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AIBU?

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Division of responsibilities

109 replies

Advice5 · 15/02/2026 23:26

Just want some opinions do you think this is a reasonable set up? My husband works long hours and works really hard to provide for us. I work part time across 3 days. We have 3 kids youngest is in preschool. I do 95% of everything childcare related, all domestic tasks apart from the bins, school admin etc. I pay for the food shopping, kids activities, anything kids need day to day clothes etc and whatever i need for myself. I can treat myself to things i may want to as my husband doesn't put financial pressure on me which i am grateful for. My husband earns a lot more than me and has managed to pay our mortgage off which i am grateful for, he pays the bills and for holidays too. He is also responsible for investing what money he can but puts this under both our names. He isn't pressuring me to increase my hours when my youngest starts school in Sep. Do you think I should expect him to do more at home or do you think this is fair? Any thought from part time workers also welcome. Tia

OP posts:
Advice5 · 16/02/2026 21:08

BuffaloCauliflower · 16/02/2026 19:45

What do you think? Do you feel happy with the arrangement or do you feel like things are unfair? Do you get adequate rest time yourself? Does he step in with the kids when needed or is it all on you?

I feel in a lot of ways it is a good arrangement for me, sometimes I do feel though he should do more than he does with the kids but I don't know if that is me being unreasonable given what he is bringing to the table, thats why i have posted on here to get views. As my youngest started preschool I do get some rest time on my days off now

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Advice5 · 16/02/2026 21:04

itsthetea · 16/02/2026 19:43

You should both have the same “ free cash” money to spend on what you want - that’s not stuff for kids or house or family

you should both have the same free time - that’s time you can do whatever you like , meet a friend, go gym

yiu should both have equal say in things - where to holiday, what fun things you do, what meals

the way you phrase your post is concerning - you are grateful that he has paid the mortgage - didn’t he also live there? Isn’t he your husband ?

We are both able to buy what we need for ourselves as we have both worked so hard to be able to do so.
In terms of time I have some in the week, i think he needs some too so I give him majority of sunday to do what he needs to.
We do have an equal say in where we go on holidays and what we do.
Yes in terms of mortgage not sure why that is a concern, as he paid it and I didnt pay towards it, due to how we have divided our responsibilities and the income we each make.. of course I am still going to appreciate that my husband worked so hard to do that

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BuffaloCauliflower · 16/02/2026 19:45

What do you think? Do you feel happy with the arrangement or do you feel like things are unfair? Do you get adequate rest time yourself? Does he step in with the kids when needed or is it all on you?

itsthetea · 16/02/2026 19:43

You should both have the same “ free cash” money to spend on what you want - that’s not stuff for kids or house or family

you should both have the same free time - that’s time you can do whatever you like , meet a friend, go gym

yiu should both have equal say in things - where to holiday, what fun things you do, what meals

the way you phrase your post is concerning - you are grateful that he has paid the mortgage - didn’t he also live there? Isn’t he your husband ?

Advice5 · 16/02/2026 19:37

Bump

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Advice5 · 15/02/2026 23:45

Advice5 · 15/02/2026 23:43

Yes I cover the kids costs from my wages, my husband covers all the bills and any big expenses at home. He will also pay for some of the kids costs it's just I tend to do it mostly as I keep track of what they need.
Thanks for your views, I do get some leisure time a couple of hours at the gym on one of my days off and a couple of hours to relax if not more if I'm tired on my other day off

Forgot to add i give him some relaxing time on Sunday as I get some time on my days off

OP posts:
Advice5 · 15/02/2026 23:43

babyproblems · 15/02/2026 23:32

How are your finances organised? It’s not clear from your post. Are you saying you cover all kids stuff from your wages?
I think all bills into one pot, all bills paid, what’s left is split equally.

I think you both should try to have the same ‘free’ hours per week. You use your two days off for household tasks; he is working five days, so are you (3 at work and 2 at home).
the jobs that are left should be split fairly; but there shouldn’t be many if you have two days to do them in the week. So if there’s any fun hours left, you both get Equal time off.

Yes I cover the kids costs from my wages, my husband covers all the bills and any big expenses at home. He will also pay for some of the kids costs it's just I tend to do it mostly as I keep track of what they need.
Thanks for your views, I do get some leisure time a couple of hours at the gym on one of my days off and a couple of hours to relax if not more if I'm tired on my other day off

OP posts:
babyproblems · 15/02/2026 23:32

How are your finances organised? It’s not clear from your post. Are you saying you cover all kids stuff from your wages?
I think all bills into one pot, all bills paid, what’s left is split equally.

I think you both should try to have the same ‘free’ hours per week. You use your two days off for household tasks; he is working five days, so are you (3 at work and 2 at home).
the jobs that are left should be split fairly; but there shouldn’t be many if you have two days to do them in the week. So if there’s any fun hours left, you both get Equal time off.

Advice5 · 15/02/2026 23:29

Advice5 · 15/02/2026 23:26

Just want some opinions do you think this is a reasonable set up? My husband works long hours and works really hard to provide for us. I work part time across 3 days. We have 3 kids youngest is in preschool. I do 95% of everything childcare related, all domestic tasks apart from the bins, school admin etc. I pay for the food shopping, kids activities, anything kids need day to day clothes etc and whatever i need for myself. I can treat myself to things i may want to as my husband doesn't put financial pressure on me which i am grateful for. My husband earns a lot more than me and has managed to pay our mortgage off which i am grateful for, he pays the bills and for holidays too. He is also responsible for investing what money he can but puts this under both our names. He isn't pressuring me to increase my hours when my youngest starts school in Sep. Do you think I should expect him to do more at home or do you think this is fair? Any thought from part time workers also welcome. Tia

I dont want to be at risk of taking anything for granted having gotten used to this arrangement so want opinions please

OP posts: