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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dh has announced his retirement date and I feel irritated by it

457 replies

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 20:44

DH has been talking about retiring for a few years. He has just told me when he would like to finish work and it coincides with our youngest starting secondary.
I feel a bit irritated by this timing. I was a sahm to our DC until youngest started school. I got a job that allowed flexibility and I did all school admin. Concerts. Assemblies. Sports Days etc.
It just feels a bit… convenient. Like he has waited until the DC need (significantly) less support to then be available. AIBU?

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 04/07/2026 19:49

Lollipop81 · 04/07/2026 19:16

Totally irrelevant how old they are

He’s 55 hence being able to access his pension. She’s ’younger’ but not said how much.

Soontobe60 · 04/07/2026 19:47

PerfectTiming1 · 04/07/2026 08:55

Morning all, I’m just catching up on the comments. I do feel like this @AnneElliott. Like this timing is strategic and yes I do feel a bit bitter about the imbalance that has been present since having the DC.

I’ll have the conversation. I still laugh at the “just tell him” comment but yes, I’ll explain my expectations regarding his role come September and see how it goes.

Have you considered that he may have felt bitter at you having the opportunity to swan around for years not working whilst he had to go out to work?
Has he actually said that he will not be doing all the jobs that you used to do as a SAHP?

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 04/07/2026 19:27

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 20:58

Yes we are older parents. There is an age gap (him older) but not massive.

I experienced a bereavement and then unexpected inheritance which funded my years at home. I never intended to stay at home with them for as long as I did.

I get the point about lifts etc but the physical and mental drain of doing everything when they were little left it’s mark on me and now it feels like they are a bit more independent, he gets to chill out. I’ll still be working and tbh they will probably still call me before him even if he is retired.

Plus, if he's anything like my late DH, "I got up early for 40 years, I'm not getting up early to get the kids up for school."

Haveanopinion · 04/07/2026 19:26

I think you underestimate how much support a child needs at secondary school. Yes, they are expected to be independent by the school but, in reality, they still need a lot of parental involvement. If my husband had retired when my kids reached secondary I would have been over the moon. Reality is that, now they are in their early twenties, both my husband and I are going to be working for another 20 years or so!

Whatkatyforgottodo · 04/07/2026 19:23

Surely he is retiring at that age because he is no longer physically able to do his job to the level it requires? But he is still able to be a parent. You need to have this conversation with him or you will end up resenting him in the future.

Lollipop81 · 04/07/2026 19:16

CalmWriter · 03/07/2026 20:51

Has he financially supported all of you prior to your youngest starting secondary? If so I imagine he needs a break.

Are you older parents? I’ll be 36 when my youngest starts secondary school, I can’t imagine retiring at that age.

Totally irrelevant how old they are

Doubledenim305 · 04/07/2026 19:16

You need to talk to him and have a really honest conversation. You need to find a solution that works for both of you.

RafaFan · 04/07/2026 19:13

Ibiza25 · 03/07/2026 20:57

I’m confused..would you not be happy your husband is able to retire? You must not like him much

This is what I'm getting from the OP as well, unless there's a massive backstreet.

Generationdoll · 04/07/2026 19:09

BeAquaTiger · 04/07/2026 18:52

I think you are very wrong to think the secondary years are less hassle. I retired when my youngest started secobdary school because I knew we could not juggle any more. I have to drop them off at half 8 but in reality I'm lucky to get away by 9am and I'm back at school at half 2 to take them home at 2:45. Hangs over me all day being back in time for the kids.
I get asked for fast food ir trips to Tesco on the way home. I get to clean their filthy teenage bedrooms and retrieve odd socks stuffed down the side of tbe bed. Washing every day as they need clean tops because of the teenage boy stink. They have list the ability to flush toilets, bring crockery back to the kitchen or put dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
Then there is school stuff. Need binders and equipment. Need cooking ingredients, need help with a project they have forgotten about, revision nagging. Phone calls from school about injuries and illness usually when I have arranged to meet friends for lunch or coffee. Non uniform days still happen and its always weating a colour we simply don't have. Charity tuck shop, food bank drives, school trip consebt forms, work experience weeks, sports events, school plays etc. Its far harder work than the primary years.
One of my teens hasn't spoken to me for a week after I told him he needed to go to school last friday. I got a trirade by text then silence and zero cooperation. I'd rather the terrible 2s and potty teaining tbh.
My excolleagues are all going on cruises or interesting places like Japan and I'm just chaffeuring ungrateful teens in my retirement. My husband was going to retire next year but has realised he will get tgis crap dumped on him so is refusing to retire now until we have a least one of them out of school.

Why are you tolerating this?
Drop that rope.
Make life a lot less comfortable for anyone being excessively ungrateful.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 04/07/2026 19:05

Haven't RTFT but...

little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems.

I'm afraid it's true OP.

MyHorseAndMe · 04/07/2026 19:01

Just make it very clear that this is the time you now get to concentrate on your career to save for YPUR retirement and he now takes on the child responsibility. If he moans you tell him you self funded your time at home with he dc via an inheritance, so he now needs to do the same via his pension

ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmmmmmmmm · 04/07/2026 18:53

Selfish bastard. Fancy not wanting to work until he's dead, to fit in with your imaginary scenarios. Please tell me you're going to try and fit your niggling resentments onto every aspect of his retirement.

BeAquaTiger · 04/07/2026 18:52

I think you are very wrong to think the secondary years are less hassle. I retired when my youngest started secobdary school because I knew we could not juggle any more. I have to drop them off at half 8 but in reality I'm lucky to get away by 9am and I'm back at school at half 2 to take them home at 2:45. Hangs over me all day being back in time for the kids.
I get asked for fast food ir trips to Tesco on the way home. I get to clean their filthy teenage bedrooms and retrieve odd socks stuffed down the side of tbe bed. Washing every day as they need clean tops because of the teenage boy stink. They have list the ability to flush toilets, bring crockery back to the kitchen or put dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
Then there is school stuff. Need binders and equipment. Need cooking ingredients, need help with a project they have forgotten about, revision nagging. Phone calls from school about injuries and illness usually when I have arranged to meet friends for lunch or coffee. Non uniform days still happen and its always weating a colour we simply don't have. Charity tuck shop, food bank drives, school trip consebt forms, work experience weeks, sports events, school plays etc. Its far harder work than the primary years.
One of my teens hasn't spoken to me for a week after I told him he needed to go to school last friday. I got a trirade by text then silence and zero cooperation. I'd rather the terrible 2s and potty teaining tbh.
My excolleagues are all going on cruises or interesting places like Japan and I'm just chaffeuring ungrateful teens in my retirement. My husband was going to retire next year but has realised he will get tgis crap dumped on him so is refusing to retire now until we have a least one of them out of school.

Lotsofsnacks · 04/07/2026 18:51

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 21:10

I did all this for our other DC. I can imagine he will expect it for the youngest too. And yes I could delegate to him but I did it for the others so the obvious course of action is for me to continue.

It wouldn’t be the obvious course of action if you’re working, and he isn’t! Have you expressed this to him and hes said no you should still do it? He needs to step up and take over secondary school admin if he’s not working. He will still have time for new hobbies when they are at school (and time to clean etc 🤪)

RumPidgeon · 04/07/2026 18:49

CalmWriter · 03/07/2026 20:51

Has he financially supported all of you prior to your youngest starting secondary? If so I imagine he needs a break.

Are you older parents? I’ll be 36 when my youngest starts secondary school, I can’t imagine retiring at that age.

You got the cute years with them - secondary is though. They still need you and there is loads of driving involved: sports, parties, etc

If he’s supported you to stay at home then you should repay the favour. Stop being jealous.

Truetoself · 04/07/2026 18:42

I think you need to make it clear whilst he has retired from work he hasn’t retured from
being a parent and husband. And you can say “great! So you can now take over x, y,z” and stop doing them.

TheOldWorldIsDyingTheNewWorldStrugglesToBeBorn · 04/07/2026 18:40

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 21:10

I did all this for our other DC. I can imagine he will expect it for the youngest too. And yes I could delegate to him but I did it for the others so the obvious course of action is for me to continue.

Well don’t! Negotiate this now. If you do this when working full time and he is retired you are an idiot. I did most of the cooking and organising while working full time while DH also worked full time as he was the higher earner and I worked from home. Now he is semi-retired and I run a demanding business, he does all the cooking and shopping. (Kids are up and away). His cooking repertoire was limited and it would have been easier initially for me to continue cooking etc (and being resentful). But Hello Fresh got us through the pain barrier and now he cooks most of the meals. I love my job and this is now me time. Don’t feel resentful. it will erode your marriage. Just get him to do the SAHP role. It’s not hard.

MachineBee · 04/07/2026 18:33

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 22:10

Funds are not completely joint, which I guess is part of the problem. Can they ever be when one person retires?

Our mortgage is repaid. We obviously have bills to be paid but our working status is individual. I don’t mind working while he retires. What I do mind is the expectation that I will continue to be the default parent.

Then put a stop to this expectation that you will be the default parent! Your DH must have known how old his youngest Dc would be when he reached his retirement age and would know that it wouldn’t be like normal workers that don’t retire until their 60s.

You need to pull on your big girl pants and have the conversation of what your expectations are. Not just passively let the family carry on regardless. And if you do set things out clearly, and nothing changes then you have to make sure they feel the consequences.

ERthree · 04/07/2026 18:27

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 20:58

Yes we are older parents. There is an age gap (him older) but not massive.

I experienced a bereavement and then unexpected inheritance which funded my years at home. I never intended to stay at home with them for as long as I did.

I get the point about lifts etc but the physical and mental drain of doing everything when they were little left it’s mark on me and now it feels like they are a bit more independent, he gets to chill out. I’ll still be working and tbh they will probably still call me before him even if he is retired.

Teenage kids and parents being able to chill out don't belong in the same sentence. Now it is your time to go and do as you please, go back to work, volunteer or have a mid week break with a friend.

Generationdoll · 04/07/2026 18:21

LizandDerekGoals · 03/07/2026 21:12

Teenagers need their parents. They really do. So many parent get significantly hands off when their kids hit secondary and their kids do not achieve what they could with support.

You make very clear that he will be dealing with the parent app, school lunches, checking homework, responding to trip notices immediately, having dinner ready for after school and for you.

So agree.
Your husband is a selfish arse.
You can be sure he will leave it all to you because he has never been involved.

You need to sit down and have a very frank conversation with him.
So much so that the divorce word needs to be mentioned.

He sees you as the family workhorse.
Better you split, parent 50/50 and split the finances.

This would be better to spell out now than allow him to continue as is, thinking he gets to live his new dream.

Secondary school absolutely is no walk in the park if you are serious about yoir children meeting their potential.

MrsCarson · 04/07/2026 18:21

So now when he starts talking about the retirement date. Spin it, say how great it's going to be, that he will be main contact for any school needs, doctors appointments and dentist during work hours and how lovely it'll be to come home to the laundry all done and meal on the table.

Pessismistic · 04/07/2026 17:48

Op if you ask him he might say no. He needs to know he doesn’t get to do his own thing all the time. Kids are his responsibility too.

StMarie4me · 04/07/2026 17:48

PerfectTiming1 · 03/07/2026 20:58

Yes we are older parents. There is an age gap (him older) but not massive.

I experienced a bereavement and then unexpected inheritance which funded my years at home. I never intended to stay at home with them for as long as I did.

I get the point about lifts etc but the physical and mental drain of doing everything when they were little left it’s mark on me and now it feels like they are a bit more independent, he gets to chill out. I’ll still be working and tbh they will probably still call me before him even if he is retired.

You clearly do not like him very much. i find your attitude really odd? Are you always this jealous?

665theneighborofthebeast · 04/07/2026 16:57

PerfectTiming1 · 04/07/2026 09:01

Maybe I’ll feel like this at some point in the future but my diary is jam packed with leavers assembly and yr 6 production and sports day and tbh I’m drained by it all.

Then you need to send the dates to him and wipe them off your calender.
Hand it over, step back. (So he cant accidentally plan not to be available) And keep stepping back.
Oh and tell the school to change contact details so he gets the emails, newsletters and is first contact. And tell him "obviously you've done it as you can finally stop multitasking through the days and actually focus on your job now, Thanks darling, Whats for dinner? I've mailed you all the kids preferences so you'll be able to work round that too."

AlphaBravoGamma · 04/07/2026 16:48

tachetastic · 03/07/2026 23:03

Can I ask ballpark how much your DH's income will be in retirement if he is retiring so early. I am in my early fifties and cannot imagine retiring on what my pension is worth.

He's got about a million in savings and pension (mostly pension) which he can access in 6(?) years.