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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want the wife to look after the kids while i watch F1

74 replies

Jasonthunderpants · 28/04/2010 14:38

I work hard all week and it would be nice to get a couple of hours to myself so i can watch the grand prix without the little cherubs pestering.

OP posts:

KurriKurri · 28/04/2010 14:51

Little cherubs pestering? - I think you've just summed up being a parent - better get used to it, you've got plenty to come

Oh and if you call her 'the wife' I'd say she was entitled to go out with her friends for the whole afternoon leaving the 'little man' in charge.

And while I'm having a go at you - F1 sucks.

uggmum · 28/04/2010 14:51

You must be mad posting this on here, you will get lynched.
My dh also likes the GP. However, he records it and watches it later in the evening. Therefore we can spend time as a family on Sunday afternoons.

ShinyAndNew · 28/04/2010 14:53

I need more details.

Does she work?
Do you give her a break from the children?
Is expected to do the housework at the same time as occupying the children?

Are you my DH in disguise? It's football you want to really isn't it? Be warned, I know how to break and repair our net connection and our TV. You don't

TottWriter · 28/04/2010 15:05

It really depends upon what you do for 'the wife' in return. I'm sure she works just as hard as you, and if she's a SAHM (Stay-At-Home-Mum) she doesn't even have the luxury of other adults for company while she does it. I've worked and I've looked after children, and I can tell you straight, going out to work is a real luxury at times. Of course, if it's the other way round, and she's at work while you're at home, that's no excuse to simply fob the kids off on her because you have the chance. Balance, dear man.

I'm a bit of a F1 fan myself, so I sympathise with you wanting to watch it, but there has to be compromise. If she gets a few hours to herself, you're entitled to a few hours. If not, then no matter how hard you work, sorry, but no. Watch it with the kids around. They're probably young enough to try and get them into it and therefore on your side anyway. My dad saved himself a lot of heartache by making me a F1 fan .

(Though I have to say, the tone of this post makes me suspicious of a wind-up. Sorry if you're genuine Mr. thunderpants, but you do come across as a bit too naive to be true.)

Nessarose · 28/04/2010 15:35

triptrap.

TheButterflyEffect · 28/04/2010 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

toddlerama · 28/04/2010 15:39

Get the kids into it so mummy can have a cup of tea in peace. That's what my DH had to do. Worked a treat - I feel all grateful for the peace and they are all enjoying themselves.

HandsOffMyDrum · 28/04/2010 15:41

Your wife is taking the piss

Tell her to get back to the kitchen and make you a sandwich.

StephysFamous · 28/04/2010 16:19

I'm with the others who say get the kids to watch too so she can have some time to herself.
My DH and DD watch the football together, gives me time to just sit upstairs and read whatever book.
The screams of delight from them both if a goal gets scored does wreck the silence though.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 28/04/2010 16:39

My dh used to take the boys out a lot when they were young, so I could have time on my own, so when he wanted time on his own for something, I was happy to agree. He also helps out round the house and has supported me through PND and long term depression.

So, provided that there's a balance here, with the OP being happy to give his wife some 'me time' to do things without the children, as well as expecting her to take the children away so he can enjoy the grand prix, then that is reasonable.

But that's not the impression I am getting from the OP.

So how much do you do with your children, Thunderpants? Do you take them out for the morning/afternoon/day on your own? Bath them and read to them? Play with them? Do you help out round the house?

If you do, then I'd say it is reasonable to ask your wife to look after the children whilst you watch the grand prix - though I do think you'd be far better off getting the children interested in it too - just think of all the fun you'll have watching it with them in the years to come.

Niecie · 28/04/2010 16:55

My cherubs watch with DH whilst I do other stuff. I have managed to disabuse him of the idea that it requires him to sit and listen with full concentration although he does his best to ignore the children. Of course, children being children they don't let him although now DS1 wants to talk to him about the race so it isn't so bad unless he talks over the important bits!

How old are your little cherubs? Are they at an age when you have to play with them? You know, you don't actually need to sit and watch F1 races uninterrupted, do you? Surely you can watch and play with the children at the same time? Most of it is so processional these days away so doesn't require full on attention for 2 hours.

Ooops, silly me, I forgot, you are a man and men can't do more than one thing at a time can they?! Or as I suspect, is that a conspiracy between men to make us think that so that they get to do what they want without being bothered with other tasks?

So yeah, YABU unless your wife gets to do what she wants sometimes too in which case it is a called compromise and that is good.

Original poster

Jasonthunderpants · 28/04/2010 18:31

I must say i am dissapointed by some of these comments. I thought us hard working mums should stick together
If anybody knows what is involved in running a household and looking after a 2 and 4 yr old it should be you mums
The only thing i dont do is the ironing afterall i am only a man

OP posts:

TomScavo · 28/04/2010 18:36

Jason, I iron whilst watching the GP. Lynette has me well trained.

majafa · 28/04/2010 18:38

Another deluded loon me thinks..

But then again, with Tottwriter...

coolma · 28/04/2010 18:41

I think it's perfectly reasonable I mean I am a 'wife' and I am more than happy to work full time and let my master man play cricket every £$%&(& saturday and sunday from may till september and watch football at every conceivable opportunity he gets. I mean, it's what I'm for^

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 28/04/2010 19:25

Jason - I am confused - are you one of "..us hard working mums..." or are you "...only a man..."?

I think you should take another look at what has been written, and see that people have actually given you some positive and good advice - if you choose to accept it.

Original poster

Jasonthunderpants · 28/04/2010 19:33

I happen to be a man who does a mums job so i class myself as a male mum.

OP posts:

weegiemum · 28/04/2010 19:37

My dh watches F1 on iplayer after the kids are in bed (and just avoids the news in the meantime).

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 28/04/2010 19:39

So do you look after the children whilst your dw works?

My basic point is that these things should be fair - both parties should get time to themselves.

I do think you would be best advised to get the children interested - like I say, it will be great fun for you, and will build happy memories for them.

Original poster

Jasonthunderpants · 28/04/2010 19:44

I intend to get them interested but they are still too young, 4 and 2 yrs old
I am slowley getting 4yr old into Laurel and Hardy

OP posts:

LynetteScavo · 28/04/2010 19:51

They are never to young for the GP. DS1 has watched it with DS since birth. If they don't like it now, they never will.

scurryfunge · 28/04/2010 19:53

Define the "mums job" Jason

4madboys · 28/04/2010 19:56

2 and 4 isnt too young to sit and watch the gp, my two year old does with my dp and they often watch superbikes etc together as well!

all 4 of my boys have watched it from a young age with my dp, the elder three would rather go out and play now instead! but both the younger two will happily watch superbikes, moto gp etc and they are just 2yrs and just 5yrs.

but really i do suggest you record it and watch it when they are asleep if you truly want peace and quiet, you say its NOT the same but my dp just makes dam sure he doesnt see/hear any news etc so he doesnt know the result and then watches, plus as he says its a bonus as if its a boring race (which f1 often is) then he can fast forward through the dull bits!

Maleeka · 28/04/2010 20:38

I bet if it was a woman on here saying "aibu to want him indoors to look after the kids while i watch the eastenders omnibus", there would be a lot of annoyed mumbles and talk of getting him to get up off his lazy arse!

That said, i love F1 and altho my girls are a lost cause, we are working on getting my son into it! .

I really prefer to watch it live cos there is always someone who texts me to say " OMG did you see what happened to Lewis!!!, such a shame he didnt win"!!

notcitrus · 28/04/2010 20:59

F1 is what tv recorders were made for.
Watched the last one nearly live, only somehat marred by toddler going CAR! every couple seconds...

Later in the season may make it clear to MrNC that he's taking offspring out for a certain couple hours!

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