Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

In wanting sahd dh to get a job

189 replies

witcheshats · 01/01/2018 19:26

So today dh and I have been discussing our plans for 2018. He has been a sahd since we had dc (youngest now 5 and eldest 7) mainly because he had no career and I did.

When we first married he had some regular work to do with foreign students and it was regular and quite well-paid. He earned about 18k working about 4 non-consecutive months, so that on top of my salary (teacher) was great, and it mainly took place in school holidays so we had no childcare to pay as family helped out for the few weeks when it didn't. I thought this a near-perfect arrangement but he often moaned that he hated the work (boring apparently) and the people were so dull and conventional (unlike his stoner musician mates) and we could never have a holiday - we can't really afford one anyway.

Over the years, the work has fallen away and for the past two years he hasn't worked at all. I believe he had some sort of fall-out with his boss but I'm not really sure what happened. He thinks he's been treated unfairly, I think he may have antagonised her and done something wrong, but obviously will never really know.

I said nothing about his lack of work initially because it kind of fell away gradually and anyway he was at home with the dc. However, they are now both at school so I would like it if he started earning. We haven't discussed it much, but whenever we do he gets very defensive and says I don't care about him, want to see him stacking shelves etc etc. He has no real qualifications, aside from in the very specific field he appears to have cut himself off from, so I suppose he is quite limited in what he could go for, but that isn't my fault.

He is writing a book, has been for years, has had a few articles published in local magazines, plays in a band etc etc and I know he wants to expand all of that stuff, but meanwhile I am left with sole responsibility for bringing in money.

Anyway, today he revealed he has no intention of 'wasting time' on a 'shitty' job this year and instead would like to do a masters degree in creative writing. Obviously, this would have to be paid for out of my salary. I am devastated and just feel so lost and helpless. When I said I wasn't sure he got angry and said he would support me in anything I wanted to do, but that has a hollow ring to it somehow. He's now up in the attic and his fucking music is on and I'm pissed off.

If it's relevant and so as not to dripfeed, he is a good sahd and has done a fair bit with the dc in terms of playgroups etc, and he also loves cooking and does a lot from scratch - I rarely cook. He does most day to day cleaning/laundry and I do very little, though I pretty much take over with the dc when I'm home. I would obviously do more if he worked. He also has MS, though is not impaired by it atm and hasn't had an attack for three years.

AIBU or is he?

OP posts:
Xmaspuddingdisaster · 01/01/2018 19:56

I think it’s time you went part-time, surely? Since he will support you with your own plans. Of course him being ill will affect his outlook but plenty of people with MS hold down jobs.

gillybeanz · 01/01/2018 19:57

I know it would be your earnings paying for the masters, but if you look at it from a family money pov, it's even more unacceptable unless he intends to make money from it.
He should get a loan in his own name only.

I did lots of courses up to PG when I was a sahp/not earning, but they were free or bursary. I wouldn't have expected the family to fund me.
He certainly supported me, I couldn't have done it without his support.
It's ok having dreams when you have responsibilities, but paying the bills comes first.

Some manage to make money from their dreams, and get by quite well.
Others struggle and have to stack shelves, to live.
Can you afford to keep a dreamer, if so then let him be.

ButteredScone · 01/01/2018 19:58

Frankly, I think he should stack shelves, or do whatever it takes to contribute to your household financially. He needs a hard lesson in why work is called 'work' and not 'rewarding and creative stuff that people pay you to do in recognition of your innate talent'.

rcat · 01/01/2018 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WombOfOnesOwn · 01/01/2018 20:00

Yes, I think you should tell him that you'll gladly support his master's degree ambitions as soon as he supports you while you go to school to get some credential of your own that will require you to stop earning for a while.

This man is a user who thinks you're his mummy, not his wife. When he says he wants to "support" you, he means by telling you he loves you. When he wants you to support him, he means in every way -- financially, with your emotions, your time, your childcare responsibilities.

A "creative writing" program is a masterful way for a man to avoid family time, because it can take up as much of one's time as one likes. Want to get out of all your obligations for a while? Feign writer's block and act so distraught and say that you simply can't go to the in-laws this year for the holidays, you absolutely must finish your short story or you'll have trouble in your program!

It's the ultimate go-nowhere degree with the ultimate do-nothing option. Don't be fooled by this man any more.

P.S. -- my husband is also a SAHD, so this isn't due to me having anything against that aspect of this situation. If my husband asked me to financially support a degree unlikely to pay itself off through steady employment, he'd get an earful from me and I'd probably call up my in-laws to give him a second earful. Creative writing! Good grief!

thethoughtfox · 01/01/2018 20:01

Tell him you support him doing this course - but obviously he'll need to take on paid work and save up in order to find it. Be careful, OP : as long as he is SAHP, he could get primary care of children, the family home and you would have to pay him child support if you split.

thethoughtfox · 01/01/2018 20:01

*fund it

rcat · 01/01/2018 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gemini69 · 01/01/2018 20:02

He's taking the PISS ... at your expense.. reality check is required..Flowers

Ashamedandblamed · 01/01/2018 20:04

The ma sounds like a reason to buy more time to do fuck all.

Tell him to do it part time and work part time.

Tbh it sounds like you have a man child son not a partner.

WhatWouldOliviaPopeDo · 01/01/2018 20:05

YANBU. The number of people who do creative writing MAs and go on to get massive book deals can be counted on one hand. Most authors barely scrape a living and even some of the "big" names still have day jobs. Your DH really needs to earn at the same time he studies.

yulefool · 01/01/2018 20:07

There’s a time for pie in the sky and chasing unlokely dreams pre dc, and then you grow up and you find a version that helps pay the bills - I’ve a weak tolerance for people that have creative aims that they’ve not realised for many, many years.

Now, the question is, are you going to be ok staying with him through the next 10 years of him earning very little whilst you are increasingly bad cop? How much longer are you going to give it, or should you tacitly accept that you’re on your own for life in the earnings stakes?

Yes, he may become j k Rowling, or more likely you’re in the same situation in 5 years’ time.

Does he need counselling for the MS? I wonder whether he has more of a sense than most of us that his time is important and must matter? I found understand that, but it’s up to you whether you want to bear all the financial burden.

Schlimbesserung · 01/01/2018 20:09

Doesn't he realise that a huge number of people think their jobs are "boring"? Most of us don't haul ourselves out of bed in the morning for the sheer joy of another day at work. If it was fun, they wouldn't need to pay us to do it!

The creative writing thing does sound like an open-ended cop out to me I'm afraid. He may be afraid of getting back to work, or he may just be lazy, but this really doesn't sound like a situation which can work.

lastuseraccount123 · 01/01/2018 20:10

YANBU.

the 'shitty job' comment really struck me. imo doing one might be the kick up the arse he needs to work harder than he currently does. If I was you I would say no.

My OH supported me for a few years while I tried to write, but eventually I had to get a job. Ironically I've done far more creatively since going back to work full-time - including progressing my career. I've also had various health issues. It's all down to work ethic imo (note if he's having a flare-up of MS it's a different story. but you've said he's currently in remission).

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 01/01/2018 20:14

Are you afraid of saying "no, I won't pay for it and yes, you do have to get a job even if it is a shitty job"?

Battleax · 01/01/2018 20:16

Can he not do a !A through the open university? That way his post graduate loan will cover his fees totally, and won't impact you at all.

TBH the PG loan would cover most taught Masters' fees in Creative Writing. Open University would be a crap choice for the subject, but maybe PT is the appropriate compromise.

OP you do both know about the government PG loans?

TBH the idea of a masters when he has never had a proper job sounds like a way to piss away more time.

Only if you consider being a SAHP a waste of time.

It's possible his confidence is in the doldrum. Being aggressive or disparaging will make it worse.

jay55 · 01/01/2018 20:16

If he dropped out of his degree before the end can he get on an MA course?
There are loads of evening classes in creative writing which might be a compromise. But it isn't about the MA it is about him contributing now the kids are in school.

OnlyAmy · 01/01/2018 20:16

Maybe you should just tell him you're unhappy and propose a "trial separation" while he figures his shit out. He's had a meal ticket for a long time, maybe if you both step away for a breather, he will figure out how adults make a living in the world. Your expectations of a DH being a life partner are not unreasonable. He should be contributing financially now that the DC are in school, as most mothers do-at least part time. And most mothers take whatever "shitty job" will fit with their schedules.

KatharinaRosalie · 01/01/2018 20:18

he got angry and said he would support me in anything I wanted to do - OK, tell him that your dream has always been to spend more time with your DC and you've decided to become a SAHM. I wonder what his reaction to that is.

kscience · 01/01/2018 20:20

Tell him he can do an MA and get a full student loan (£10k) to cover the cost and for his contribution to household expenses and get a part time job to top up his contribution.

tinkertailorsoildersailor · 01/01/2018 20:21

I know types like him. He's basically too lazy to inconvenience himself with 'boring' work, but he will let you.... He's a dreamer, with no real footing in reality. Meanwhile you get to do all the boring, gown up stuff. Just hearing about him makes my piss boil! Sorry.

Flupi · 01/01/2018 20:21

He’s being so unfair. I feel sorry for you op. It looks to me as though he has no thoughts whatsoever of ever working. Why on earth does he feel entitled to potter with his “hobbies” while you have the stress of being the only breadwinner on a teachers salary! I might take the good points raised by pp and write him a letter. That may avoid a row and you’d be able to get your point across. He also may appreciate the written form. It would enable him to reflect without replying in the heat of the moment. Just a thought. It works for me when I’m worried I won’t be able to express myself without crying, going off at a tangent....
Good luck. Yadnbu

Xmaspuddingdisaster · 01/01/2018 20:22

I am hoping this doesn’t sound awful but at some point in the future it’s likely the OP will be her dh’s carer, and will have to support him. With that in mind it would be nice if he could contribute financially while he can.

HeebieJeebies456 · 01/01/2018 20:25

If all dc are in full time school then he is no longer a 'SAHD'.......he is now unemployed and needs paid work at least during school hours!

Honestly, i think he's been using being a sahd to cover up for his laziness and lack of drive and work ethic.

So what if he has to stack shelves?
Does he think it's beneath him or something? Hmm

SilverBirchTree · 01/01/2018 20:26

I feel for you both re: the MS. What a hard thing to deal with. But as PPs said, this makes it more important for you both to work towards financial security now, while you are both well. You don’t know what the future holds or what help you will need.

Also it’s not fair for one person to follow their dreams and passions while the other person picks up the tab.

He needs to get a job.

Swipe left for the next trending thread