40 answers

Husband Says NO to Wknd Away with My Bff;what Do You Think?

My best friend since elementary school called me to tell me her job is relocating her to New York in December. She and I have been best friends since 4th grade. We try and get together for coffee or lunch at least once every 2 months. I’m married with 2 kids and she is married, no kids. I love her dearly and I’m feeling so sad that she is moving. We have never lived more than a few miles from each other and in our early 20’s we were roommates.

We talked about possibly doing a weekend away together. Before kids, we went and stayed at a resort in Palm Springs once a year. We would just lay by the pool, go to the spa and even got all dressed up to go to a nice restaurant at the hotel. We haven’t done that in YEARS.

My husband doesn’t really understand WHY we want to go away for a whole weekend instead of just meeting for dinner. He doesn’t like the thought of me going away for a weekend without him and especially since I’m a married woman with 2 kids.

It’s not that we can’t afford it. In the many years we’ve been married I’ve never gone away without him and the kids. We have done vacations just the 2 of us as well. Do you do wknds with girlfriends?

Is it wrong for me to want this wknd with her even though I’m married with children?

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

I'm thrilled that so many responded to this question! All of you gave great answers and honestly helped me realize that there has to be more to him not wanting me to go then just being jealous!

I had my husband read your responses (SMILE) and we did talk about it. After some resistance, he did admit that taking all the responsibility with the kids for 3 days was daunting to him. First off I am the one that drive them to sports school and stuff. Plus I put them to bed every night and wake up with them every morning. One hesitation is that my youngest being 6 still will not go to sleep unless I read to him and cuddle with him. I told my husband this is even more of a reason for me to go. Get the kids some bonding time with Dad and gives him the chance to do what I do. I even told him he should take this opportunity to take them on a day trip to the zoo or something! All is fine and I'm definitely going!! Thanks so much for all the encouragement!

Featured Answers

No it's not wrong of you to want to do this. It's wrong of him to want enough power to be able to say no.
I'd go.

5 moms found this helpful

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go , there is a good reason for going , she is moving to the other side of the country and you won't just be able to meet up as and when for a coffee , he should understand that. It comes across as him being very childish , I would tell him that you are going , and he either likes it or lumps it....end of!

Have Fun!!

4 moms found this helpful

Go and have fun! My husband has had a lot more guy nights than me lately, and he accuses me of pouting (I'm not pouting that he's out - I actually like girly nights with my daughter) I just wish I had the same opportunity to go out, too! He's probably pouting that he didn't think of it first :)
I think it's a totally reasonable and necessary outing for all women - mamas or not!

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Every winter I go stay with my single BFF in LA for at least a week. Just last night my husband asked when I planned to go this year so he could take time off work to watch the kids, and for how long. When I said 7 - 10 days he said, "are you sure that is all the longer you want to go, I thought the 2 of you had talked about taking a cruise when you came down to visit"!!! My husband understands that it is important for me, BECAUSE I am a wife and mother, to have time to get away and just be a woman. Does your husband ever spend time with the guys? Does he go on weekend hunting or fishing trips? Or to sports tournaments or the like? If not he should, men need time to be men as well.

8 moms found this helpful

Uh, I would have told him, You must have misunderstood me, I was not asking for permission, I am just giving you a heads up because I AM going..

Go and have a good time.. He must have been having a bad day, because I KNOW he would not want o ruin this time for you and your friend to have some girl time. Cause if Mama ain't happy, nobody is gonna be happy..

8 moms found this helpful

You deserve a getaway. I'm like WorkinMom, I wish I had friends that I could do that with. But they all live too far away.

My husband goes on camping trips and backpacking trips, leaving me home alone with the kids. I'm more trapped because I watch the kids all day. So I can't go anywhere except on the weekend unless I take the kids. Get this--my husband complained when I left to visit my friend for a week and I TOOK THE THREE KIDS WITH ME! I'm tired of the inequality, so I don't care what he says about it anymore. I'm also planning on booking one night every week or two and leaving the kids home with him. He won't offer to do it, so I'm going to tell him that's what's going to happen.

I think men just aren't comfortable taking on their wives' roles for a few days, so they don't want us to go. He may be jealous, thinking you're going to go do something you shouldn't. I'm not quite sure how to deal with that, because that's a deeper issue of trusting you.

But to sum up, it's not morally wrong for you to go hang out with your friend for a weekend! In fact, it's will probably be wonderfully rejuvinating!

7 moms found this helpful

GO GO GO!

Sit your hubby down and tell him you ARE going. Tell him why you need to go away with your friend. Don't negotiate or ask, just tell him. It is so important for you to get away. Not just because of the situation but because it makes you a better wife and mom when you can refocus once in a while.

I do go on weeked trips with my friends. ABSOLUTELY!

6 moms found this helpful

Have you ever given your husband reason not to trust you? If you can honestly answer that with a "no", then by all means you should go! My girlfriend cheated on her hubby years ago. For many years he wouldn't "let" her go places overnight without him. She complained, and I explained to her that until she earns back his trust, she can expect him to be a little uncomfortable. Eventually, he eased up. But, if your situation is nothing like this, there is no reason for your DH to not "let" you go. I would go! And, don't you dare feel guilty about it either! =)

I know my hubby wouldn't want me to go, and he would probably tell me "no", all because he wouldn't be able to handle the kids alone for that long. (to which I would say too bad and I would help arrange for that weekend to go as smoothly as possible). Is this his concern? If so, help him out by arranging for someone to help, freezing meals for him to cook, etc. Then, out the door you go!

6 moms found this helpful

No it's not wrong of you to want to do this. It's wrong of him to want enough power to be able to say no.
I'd go.

5 moms found this helpful

He probably does not want you to go, because then HE will be left with the kids. Alone. And maybe he can't handle it????

Ask him "WHY"?

Just a weekend is not long. I don't see what the problem is.
Or is he insecure? Thinks you are going to have fun without him and meet guys? Geez.
He sounds insecure.

all the best,
Susan

5 moms found this helpful

I'd tell him to go to hell - nicely. In all seriousness, what's his issue? My BFF wants to go away for a week to Spain to chaperone a youth group visit. They have PLENTY of money and he's telling her no, as well. Guess why? I think he's afraid of her meeting someone and liking him better. Insecurity. She's been happily married for 10 year, has 2 kids and has never considered cheating. He says that if she wants to go to Spain, he'll take her himeself. She's mad and feeling resentful. I told her, it's her life, she needs to live it. Resentfulness is NOT a good emotion to stuff....no emotion is a good stuffing emotion, but be resentful can literally make you physcially sick.

My husband encourages me to go away and he stay with our 3 kids. I am our breadwinner, homeschool our kids and rarely get any time to myself. I'm going to North Carolina to visit a friend to scrapbook for 5 days. Earlier this year, I went to Costa Rica for 10 days with my mom. In November, I'm considering going to Manchu Pichu for a week with another friend.

Nobody needs to "let" you do anything.

LIVE AUTHENTICALLY

5 moms found this helpful

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