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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to take the children flying/on city break while my husband is away?

141 replies

FlyOrNotToFly · 03/07/2026 21:26

My DH is scared of flying. Im gonna sound like a cow but sometimes he seems v scared and causes a big fuss and demands all sorts from me to support him. But he also has been known to fly with his mates with seemingly no fuss

He's going on a stag do and a break in mid August with friends.

My kids love theatre. They have never flown anywhere as husband prefers ferry and we only ever go to france.

I thought while he's away, me and the kids could fly to Edinburgh *we live in SE and go to Edin festival for 3 days. See the castle (my boy loves that kind of thing. Kids are primary school age

Husband saying im being unfair because he will be distracted while on his holiday with anxiety as the thouught of us flying and going on a break alone. He somehow manages to derail our plans. And often says anxiety but as i say, he doesnt have anxiety when he wants to his own thing!

Should I be more understanding? I think it will be a fun little trip and flying will be part of the adventure.

OP posts:
nowayin · Yesterday 15:26

I would avoid talking about it to him - because he'll only try to make it all about him and his misery. Talk to your kids or your parents or your friends and don't allow him to limit you or your kids lives any more.

Bluespottedfrog · Yesterday 15:37

I can't see where op says her husband is flying on this particular stag do (domestic stag dos are available)! However it seems that he will fly with his mates rather then miss out but ensures familiy holidays are by ferry, thus limiting experiences for ops and disabled. The suggestion that he would have anxiety aboit you flying whilst his feet are on terra firma is ridiculous l.Therefore YANBU

minipie · Yesterday 15:41

I would definitely take them away. Edinburgh fridge with primary schoolers wouldn’t be my pick but I haven’t researched it to be fair.

And I would be picking flying family holidays from now on. If he can fly with mates he can fly with you. He sounds controlling.

IsThistheMiddleofNowhere · Yesterday 15:43

Id go but not tell him till I'm back and you can justify it by saying you didnt want to ruin his trip by causing him anxiety. If he kicks off then you will know its more of a controlling issue.

Bluespottedfrog · Yesterday 15:45

Morepositivemum · Yesterday 08:10

im a bit torn to be honest, dh does fun stuff sometimes with the kids, the things I wouldn’t do for example zip lining or a theme park and I do have a few ‘god I hope they’re ok’ moments over the day. I also wish I was with them even though I wouldn’t enjoy it. If it were a holiday I’d be a bit gutted everyone was going away without me. Everyone jumped to him being selfish but would you really like your partner to go off on a fun few days without you?

They are not going off leaving him but planning something they would enjoy and he wouldn't whilst he is already away

itsgettingweird · Yesterday 15:59

Late to this but I’m a massive fan at playing people at their own games.

“I’m so glad you feel an able to be honest with me that you don’t want to go because your anxiety over it will ruin your time away. Because I’ve been meaning to bring you the same about you going to the stag do. Ag least we can both agree not to go based on the same feelings”

Then silence whilst he tries to figure out a way to say you’re feelings are not as valid as his and get out of cancelling 😂

Walkerzoo · Yesterday 16:06

I would be going happily and looking at an October holiday in the sunshine....

Have a fantastic time

AppleDumplingWithCustard · Yesterday 16:23

Morepositivemum · Yesterday 08:10

im a bit torn to be honest, dh does fun stuff sometimes with the kids, the things I wouldn’t do for example zip lining or a theme park and I do have a few ‘god I hope they’re ok’ moments over the day. I also wish I was with them even though I wouldn’t enjoy it. If it were a holiday I’d be a bit gutted everyone was going away without me. Everyone jumped to him being selfish but would you really like your partner to go off on a fun few days without you?

That’s precisely what he’s doing! He’s going away on a stag do with his friends.

onthebonesofmyartistry · Yesterday 16:30

Why do people keep referring to Edinburgh Fringe? The OP hadn’t specified - maybe she’s taking them to parts of the not at all fringe International festival?

PurpleThistle7 · Yesterday 18:06

onthebonesofmyartistry · Yesterday 16:30

Why do people keep referring to Edinburgh Fringe? The OP hadn’t specified - maybe she’s taking them to parts of the not at all fringe International festival?

She says in the OP she is coming to edinburgh in august for 3 days for the fringe.

I didn’t love the fringe with a baby in a buggy but it’s been super fun since that age. I take my kids to lots of shows - particularly my daughter, she loves all of it. My son a bit less so but he loves the street food / jugglers / a few silly shows etc.

onthebonesofmyartistry · Yesterday 18:24

Have I missed that? In her OP she says going to Edin fest for 3 days? There’s more to the festival than just the Fringe.

Bamboozledbylife · Yesterday 19:17

What a dick. I can fly to go away with friends but anything else triggers anxiety? Bollocks it does.

99bottlesofkombucha · Today 02:44

FlyOrNotToFly · 03/07/2026 21:34

He was stood in the kitchen and said "its going to be very difficult for me if you go and that's hugely unfair on me"

So focussed on himself! He knows the kids would be really excited to go! Doesn't even mention it.

But i dont want to be dismissive of anxiety but feels v frustrating that we cant make a fun plan without him

it is not being dismissive of his anxiety to refuse to let him control you.
’I’d say I think it’s important for your family that you get therapy and sort this, because it is unacceptable that you can fly with your friends but your family can’t even fly without you. We will be flying regularly from now on and you can come or not come but you cannot derail, criticise, try and stop us, or come and make it all about you. This is your responsibility, we are going to have a great time, if that spoils your time then you need to get help. Make sure you tell the therapist you can fly when it’s with friends; it’s just your family that you use your phobia to control

Zero tolerance for selfish dickheads, make sure your kids know that this is on dad. If he guilts them I’d ask him to leave.

Gardenisablooming · Today 03:06

He meant I will make your life difficult if you dare to defy me.
Exh demanded I never get a tattoo.
When I did he told me he could never sleep with a tattooed woman.
Win fucking win.
Ltb soon after.

ViolettaScrambler · Today 05:19

He is the one being unreasonable. Selfish prick !

Frumpitydoo · Today 06:17

Your DH sounds like prize tosser.

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