Husband wants to go on holiday on his own Post Reply

[Annabel (admin)]

Noted MM!

[mgb]

I am inspired by the lovely comments in this thread. My husband was on gardening leave a while ago. I work as well so our child was in nursery. He didn't once take our daughter out of nursery to spend time with her despite being home every day for nearly five months. We're now sadly separated (for many reasons), but this thread proves I wasn't crazy thinking his behaviour was out of line. And makes me happy to know there are a lot of lovely family-oriented men out there.

[Seriously?]

Wow - I can't believe the replies saying it is a good idea and to let him go. In this day and age?

I can't for the life of me understand how any father could entertain spending so much time away from his children. That is the real problem here. I can understand wanting some time to yourself in an adult relationship when only consenting adults are affected, but from your own children?

I did a lot of travelling before children, and there sometimes was the odd older guy around on a semi mid-life crisis. Generally they looked lonely and completely out of place. Probably successful in their careers, but put them on a challenging 4 day trek to Machu Picchu and they just became desperate losers trying to fit in with 20 something year olds who they secretly despised.

I also bumped into intrepid families who had school aged children doing amazing things that would change their lives.

How could any right minded father not want to include his children?

[NoodleFan]

Can I give "seriously?" a thumbs up please.
I've been reading all these excellent comments (and agreeing with all the ones who think his proposition is outrageous) and it hadn't occurred to me about the sad loser angle. You're right, he will look like a total tw*t backpacking with a shaggy beard on his own with a load of people young enough to be his kids.

Best of luck and do let us know what happens please!

[firsttimerSW11]

Yu really need to show him this thread. When I first read your question, I started writing a response but daily life got in the way and I didn't post it. In a nutshell I wrote that I disagreed with the majority and in his situation I'd want to do the same thing. However having come back to your post and read all 75 responses I realise how selfish his request sounds and why he (and previously me in the same situation) sounds like a nob but maybe didn't think it through properly?! NOW I think if I were in the situation, I'd involve my whole family, how could anyone leave their children for 4 months! Maybe a few weeks here and there for golf, lads weekends etc but other than that, wouldn't he miss them too much?

[RedKelvis]

Hi,
I have never posted before but I feel spurred on by your message to write this. If I was you, I'd try to find out whether he wants a break from work and the stress of London or a break from you and the family. I would give him two options depending on what he needs. Either you and the kids go with him for the experience and all get a break away from London stress or else ask him to go on a shorter trip on his own to recharge from the pressures of family - but ensure you get a reciprocal break as well. If neither of these options appeal to him, then he's just being selfish.
Good luck!

[flashpoint]

Simply amazing. If I proposed this to my wife she would go ballistic and rightly so. You should point out to your husband that he has six months gardening leave from his career. He does not have six months leave from being a father.

[K169]

Have you tried asking him to take the children with him whilst backpacking so you can have 4 months off as a mum? See how he'd feel?

Having backpack around the world in my gap year, I think 3-4 weeks would be sufficient to backpack a large country. Why not join him on part of his trip with the rest of the family? It could be really fun.

[BeeCee]

Annabel &OP- I just got a text from a friend saying that this post has been discussed or is going to be discussed on The Wright Stuff this morning.....

[Annabel (admin)]

Wow.

That's pretty amazing...


I wonder if W&S was expecting this much attention, might PM her to make sure she's OK!

[BeeCee]

Yes that's a good idea to PM her & I do hope that she is OK!

I was just chatting to my friend about this thread this morning and was surprised to get her text to say that this topic was being discussed on the Wright Stuff (apparently right now!)

[Annabel (admin)]

Hi
Is it on TV?

I can't seem to see it!

[Annabel (admin)]

Just got your joke MM

[BeeCee]

Annabel I think the programme has just finished but you should be able to see it again on channel 5+1 in just under an hour.

[Annabel (admin)]

Thanks for letting me know!