Do I detect a little self-pity in all this, FS? Next time he takes the kids away, MAKE time to treat yourself and do something, even something cheap like a long walk somewhere, OK? I had a pretty boring half term with teens who didn't want to do anything, and I've found the self-pity grows under these conditions, even when you try to fight it!
Can I play devil's advocate here? Only because my H is also very critical and often responds badly to reasonable requests too. Your timing was terrible on the emailing school thing, he was knackered and nobody responds well when they're knackered. It must also have been a bit of a shock to see the house (which he probably still sees as his even though he's walked away) cleared of so much stuff (presumably some of it his), especially if he was tired and grumpy and not expecting to walk into your clutter clearing. His behaviour was crap, but you could have handled it more sensitively by validating his feelings more here. I struggle so much with asserting myself and deflecting critical behaviour, but it's much easier to see where other people can improve, lol
Now let me congratulate you (nobody in your family will...) because you sorted ALL of everyone's crap on YOUR week off while they were off having fun. That must have been so frustrating for you, why do we mums get saddled with all the crap? It's hard work and unexpectedly emotional clearing clutter away, so kudos to you for getting it sorted, I hope it makes moving much easier xxx
