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No furlough and no holidays allowed!

154 replies

Fuchsake · 17/04/2020 09:29

I’m parenting small DC on my own - DH is still working 8-6 and all childcare is closed. DH’s employer has furloughed most staff but won’t furlough him because he’s covering for everyone. I’ve asked him to book holiday leave because I can’t cope with this relentless childcare much longer.

DH’s employer has said no, the whole point of not furloughing him is because they need him, so he can’t take holiday. So his colleagues are sitting at home watching Netflix while DH (who actually needs to be off work) has to continue working.

Now they’re scheduling projects for May/June when they expect everyone to return to work. So everyone will return refreshed from furlough and holidays won’t be allowed because it’ll be full steam ahead. But DH hasn’t had a break and will be expected to plunge into these projects with everyone else. DH has just said never mind, he can cope without a holiday till later in the year - but his holidays aren’t just for him! His holidays are for me to have a break from DC while he does the parenting!

AIBU to think that if he isn’t being furloughed then he needs to be allowed to take holidays when everyone else comes back? It’s not fair to say “you’ve all been furloughed so you don’t need holidays for a few months” when DH hasn’t been furloughed!

OP posts:
OneandTwenty · 17/04/2020 12:45

So his colleagues are sitting at home watching Netflix

Harsh. I know many people who would gladly swap with your husband.

indeed, having your usual bills to pay but a pay cut and being on the front seat for redundancies.. Great position to be in Hmm

SinkGirl · 17/04/2020 12:47

Thanks Cotton - DH has been off work this week and over Easter so it’s been much easier. Fingers crossed for Monday onwards though!

Chillyegg · 17/04/2020 12:51

I’m a single mum. YABU

Ginfordinner · 17/04/2020 13:02

Oh DH’s attitude has always been “there’s nothing wrong with you”. I’m diagnosed with autism but like many women I’m functional and mask it well. I have no friends because I can’t function socially but DH says that’s not autism, it’s just that nobody likes me. He doesn’t believe DC is autistic either, the official diagnosis is still ongoing

That makes me so sad for you.

A lot of responses on here are making me so angry. Please can I suggest that you read the OP’s updates before you pile in Hmm

@Fuchsake I’m sorry that people are being so unsupportive. I can’t offer any advice, but I feel for you Flowers

PapsofJura · 17/04/2020 13:02

In the nicest possible way, for now you are just going to have to suck it up and go onto the special needs boards on here for support.

You may think that those who have been furloughed are having an easy time right now but sadly for some they will not have job to return to whereas given how vital your dh appears, this will be in his favour when the cuts come.

WorraLiberty · 17/04/2020 13:05

He doesn’t believe DC is autistic either, the official diagnosis is still ongoing.

What were the tablets prescribed for?

KitchenConfidential · 17/04/2020 13:10

but DH says that’s not autism, it’s just that nobody likes me. He doesn’t believe DC is autistic either, the official diagnosis is still ongoing.

Others have said it far more eloquently than I, but you don't have a child problem, you don't have a furlough problem, you have a massive "my DH is an emotionally abusive arsehole" problem. That is what all this boils down to. Stop looking for other reasons to blame this on or feeling angry at people you don't even know (and have no idea what they're going through). You are married to a bastard and need to get out. You don't have to live like this.

Megan2018 · 17/04/2020 13:11

Most people don’t get a break when they are parents. You aren’t that hard done by and it’s not your employers problem.
You do need to give your head a wobble, it’s not forever.

PepePig · 17/04/2020 13:13

I'm split on this.

I completely understand how difficult it is being what is essentially a lone parent to a SEN child (I was the sibling to my severely autistic brother and my mum looked after us both on her own while my dad worked 18 hour long days as he was self employed). I've seen it my entire life, how difficult days can be. How lonely they are. How you never get a minute to yourself, constantly needing to supervise, etc. The thing that helped my mum the most was when she finally got through to my dad that work needed to take a cut and he needed to be at home more. She is currently at home with him every single day because he cannot go to the adult day centre he usually attended from 9-2pm. It's bloody hard work.

Your husband working 8-6 shouldn't be a problem. However, he does need to be fully on board after 6pm. This isn't an employers problem in the slighest- his hours are incredibly regular and he'd be working them regardless of CV19. Stop re-directing your anger onto the wrong people.

However, as tough as it is, you do need to try and help yourself, here. This could go on for months. You can't be struggling this much every single day because you will have a breakdown. You need to try and find a way to make the day manageable. A routine which means you aren't just counting down the seconds until you get a break.

Unfortunately, having a SN child is something that often becomes harder as the years go on. Especially with autism. They get stronger, the tantrums get worse and things go from 'easy' where you're able to cope with a 2 year old, to incredibly tough when it's a 14 year old lashing out at you instead. As I said, I completely understand how tough it is, but it isn't going to get easier. You need to try and seek out support that helps you learn how to cope better, rather than always relying on other people to take the pressure off.

I say this because, and I don't want to sound horrible, but from your posts, your husband doesn't sound particularly happy in the relationship. The things he's said to you are vile. I'd be wary that he might not stick around because someone who is truly in it for the long haul just wouldn't say things of that nature to their wife. You might find yourself in a situation where you don't have him to rely on.

Your husband is the main issue here, but from the little you have said about him, I'm not sure I'd bank on him stepping up. So, I do think, ultimately, your priority needs to be seeking support for yourself on how to make it easier for you to be a lone parent. You can't force him to change, but you can make changes to help yourself.

Poetryinaction · 17/04/2020 13:21

I don't think it's unreasonable of his employer. Put yourself in their position. They probably think as you have 1dc between you, and you are not working, it is better to have employment.

DBML · 17/04/2020 13:24

Hi op!

I remember when my son was 2.5 years old and he’s not SEN. It was still bloody hard work. DH was working, I was working and we shared parenting duties...but it was hard.

There was a day when both DH and I were off work and we decided to drop DS to nursery anyway. So we could get a day to ourselves.

We found parenting so hard, that we swiftly decided not to have any more children (best decision we ever made, regardless of how much we love DS).

Life was hard until DS went to school. It starter to then get a little easier. High a School got slightly easier still...and now we are in year 10 it’s suddenly become hard again 😂

I look at families with 4 or 5 kids...actually I look at families with 2 and 3 kids and think ‘how did you do it?’.

It’s such hard work and even more so when your child has additional needs. I don’t think there is much you can do regarding your husband’s work, but know that this is temporary. It’s a blip.

Try out activities with your son that are calming and enjoyable for both of you, perhaps digging in the garden and order and plant some flowers together. Perhaps baking, let him stir and chat to him about the cakes. Clean with him, he can polish the side of the bath whilst you clean the inside. We all know he won’t really be helpful, but his little brain will be occupied and you might also tire him out a bit more.

Good luck op. It’s just for a short time.

dottiedodah · 17/04/2020 13:48

My young Cousin has 2 DD both under 5.DH is working from home as a Tax Accountant.He is locked away in the Dining Room while she has to amuse a 2 and 3 year old! Peppa Pig comes in handy ,and as they live in the Countryside can go for walks and so on.Not ideal but she has to crack on with it as many others in the same boat do too! YABU I think.Can you grab a coffee and a 1/2 hour on Mumsnet while they watch TV? Afternoons maybe a little bath with lots of toys.bubbles and so on .Its not for ever so as they say "This too shall pass"!

Barbie222 · 17/04/2020 13:54

I think unless you are working too, YAB a bit U. You will need to learn how to take your breaks around your kids not away from them. If you are in the position where only one of you is working and your partner's in an industry where they are able to keep him on you need to be bending over to support that, and for now, this is how you can. Maybe not what you want to hear but it might be that in the future being a SAHP isn't your bag.

bluebeck · 17/04/2020 13:54

He whinges about finishing work and immediately taking DC, “going straight from one job to another”

you have a DH problem.

dairyfairies · 17/04/2020 14:06

He doesn’t believe DC is autistic either, the official diagnosis is still ongoing.

so he doesn't actually have a diagnosis and may not be autistic!

I think you need DH to help out when he is back from work - it is totally normal to work and to look after your child too
Hmm

And seeing that you don't work and don't have to homeschool either, it sounds fairly doable.

It's not a race to the bottom but I am a lone parent, I have to homeschool 2 children, one of my children has autism and severe learning difficulties (officially diagnosed) and I have to work from home 5 days a week.

Your main issue seems to be that your husband has to work for the money he earns whilst others are getting paid through furlough without working. You sound jealous.

PersonaNonGarter · 17/04/2020 14:12

OP, I am with you. You NEED a break.

Your DH has not been frank with his employer, I suspect. I also suspect that this is not because the employer is unreasonable but it is because your DH prefers to work than to look after his child.

Easilyanxious · 17/04/2020 14:23

It's hard with furlough when some are put on it and others work, my dh has to work all day but most of his colleagues have been put on furlough with full pay but just the way it is and I hope it means his position is safer than there's when it's all over .
Could you dh maybe ask if they would let him take maybe take half a day once a week if he explains the situation ? Then he would still be working 4.5 days

betty2020 · 17/04/2020 14:32

People are forgetting the OP is autistic. We don't all think like you do. Some become overwhelmed with any added stress or change in routine. It's not as easy as saying hey on with it or suck it up!!

ShouldWeChangeTheBulb · 17/04/2020 14:33

That was a massive drip feed. YANBU but I think you have bigger issues with your DH than child care. Why is he telling you that people don’t like you? Why is he unsupportive of your DS’s SEN?

SinkGirl · 17/04/2020 14:49

He’s 2.5 FFS. A finalised ASD diagnosis by that age is rare (mine were early at 27 and 30 months). It’s irrelevant whether he’s been diagnosed or not, his needs are the same - and despite having two autistic children I’m not telling OP to suck it up. Those with experience should frankly know better.

Hoggleludo · 17/04/2020 15:08

Same here. Except two kids. Hard working husband.

I'm also incredibly poorly myself

But what can we do? Not much. I'm close to being hospitalised. I'm sure of that.

But again. What can we do?

Hoggleludo · 17/04/2020 15:15

Having read the response from your dh about no one liking you

You need to get rid. I'm sorry. But who on earth says that to someone they love. Sounds like gaslighting you me.

I'm so sorry.

BacklashStarts · 17/04/2020 15:17

Have you contacted your local authority? Is the assessment you refer to via them? They are still helping people in need and you sound like you need something. Maybe try ringing your SEN team.

Flowers it sounds shit. They’re furloughed the wrong people. Sad

dairyfairies · 17/04/2020 15:39

Have you contacted your local authority? Is the assessment you refer to via them? They are still helping people in need and you sound like you need something. Maybe try ringing your SEN team.

sorry, but there is no help. I am on my needs to with home schooling (incl one with severe SN), WFH and having no DP. There is nothing in terms of support.

BacklashStarts · 17/04/2020 16:21

LAs are risk assessing send kids they’re aware of and if the OPs child was seen an vulnerable she’d potentially be able to send them to childcare.