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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I need a hard faced AIBU'er to read my situation and give it to me good!

204 replies

CatHairInMyFaceCream · 10/01/2012 13:58

DP & I seem to be arguing over our 'roles' and I'd like some ideas/perspective/ or even to figure out if I am in the wrong and should perhaps try to do more.

I work Mon - Fri 9.30am to 5pm in a challenging job.

DP is SAHD. Has been ever since dd was 4 months. She's now 15 months.

DP looks after dd (who can be a challenge), does most home chores and does dinner.

This is a typical day.

8am wake up. I go straight into shower and get ready for work while DP gets dd and himself breakfast. I don't have breakfast. I tidy upstairs, make bed etc then leave for work around 9ish.
DP spends all day in the house with dd, he plays, entertains, sits her in front of cbeebies, and keeps the downstairs tidy - by this I mean the kitchen & living room. He also does any washing. (But he needs me to load the machine for him Hmm)
On the days I'm not going to Asda for shopping. I get home around 6pm. Dinner is almost always prepared. (Sometimes it's a bung in the oven, sometimes it's a prepared dinner - depends what we have in)
After we eat DP bathes dd while I tidy away dinner dishes and do a general tidy up.
I then get dd dried and into pj's, have a play around with her, then I take her to bed, while DP watches TV.
This is all normally done for around 8pm/8.30pm.
So, when dd is sleeping, DP watches TV while I MN, iron, or sort bills and cashflow or in most cases we both watch TV together.
If dd wakes, I go to her. If she wakes in the night I go to her. DP is a heavy sleeper.

The money we have is spent on household bills, food, anything for dd, DP's ciggarettes, fuel for my car, weekend wine and beer and the odd lunch out or takeaway.

I go to the gym 2 evenings a week and a Saturday morning. The evenings are at 9pm when dd is fast asleep and the Saturday morning is instead of my lie in. (which has only ever been until 11am at the latest)

DP has a long lie (til about 13.00pm) every Sunday. He goes to the pub at least once a month to watch footie or such like.

DP moans that he spends too much time in the house and wants to get out "to get away from me and dd" which I have no problem with. he's into his music, I tried encouraging him to join a local music group - he never bothered, I mentioned that he might want to get a part time job - he was shocked I'd even suggested that (fair enough), instead he wants money to go out into town each week to go to a gig, or have a pint, again I have no problem with but it's not just £20 it's at least £50!

I think this is excessive, especially when we are just getting by on what I earn.

He also feels like he never has any money and doesn't like to ask - which I understand so I've asked him how much he needs per month (but also stated that this money would have to include his ciggarrettes) I'm still waiting on an answer.

I suppose what I'm asking is... AIBU? Am I shirking on my duties? Should I be doing more?

How can I resolve this.

I plan to let DP read this.

OP posts:
GlueSticksEverywhere · 11/01/2012 13:58

OP Why are you setting him up a direct debit rather then making your bank acounts joint? Do you not trust him? The direct debit just sounds like fancy pocket money! I think he needs treating with more respect as the person who is caring for and raising your child from 8-6 or whatever times you work every day.

CatHairInMyFaceCream · 11/01/2012 14:17

Of course I trust him.

It is a joint decision not to have a joint account.

GlueStick - we are happy with the arrangement now.

OP posts:
wineandroses · 11/01/2012 14:22

Most importantly, your DP must stick to his commitment to take DD out of the house every day - children need stimulation, socialisation, exercise, fresh air, and so does he for that matter. I would be worrying about your DD's development, if DP reverts to staying home everyday.

olgaga · 11/01/2012 15:01

Well we've been married 15 years, together for 19, and we've never had a joint bank account. Never quite understood why anyone would need one! We just agree between ourselves what we each cover, in accordance with income.

At the beginning, I earned more than DH. Now, he earns more than me. Money has never been an issue.

I certainly wouldn't object to him setting up a direct debit for me!

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