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Husband giving me an ultimatum - forcing me to get a job or sell our house

847 replies

namechanged808 · 08/08/2023 23:04

My husband and I have a mortgage on our house.

I am a SAHM of three children, 3, 5 and 7.

He says we can't afford the house we live in and wants to move to a rented council house.

I don't want to do that as I enjoy having a house of my own, that I can make mine. I don't want to rent for the rest of my life. I like stability for my children.

My husband is now forcing me to get a job if I want to keep the house.

I don't know what to do

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Pompom2367 · 09/08/2023 12:42

Surely you feel if he is abusive then you need to be working for security? Do you ever plan to work? If you do Will you not contribute to the family pot?

GoodChat · 09/08/2023 12:44

Does your dad still have his cash and carry? Ask him for a job with flexible hours around childcare

monsteramunch · 09/08/2023 12:45

Mojodojocasahaus · 09/08/2023 11:54

Op has something happened to your finances that is different? Is he in debt? Gambling?

Why is he piling on the pressure now?

Cost of living crisis? Hugely increased bills?

More likely that than anything else.

horseyhorsey17 · 09/08/2023 12:47

Some really judgemental comments on this thread. It is normal in a lot of socially conservative cultures for the man to work while the woman is a SAHM, but the problem with that is it's just not tenable in the UK at the moment with the cost of living what it is. Most households need two salaries, unless one person is a very high earner.

OP - you're clearly in a really difficult position if you can't afford the cost of your mortgage/living AND your husband can't hold down a job. You may unintentionally end up homeless at this rate, and that would be a nightmare of crappy temporary accomodation for months, if not years. It does sound like you need a part-time job that fits around childcare to help avoid this, but you shouldn't be having all the responsibility for managing the kids/cleaning/household finances on your shoulders alone. Maybe you and your husband need to talk to Citizen's Advice or similar about how to navigate this as I know that cultural issues can be problematic when it comes to getting men to step up to domestic responsibilities. Good luck.

ToughLoveLDN · 09/08/2023 12:50

OP, I understand that you feel frustrated and that culturally you have different expectations for your lifestyle than say a white woman in the UK. I myself am mixed South Asian and understand how much impact our culture has. However, you need to start accepting some responsibility. We live in the UK in 2023, we can't live to the same traditions that our parents and their parents before them lived to because the world has changed and you have to change too.

Your youngest child is 3, they go to nursery, work in the hours your youngest child is at nursery, ask your family to help with childcare. Myself and my partner work full time, he is the main earner, I contribute a small amount of my wage to the household to make it easier for him because I love him. I want to relieve him of some of that burden, and because I know how expensive everything is at the moment. I also want a better lifestyle for myself and our child, by contributing we can have that. The rest is my money to do with what I please.

Every time someone on this thread suggests something (or questions you) you make up an excuse of why you can't do it and how everything's so unfair because you want to be a SAHM like the other women around you. Unfortunately they married men that can hold down a job that makes enough money so that they can be a SAHM, you didn't.

PopGoesTheWeaselYetAgain · 09/08/2023 12:51

pleasehelpwi3 · 09/08/2023 12:09

I'd love to 'get you started' on your casual xenophobia aimed at refugees and asylum seekers. Are you genuinely against the most vulnerable and at risk people, who have often fled torture and terror, being chucked out of the hostels and barges that even this government puts them in (when not telling them to 'fuck off back to France').....or is it just some casual Daily Mail moronic group think that you haven't actually thought through?
I don't think anyone who has fled for example Saydnaya Prison ( a Syrian regime torture centre), or sexual slavery in Iraq should be below the OP on the council house list, just because she can't be arsed to work. Even if they came here on a small boat, just because there are very limited legal safe routes into the UK.

Actually, asylum seeker housing is separated from council housing and it can takes years to get asylum. At that point the family would be eligible for a council house, like everyone else.

ChristmasCwtch · 09/08/2023 12:52

For goodness sake, get off your butt and get a job

Teaandbiscuits60 · 09/08/2023 12:59

Especially if you sell!!!! You will be considered as making yourself homeless!! If hubby can’t be responsible I would divorce him and see how he likes that! Despicable!

user1473878824 · 09/08/2023 13:01

I haven’t RTWT but have read all your replies @namechanged808. Your husband is a dick but if you can’t afford the house easily and it doesn’t seem like you can then you need to work.

LOADS of women dream of being a SAHM but simply can’t afford it. My DP is on a good wage and doesn’t keep getting fired but I will have to go back to work after having children though I don’t want to.

Your main argument seems to be that it’s unfair, well it might be but that doesn’t mean it will just change so you get what you want. Get a job, get some financial security for yourself and do what everyone else does. No one is going to wave a magic wand. No one is able to.

KatsWhiskas · 09/08/2023 13:12

Wallywobbles · 08/08/2023 23:15

Why don't you want to work?

Having in the past worked for a local authority as a homelessness officer, can confirm above info is absolutely correct- councils do investigate the reasons why a family is homeless and are likely to decide that you and DH had made yourselves homeless intentionally if you were to sell up and move in with relatives/rent privately. You could also find yourselves spending months in hotel temporary accommodation, often in areas far away from children's schools and all your contacts etc...do you really want to put your children through all this?

You and your DH need to have thorough discussion about your family's finances and what's needed to be able to continue to pay your mortgage. If you need to get a job, look at what you could do, contact the National Careers Service website for advice on careers and applying for jobs.

Good luck!

FiestyGemini · 09/08/2023 13:14

Your husbands lazy. If you agreed to be a SAHM and he provides financially he should get 2 jobs and stop being fired. Why should the agreement change because he is inconsistent, not only in work but the marriage. Having a ft job may not help at all as he may leave/get fired anyway so back to one income. Being a SAHM/dad is a hard job with no full time pay because we'd often be broke trying to pay for this.

Dontwantanicknamethanks · 09/08/2023 13:16

I haven’t read the full thread - too long!

In your culture (assuming Pakistani) I realise that a ‘good girl’ (you know what I mean by that OP) should be creating the perfect family home whilst the husband goes out to work. A lot do achieve that and they have a strong family network they’re happily within and all are supportive of each other. The husband is also ‘extra good’ if he helps/ plays with the kids. You dreamt of this, it is expected from your culture.

unfortunately, you don’t have that, and I’m pretty sure you never will. Your main frustration is that your DH can’t earn. There are people like that, you know. They don’t have the drive, the intelligence or competence to hold down jobs, ever. Your DH is one of them. Unless he has a skill/ passion you haven’t told us, he is unlikely to be the high earner you want/ need him to be.

So this is probably only the beginning of a very difficult long term state for you- if you choose to remain in this exact same position. What to do? Everyone you speak to in your network ‘agrees’ on your behalf but your family is not willing to speak up for you and his family will not get involved (probably because they know what a deadbeat he is but too ashamed to admit it).

Reality is, he is highly unlikely to improve his prospects. He probably thinks that the house is a ball and chain that he can’t cope with and hence sees renting as the easy way out. This really is someone with low intelligence.

You also don’t want to get divorced because of the shame of it. British women do experience this feeling too - it’s not necessarily a cultural thing. But so far, what people think has not helped you at all. So why feel ashamed?

So let’s say right now you get a job but I reckon that will probably just a paper over the big cracks. When you do, I can see him stopping work completely and just being at home without doing anything to help. And as the ‘ man’ of the house and head of house, he is entitled to do what he wants. You’re in a lose-lose situation with him.

This is where you really need to speak to your family and seriously say to them that you must come home as your husband is prepared to make you homeless. You need to discuss moving back to England, finding schools nearby and somewhere to live - with their support. I realise that this is likely to bring massive drama to their doorstep - but frankly, tough, in times like this, they should be looking out for their daughter and grandchildren.

You should also get a job when your back in your family’s area. Any job. It doesn’t matter what. You need to understand the work place and earning power. You cannot be as sheltered as you want to be as it’s not realistic. Your children will not thank you for it.

And whilst doing that, speak to a solicitor about divorce. Try and find one that is recommended from the area where your parents live. I don’t know about finding one from your own culture as they may try to dissuade you from divorcing or even talk about it without your knowledge ( I know it’s illegal but that doesn’t mean it’s a bar). That’s up to you. But find one.

The bottom line is that you need to start helping yourself as you’ve landed a bad husband who will probably destroy your life. You just need the mental acceptance and then the courage it make it happen. It can be done - and that’s what people are trying to tell you here. Good luck, wish you and your kids all the best.

Catpuss66 · 09/08/2023 13:19

namechanged808 · 09/08/2023 00:38

My family all agree with me that his behaviour is not on.
The threatening to sell the house if I don't comply is, to me, financial abuse.
And to answer a PP's question, most women in my family are not required to work, they can if they want to, but the money their earn is theirs to keep or do what they see fit with.

Sorry but you are really in the wrong here. Not saying that he is right, just because everyone else stays at home doesn’t mean you have to. If you want to lose your house you carry on as you are. When you are all living in one room in temporary accommodation then you can moan. You could work on the tills at supermarket or cleaning offices at night your husband will have to look after the children. That’s what my parents did to afford to buy a house & this was in the 70’s as one came in the other one went out to work. You make your choices. It’s not financial abuse by the way.

GoodChat · 09/08/2023 13:31

FiestyGemini · 09/08/2023 13:14

Your husbands lazy. If you agreed to be a SAHM and he provides financially he should get 2 jobs and stop being fired. Why should the agreement change because he is inconsistent, not only in work but the marriage. Having a ft job may not help at all as he may leave/get fired anyway so back to one income. Being a SAHM/dad is a hard job with no full time pay because we'd often be broke trying to pay for this.

He should get two jobs so she doesn't have to get one? Really?

ChristmasCwtch · 09/08/2023 13:34

It’s infuriating to read the OP’s posts… the tasks you do in the morning and whilst your children are in childcare (making breakfast and packed lunches, cleaning, cooking lunch and hanging up laundry)… that’s just life 🤦🏼‍♀️ Things that every full time working mum does on top of actually working.

You sound lazy and lack work ethic OP. Regardless of what your husband does, you’re setting a dreadful example for your sons.

Get a job. Cleaning, ironing, doing school club supervision, training to be a TA or a night shift in a factory or supermarket. There must be some way you can bring in some money.

newusername2009 · 09/08/2023 13:37

I think it’s a difficult position you are in but marriage is a team and your husband is clearly struggling with the financial burden alone. You need to help him with a term time only job but make it clear you need stability from him too

Redbrickrebel · 09/08/2023 13:38

Ryeman · 09/08/2023 12:31

I think some people are being a bit harsh on the OP here. You went into the marriage expecting one thing, and it's not turned out how you'd hoped. It's time to put your big girl pants on, take control and go out and provide for your family, if your seemingly-useless husband won't.

Key being 'seemingly ' useless.

As most posters have pointed out, the poor fellah is probably at his wits end trying to bring enough money in to put a roof over the head of a wife that refuses to bring any money in, and 3 kids.

To the OP, you're not going to get a council house, you know that now, and private rent will be as much as your mortgage.

You have one option, and that is to park your 'culture' of not contributing financially, and get a job that brings some money in. Doesn't have to be full time, just something that works round the kids.

JFDIYOLO · 09/08/2023 13:46

Get a job.

However this council house business works or not, he's telling you he's worried about finances. And I think there's something he's not telling you, too. Plus he's unreliable.

Stop calling it financial abuse and starting asking for the truth about your shared financial situation.

Start reframing how you think about getting a job - it means independence, extra income, savings. And the one thing SAHMs so seldom think about - state and workplace pensions. Financial safety and security. You and your children are quite vulnerable right now. Time to open your eyes.

Then an adult conversation about the extra money, how it's budgeted, saved, spent etc.

Make it clear that if you're working, then everything else changes, too.

Ensure he understands you will not be doing a paid job bolted on top of all the wifework.

This means he takes an agreed and consistent share in childcare shopping cooking cleaning laundry etc, at the same rate as you do - which will become half what you currently do.

He does not come in from work and sit down - he shares the child and homecare. Is he able, willing and prepared to do that?

Ignore comments about your choices, decisions in the past, etc. What's important is how they affect your current and future situation.

And make sure your contraception is rock solid.

CoffeandTiaMaria · 09/08/2023 13:52

namechanged808 · 09/08/2023 00:49

I don't understand why he can't find a higher paying job. That would solve all our issues. He wouldn't even have to work more hours.
He works non-stop and always complains about back pain.
I don't understand.

If he can’t even effectively and reliably work in a lower waged job how the hell is he going to be employable in a better paid one Ffs? His references aren’t going to be brilliant!

Lapland123 · 09/08/2023 13:54

Agree with others, it’s definitely time to contribute to the family finances. Like others have said, local schools looking for TTO staff- they can’t recruit them here, care work- anything really, you should be at least trying to earn your personal tax allowance

Cultural expectations are irrelevant here- this is about being able to keep your home or not

It’s definitely not financial abuse- trust me, I’ve seen what that really looks like. This is your husband saying we’re in trouble financially, help, we can’t afford for you to be a SAHM with all kids in school/ nursery.

Most families can’t afford to have a SAHP, it’s a luxury and is only for those who agree it and can afford to do so. You’re not in that category anymore ( like the majority).

Wallywobbles · 09/08/2023 13:54

Working can be wonderful. Adult company, interesting people, builds your self-esteem. My identity is so tied up in what I do I’d be lost if I wasn’t working. And my kids have started to leave home. What will you go at 45 when your kids are all living their own lives?

You and your parents have made choices that have given you such a small view of the world. It’s a big fascinating place full of interesting people. Try and think a bit bigger.

CoffeandTiaMaria · 09/08/2023 13:56

SouthLondonMum22 · 09/08/2023 01:02

No one needs to clean for 8 hours a day, SAHP or not. It's a choice.

8 hours a day?
Do you live in utter squalor or something?

rosetintedmemories2023 · 09/08/2023 14:08

can you be a virtual PA.

Learn to do eyelash extensions and do it from your home. can you thread eyebrows? Do that too.

If you are a good cook, you can get a health and safety certificate to prepare food commercially at home and do a tiffin service from your house. There must be a south asian community where you live, and this would be a good way to earn some money on the side. A lot of young professionals would pay for a tiffin service (2 meals a day) as they don't have time to cook and its not economical to cook for an individual anyway.

ChatBFP · 09/08/2023 14:10

Hi OP

I'm sorry that you feel under attack.

I think that you probably need to accept that your assumption as to how your marriage would go (based on cultural norms - most women here would not assume a right to be a SAHP unless they had the funds to support this and many would not choose this anyway) is not going to work out. Your husband is lazy and a bit unintelligent, unfortunately. This is the risk in assuming that a man, any man, will necessarily provide for your lifestyle, but you are where you are.

The reason lots are struggling on here with your account is that, actually, many of us working women do all the things you do (my working day in the week stops at 11pm once I have tidied up and starts at 7am when I start breakfast and pack lunches, though I do have pockets of time in the day on my commute or lunch break to do things for me). Of course, that means that many of us sacrifice some things in terms with what we do with our time or our domestic standards compared to those that would apply in a culture that expects us to always have a home ready to receive visitors (but then, for us, no one is home to mess it up or see it anyway!). Your problem is that you don't want to work and your husband does not want to work hard and does not want to do domestic tasks.

For most on here who have a husband who works evenings and nights, that husband might support you in going out to work - there's no reason why he couldn't clear the breakfast things before he rests from his night's work, for example. Many husbands in that situation where you work opposite shifts might do that and some laundry (you put it on before going out to work, he hangs it up when he gets in) or some cooking (or defrosting something that you have cooked and frozen so that it is ready for when everyone gets in). So you are working in relay. If you went out to work, he could do this and you would be able to cover it between you. Does he want to do this support work more than he wants to work more hours and better?

chimneydifficult · 09/08/2023 14:34

FiestyGemini · 09/08/2023 13:14

Your husbands lazy. If you agreed to be a SAHM and he provides financially he should get 2 jobs and stop being fired. Why should the agreement change because he is inconsistent, not only in work but the marriage. Having a ft job may not help at all as he may leave/get fired anyway so back to one income. Being a SAHM/dad is a hard job with no full time pay because we'd often be broke trying to pay for this.

Is this a joke? OP says he already works evenings. WHy should he get another job when OP isn't even willing to get one?

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