34-year-old woman demands to invite her ‘work husband’ to a family summer vacation, her actual husband puts his foot down: ‘I don’t want some random guy tagging along’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 14, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

When I was a kid, our family vacations were what I looked forward to the most every single summer. My parents would take me and my two sisters on a week-long trip, where we would either camp in the beautiful nature, or chill at a nice hotel and have a great time at the beach. These vacations always helped us bond as a family, and most of my fondest memories are from those times. 

Sometimes, my family would invite my uncle and his family to tag along on our trip. We were always super excited to have them there, because his kids were our friends, and it meant we would have double the fun. However, never in all of my childhood did either of my parents decide it was a good idea to bring along someone they worked with to our family vacations. Even trying to imagine what it would be like to have a total stranger tagging along with the family, feels extremely weird to me, and I have no idea how I would have reacted if something like that were to happen.

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  • When the woman in this story decided to invite her ‘work husband’ to her trip with her actual husband and kids, I instantly felt defensive of the kids. How would they feel having a complete stranger tag along on their vacation with their parents? What would be their reaction to this guy?

    Luckily, the kids won't have to deal with these feelings, because the real husband put his foot down and refused to let his wife invite her ‘friend’.

    Keep scrolling to read what happened next.

  • 01
    "Am I not even allowed to have friends now?"
    via Rido

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    Am I Overreacting for Refusing to Let My Wife’s “Work Husband” Come on Our Family Vacation?

    My wife (34F) and I (36M) have been married for 8 years, two kids together. She recently started a new job where she's gotten really close to one of her
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 03
    coworkers. She calls him her "work husband" and says it's all jokes and office banter, nothing serious.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 04
    At first I brushed it off, but over time she started texting him outside work hours, laughing at his jokes constantly, and even FaceTiming him once when
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 05
    we were on a weekend trip with our kids. I finally told her it was getting weird, and she told me to stop being insecure.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 06
    Last week she asked if he could come with us on our summer vacation to the lake house. She said he has no family around and could use a break. I said absolutely not.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 07
    This is our family time and I don't want some random guy tagging along, especially someone she flirts with all day.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 08
    She got mad and said I was being controlling. Her exact words were "I'm not even allowed to have friends now?" I told her it's not about friends, it's about boundaries.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 09
    She's still mad and says I embarrassed her by making a big deal out of nothing. So... am I overreacting?
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 10
    ZealousidealExam6809 No way in h I this is innocent. I hate the whole work spouse culture specifically because of things like this. It breaks down boundaries and barriers that should be in place, especially for people who are already married.
    via ZealousidealExam6809
  • 11
    Put your foot down and let her know that this has gone far past the point that it's comfortable, and that if she doesn't cut off her boyfriend soon then you'll be making moves
    via ZealousidealExam6809
  • 12
    Hot Satisfaction_559 OP Exactly. The "work spouse" thing always rubbed me the wrong way but I didn't want to seem insecure. But this isn't harmless anymore. I've tried to be chill but it's gone too far and she needs to decide what matters more.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10514855168
    via shalamov

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 14
    No_Roof_1910 You have a major wife problem OP. She wants to take her bf with her on your family vacation.
    via No_Roof_1910
  • 15
    To her, it was OK to ask you that and she is MAD you said no? I'm sorry OP but your wife is a dumb , has way too many screws loose in her so-called brain to even think such a thing let alone actually verbalize it to you and then to be MAD at you.
    via No_Roof_1910
  • 16
    Hot Satisfaction_559 OP Yeah honestly I've been trying not to blow this out of proportion but the fact she doubled down and got mad at me for saying no really opened my eyes. I don't even know how she thought that was a normal ask.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 17
    ModeSubstantial 1092 Don't know how old your kids are but I would think having a strange guy going on vacation would be weird for them too.
    via ModeSubstantial1092
  • 18
    Hot Satisfaction_559 OP Exactly. It's one thing to have friends, but bringing a random guy on a family trip? That crosses a line, especially with kids involved.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 19
    Insulted Nevertheless No you are not. This is weird. She's disrespecting your marriage big time.
    via InsultedNevertheless
  • 20
    Ilafsroh14 NOR I'm sorry man but she has already cheated. She's so high on getting away with it she thinks she can do whatever.
    via Ilafsroh14
  • 21
    Counseling for sure. Pl maybe. Talk to him privately and express your concerns definitely.
    via Ilafsroh14
  • 22
    Hot Satisfaction_559 OP Yeah, it feels like she's testing limits now. Counseling is the only way I see to even figure out if this can be fixed. And I'm definitely going to talk to him too, just to be clear about boundaries.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559
  • 23
    Active Tough_8535 you should talk to him directly and ask him to respect not overstepping.
    via Active_Tough_8535
  • 24
    Hot Satisfaction_559 OP Yeah I've been thinking about that. I just don't want it to seem like I'm insecure or starting drama, but it might be the only way to set clear boundaries.
    via Hot_Satisfaction_559

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relationship advice marriage drama summer wife relationship-drama reddit story relationships aio husband advice cheating couples love family Reddit married vacation
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