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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to step back from my husband’s hobby event after all this?

134 replies

CitrusWhite · 20/11/2025 20:48

DH recently became chairman of his hobby group, which means he now has to organise the annual fundraising event. So far it has put us nearly £1,500 out of pocket. I gave him money from my annual bonus for a room deposit of £500 and allowed him to use family money, so about £1,000 has come from me personally.

This is his hobby and, frankly, his ego boost as chair. I’ve kept quiet, avoided taking over and being the default organiser like I did with our wedding, kids’ christenings, birthdays etc. and told myself that if he wants the title and the praise, he can do the legwork!

Still, I’ve sourced and paid for a few bits to make it look good because he’d happily settle for the cheapest, most basic options.

One of the decorations is a balloon arrangement we need to make 15 of. We needed to test one last night or tonight so I can make the rest the day before the event. Yesterday I’d done a 13-hour day and had a long drive to and from the office. He invited a friend round to discuss event plans without asking me, even though I needed to be part of it. I sucked it up and got on with it, even though I was exhausted.

Tonight I told him he needed to do a test balloon arrangement so I know what I’m doing when I make the bulk of them. He couldn’t find a suitable pump, kicked off, and said I was being BU and “lazy”. He gave a nasty tirade about how awful I was being and then texted me 10 minutes later asking if I’d “reflected on how awful” I’d been. His argument being that he has had a busy day and looking for a lump is physical whereas last night I just had to talk - as though his physical exhaustion is worse than my mental exhaustion.

All I actually said was that we should’ve done the balloons last night, and that I’ve already put in a lot of effort and money for his hobby event, not mine and we need to do this test run as we wont get anither chance then it will be done last minute and we will bith be stressed. He insists he’s had a long day and it’s apparently fine for me to sit with a glass of wine while he looks for a pump, but he’s completely dismissing the work I’ve put in sourcing favours, raffle prizes and decorations of which I am sorting during wfh days around housework and school pick ups too (his job is FT office).

Right now I’m thinking: leave him to it. Let him run his event however he likes and remove myself from it entirely. In my head that’s the sensible option, but deep down I know it would be a huge blow to him and it would be embarrassing for him if I didn’t attend - the point I am making maybe not worth the fall out.

I also don’t want to show up to an event full of tacky Temu centrepieces and have people assume I played a part in that.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Ilovehighlandcows · 20/11/2025 22:05

"DH, I've had time to reflect and you're right, I'm no help at all. I'm so sorry. I will make sure I don't interfere whatsoever, I'll step back completely so you can take all the initiative yourself."

Whaleandsnail6 · 20/11/2025 22:07

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 20/11/2025 21:13

I also don’t want to show up to an event full of tacky Temu centrepieces and have people assume I played a part in that

Looks like this is the crux of the argument.

It's his event
It's his tonareange and decide the level of tackiness

But you seem to feel its your event
And that you don't want to be judged for it.

Walk away. Let him sink or swim.

Stop trying to organise and just help him if he asks and if the ask is reasonable like we all donwith our partners.

It's NOT your event

This...I can't believe you have spent this micn of your own money as a couple on this event!

You should have let him get on with it his way

Obeseandashamed · 20/11/2025 22:09

This is a vanity project for your husband OP. Let him realise it and don’t give any more time/effort to it than you already have because he clearly doesn’t appreciate it. I do understand where you’re coming from with the worry about assumptions that you had a role to play in it.

Blueskystoday · 20/11/2025 22:11

OP,
You're a complete mug.
He sounds like a nasty narcissist abusing and using his mug partner for personal glory.
You are years with this twat.
He's using joint money for his ego and you get verbally abused.

I'm married 30 years and this type of bullshit only happens on MN.

No one in real life would tolerate it.

Find some self respect and down tools, permanently.

ChachaIntheLongrun · 20/11/2025 22:16

fancying reading something more solid and sturdier, grittier on this website 🤔

MermaidMummy06 · 20/11/2025 22:18

Why are you even helping? DH has a hobby, all men, mostly older. I made it clear straight up I wasn't joining the wives' supper roster for their weekly meetups, helping with their annual fundraising events or the background grunt work the women did, or even doing everything at home to leave him free to do it all and get the kudos on being so brilliant.

What I've learned is DH is capable, when pushed, of managing things (and likes the status). He's also learned how hard it is trying to juggle so much & no longer comments on how our life admin/cleaning /meals etc is easy & I'm just complaining about nothing.

I'll add that more & more falls to him - people say they'll help, but don't. I'd never allow our own money to be spent, though!!

ChachaIntheLongrun · 20/11/2025 22:18

Blueskystoday · 20/11/2025 22:11

OP,
You're a complete mug.
He sounds like a nasty narcissist abusing and using his mug partner for personal glory.
You are years with this twat.
He's using joint money for his ego and you get verbally abused.

I'm married 30 years and this type of bullshit only happens on MN.

No one in real life would tolerate it.

Find some self respect and down tools, permanently.

rich people are rich because they are stingy. Wondering how proverbial these 1000 frittered on balloons are

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/11/2025 22:22

WTAF op. You have spent your own money on this? FFS it’s not your circus and not your monkeys, and never has been. Step TF away from the (possible) shit show and (probable) damp squib and let him get on with it! Relax with a glass of wine - you’ll feel better.

Bestwishes23 · 20/11/2025 22:24

ChaChaChaChanges · 20/11/2025 20:54

WTF? Why do you care so much?

I was wondering the same.

I wouldn't micromanage someone for an event I have no stake in. If he'll be embarrassed by his event being a flop, then he shouldn't be so lazy.

Cornishclio · 20/11/2025 22:36

Well you should not have used your own money and yes I would leave him to it if it is his hobby not yours. Is anyone really bothered whether you turn up or not? I don't expect my husband to attend my interest group events unless it is something he might be interested in and vice versa. You both seem unduly concerned with what others may think. It is a hobby event. They are not supposed to be professional.

Snowfalling · 20/11/2025 22:41

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 20/11/2025 21:13

I also don’t want to show up to an event full of tacky Temu centrepieces and have people assume I played a part in that

Looks like this is the crux of the argument.

It's his event
It's his tonareange and decide the level of tackiness

But you seem to feel its your event
And that you don't want to be judged for it.

Walk away. Let him sink or swim.

Stop trying to organise and just help him if he asks and if the ask is reasonable like we all donwith our partners.

It's NOT your event

Agree! why do you keep taking over against your better judgement? why on earth would you throw family money on his ego boost? He has very disrespectful to you, so definitely not unreasonable to stop doing anything related to this. Has he apologised for this? If not I wouldn't be turning up at the event either.

TTCbabynumber22025 · 20/11/2025 22:42

It sounds like you’re not doing a very good job of not being involved.

leave him to it, what’s the implication on you if it’s a bit tacky?

DeedlessIndeed · 20/11/2025 22:42

Is it a rotary club type of thing?

Starzinsky · 20/11/2025 22:42

Sounds like you have unnecessarily fussed and involved yourself, a bit odd.

Cornishclio · 20/11/2025 22:43

So that £1500 will not be recouped? I would be saying to DH that you want that money back. Paying for balloon arrangements is ridiculous if this is supposed to be a fund raiser. Who really cares about all that?

RafaFan · 20/11/2025 22:45

Is this a Rotary Club or Masonic thing? The whole set up sounds bizarre to be honest. Did previous chairs spend their own cash?

MummaMummaMumma · 20/11/2025 23:04

You keep saying "we" need to do this and that
You mean "him". You don't have to do anything. If you choose to help him and he's being an ungrateful arse then absolutely leave him to it completely. And stop paying for it also.

Ellie56 · 20/11/2025 23:05

No YANBU to step back from this event. I can't understand why you stepped up in the first place. And you spent £1500 on a fund raiser! WTAF? That is absolutely crazy.

As for the way your so called "D"H speaks to you, why are you putting up with that? Where is your self respect? Quite frankly as it's his event I'd just let the unpleasant little twat get on with it.

Travelfairy · 20/11/2025 23:06

Leave him to it! Fuck that

ForFunGoose · 20/11/2025 23:11

CitrusWhite · 20/11/2025 21:10

Our spend isnt recouped against the takings. 100% of the money raised on the night will go to the charity so the money we spent is disregarded.

I have no idea why there is no support fund but its how its always been, with people paying for their food as their ticket to the event.

We booked a big, lavish room because he was convinced lots more people would come to his event than usual and he wanted to put on a giid show. He would never admit it but as much as he pretends he is a "take me as you find me" guy, he actually wants people to.look up to him.

Disappointingly, he has not had the extra support he expected he would have had over his predecessors so numbers are as low as ever and no, its not been worth it.

This is all about his ego!
let him fail and realise he’s not the person he thinks he is. I’m shocked you have let him be such a shit to you, please stop looking after his fragile masculinity.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 20/11/2025 23:13

Why the fuck do you care about the balloon arrangements? He doesn’t want to practice balloon arrangements because that’s a total waste of time and balloons. He can just blow up balloons on the day and tie them into whatever shape he wants. No practice needed, and, (can’t stress this enough) not your problem.

Beesandhoney123 · 20/11/2025 23:27

If there isn't any money, you shouldn't be funding it!!! Did he ask you? I dint understand why you've spent all that money on bugger all. It's not even gone to the charity.

It's It's a proper charity, they wouldn't have allowed you to to that, unless it's a gift? Are you sure you aren't just funding a lovely party your dh has thrown? Will he be telling everyone you paid for it your money? No? Thought not.

Don't go. It's his do. Why are you going? Are you donating again?

He sounds a dick, tbh. Let him get on with it.

twilightermummy · 20/11/2025 23:38

Ask him to reflect on how he's going to give you your money back within the hour.

RampantIvy · 20/11/2025 23:43

It's his event, so you didn't need to get involved.

And balloons are so bad for the environment.

He treats you the way he does because you let him.

RealEagle · 20/11/2025 23:48

Read this and just thought WHY?

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