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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

about dh's bonus

283 replies

bath4 · 09/10/2011 21:02

Dh has a good job and earns enough for me to be a SAHP. We have a joint account which I rarely use and a joint credit card. I use this for day to day stuff. I don't spend a fortune on myself. Just buy essentials.
DH has just received a bonus. He has spent £200 on stuff for himself and £50 on each of 3 dc's. He has never said to me why don't you get something too.
Now in theory I could buy something but its not really about that.
I just want to treated as an equal. My contribution to household may not be monetary but its still important.
AIBU

OP posts:
stepawayfromtheecclescakes · 12/10/2011 14:07

Xenia 'you wouldn't expect that much competence from them in any quarter anyway as they tend to be the ones who failed at work' so SAHM were crap at their jobs? how bloody insulting

Proudnreallyveryscary · 12/10/2011 14:11

Totally agree re Slacking.

I work FT and bring in most of the bacon.

We didn't discuss and plan like Scottishmummy, we just made joint decisions along the way. My dh does not hold any views (that I know of) on working or non working mothers - just what's worked for our family and kept us both fulfilled.

I do however agree with scottishmummy that it is potentially dangerous to be wholly financially dependant on another person.

Proudnreallyveryscary · 12/10/2011 14:11

Agree with slacking, not re

Slacking9to5 · 12/10/2011 14:12

widowwadman I'm not talking about having to work, I think that should be self explanatory.
I'm talking about set ups where one partner expects the other to work when they want to SAH or conversley, expects them to SAH when they want to work.

In situations where there is choice, both parties should work together to come to an agreement, which is what SM has already said and something I agree entirely with.

NotFromConcentrate · 12/10/2011 14:13

Why are people so derisory about other people's lifestyle choices? And why on earth is it always about the women? To my mind, I am no more entitled to stay at home and enjoy bringing up my children than my husband is. Equally, it's as much my responsibility to make sure we are all fed, clothed and housed as it is my husband's. How individual families choose to share that load is entirely their own business, but it is entirely that - a choice.

I've never been a SAHM (although am likely to be due to redundancy at 5 and a half months pregnant), but my husband has been a SAHD. I think the issue is entirely down to everything being a joint effort. I loved coming home at night and not having to cook, but with that came massive responsibility. It is particularly daunting to be aware that you are entirely responsible for providing for your family financially; you are the person upon whom everyone relies in order to be fed and clothed. Equally, the SAHP is responsible for the wellbeing, safety and happiness of the children which is also a great responsibility. The children have to be cared for and the family has to be fed, and both of those are equally important, regardless of how it's split and whether or not some of the money goes towards having the children looked after.

Regardless of who does what, family life is a team effort and that's where the OP's husband seems to be failing. The children aren't the OP's children, they're their children. As this particular family chose for mum to SAH and Dad to work, his money isn't his money, its their money. When I got a bonus during the time my DH was a SAHP, it went into the family pot and everyone got nice things. Sometimes I'd buy everyone something, other times I'd leave it to DH to buy his own. I never gave him cash or offered him permission because that to my mind would suggest the money wasn't his in the first place, but generally if he hadn't bought something I'd remind him he was still 'owed' a treat. I can see OP's point, but in waiting to be given the money rather than cheerfully showing her DH the treat she bought, the OP almost seems to be perpetuating the idea that the money isn't as much hers in the first place.

Bizarrely, now that we're both working, my bonus is mine and his is his Grin There's no sharing here!

stillstanding · 12/10/2011 14:22

Slacking, possibly we disagree because we are using the word "expectations" in a different way ... I hope so. I agree that in a marriage there shouldn't be fixed (or "expected") ways in which things are done and that these things need to be decided jointly.

The fact is, though, that a person needs to be able to support and provide for him/herself and his/her children. You could do that by going out to work or by finding a partner who is able to do that for you.

You say that you couldn't have had children by a man who expected you to be a working mother. By definition then, you expected him to work and support you. One or both of you had to work - there has to at least be an "expectation" of that, no?

Slacking9to5 · 12/10/2011 14:27

No, sorry, I should be clearer!

I wouldn't have had children with someone who had fixed ideas about what I should or shouldn't do after having children. It is a joint decision all the way!

I

stillstanding · 12/10/2011 14:32

Then we are in complete agreement - hurrah Grin

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