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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Resentful SAHM...

112 replies

BoneTiredandWired · 01/12/2024 18:41

I'm a SAHM for the moment. I have a 17 month old, and a 4 year old in Reception.
I do all the cooking
All the laundry
All the cleaning
Majority of the childcare.

DH... works! Earns actual money.
Does DIY
Sometimes does cute craft projects with the 4 year old.
Takes the eldest to school, and to a Sunday activity.
Quite often I have the kids on a weekend because he has to work for an afternoon.

Does that seem normal and fair? I think it is, but also I can feel so unappreciated and screamingly resentful. Guess this is all boringly normal :( and I'm just in a rut.

Studying part time is helping.

OP posts:
BoneTiredandWired · 01/12/2024 19:19

rainbowprincesschapell · 01/12/2024 19:12

well your options are to go back to work or become a single parent

some people are doing all 3 and getting on with it

Cheers. I'm attempting to get on with it too, but clearly I don't have much moral fibre...

OP posts:
BoneTiredandWired · 01/12/2024 19:18

Why did I post in AIBU... Oops!
I was made redundant, and childcare costs are beyond us at the moment. I also do enjoy a lot of it. I think I feel sad that even on weekends the lion's share of the childcare still falls on me.

Also - do partners of SAHMs with toddlers really never do any laundry? Or cook? Is that the deal for DH being the breadwinner?

OP posts:
Dameruoy · 01/12/2024 19:18

That's because it's relentless and goes unnoticed. It's called the invisible work that isn't appreciated. Working in a work environment is different to washing everyone in the households dirty underwear and socks and cleaning up after them. It's their stuff and also their house. I think it can come down to whether you feel respected too. Yes, housework should be done by the one at home but at the same it's directly serving others that isn't amazingly pleasant. Some love it, I don't know how, and some don't so they go back to work.

Frowningprovidence · 01/12/2024 19:12

Who do you feel resentful towards and what about?

Is it just you don't feel your partner appreciates your efforts. Can you try to get some quality time together and make sure you both express thanks for each of your contributions

rainbowprincesschapell · 01/12/2024 19:12

well your options are to go back to work or become a single parent

some people are doing all 3 and getting on with it

Winter2020 · 01/12/2024 19:08

Both you and your partner are busy all day. After work I don't think that he should get to put his feet up while you carry on running around.

When he gets home you should be a team for cooking/clearing up/ bath time etc - it shouldn't all be down to you.

Viviennemary · 01/12/2024 19:03

Do you appreciate your DH ogoing to work every day and earning money to keep the family afloat, it works both ways. I really don't know what you are asking,

Thepeopleversuswork · 01/12/2024 19:01

It sounds like you don’t want to do it. Can’t you go back to work?

Ggmores · 01/12/2024 19:01

It’s ok to admit you don’t like it and go back to work. It’s not for everyone, I hate housework!

HowManyNsInBrenn · 01/12/2024 18:59

I see being a SAHM as my job, and that includes the majority of the housework and all of the cooking (mostly because I actually enjoy cooking and find it relaxing, whereas DP doesn't and never has!).
I work very part time, from home, for a family member, and have a 13 month old I have plenty of time to do the housework etc but also plenty of time to do fun things with the baby (I work on DP's days off/in the evenings when she's in bed) and by myself (go for a swim/run, see friends for a coffee etc). I chose to be a SAHM (something most MNers seem to loathe, we're a scourge on society, according to most of them) and enjoy the playgroups/walks/park trips etc. I think that is important!

MightySnail · 01/12/2024 18:56

Generally I would say that in the hours your husband is working you should do any of the household chores which you are reasonably able to accomplish whilst doing childcare. This may be all of them or none, depending on your children and your house set-up. Then outside of work hours all remaining chores and childcare should be split equally.
Is your husband doing extra work at the weekend because he is contracted to do it, or because he is a workaholic? Would a different job help or do you as a family need the extra money?

Nc546888 · 01/12/2024 18:44

I’m a sahm but I wanted to be so it’s different.

i have a 4 yo who only gets 15 hours childcare. The rest of the time I have my 4 yo and 14 month old and do all childcare cooking and cleaning. DH will do some household stuff like empty dishwasher and sometimes cook a roast on a Sunday.

i suppose the way I look at is I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my children while they are young so I try to relish the walks in the woods and playgroups. I will get a job in the next year or two so for me this is just a season of my life. I’m not going to lie it’s tiring but my husbands life is tiring too!

I’ll await my roasting as mumsnet hates a sahm

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