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Husband’s business, baby - do I need to be more resilient?

341 replies

NurtureGrow · 05/02/2026 08:11

Hello,

Im hoping for advice, especially from those whose partners have businesses, or have one themselves.

We have a 15 month old. My husband handed in his notice on his full-time job last summer, it was a 3 month notice period. He left in the autumn to start his business. Around the same time, I was made redundant and never went back after maternity leave. It was too late at that point for him to stay in his job.

The money I got from redundancy would have lasted 8 months. As he hasn’t had income yet from the business, I had to pay all bills and the money is almost gone after 4 months. We will basically run out of money at the end of this month. I’m sure we can sort it out.. hopefully.. he is hoping to get a small amount of investment and I am urgently looking for work. I had hoped to return to work max 4 days a week, but due to our financial situation, may need to do 5.. (I know not everyone can do less days.) I need to find a job at the same salary as before, or higher. I was hoping to do something less stressful.

I agreed he could try the business for 1 year, what I am wondering is, do I need to be more resilient? I feel this time should be for enjoying our baby/family and seeing family. But instead we have this pressure on us. I do try to support him; I proofread, discuss, do what I can. But sometimes I feel down/grumpy. He feels we will be better off financially if this works, as don’t have savings now.

I feel I’m meant to hold space for our baby, for him, and take responsibility of getting a higher salary again myself. I don’t have family to talk to or offer consistent support.. I’d just really like to build our life together, not have pressure for something that may happen in the future.

The question and problem:

YABU - yes, you need to be more resilient, people do this all the time. Focus on supporting him. This is the nature of supporting your partner with a business.

YANBU - it’s understandable you are finding this hard. It’s too much to do at once. It should be put on hold for an until your baby is bigger, so you can better enjoy the present

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 25/02/2026 22:11

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 19:20

He's not going to make any money from this business. He needs to give it up and get back to work

To be fair some businesses do take quite a while depending what you do - in my Hs case he had effectively around 5 months initially to do the work, submit it and then get paid on it - a lot of self employed/freelance work is like this- you get paid when you have delivered - however my H was contracted to do this - it’s different if you are developing something for free that you ‘think might work ‘ I’m not sure what ballpark OPs H is in .

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 22:00

NewYearSameYou · 25/02/2026 20:08

"How the fuck can I be ambitious as you call it, 'D'H when YOUR 'ambition' is relying entirely on me to do the baby care, the home care, AND find and hold down a full time job to fund YOUR ambition. Which is currently pulling in ZERO income and destroying our family financially. But tell me again how I am the one who has no ambition. Arsehole."

Yes exactly, I was flabbergasted!

OP posts:
NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 21:59

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 19:29

I don't think you are really listening to people OP and I also don't think you realise the mess you are in if you think it's ok to have another child when you have no money. You don't seem to see the position your husband has put you in - you're in denial as far as I'm concerned

@scottishgirl69 thank you, I know what you mean, but I'm not in denial.. I'm trying to navigate the situation as best I can. And yes, of course, we couldn't have another child if things remain the way are only. Only if they are resolved..

OP posts:
NewYearSameYou · 25/02/2026 20:08

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 16:07

I think what he doesn't understand is how much things change when you have a child... they are now my priority.

A little while ago he said 'I had changed, and was no longer ambitious.' Which was so disappointing and exhausting, obviously it's not true. But we had a baby.

"How the fuck can I be ambitious as you call it, 'D'H when YOUR 'ambition' is relying entirely on me to do the baby care, the home care, AND find and hold down a full time job to fund YOUR ambition. Which is currently pulling in ZERO income and destroying our family financially. But tell me again how I am the one who has no ambition. Arsehole."

Moonnstarz · 25/02/2026 19:35

He doesn't sound like he is considering anyone but himself. You mention having a second child but based on how unhappy you are at the moment then I wouldn't think about getting pregnant.
I think it's a good idea writing things down, maybe send this to him and pointing out now this is damaging your relationship and future.

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 19:29

I don't think you are really listening to people OP and I also don't think you realise the mess you are in if you think it's ok to have another child when you have no money. You don't seem to see the position your husband has put you in - you're in denial as far as I'm concerned

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 19:27

Crushed23 · 25/02/2026 19:26

@scottishgirl69

Oh well. Speechless really. Why anyone would bring another kid into a situation like this is beyond me.

Crushed23 · 25/02/2026 19:26

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 15:49

Given my age, I don't think we can wait 2 or 3 years to have a second child. It should be now really, but latest early next year. If we didn't have that pressure it would also change things. I don't think I can live with telling him to park the business... I'd just like him to take reasonable adjustments so it isn't so unhappy for me. I.e. him doing nothing on the house is not sustainable or happy. I guess naively, I just really wanted a partnership (don't we all!) and that isn't happening now. I feel I have become an assistant to his project. It's not him, me and our baby now. It's him and his business / and me and the baby as well.

@scottishgirl69

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 19:20

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 19:08

Yes.. It requires funding and developing the product, so it's not like setting up and day 1 being able to make money.

He's not going to make any money from this business. He needs to give it up and get back to work

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 19:14

Crushed23 · 25/02/2026 19:03

Haven’t RTFT but you can’t seriously be considering bringing another baby into this mess? That would be complete madness, sorry.

You need to give your DH a deadline for when his “business” needs to generate a steady income, and he needs to take up a part time job to bring some money in in the meantime. Good luck with the job hunt - hopefully you don’t have to go back full time and the part time job you should insist he finds can allow you to do 4 days a week, as originally planned.

She didn't say that

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 19:10

Nevereatcardboard · 25/02/2026 18:17

I think visiting family is a good idea. You can tell them that at the moment you are finding things tough both financially and emotionally, without going into detail.

Yes, I think I'll do this... my family are generally quite unsupportive, but I think they'll understand if I say something like this. Especially as my husband recently explained all to my mum.

OP posts:
NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 19:08

Peridoteage · 25/02/2026 19:06

He's been trying 4 months and isn't making any money? It doesn't sound like a convincing business to me.

Yes.. It requires funding and developing the product, so it's not like setting up and day 1 being able to make money.

OP posts:
Peridoteage · 25/02/2026 19:06

He's been trying 4 months and isn't making any money? It doesn't sound like a convincing business to me.

Crushed23 · 25/02/2026 19:03

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 15:49

Given my age, I don't think we can wait 2 or 3 years to have a second child. It should be now really, but latest early next year. If we didn't have that pressure it would also change things. I don't think I can live with telling him to park the business... I'd just like him to take reasonable adjustments so it isn't so unhappy for me. I.e. him doing nothing on the house is not sustainable or happy. I guess naively, I just really wanted a partnership (don't we all!) and that isn't happening now. I feel I have become an assistant to his project. It's not him, me and our baby now. It's him and his business / and me and the baby as well.

Haven’t RTFT but you can’t seriously be considering bringing another baby into this mess? That would be complete madness, sorry.

You need to give your DH a deadline for when his “business” needs to generate a steady income, and he needs to take up a part time job to bring some money in in the meantime. Good luck with the job hunt - hopefully you don’t have to go back full time and the part time job you should insist he finds can allow you to do 4 days a week, as originally planned.

ChrisMartinsKisskam · 25/02/2026 18:19

He wants to be Billy Big Bollocks with the self employed business that is really at present a hobby and not earning anything

it would be interesting to see how he describes himself to other people

either way you either have to suck it up ( I wouldn’t )
or leave

he will always resent you for not supporting him with his “business ”

You will always resent him for doing this at a time you most need to be stable

Nevereatcardboard · 25/02/2026 18:17

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 18:01

Thank you, I am thinking of going to visit family at some point next week, as a week is a long time to be away.. I am feeling low.

I think visiting family is a good idea. You can tell them that at the moment you are finding things tough both financially and emotionally, without going into detail.

MrsLizzieDarcy · 25/02/2026 18:08

It's OK to feel that you want to walk away from this, OP. There's a huge danger of him falling into the sunken cost fallacy, and you could still be in this mess in 12 months time. A man who isn't supporting his family with a small baby isn't a team player. He's in it for himself - and this could be a stark look into your future with him.

sillylittlerabbit · 25/02/2026 18:05

In terms of how to handle his denial about it all, could you ask him to write a financial plan for you both? Including what happens if you can’t get a highly paid job in the next four weeks? That way you can be clear you still support his dream, but want to understand what the practical steps are going to look like for you both.
He won’t want to do this, because he doesn’t want to face up to his business failing. But at least you will then know for sure.

NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 18:03

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 17:28

Why couldn't he have kept his job on for a year to see if the business was going to be profitable or not? That would have been sensible

Yes, that would have been better.. and to have kept it quiet

OP posts:
NurtureGrow · 25/02/2026 18:01

Iamnotalemming · 25/02/2026 17:20

Your DH needs to find time to do a little bit of something to bring some money in. Even if during evenings and weekends. If you are a team you need to work together to get out of the problem. He is burying his head in the sand.

You sound very low OP. And your DH is away next week. Can you go and visit family or friends for a few days, or invite someone to come and stay with you?

Thank you, I am thinking of going to visit family at some point next week, as a week is a long time to be away.. I am feeling low.

OP posts:
scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 17:32

8268768xc · 25/02/2026 17:29

Seemingly because all the investors said that if he isnt doing it full time, they wont be interested - and who are we to judge whether thats true or not

What investors. They have no money. They are weeks away from being made homeless as she said in previous posts

8268768xc · 25/02/2026 17:29

Seemingly because all the investors said that if he isnt doing it full time, they wont be interested - and who are we to judge whether thats true or not

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 17:28

8268768xc · 25/02/2026 17:26

he started a new business at a time when she had a job......maternity leave or otherwise. that wasnt a reckless thing to do - that was sensible. the trouble is - she lost the job and now they are stuck

Why couldn't he have kept his job on for a year to see if the business was going to be profitable or not? That would have been sensible

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 17:27

8268768xc · 25/02/2026 17:26

he started a new business at a time when she had a job......maternity leave or otherwise. that wasnt a reckless thing to do - that was sensible. the trouble is - she lost the job and now they are stuck

She was made redundant. It's not quite the same thing is it

scottishgirl69 · 25/02/2026 17:26

Other people might want to sugar coat it but I won't. His business is failing. You have a 16 month old child and you don't have enough money to live on. He needs to get a job -that's the bottom line. No ifs. No buts. He needs to be working