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Relationships

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

Yes or no to last minute free time?

33 replies

Wobbleroo · 07/08/2021 08:56

DH isn't very organised with his time and will mention wanting to do something with friends or do a hobby right at the last minute.
I find myself saying that it's not good timing a lot and he doesn't go and will get resentful. I then feel really guilty because I want him to go and do things, but it will be when we've made plans already or I'm doing something myself. He thinks I just don't want him to do anything which isn't the case at all, I enjoy having a bit of space tbh!
Tomorrow, I'm going away for the day and then overnight with a friend, which has been planned for a month. Then yesterday, he asked me if I minded him going to an event for the day today, a few hours drive away, which would mean him not returning home until the early hours. Planned in, this would be fine, but he's supposed to be leaving at 8am tomorrow morning to take the DCs out with his parents for the day to a theme park which his parents have organised. He has to drive 1.5 hours each way and he will have only had a few hours sleep.
I've said I don't know if it's a great idea when he'll be tiring himself out and then driving on the motorway with DCs but I also feel really hypocritical if I say no hwen Im going away with my. friend.
There are loose plans for today, but they can easily be changed to accommodate him, I'm just not sure he's thinking through the timing very well considering he has a full on day with DCs tomorrow.
He could probably have mentioned this earlier, like every other time he does this and maybe have had a quieter day with the DCs instead. He just doesn't manage his time very well at all.
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 08/08/2021 06:36

He’s an adult so he shouldn’t have to ask you how to manage his time or if it’s ok he does something

This has no impact on you or your plans so why comment on it? I would just tell my husband to have a good time

Do you have a joint calendar?

MotherOfCrocodiles · 08/08/2021 06:48

Driving tired is as dangerous as driving drunk. I don't see how op can just butt out if he's putting her kids at risk. Especially if he has no self awareness about tiredness.

GreatAuntEmily · 08/08/2021 06:49

Why not buy one of those old fashioned calendars and put it on the wall and say things must be added to it.

Wobbleroo · 08/08/2021 07:15

We have a calender. He just doesn't use it.
But, I also think that it's respectful to check in with each other when we want to do something, I'll always check in with him too as solo parenting 2 young children creates 2x more work than parenting together.

He did go to the event and got home much later than he had anticipated so I am a bit nervous about him driving with DCs today. I've voiced it though and his mum is going to travel in his car with them to see to DCs and hopefully, will keep him alert.

OP posts:
HarrysChild · 08/08/2021 07:46

If my DH said to me “don’t you think you’ll be too tired after going out the day before, terrible timing”, I would feel he was being a bit parental and suffocating tbh. He’s an adult, he gets to decide how much sleep he needs, you’re not his Mum! I’m sure it’s well intentioned OP but it does sound controlling. One of the reasons my DB cited for splitting with his wife was she was always on at home about this kind of thing and reminding him to take his multivits like a child.

Wobbleroo · 08/08/2021 07:53

I don't think you can really compare being forced to take multivitamins to looking out for the welfare of my children.

There is more to this and some suspicions around his executive functioning, which I didn't really want to go into on this thread. But I guess no story is ever black and white.

OP posts:
HarrysChild · 08/08/2021 07:55

It was more the acting in a parental type role, that was just an example. But of course only you know the backstory about your DH and what works for your family.

tookindforowngood · 08/08/2021 08:37

In my friendship group most are now married and have very little free time due to family engagements days out etc.
Hence when a possible lads catchup night comes up due to their DW not having plans its at extrememely short notice, sometimes that day or the day before at most. I think even pre COVID this was 1-2 times a year sadlySad.
So I can see your DH issue here, if people have planned and planned weekends, times etc in so far in advance sometimes its not possible to do anything but have a knee jerk or firefighting reaction to being able to attend something.
Im also a planner too OP ( When I get chance) so I get where your coming from Smile

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