to think my husband should give up his job because I've asked him to

[Reindeerinmygardenwhatelfisnew]

I loathe dh's job!

He has his own business and every year it's the same - Christmas is his busiest time, there are sacks of work to do and he does it all, I'm totally ignored! The customers are his only priority and he just slogs on till everything is done. He works impossible hours, pulls an all nighter at least once and our Christmas is a total waste of time. Every year i hope it will be different, that his self belief will just have withered, that the customers won't send in their orders and so we won't have to go through it but no, he's just come and said he thinks he'll be doing an all nighter next week to get everything done. Am very pissed off - and he doesn't see it, just tries to jolly me along

AIBU?

Could you send him on a personal development course, to learn how to delegate? After all, he has assistants stationed in prime retail locations across the globe.

Was somebody asking about reindeer poo? I have a ton of it here - down to me to shift of course. Dh is always too busy talking to the blessed creatures to get stuck in! We could drop a sack off - I guess we'll be in the neighbourhood next week.

And Laurie - yes I DO MIND but dh says it's all for the good of the business and he has to do it - Mad - he visits them all you know. I tell you December is a nightmare. I think the lights in those grottos are a bit too low personally and I would have all the elves in nice polo neck jumpers and dungarees but dh seems to feel candy striped tights and decollatage is required for the business

could you invest in better communication systems perhaps?

Some of the old fashioned notes must come in slightly singed around the edges surely, which must make them tricky to read. We used to send ours up the chimney. Could you do better by Twitter or Facebook perhaps?

I bet he goes out on Xmas Eve comes back at 6 am stinking of sweat and booze, tells you his mobile wasn't working and then stays in bed because he is tired, leaving you to cook lunch and look after the Elves on your own.

MEN!

THough your sex llife must be pretty grim if he only comes once a year and then he does it down the chimney.

No children, just elves employees. Dh is very good to them but he does get a bit snappish at this time of year when they continually ask him for guidance.

My present - well he usually gets me something to wear in my 'signature' colour. I'm not sure it does my skin any favours now though. We're getting more sun up here than we used to and it's affected my complexion. Do you think I should get my colours done?

Reindeer - I am beginning to worry about your dh's business plan. He employs (I take it, or is this a franchise operation?) legions of young ladies clad in candy-striped tights and skimpy tops and devotes his time to business trips and giving away his merchandise to customers who are too young to sign a legally-valid HP agreement. In what way is this a viable business? What is his source of income?

Never mind the course on the art of delegating. I'd be marching him down to the bank to see the small business adviser (unless he's just been recruited as chief elf, that is).

I think you are being unreasonable, tbe he only works for a few weeks a year. It is bad enough when teachers start moaning about their workload, they only turn up for half the year FFS, but now you start. Get a grip.

YABU. Doesn't he have most of the year off? sounds quite cushy to me.

mad - we don't need advice! Dh has been in the business for years and much as I despise it, I will admit he's gifted. I'm not going to discuss our income, we do ok but our outgoings are huge. Sodding vet bills, dry cleaning - all adds up!

Reindeer - Well, if you're sure. Your dh is clearly an extremely gifted entrepreneur, as he manages to employ legions of helpers, keep large numbers of livestock and yet give away the products from his workshops. Perhaps he could use some of his down time in the summer to write a 'how to succeed in business' type book, to capitalise on his well-known brand name?

You should of married the Easter Buny instead...think of all that chocolate

Actually do you think you could get me his number?

YANBU. I've heard he goes from house to house, blagging sherry - and that sort of dependence could have serious implications for his sleigh licence. Not to mention rumours about him leaving 'snowy footprints' behind. Do you want to spend the Christmas period having to drive him around?

He doesn't drink all the sherry. Tips some in to the Christmas tree pot!

Right must go to bed now. More packing to do in the morning - only a week to go and dh will be hitting the road again!

Tips some sherry into the Xmas tree pots? No wonder my tree always perks up on Christmas Day, I always wondered.

I've just mentioned this thread to my eldest dd and she reckons she doesn't believe in your husband any more.

YABU I am one of his customers and very happy with the service I recieve

I would imagine that after all those Mince Pies and cookies he won't want Christmas Dinner, though. So there's a plus!