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Like spending time with AC on my own without 2nd DH

(43 Posts)
HettyMaud Thu 26-Sept-19 20:52:20

DS (aged 41) has come home for a few days. DH (my 2nd) doesn't seem to understand I'd like to spend time with him on my own. So the 3 of us are sitting here - DH and DS both on phones and now I'm typing this. Fairly happy with DH generally but feel he doesn't understand how I want to spend time with my children ON MY OWN. He's always around and I feel it spoils my relationships with my AC. Really difficult. Sometimes feel I'd like to write a note and just disappear, particularly as have elderly Mother also living with us. Just feeling grumpy and sometimes feel I'd like to live on my own but, in my 70s, a bit late to change things now I guess. Feel I've made my bed and must lie on it. Anybody else on 2nd marriages feel it's not the same when with their AC when husbands are around?

Barmeyoldbat Fri 27-Sept-19 15:11:47

Mr B is husband number 2 and not the father of my children, but saying that he gets on really well with them and they regard him as dad.

Saying that I do like to see my son on his own, away from his family and mine. We meet every 3 weeks or so in town for a coffee and chat. In fact I had a hospital visit today and he met me after my tests. We can talk about our shared interests and highs and lows. So my advice would be go out somewhere with him on your own.

Nanny41 Fri 27-Sept-19 16:21:38

It can be awkward, I understand completely.My second Husband isnt too keen on my children so we dont often have them to dinner,but when my Husband is away I try to invite my Son and grandchildren for a home made meal,everyone is happy.My Daughter recently celebrated her 50th and we gave her a nice meal together with the rest of the family, here at home. I am treating her to a special Afternoon Tea at a stately home tomorrow, as my special present to her and to spend time alone with her, but my Husband said "we gave her her present, the meal here" he just doesnt understand.He is off to Spain tomorrow with a friend so he wont be too bothered about my present to my Daughter.

april30 Fri 27-Sept-19 16:28:24

please can someone tell me all the abbreviations
DIL daughter in law so many are used and i cant get tjem lol tia

GabriellaG54 Fri 27-Sept-19 16:30:58

I had a very happy 41 year marriage but then decided that I wanted to live on my own, for no other reason that my children had their own luves and I wanted to spend time doing my own thing.
3 years later, I met a man online and we met many months later.
We've been a couple for 6 years but live in our own homes, about 12 miles apart.
He has young teenage children with whom I get on well and I've met his ex wife who is a very nice woman.
My own children live over 100 miles away so neither I nor he and I see them frequently and I only see his children when invited on a trip or for dinner etc because, as teens, they have their own social circle and don't always want to spend weekends with mum or dad...and that will continue as it has with my own AC who now have their own children and GC.
Stuff happens.
I can understand your DH feeing left out but it's normal and it's best fir you to make plans for a day or half day out with your son to catch up on news which doesn't involve you DH.

Does he have a hobby or friends he could see when you go out?
Does your mother need someone with her at all times?
These are things to plan for, as your mum might need more care in future and DH might become increasingly frustrated about your time with your son.
Is your son married?
Does he have his own home?
Why not visit him there?

Lots to think about.
I wish you luck and hope you can figure out a way to please everyone, including yourself. flowers

GabriellaG54 Fri 27-Sept-19 16:34:33

luves fir you lives for your

whiterabbit01 Fri 27-Sept-19 16:47:16

Talking is always the best way to go. You should tell your husband how you feel. If he loves you he will understand. To keep it inside will only fester and eventually cause bad feelings.

As some one else mentions, it wouldn't be fair to expect your hubby to leave the house while you spend time with your son, so the best alternative would be to go out for a meal or a coffee, arrange to go see a movie together (then a coffee where you can then chat), or some other outdoors activity (if you are up to it).

I'm very lucky as my second wife has no problems with the children from my first marriage. Both are in their late 30's and early 40's now, The youngest visits with no warning and my wife has never complained and usually finds other things to do, but also holds pleasant conversations with my son if she's not busy.

We are also lucky in that we have an extensive bungalow with loads of room (spread over 12 rooms), so we always have some where to go in the house or in the the large garden areas (weather permitting) to front and rear of the bungalow if we want time alone.

Again, I think you should speak to him about your feelings,
Regards
Stephen

BazingaGranny Fri 27-Sept-19 16:54:22

I wonder if it’s to do with individuals rather than first husband/father or second husband/stepfather roles. My father almost never came out with my mother and me, or my mother and my brother, if mum and I and/or brother went out for coffee, shopping or a meal. And to be very frank, it’s what we all preferred. Dad was much happier with his garden, hobbies, football, etc, and we liked being with each other. We all got together for meals, birthdays, etc, but not so much on a week to week basis.

My second husband doesn’t see his adult children nearly as much as I see them! I see them all every week, and he may see them once a month.

This thread has prompted me to check with my husband that he’s happy with our arrangement, and he’s given a resounding yes.

Hope all goes well with your family, different things suit different families ?✅

grannyJillyT Fri 27-Sept-19 17:32:23

I think you should cherish the moments you have with them. I was in the same situation but now both Mother and 2nd husband dead. Oh how I wish I didn’t have regrets!

Beejo Fri 27-Sept-19 17:38:47

Oh HettyMaud, I feel your pain!
It could have been me writing your post. Second marriages are so hard.
I could witter on for pages about the difficulties I've had, but just wanted to let you know that I completely understand flowers

Dee1012 Fri 27-Sept-19 19:12:08

Purplepoppies, I absolutely appreciate your feelings. I was very, very fond of my stepmother but I'd have loved to have had some time alone with my Dad.
For some reason she'd always arrange to be present, even when we did something she disliked.
On the rare occasion we did have some time alone, he explained 'it upset her' but didn't go any further.

GrauntyHelen Sat 28-Sept-19 02:03:40

Here is another point of view Im a stepmother to DHs adult children if they visit my home then I wont be going out so they can spend alone time with their Father occasionally he visits them alone at their homes though Problem solved -in fact there wasn't a problem

Caro57 Sat 28-Sept-19 13:17:45

Do empathise- my DH is complete opposite! To the point where when my family visit they are ignored, I’ve learned just to let him do his thing but it does mean if I am to look after GC (3 & 1) I go to their house because he is no help whatsoever and still expects to be fed and watered as usual!

HettyMaud Sat 28-Sept-19 13:29:00

Thank you, Beejo. It's not that I'm unhappy with DH. In fact we have great times together. But my children are mine and I want time with them on our own and when I do get it we have lovely times. They probably feel the same.

HettyMaud Sat 28-Sept-19 13:37:02

Thank you for great replies, everyone. I think that generally I'm more of a one-to-one person in any case. I don't like large groups so this is partly why I enjoy spending time alone with one person and I don't get to see my DS all that often so, when I do, I want him to myself. I appreciate all advice and thoughts on the subject.

GrannyGeorgie Sun 29-Sept-19 01:24:11

Betty it is never too late. Let’s face it you may have 20-30 more years to feel like you do now. There are 3 steps to sorting this out: preparation, communication and executing the action plan. I have use this method to get my view and feelings across to my husband and it worked. Do you know what’s important in your husbands life? Use this to form a compromise with him. Communicate your need correctly. Make sure he is not distracted, don’t blame him, take responsibility by using I sentences. Know exactly what the goal of your conversation is. Pick your time and place to communicate and compromise. Now go for it. Good luck.

Classic Sun 29-Sept-19 09:11:11

First time my son came to stay after I remarried, DH sat out in summerhouse on his own, we felt awkward, I thought DH was snubbing AS, he thought he was being considerate. Nowadays, I take AS out for lunch when husband at work, or now and again Son and I go for an Indian which DH doesn't like eating so much, So he excuses himself. I would never want my DH to feel like he had to go out when my AC come.

Bbbface Fri 04-Oct-19 11:13:45

@gabriella

**I had a very happy 41 year marriage but then decided that I wanted to live on my own, for no other reason that my children had their own luves and I wanted to spend time doing my own thing.
3 years later, I met a man online and we met many months later.
We've been a couple for 6 years but live in our own homes, about 12 miles apart.
He has young teenage children with whom I get on well and I've met his ex wife who is a very nice woman.
My own children live over 100 miles away so neither I nor he and I see them frequently and I only see his children when invited on a trip or for dinner etc because, as teens, they have their own social circle and don't always want to spend weekends with mum or dad...and that will continue as it has with my own AC who now have their own children and GC. **

One of the most intriguing posts I have read!

You were “very happily” married for best part of half a century but ended it because you wanted to be alone. You began another relationship 3 years later. You have been with him for 6 years. He has “young teens”. At the very least you must be 70? That no doubt plays a part in your limited interaction with them??