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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

furious with in-laws after fall out with husband

113 replies

hollyberry41 · 25/09/2012 19:04

Hi everyone

This is my first ever post after much deliberating I decided to try and get advice on whether or not I am over reacting. I'll make it as short as I can but will be so grateful to anyone who can get to the end and give their view!

There has been a history of the in-laws over stepping the mark so this isn't totally isolated. I've been married to years and we have a 14 month old girl. I recently had suspicions that husband may have an alcohol problem especially during stressful times. This is a stressful time as we have a house move coming up.

The alcohol problem with husband is not actually the main issue here though it may be for another time - he has agreed today to get help before it turns into something more serious.

On Saturday lunch time I got annoyed that he had tried to hide the fact he had just stopped at the pub on the way home from getting his hair cut as we talked about this the week before. He got sully and defensive so I went out for a bit. Instead of trying to help things when I got back he had clearly drunk a lot more. At tea time I asked him to leave for the first time ever because he was being obnoxious, and I would have ended up shouting at him. Not what I wanted to happen with baby around.

He eventually ended up at his parents - or I should say, in a coma on the porch at half ten when his father found him. Fil said they would bring him back in the morning. I then mentioned to fil what had happened and that I was concerned he had a drink problem and would possibly need help for it. Fil just said that it wouldn't surprise him....

Well I got a phone call the following morning at half nine and from speaking to hubby could tell straight away he was still going to be argumentative and clearly the alcohol had not left his system he had had so much. It happened once before so I knew from talking to him. In-laws are quite pretentious sorts of people. They made it quite clear on the phone they wanted to bring him home straight away. I explained I had spoken to hubby and he was not yet in fit state to have the serious talk we needed to have and again I didn't want arguing going on around the baby. They suggested lunch time so I said I would phone at eleven to see how he was then.

Did so and spoke to hubby, decided better to wait til a bit later. I told him I didn't want him coming home just now as we were not ready to talk and I got the impression he would be cross. Obviously he didn't have to stay at his parents house it wasn't really up to me where he went my position was I was unhappy to have him home at that time.

Next thing fil phones to tell me I need to sort things out with hubby and that it is his home too. I explained again how I felt and he completely ignored me saying they were bringing him back and I could take it from there. They were clearly just annoyed because they had better things to do. I did say that hubby knows I don't want him home yet and that if they had stuff to do couldn't they just go out etc... Or hubby could go elsewhere if it was a problem. Fil stuck to guns said they were bringing him back. I felt so cross so had no other option but to go out for a few hours just as I was about to give baby lunch and was stressed out enough.

It turned out that hubby had told his parents he wasn't going home yet and that I'd asked him not to. Fil phoned me and despite my protests, got off the phone and said 'let's get you home' to my husband who then had the impression that his dad had talked me into having him home when I hadn't.

I just feel so cross that it was not father in-laws decision to make! Am I just nuts or is this not right? I can elaborate if needed but just feel totally furious like I wasn't allowed to judge what was best for myself and baby bod I am a 32 year old woman.

They have a habit of treating hubby like a child but I am not used to this my own parents would never interfere like that...

Sorry this is so long believe it or not it is heavily edited! X

OP posts:
diddl · 27/09/2012 09:35

TBF, OP didn´t initially mention him falling off the sofa with their daughter.

It came across (to me at least) as if she just couldn´t be bothered with having him in the house-any more than his parents could.

Because he wasn´t in a state to talk he couldn´t come home.

hollyberry41 · 27/09/2012 09:36

It does help and thank you so much. I'm feeling less drained about it all after a decent nights sleep too x

OP posts:
Jux · 27/09/2012 09:54

Maybe ILs thought if they just dropped him somewhere he'd go to the pub...

hollyberry41 · 27/09/2012 10:06

It could have been that jux - I am getting the impression this alcohol problem isn't the news to them that I thought it would be, so they could know something I don't - or a lot of things! Maybe they are embarrassed by it. I dont feel I want to force them to talk about it so will just wait to see if they do volunteer anything themselves. The official reason given was just that dad thought it best for us to talk straight away.

A friend told me that in order to help husband I need to set aside any pride I have associated with people finding out and the best thing for husband is if he can do the same. He thinks keeping it hushed up just enables it. Not easy but it seems sensible though.

OP posts:
Jux · 27/09/2012 10:22

Agree if that's FIL's reasoning, it's none of his business.

Yes, it probably is enabling if it's kept secret. The need for secrecy is another motive behind your IL's behaviour.

Good luck. Alcoholism is a hard one to fight.

2rebecca · 27/09/2012 10:54

So anyone who thinks that throwing someone out of their house just because they are drunk is either alcoholic or living with an alcoholic?
In other words "people who disagree with me shouldn't be taken seriously"
What a load of twaddle. I've never seen my husband really drunk and would never live with an alcoholic.
We don't have enough information to know if this man is an alcoholic or not. He apparently drinks when stressed but we don't know if that's every other day or every 6 months.
I still maintain that being drunk in itself isn't a reason to throw someone out of their house. I got drunk occasionally when younger (can't be bothered with the hangover now) . I was never at any risk of harming my kids when drunk though or harming anyone else. I was just sleepy and vomity.
The OP and her husband need to sort out between them how much alcohol they find acceptableif the relationship is to survive. If he is really an alcoholic the answer is none because alcoholics can't drink in moderation.
This still has nothing to do with any other relatives though. They are grown-ups and returning adult children to their parents is silly.

Offred · 27/09/2012 11:07

No Rebecca we don't have enough info and we don't have to because it is irrelevant to the problem which we have been asked about and the op has stated repeatedly she doesn't want to discuss that part of things. She knows what's been happening in her own house and has made a decision about it.

hollyberry41 · 27/09/2012 11:42

Well we are going to the doctor together and from what I've read about alcoholism and problem drinking and the steps that need to be taken to fix it - I'll be extremely happy if they say I'm over reacting and tell me I'm being a loon. I'd love to go back to dirty clothes not being put in the washing basket being my only issue. I might even pick them up and wash them without scowling at the pile first :)

Unfortunately latest revelation is that he once sought help for it before he even met me, so i'm not hopeful and if my suspicions are proved right I won't be taking much pleasure in it.

OP posts:
hollyberry41 · 27/09/2012 12:04

Ps that's not to say some of the advice I've seen on here about alcoholism hasn't been good I just think its something to take to the experts.

If they had specialised clinic for in-law irritations I'd have gone there - but I imagine it would be a hell of a queue to be stuck in ;)

OP posts:
quietlysuggests · 27/09/2012 12:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

diddl · 27/09/2012 12:56

I hope that you both get the help & support that you need.

hollyberry41 · 27/09/2012 13:57

Thanks both and no need to apologise for saying what you said quietlysuggests as there are so many possibilities as to what might happen from here on in - I'll be on the alert but also try to have a break from worrying x

OP posts:
Spero · 27/09/2012 15:20

I am being 'rude' because the op herself said 'falling off the sofa while holding a baby is dangerous'

I agree. So if this is what her husband has done or she fears he might do, he should not be back in the house at all.

What I don't 'get' is why the op glides over this to worry about her FIL.

I think you urgently need to talk to people who know you about this.

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