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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

Holiday ruined, husband ill and being a bit of a prat

459 replies

Blocuian · 03/06/2025 10:16

Me and DH are abroad on what was meant to be a much needed holiday, first one in years just the two of us. It’s been totally ruined. He’s come down with what I think is food poisoning – been in and out the loo constantly, can’t eat, sweating and miserable. I get that he’s ill and it’s not his fault, but it’s how he’s being that’s getting to me.

I offered to get a doctor (hotel can arrange and we’ve got insurance) but he snapped at me that I “don’t care anyway” and told me not to bother. I’ve been sat in this hotel room for 2 days while he refuses food, won’t let me open the curtains and gets stroppy if I even mention going out for a walk or a coffee. He says if I go out it just proves I don’t care.

This sort of behaviour isn’t completely out of the blue either – lately he’s been a bit controlling in general, doesn’t like me doing much without him, makes digs, gets passive aggressive. I didn’t realise how much until being stuck in a room with him like this.

I’m honestly thinking about flying home early. I feel like I’m not helping him by sitting here while he sulks and makes me feel guilty for wanting to leave the room. But I know if I go he’ll say I abandoned him.

What would you do? Anyone else been in this sort of situation? Feel like I’m going mad.

OP posts:
Itsseweasy · 03/06/2025 12:18

MoominUnderWater · 03/06/2025 12:16

What country are you in? I remember Dd being poorly like this in Egypt and I got tablets from the local chemist, think they were some form of antibiotic….which logically I know shouldn’t work for food poisoning but apparently they were like magic for the local food poisoning. Maybe a swizz but they seemed to work well.

Could they have been Activated Charcoal? Find they’re very helpful for soaking up the virus.

BountifulPantry · 03/06/2025 12:19

Absolutely terrible behaviour on the part of your husband.

He has the shits. It won’t kill him!

If this was me I would tell my OH to get out and enjoy the holiday as much as possible. Leave me to it. Maybe ask for some dioralite or other rehydration stuff plus some paracetamol for the cramps. Maybe some sugary drinks. But it’s one of those things that you have to ride out and it will pass.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 03/06/2025 12:19

He's being so rude and controlling.
You say you are insured. Call the doctor for the man baby, whether he wants the Doctor or not... the doctor can tell the giant idiot to take his dioralyte.

This is just infantile and pathetic...
"He says if I go out it just proves I don’t care."
Is his Mum still around.. I'd offer to fly her out. or ask if he'd like you see if insurance will cover a medical evac.. (but not act on it).

Stop putting up with the nonsensical stuff he's spouting... have some (patronising) comments as you would for a 4 year old.
"You must be feeling dreadful or you wouldn't be snapping at me like that."
"I can see my presence is just disturbing you - I will let you get some rest." (and swan off. )
"Oh you poor dear, I feel so sorry for you. " Whilst watching Netflix with headphones on.

He's great in a crisis isn't he. How kind would he be to you if you were in the same situation.. (and I'd be disinfecting everything, hiding my toothbrush and getting out of that room as much as possible) because if one person has it... its very easy for the next one to pick it up.. Is that what he's aiming for by keeping you shut in the room with him?

Its almost like he's creating a situation where you are the wrong doer... "I was ill on holiday and she just didn't care." Does he do this a lot?

I hope that having a chat on this thread helps you through this situation his behaviour is so pathetic as to be comical. Hope you get a break...

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 03/06/2025 12:20

This is really really not normal OP

We went skiing once and my husband had a bad injury so he couldn't even walk much. Even though he would have loved the company he encouraged me to go out so 'at least one of us can have a good time'.

Your husband sounds like someone who wants to punish you for his own mis fortune. Sitting watching someone be ill doesn't show you care, it shows you're a martyr married to a bully

BountifulPantry · 03/06/2025 12:21

Deleted - repeated post

MounjaroMounjaro · 03/06/2025 12:22

Are you meant to stay in and watch him sleep?

SingleMama0 · 03/06/2025 12:22

Im sure he will be fine. Enjoy yourself ☀️ 🏊‍♂️ 🏖️

hes being very out of order and manipulative. Maybe time for a conversation when the poor little mite is back to normal

RedBeech · 03/06/2025 12:23

He's behaving like a child. I'd be tempted to talk to him as if he were a child. Correct him on his accusations: You keep saying I don't care. I have clearly shown I care. I have tried to organise for a doctor but you keep refusing. I have fetched you Dioralyte and cool flannels. These are the actions of someone who cares.

But it is not unreasonable for me to want some fresh air. If staying here helped make you better faster, I would. But it doesn't. You need to rest and I need fresh air. We are getting on each other's nerves here. Me leaving the room in no way indicates I don't care about you. It just means I also have reasonable needs and know that a bit of fresh air and exercise will do me good. Please rest. I am really sorry you are ill and hope you get better soon but it does not give you the excuse to behave so unreasonably.

rainbowstardrops · 03/06/2025 12:25

If that was me feeling ill then I’d feel awful knowing my partner was stuck in the room with me instead of enjoying the sunshine! As long as he’s got water, his phone and maybe some dry biscuits, I’d bugger off and leave him!
Oh and he had a ONS? You’re a better person than me putting up with his shit!

BuckChuckets · 03/06/2025 12:25

MounjaroMounjaro · 03/06/2025 12:15

He had lost respect for you when he had that ONS - it's even worse now.

I know you're in a really difficult situation with having small children but unless he has a personality transplant your marriage is in real trouble.

This was my first thought when I read he'd cheated - I know couples where one has cheated and been forgiven, and they take that as carte blanch to treat the forgiving partner like an absolute doormat. He's demonstrating how little respect he has for you, @Blocuian

hoopieghirl · 03/06/2025 12:26

His behaviour is appalling. I get he is probably feeling awful but he is an adult FFS. Tell him to man up. Put on your big girl pants and go out for a coffee or a walk. I would be having a serious convo with him when we get home. Your an adult and he is treating you like a child.

zenae · 03/06/2025 12:26

You know you must go out and leave him to wallow. What an absolute wuss he is.

We were away over Christmas last year for three weeks. He got a bad chest infection that floored him. Doc said bed rest and sit on the balcony if he felt like it. I was encouraged to go off and do the things we had planned. That wasn't easy being solo, but I got used to it and had plenty to tell him when I got back. He was so miserable he didn't care about anything other than sticking to his bed!

Blueberrycake12 · 03/06/2025 12:27

A normal human would have told you to go and enjoy yourself, and to not waste a moment more of your holiday. Your husband sounds awful - sorry!

MrsSlocombesCat · 03/06/2025 12:28

Cheffymcchef · 03/06/2025 11:01

imodium is a bad idea for FP, you have to let it work its way through.

That's not true.

BountifulPantry · 03/06/2025 12:29

I would grey rock his behaviour for now (ie be less responsive).

“that’s a shame”
“sounds horrible” Etc.

Don’t interpret his whinging as some action that you need to take.

If he says to you “going out shows you don’t care” or other guilt trip stuff I would just respond. “Sorry you feel that way” then just go out.

Whats he going to do? Shitty McGee ain’t leaving that loo.

Lentilweaver · 03/06/2025 12:30

BountifulPantry · 03/06/2025 12:29

I would grey rock his behaviour for now (ie be less responsive).

“that’s a shame”
“sounds horrible” Etc.

Don’t interpret his whinging as some action that you need to take.

If he says to you “going out shows you don’t care” or other guilt trip stuff I would just respond. “Sorry you feel that way” then just go out.

Whats he going to do? Shitty McGee ain’t leaving that loo.

Good advice. Go out anyway, now and when you are back.
You are a grown woman. Nobody gets to tell you where you go.

TheDandyLion · 03/06/2025 12:31

Whoops - wrong threadd sorry. always wondered how people manage to do that

Y2ker · 03/06/2025 12:32

I can't see anything good about this man. He is controlling and you should have ditched him long ago. OP, do you want the rest of your life to be like this?

Heronwatcher · 03/06/2025 12:33

Good god, I’d probably have booked a separate room the minute he was ill! Of course I’d check in every couple of hours and help out (drinks, change bed etc) but no way would I be sitting bedside. If he’s so ill he needs constant care he needs to see a medic.

Plus if it’s norovirus or something you could get it. As the person who has been ill all I wanted was to be left alone.

You really need to nip this in the bud before it gets worse.

willitevergetwarm · 03/06/2025 12:34

I was ill on holiday last year and no way would I have demanded my DH stay in the room with me, I wanted peace and quiet. I sent him out with a list of things to bring back for me. He popped back at somepoint for a shower before dinner and I didn't see him again till 11pm.

Go out and enjoy the sun and don't let him bring you down with him. Like others have said, check in every hour or so. Easier said than done I know, but try to take back control of your life

Good Luck and enjoy the rest of your holiday

stampin · 03/06/2025 12:34

Book a day trip. x

AhBiscuits · 03/06/2025 12:35

You're a saint OP.
I'd have been out of that room so fast.

thepariscrimefiles · 03/06/2025 12:35

Blocuian · 03/06/2025 12:02

God yeah I think you’re all right. The guilt tripping is working cos I’m sat here feeling awful even though I know it’s ridiculous. He has got water and I’ve tried to get him to drink more but he told me to leave him alone and went on this whole rant about how he’s exhausted and in pain and hasn’t slept and I just “don’t get it”.

We’ve been together over 20 years, got 4 kids – youngest is only 3 – and haven’t gone away just us two since before he was born. DH was actually the one that persuaded me to book this holiday, I wasn’t sure about leaving the kids and he really pushed for it.

Our relationship used to be great. Honestly, years ago this kind of behaviour would’ve been totally out of character for him. But when our youngest was a baby, he had a ONS. Took a lot to get over and when I finally took him back it felt like things were good again. But just lately he’s started getting more controlling. Little things like comments if I make plans without him, or getting moody if I go out with mates. I think I didn’t want to admit it to myself until now.

He’s not normally this bad when he’s ill either but this is next level. I think I’m gonna get out the room for a bit, he’s asleep now anyway. I’ll leave him a note, check in by text. Just need to clear my head tbh.

So he has been punishing you for his affair? He is judging you by his standards which is why he is now controlling and moody if you go out with friends.

He sounds absolutely horrible and I would have no sympathy for him. He is obviously worried that you will go out and have a good time without him. He isn't a good or kind husband. I would re-think your marriage if I were you.

BeethovenNinth · 03/06/2025 12:36

You don’t ruin your holiday because someone else has a tummy bug. Get out and enjoy yourself!

Blueberrycake12 · 03/06/2025 12:36

The worst part is that he has guilt tripped her so that if she does now go out, she wont enjoy herself. 😡

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