in all likelihood could have involved him staying) and then a schedule for contact with his daughters and up dates is the grown up way to do it

burying yiur head int the sand and pretending it isn’t happening and refusing to engaged sounds will like a child

because you are right constant texts isn’t the way to handle this phone calls would be

but he isn’t answering

Butterflywings84 · 15/09/2025 22:57

I think I can understand him not coming home given his role, where he is and that it sounds like it’s not a life or death situation. However I would expect him to be doing everything he could to stay in contact and check in. The attitude in his messages is disgusting. I wouldn’t send him anything else at all whilst he is away and see if he even asks for an update.

LondonPapa · 15/09/2025 23:14

Coffeeoftheworld · 15/09/2025 09:59

I get that DH’s job as a film director is important and that him coming home may (may being the key word, I’m sure they could find a way to cope without him) inconvenience a lot of people but why is it only his job which matters here and not mine?

Wait, he’s a film director? Yeah, he won’t be coming back until shooting is wrapped. If it is life and death, he will be allowed to leave but it isn’t and I fully bet he has zero time. Shoots are stressful enough as it is with zero downtime really. Yeah changed to YAVBU.

MeTooOverHere · 15/09/2025 23:20

Currently filming on the Gold Coast.
https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/articles/filming-starts-hemsworth-action-thriller-subversion.html

Started filming last month. Not sure where.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/brent-comer-the-mosquito-bowl-1236450023/

Rick Moranis has arrived but not yet filming SpaceBalls 2.

99bottlesofkombucha · 16/09/2025 00:14

LondonPapa · 15/09/2025 23:14

Wait, he’s a film director? Yeah, he won’t be coming back until shooting is wrapped. If it is life and death, he will be allowed to leave but it isn’t and I fully bet he has zero time. Shoots are stressful enough as it is with zero downtime really. Yeah changed to YAVBU.

Many Hollywood directors take longer shits every day than the FaceTimes the op is asking for. He’s a shit dad and a shit partner.

DoneKebab · 16/09/2025 00:34

Hadmysay · 15/09/2025 18:16

As I said ops nagging him and stressing him out and bombarding him with messages. Yes he should keep in contact but this is the reason for it.

Doubling down on that description of a mother communicating to her husband about their hospitalised child is a bold choice. But at least you’ve stepped down from the dramatic capitalisation.

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:15

Tiswa · 15/09/2025 20:26

What? It isn’t about what I (and the OP) can or can’t handle as you say a grown woman. But that I am married and in a partnership and if my DH (he absolutely definitely wouldn’t) decided he would go no contact over this it would be the end. Of course I could handle it by myself but if I had to

and again it is his daughter who wants to speak to her father there is no excuse orneason for that

he is clearly quite a low level director who is trying to make a name for himself and prioritising that above all else

The sooner we as humans understand that relationships aren't really 50/50 and it doesn't always have to be "equal" the better. There's going to be times where ops husband does more certain weeks than her. There's going to be months maybe even years that she does more than her husband. Just get on with it you are parents and adults.

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:20

99bottlesofkombucha · 15/09/2025 22:16

It means friends and family will understand that the op is alone as a parent, and needs more support than your average married woman who has a husband to trade off with her re the kids and as moral support. It also means they recognise who he really is so he can’t pretend she’s unreasonable.

Who the hell cares? Do you think friends and family give a shit? Your life isn't that important. She's got her friend to cover and that should be that.

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:24

Tiswa · 15/09/2025 22:56

@Hadmysay the OP doesn’t need to and neither do I grow up. She is texting him because that is the only form of communication

a phone call discussing options (which in all likelihood could have involved him staying) and then a schedule for contact with his daughters and up dates is the grown up way to do it

burying yiur head int the sand and pretending it isn’t happening and refusing to engaged sounds will like a child

because you are right constant texts isn’t the way to handle this phone calls would be

but he isn’t answering

Nah you do need to grow up. When someone is telling you they need space listen to them.
This is how bad things happen to people when they don't have boundaries and they keep picking picking and picking some more.
Yes he should facetime that's what I agree with but if op keeps stressing out her husband to prove a point or just because she's jealous and bitter of his job then that does no one any favors. Not him,her or her children

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:26

DoneKebab · 16/09/2025 00:34

Doubling down on that description of a mother communicating to her husband about their hospitalised child is a bold choice. But at least you’ve stepped down from the dramatic capitalisation.

I mean that's exactly what she's doing

DoneKebab · 16/09/2025 01:49

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:26

I mean that's exactly what she's doing

There’ll be someone for everyone I suppose.

99bottlesofkombucha · 16/09/2025 03:55

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:24

Nah you do need to grow up. When someone is telling you they need space listen to them.
This is how bad things happen to people when they don't have boundaries and they keep picking picking and picking some more.
Yes he should facetime that's what I agree with but if op keeps stressing out her husband to prove a point or just because she's jealous and bitter of his job then that does no one any favors. Not him,her or her children

jesus christ. They have two young children, she’s the solo parent in the northern hemisphere, one of the dc is in the hospital for a week at least and she should… give him his space???

99bottlesofkombucha · 16/09/2025 03:56

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:20

Who the hell cares? Do you think friends and family give a shit? Your life isn't that important. She's got her friend to cover and that should be that.

Do you not have friends and family? Thats the only reason I can think of to have this view of them.

Francestein · 16/09/2025 04:57

Assuming DD’s health is improving and her prognosis is good, I could forgive him being unable to return. I couldn’t forgive the lack of phone calls to DD and his wife who is carrying the load. Obviously he has decided that parenting is woman’s work and he is not a team player in his marriage.

Goldbar · 16/09/2025 06:18

Hadmysay · 16/09/2025 01:24

Nah you do need to grow up. When someone is telling you they need space listen to them.
This is how bad things happen to people when they don't have boundaries and they keep picking picking and picking some more.
Yes he should facetime that's what I agree with but if op keeps stressing out her husband to prove a point or just because she's jealous and bitter of his job then that does no one any favors. Not him,her or her children

Aww the poor diddums is so stressed... Meanwhile, the OP is having a party in hospital, isn't she 🙄?

Some people are just selfish, inadequate human beings.

MeTooOverHere · 16/09/2025 06:55

99bottlesofkombucha · 16/09/2025 03:55

jesus christ. They have two young children, she’s the solo parent in the northern hemisphere, one of the dc is in the hospital for a week at least and she should… give him his space???

and how much more space does he need?
He has a hemisphere between them now.

EdithBond · 16/09/2025 07:12

99bottlesofkombucha · 16/09/2025 03:56

Do you not have friends and family? Thats the only reason I can think of to have this view of them.

@Hadmysay Are you a film director working in Australia?

Seriously, I have a v different view to you. No one has to have children. If your job is so important or difficult that you can’t be there for children, don’t have them. Or change job. If you’re so self-absorbed that you can’t be there for children, and instead want someone else to do that, don’t have them.

Children aren’t ticks or trophies to collect in the game of life, or accessories to make you look good on The Gram, or pets to be played with at a time of your choosing. They’re people.

At v least, if you don’t want to be a hands-on parent who’s willing and able to drop everything when your child needs you, then don’t stop using contraception until you’ve made that v clear to the person you want to have kids with.

No man should simply assume that, by default, their female partner will do (or pay for) more than half the childcare or running a household with children in it.

Men are perfectly capable of being fantastic fathers and housekeepers. Just look at all the lone dads out there, including those whose partners have died or who also care for their sick/disabled partner, who do a wonderful job, just like lone mums.

KiwiFall · 16/09/2025 07:54

EdithBond · 16/09/2025 07:12

@Hadmysay Are you a film director working in Australia?

Seriously, I have a v different view to you. No one has to have children. If your job is so important or difficult that you can’t be there for children, don’t have them. Or change job. If you’re so self-absorbed that you can’t be there for children, and instead want someone else to do that, don’t have them.

Children aren’t ticks or trophies to collect in the game of life, or accessories to make you look good on The Gram, or pets to be played with at a time of your choosing. They’re people.

At v least, if you don’t want to be a hands-on parent who’s willing and able to drop everything when your child needs you, then don’t stop using contraception until you’ve made that v clear to the person you want to have kids with.

No man should simply assume that, by default, their female partner will do (or pay for) more than half the childcare or running a household with children in it.

Men are perfectly capable of being fantastic fathers and housekeepers. Just look at all the lone dads out there, including those whose partners have died or who also care for their sick/disabled partner, who do a wonderful job, just like lone mums.

This. Although it should be discussed before having children who will be the main primary carer. Who will leave work if the kids I’ll at school etc. I just don’t understand why couples don’t.

Snorebor · 16/09/2025 08:03

EdithBond · 16/09/2025 07:12

@Hadmysay Are you a film director working in Australia?

Seriously, I have a v different view to you. No one has to have children. If your job is so important or difficult that you can’t be there for children, don’t have them. Or change job. If you’re so self-absorbed that you can’t be there for children, and instead want someone else to do that, don’t have them.

Children aren’t ticks or trophies to collect in the game of life, or accessories to make you look good on The Gram, or pets to be played with at a time of your choosing. They’re people.

At v least, if you don’t want to be a hands-on parent who’s willing and able to drop everything when your child needs you, then don’t stop using contraception until you’ve made that v clear to the person you want to have kids with.

No man should simply assume that, by default, their female partner will do (or pay for) more than half the childcare or running a household with children in it.

Men are perfectly capable of being fantastic fathers and housekeepers. Just look at all the lone dads out there, including those whose partners have died or who also care for their sick/disabled partner, who do a wonderful job, just like lone mums.

Well said. Couldn’t agree more, this entire post is spot on.

ETA: I believe this is a significant reason why many women worldwide - even in countries with “family friendly policies” - are having less children or opting to be childfree.

A government can provide all the child tax breaks and free childcare they want but if men continue to behave like this, the birth rate will stay low/continue to fall.

Snorebor · 16/09/2025 08:16

I agree @KiwiFall but then I suspect even when they do have the discussion pre-kids, a lot of men lie and claim things will be equitable then do a 180.

I doubt OPs partner said “when we have kids I won’t be able to text or FaceTime you or the kids at allfor days on end when I’m working away, so you’ll be completely relying on your friends during those times ”

There's another thread on here right now where a woman said her husband decided to live and work away for the first year of their child’s life with zero discussion or warning. And it wasn’t necessary, it was very much a personal choice thing to be out of the family home for his child’s first year.

EverybodyLTB · 16/09/2025 08:20

Not sure where the OP has said she’s bombarding her husband with messages, harassing him and ruining his precious downtime? We don’t know how she’s responding, so that’s a lot of conjecture to try and save the reputation of a man PP do not know, especially as the only evidence we do have is that he’s ignoring a hospitalised 7yo. “He’s setting boundaries” “she’s nagging him” or a few lovely anecdotes of “I was left alone in hospital, did me no harm”

OP, if you’re still reading. You have every right to feel let down, angry and abandoned! Ignore the pick-me twits who think you’re “jealous” of your husband for having a job that pays less than yours. I’m sure they all have great relationships, where they suppress their needs and the needs of their children so their big strong man can have “space”.

KiwiFall · 16/09/2025 08:44

Snorebor · 16/09/2025 08:16

I agree @KiwiFall but then I suspect even when they do have the discussion pre-kids, a lot of men lie and claim things will be equitable then do a 180.

I doubt OPs partner said “when we have kids I won’t be able to text or FaceTime you or the kids at allfor days on end when I’m working away, so you’ll be completely relying on your friends during those times ”

There's another thread on here right now where a woman said her husband decided to live and work away for the first year of their child’s life with zero discussion or warning. And it wasn’t necessary, it was very much a personal choice thing to be out of the family home for his child’s first year.

Yeah I do appreciate life changes and jobs change over time but surely taking on these jobs/roles and I mean both the OP and DH when you have kids is a discussion. Both husband and I have changed jobs (I do more hours now) since having my kids but it’s always a discussion of can we take this job without detrimentally affecting the kids.