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Husband not supportive of my need for maternity leave

609 replies

Bellyfish1 · 04/11/2019 08:26

I am a freelancer with one regular client who currently pays me for 4 days' work a week. I am also 31 weeks pregnant and worried how to manage maternity leave.
My husband is also self-employed and earns much more than me but is not supportive of me taking full time maternity leave and thinks I should try to keep on working through even the first months post-partum.
This will be my first baby but DH has 2 kids from previous relationship. Should be noted that his ex went on indefinite maternity leave although she will have received mat leave pay from her employer for the first few months.
As our finances are completely separate despite being married (owing to his trust issues since first partner left him), my husband expects me to continue to support myself through this pregnancy and beyond - it is also becoming clear that he expects me to pay for everything that will be needed for the baby.
This WAS a 'planned' pregnancy in that we were ttc for 2 years and even had IVF (failed) although when I did fall pregnant it was no longer expected and has been a minor miracle considering my age (42) and history (7 early miscarriages).
I have no assets as I lived abroad from age 25 to 35 and have never been able to get on the housing ladder, but I earn enough to get by.
My husband owns the house we live in and we share the bills. His reason for not letting me pay towards the house and getting named on the deeds is that he wants it to be for his children from first marriage, which I fully accepted, but now we have a baby of our own on the way I was hoping things might change.
In short, I feel very vulnerable and anxious and completely unsupported by my husband. I know he won't let us starve but this pressure to keep working (he thinks I should juggle things so my clients pay me for results rather than days worked) and my fear of not having my own income is ruining this time for me which I had dreamt of for so long.

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 05/11/2019 18:15

I think we might hear from Bellyfish1 in 3 months time when she has had the baby and wished she had taken everyone’s advice to leave as her husband has started to do all the things everyone had warned her about but it is too late and she is stuck on a path she cannot get off.

Motoko · 05/11/2019 18:20

I just hope that she contacts Women's Aid, and a solicitor. A chat with her midwife would also be a good idea.

threesecrets · 05/11/2019 18:24

You might actually get more buy divorcing him lol! They start 50/50

Alsohuman · 05/11/2019 18:28

it is too late and she is stuck on a path she cannot get off.

It’s never too late, it would just be easier before the baby arrives. At least the poor woman has plenty of food for thought now.

DawnOfTheDeadleg · 05/11/2019 18:57

I am divorced and own my house which I live with my kids. There is no way I would agree to someone moving in, marrying them and then losing my kids inheritance. I’m sure men feel the same.

Which is reasonable but that being the case, you don't then choose to move in a new partner, go to great lengths to conceive, expect them to take zero maternity leave recovering from pregnancy and birth (doesn't translate well in a reverse sex example unless you like women too!) marry them and also decide that your youngest child gets disinherited. There's nothing wrong with taking the approach you advocate as long as you take it properly.

Bellyfish1 · 06/11/2019 09:02

Thank you all for your comments.

I have spoken with DH and started the ball rolling on getting my state maternity allowance (although I worry it won't come through in time).

DH has agreed that all 3 children should get an equal share if the house and that, should anything happen to him, I would be able to live here until they come of age. I don't know how much I trust to hold him to this and would like to get this in writing, but for now, I feel better that he seems more reasonable about the house and will treat our newborn as equal with his DC.

I will also be getting life insurance on him to cover support for myself and baby should anything happen to him. In addition, he has agreed (at least in theory) to opening some sort of joint fund for the newborn's exoenses. I will believe it fully when it happens as I can't see this happening and I am interested to see what he thinks is a reasonable amount for day-to-day expenses but it is a step forward and already feels like a huge relief. Even if we are both expected to contribute equally, I will hopefully receive enough MA to cover my side without relying too heavily on what little savings I can manage to gather before baby arrives.

As for work, I have tried to make clear that I intend to have at least 6 weeks completely off (except perhaps for a weekly call with client to see how things are progressing). I have found someone who may be able to work 1 day for me, who I will have to oversee, plus a work experience girl who is a distant relation and keen to get into my sector who I am going to try and pass a couple of lightweight bits to. I have also arranged for 1 day from a graduate per week to cover admin whose pay will be covered by one of the client's sponsors.
In short, I will have to keep my hand in slightly but nowhere near the 4 days I feared. All this means I will hopefully be able to ask for some pay from client during my time off and, if I can keep below 10 full days over 6 weeks to maybe even 10 weeks (which would be much much better than feared), I should still be eligible for MA.

I haven't yet broken the news to husband that I won't be getting my normal income and I expect he will think I'm mad but I don't care.

I haven't told my family about our situation as I am hoping that by standing my ground, we can get through this. This is already a huge breakthrough for me mentally.

I won't be investing in my own property but as soon as I am working again I will be building my FOF (fuck off fund - it's a TED Talk thing) so I have at least enough for a deposit, a few month's rent and basic spending if I ever need to get out fast.

I have also made clear to DH that I don't want him to reduce his hours to help with childcare until baby is a few month's old. I may not have gone back to 4 days by then, if I can arrange for the support I've sorted to continue for longer. If nothing else, thus removes my dear of him being able to claim that he's a primary carer. He hasn't agreed to this and it is difficult to prove how many hours he works/has taken off for childcare, but I have now got access to his diary and, I believe, all bank accounts so would have some evidence if push came to shove.

Re. bedrooms, we do have a 3 bed house but one bedroom is for his DC and one is his home office. Our room is big enough to split when needed (although dreading this) but I am working on convincing him to adapt his do it can be a child's bedroom in the hols (only time when his DC visit and he doesn't work) and then revert to office for the rest of the time.

May have to split our room anyway eventually as the stepkids are one bit and bone girl, so won't want to continue sharing for much longer.

Feeling better. Not yet sorted and MY trust in DH after recent arguments is seriously depleted do will be trying to maintain at least some financial independence and full mat leave is maybe a luxury that will cause more stress than it is worth.

Time will tell. I am going to get dishwasher plumbed and damp fixed independently. It should be a shared cost (& damp should be his cost to cover given my lack of a stake in the house) but I just want as few stressors as possible for when the baby comes.

I know we still have serious issues but I also know that I am strong enough to either fight our way through this and reach a fair enough compromise or to leave. I would have liked all the above decisions to come naturally and instinctively to DH but I have married him now and he is the father of this baby and I do still love him. He hasn't yet broken that. Though he has come close. The truth will out when the baby comes and if he lets me down, I will be going to my parents. As fit and active pensioners who love kids and with a couple of spare rooms, they are at least a safety net which I am very lucky to have. I just want to avoid it getting to that unless absolutely necessary.

I will update again if things change for the better or for worse.

Thank you again - your fury and accounts of how difficult little ones are has opened my eyes and made me strong enough to get a back up plan in place and face difficult conversations.

Childcare after first couple of months is still an issue but I am working on that.

OP posts:
Spanglyprincess1 · 06/11/2019 09:13

Op I'm glad you've come to something that works.
Does the house have a dinning room sepertwe? Our oldest Dsc has a day bed in dining room and loves it and keeps him away from little ones and his computers in there.
The house dosnt sound big enough tbh. Could you n dp buy somewhere together that's bigger eg a four bed or a 3 where you could do a loft conversion?

Spanglyprincess1 · 06/11/2019 09:14

Or could you get a garden office about 5k fully I slated for dp and that was children get the bedrooms. Much more sensible than spliitng your room

Winesalot · 06/11/2019 09:16

Sounds like you have made some changes for the positive and are fully aware of red flags now. Just keep in mind that most of what you told us you had proposed before were very reasonable solutions and then remember how he reacted. As you say, you will keep an eye on it all. So, best of luck with the baby and hopefully these positive changes make things easier.

NearlyGranny · 06/11/2019 09:25

If you plumb in the dishwasher and fix the damp at your own expense, bingo! There's your stake in the house. He's a canny financial abuser but he's a fool if he let's you contribute there. Keep the paperwork. He might be assuming you won't bother or even be planning to make it disappear, so photograph or screenshot everything and send to your own and possibly parents' email for safe-keeping.

Bellyfish1 · 06/11/2019 09:38

Good idea @NearlyGranny
Hadn't realised that would be enough. Thank you.

OP posts:
Bellyfish1 · 06/11/2019 09:40

Already considered a garden office - hadn't seen one for so little. Can I ask which company you used @spanglyprincess1 ?

Must be cheaper than splitting rooms and far less disruptive.

OP posts:
Spanglyprincess1 · 06/11/2019 10:01

We got an ex display one randomly so it was heavily discounted. Can't remember who with.
Shop around though and you can grab a bargain esp in January in sales and slow time of year for them.

Autumnfields · 06/11/2019 10:12

Sounds very sensible and considered. Although I’d be thinking of taking 6 months off at least.

The only way, if you really want to possibly salvage your marriage is by clearly acting and showing him what a reasonable marriage is. By going back to work very soon you are in effect hiding your needs from him, and he will be comforted that this was all your decision.

You must not take action E.g. returning to work soon - out of fear that he won’t support you. He will support you. And he will learn to respect you as the other of his child. If he gets angry. So what? Not your problem he’s not stepping up. You can then go to your parents and be supported by them and benefits. Much better than struggling to find a childminder. Almost all women take a good few months completely off.

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 06/11/2019 10:16

Make sure you get receipts for anything you pay towards, with your name on it. Don’t let him be aware of this, because I wouldn’t believe a word that comes out if his mouth. I’m cynical but I believe he’s stringing you along until the baby is born and his name on the birth certificate, then the more serious abuse will start. But that’s your risk to take.

Motoko · 06/11/2019 10:33

Did you do any reading about financial abuse?

Oliversmumsarmy · 06/11/2019 10:46

He has agreed to a lot of what you asked for but atm it is just words.

You are still having to pay for his life insurance and you still don’t have a stake in the house.

I must admit that would worry me.

Supposing in 18 years you split. You could end up out of the house with a bit of savings and not much else.

You would be too old to get a mortgage and house prices will be double/treble what they are now.
To end up in rented for the rest of your life how would you manage?

Do you have a pension fund that would cover rent and living expenses?

Whilst he might do all the things you have suggested ultimately you will pay in other ways

AutumnRose1 · 06/11/2019 10:53

OP sorry if I missed it, but have you got friends and family and a place to go? Or enough money to rent alone?

I can't see the dishwasher as being relevant, you're rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic instead of getting in a lifeboat.

Storsteinen · 06/11/2019 11:06

I have no idea why YOU are paying to take out life insurance on HIM.
He should be taking that out on himself and naming you as his beneficiary should he die.
If you take out life insurance on him and you split - what happens then? Will he continue to pay the life insurance premiums and then his next wife or partner benefits from what you have paid in?

Colour me skeptical but I don't believe a word of what he says. It's all words.
Absolutely ridiculous that a grown man needs to be "sat down" and told to contribute to his child nor that he needs it pointing out that the baby will have to have a room of its own.
He should have been saying "Listen, OP, when the baby is x months old, it will need a room of its own so what do you think about making my office into a room for the baby and I'll set up my office in..... (wherever appropriate).

I think this situation will get worse not better and you'll be back on mumsnet in 6 months asking for advice again.
Get an escape plan in place now should his empty promises come to nothing.

ithinkmycatistryingtokillme · 06/11/2019 11:13

By taking out the policy herself SHE is in charge of it, not him which means he has no say on where the money goes, if he takes it she is reliant on him doing the right thing

AutumnRose1 · 06/11/2019 11:16

"I have no idea why YOU are paying to take out life insurance on HIM.
He should be taking that out on himself and naming you as his beneficiary should he die.
If you take out life insurance on him and you split - what happens then? Will he continue to pay the life insurance premiums and then his next wife or partner benefits from what you have paid in?"

I wondered this too.

now I've seen that your parents can help out, I'm even more puzzled why you would stay with this man.

Storsteinen · 06/11/2019 11:23

By taking out the policy herself SHE is in charge of it, not him which means he has no say on where the money goes, if he takes it she is reliant on him doing the right thing

Ah ok, that`s why? What happens if they split though? Would she be able to cash in the life insurance policy?
Would she be better off putting the money into some other kind of investment?

Wishforsnow · 06/11/2019 11:41

So if he has the home office where do you work? I thought you said you work at home also or are you just in the kitchen or dining room?

TheWernethWife · 06/11/2019 12:07

OP, my friend got a garden studio from a company called Extra Rooms, think they are in Nottingham. A guy came and checked out the site, friend then chose which one, it came about 9.00 am and was up and running that evening.

She had to sort out the electrical supply before it arrived.

It looks brilliant.

Storsteinen · 06/11/2019 12:19

The garden studio is a brilliant idea - but wonder who will end up paying for it?

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