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AIBU?

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AIBU to think DH’s SAHM expectations are too much? **Content Warning - mention of suicide**

203 replies

TraitorsSandwich · 01/06/2026 19:39

I’m a SAHM to an 18 month old, I love being at home with him but I’m struggling to keep up with DH’s expectations of me being at home and I’m just wondering if he’s expecting too much ?

DH does work long hours in a stressful job so he’s out the house early and back after DS goes to sleep so 100% of the day to day childcare is on me.

I do all the cleaning, laundry, ironing (although DH does put his laundry away), all the tidying, clearing up after dinner etc, running errands, I make DH’s lunch to take into work. Once in a blue moon DH will cook dinner but usually a bbq so I’ve still done everything aside from the meat.

DH does the gardening, washes his car (not mine tho!!) and managing the household finances. I’m sure he would say there are other things he does but on a day to day basis I can’t really think of them off the top of my head.

Anyway, he’s started saying I should also be doing the household finances as he doesn’t have the time during the working day to be sorting it all out. Also things like our garden fences need painting and he thinks I should be doing that too.

i feel like I’m barley keeping on top of what I need to do anyway - I’m lucky that DS does a decent nap in the day but when he’s awake it’s impossible to get anything done unless I stick him in front of the tv which I don’t really want to be doing the whole time. AIBU to think I’m doing more than my fair share ? I feel like DH thinks I’ve got the whole working day to be sorting the house out when in reality it’s full on with our boy.

OP posts:
user293948849167 · 01/06/2026 19:45

Book yourself a night away somewhere and leave DH with DS and a list of chores to get done.

I think most of the housework and cooking is fair enough but looking after a toddler is not easy so nobody should be expecting your house to be perfect. Painting a fence while looking after an 18 month old at the same time is something only someone who has never looked after an 18m old alone would suggest

Beachbeachbaby · 01/06/2026 19:42

Man that’s a lot!! I am a sahm (albeit to 3 small children). I dont wash iron or put away my husbands clothes.

I do all other laundry, no ironing, all cooking and cleaning. He might empty the dishwasher once a fortnight. He mows the lawn, does all car admin and all financials (against my preference I want to do household finances). You are doing a lot! He wants a fence painted - he should pay someone to come and do it.

Jellyofftheplate · 01/06/2026 19:42

Well he should also be doing come cooking and housework at the weekends (or whenever he has a day off) as well as sharing child care 50/50 at that point. So I don't see why you need to take on anything else. How much time do the finances need?! Surely this is just sticking the mortgage statement in a folder once a year?
As for painting fences with an 18 month old "helping" - he's off his rocker 😂