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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel about 2cms tall?

142 replies

Stuckinsilence · 29/08/2018 15:30

Last week was a special anniversary for DH and I. We had gone away for a few days and had a nice time. I had bought DH a special present (nothing expensive but special nonetheless and something he liked). He hadn't bought me anything, not even a card, but we had been away for a couple of nights so I was happy even so. On the way home, he appeared agitated and asked where I had bought his present from, and then said 'so I paid for it then'. I said no, I paid for it and would transfer the money later. I told him to stop being so spiteful and he apologised.

A few months ago for father's day i surprised him with a day out and took all his family out for dinner. It took so much effort to organise and keep it a surprise. All he could say on the way home was, when asked if he had enjoyed himself, 'yeah but I paid for it'. I told him no, I had worked a couple of days in my parents family business to pay for it. Again he apologised.

Last month i bought car insurance on our joint credit card. He was furious and said how dare I buy it without asking him. I told him i buy it every year and there's not a problem, how else did he think i was going to pay for it? He carried on and on until i said i was phoning my mum to loan me the money to give back to him. He all of sudden changed his tune and said to forget about it.

AIBU to feel about 2cm tall? I feel small and silly when he makes these comments. I feel like nothing and so embarrassed.

FWIW, I am a sahm to our three children (two with sn), do everything around the house and 99% of childcare. He would never make these comments in front of anyone else because he knows that they'd be appalled - it's only in private.

OP posts:
AtypicalMan · 29/08/2018 16:12

He is being a fool .

stayathomer · 29/08/2018 16:12

You need to have a discussion with him about all of this and tell him that since you are at home with the kids you can't work and that you'd have assumed that meant that your money is BOTH of your money. DH worries about money and we talk about everything we spend and when I get him a present or something you can see he's panicking but he would never EVER use the words 'my money.' It is something I was always paranoid about and went out of my way to show it was his money until one day he said 'what the hell, one of us has to work and it has to be the one on the higher income. Your job was paying childcare and now it's just the same except I have the peace of mind that they're with you.' You can't live like that, it'll break you up

Motoko · 29/08/2018 16:13

Why do you bother trying to do nice things for him? He doesn't deserve them.

I'm sorry to tell you, but your husband is financially abusive. Read up on it.
What pps have said about the money he earns is true, you are just as entitled to that money as he is, and you should be able to buy things (for yourself included) without being grilled about it. The only exception to that, is when it's a large expense, then you should be able to discuss it and you both decide on whether it's needed and can afford it.

Why are you frightened of discussing a more equitable arrangement?

KingLooieCatz · 29/08/2018 16:15

You need to agree a budget for household and personal spends each. You should have the same personal spending money as he does. DH and I haven't always earned the same and we adjusted how much we put in the joint account so it's proportionate.

If he won't engage he'd better start thinking about how he's going to start covering all the childcare you're doing.

The way he's treating you is really wrong.

RoboticSealpup · 29/08/2018 16:16

It's not "his" fucking money. You're married and you take care of his children. Everything he owns belongs to you as well.

OzymandiasFanClub · 29/08/2018 16:17

I think you do need to discuss the idea of family money. Does he just not get the concept of your different roles in the family? You ARE ENTITLED to spend the family money- even if he is the sole earner.And he needs to trust that you're not going to blow the lot on fripperies. He sounds immature.
These things would not even be a minor issue in most marriages/ parenting relationships.
It sounds really horrible to be made to beg for children's shoes. He has got a problem- but it's you that is suffering.

Stuckinsilence · 29/08/2018 16:17

After him raging about me not asking to buy my car insurance, i told him that i would tell him if i needed to purchase anything over £40. However, now it has turned into something more - he has begun questioning my purchases for the children, etc and it makes me feel silly, like i am under surveillance.

OP posts:
keefthebeef · 29/08/2018 16:18

Bill him for child care. What a twat.

Thinkingallowed85 · 29/08/2018 16:18

He sounds appalling. I’ve been both the working one whilst OH was a SAHD and the SAHM, it’s all our money and we don’t consult under a certain amount. I frequently tell OH he can’t buy something because the kids need x or y. We are a team.

colditz · 29/08/2018 16:19

I know I always seem to go for "Leave the bastard"

But consider this.

Even if he stops SAYING revolting things about "wah, I paid for this, I paid for that", he's still thinking them, and he's always going to.

MEN DO NOT CHANGE.

He is always going to be a person who thinks you are less than him.

RoseWhiteTips · 29/08/2018 16:19

He sounds like an idiot. Who does he think he is? Grrrrr

Thinkingallowed85 · 29/08/2018 16:20

If you separated how much would he have to spend on maintenance for the kids?! He is being revolting and I would honestly divorce over this behaviour. Does he realise how unacceptable it is?

woodfires · 29/08/2018 16:21

his money Either you sit down work out a budget, each have spending money in it and a certain amount for clothes, food, bills etc. Or if he won't do that I truly would insist on going back to work and splitting the child care costs, which is your DC have sn could well cost more than you being a SAHP. But at least you would have some financial freedom. I wouldn't be embarrassed OP I would be totally mad and I am a non earning SAHP at present, I bloody wouldn't be if I was ever spoken to like that.

AdaColeman · 29/08/2018 16:21

I think you should have said what you thought about him buying his sunglasses in Primark. In fact you can use it next time he starts a similar conversation with you about your spending.

Are you involved at all in financial planning/control with the family money? If not, it's time to start taking an interest in where the money is being spent.

Car insurance is a legitimate family expense and should come out of family money. Don't let him bully you over finances any more.

TroubledLichen · 29/08/2018 16:21

God that’s terrible, what a twat. I could just about see his side at the start of your post, that extravagant gifts/meals out are big purchases and should be discussed together when it’s joint money but then you got to you’re basically not allowed to buy the kid’s school shoes whilst he’s allowed designer sunglasses. He’s financially abusive. You’re never going to have my kind of independence or be able to feel good about yourself whilst you’re married to such an asshole financially dependant on him. Go back to work ASAP.

IDrinkAndISewThings · 29/08/2018 16:23

This man is a bell end. Presumably you would be capable of going out and earning yourself a wage if you weren't staying at home to look after both your children? You are incapable of providing a financial income to the household because of the crucial role you provide at home, but if you weren't to provide that role (eg childcare) your household outgoings would be considerably higher due to childcare costs, cleaners etc etc. By having you at home, he is saving money, especially as he's forbidding you from spending it.
Either he accommodates you going out to work and earning your own income (with which you can do as you please) or he starts to recognise your claim to the household income by recognising the role you provide.

woodfires · 29/08/2018 16:23

We do give each other a heads up if a big purchase is coming down the road, or a large bill but that works both ways and isn't about one person asking permission so much as working as a team.

colditz · 29/08/2018 16:24

Have a think about why you DIDN'T say anything about his sunglasses?
/
Do you dislike challenging him? DOes he frighten you?

WOuld he make a big upsetting scene in front of the children or try to involve them?

Why wouldn't you say anything?

user1487194234 · 29/08/2018 16:24

He is being an arse,But in your circumstances I would get a job

crepeicecream · 29/08/2018 16:25

He's a complete knob head, bin him off.

Theresnodisneyending · 29/08/2018 16:25

I'm also a sahp. If my DH ever, ever treated me like this I would happily be a single parent. How dare he treat you like his employee? Are you going to let him keep treating you like this? Do you honestly truly see yourself wanting to live this way for the rest of your life?

MiggledyHiggins · 29/08/2018 16:26

By suggesting that you run anything over £40 past him you are feeding his financial abuse of you. Encouraging it.

Seriously, you cannot live like this accounting for every amount you need to spend. It's not his money. Or if it is 'his' then he needs to take over some childcare so you can go earn 'your' money and you both can put a pro-rata amount in the pot for family use.

And stop with the birthday gifts and treats for the miserable flute as well.

herworldoutsideit · 29/08/2018 16:26

You have to tell him if you spend over £40!!!!
Does he have to tell you if he spends over £40????

As others have said. He regards you as a subordinate.

He is abusive.

I would say make a list of your financial contribution to the household. So that he can see how much it would cost him if you were not there.
But, abusive men don't really change, so it probably won't make any impact on him..

Do you want to stay with him?
Do you feel you have to stay with him?
Do you want to make a plan to leave?

EthelThePiratesDaughter · 29/08/2018 16:26

Your husband sounds financially abusive, OP.

Maybe that significant anniversary should be your last.

Flowers
Theresnodisneyending · 29/08/2018 16:27

The thing is, even if you did just "get a job" as others suggest, yes, you;d have your own money BUT he would ALWAYS be the kind of man/person to hold finances over your head/nitpick every bloody penny. I would loathe to have to put up with this from someone who was supposed to see me as my equal/on the same "team".