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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you think SAHMs are lazy?

617 replies

Camobag · 29/09/2020 18:37

I know people say about it being valuable input to the children, equally valuable to working etc but I don’t think it is. And I’m a sahm.
I ask because dh is a high earner (over 100k) but I hardly have any money but I think this is fair as I am a sahp and he earns it. My friend said I work too in a different way but I think most people manage to work and raise children and keep a house.
Ideally I need to find a job now my youngest is in preschool for 15 hours but it’s proving difficult, mainly because covid is making life so hard. I’ve had my eldest dc off for two weeks already as part of a popped covid bubble. How am I ever going to go back to work?

OP posts:
blackcurrantjam · 30/09/2020 09:43

OP he wouldn't be able to give them anything and take them anywhere. He might be more well off post divorce because big his job but consider that he'd have to give you more money or look after the children / go food shopping / do the washing more if he did have them more.

You need to reconsider your own power. Start reading Mumsnet and learn from it. The divorce board is interesting and informative. Speak to a lawyer. Start telling trusted friends and family what is going on.

The fact that he encouraged you to not work while not giving you full access to money is not a great sign tbh.

Perhaps request a change and in the meantime quietly start learning about what power / rights you do have. You don't have none. You really don't.

starsparkle08 · 30/09/2020 09:46

I’m a stay at home parent of a disabled child with ADHD , autism , learning difficulties and challenging behaviours ( extreme) there is no way I could work on top. There is no child care for my son as he requires 2:1 supervision.
I think working would be easier in many ways but can understand even with a typical child , balancing child care and work must be very hard at times .

starsparkle08 · 30/09/2020 09:47

Also your money situation worries me . With a high earning husband there should be a balance with the finances and if he is withholding you money this is a financially abusive situation

Astella22 · 30/09/2020 09:48

I’d start telling people loudly when he is around that you can’t afford x,y,z as u only have 200 a mth now ur not working. Shame the ducker into giving u more.
Overall though this is classic financial abuse. Think about the situation if the roles were reversed would u want him going around skimping every month.

blackcurrantjam · 30/09/2020 09:50

'he would be happy for me to go back to work if he didn't have to give me any money'

Just unpick that. Are these his words? It sounds like a bind to me. He would be 'happy' 'if' he didnt 'have to' give you any money. So working would penalise you financially? He's putting conditions on you working? Even the way he is phrasing it is dodgy. It sounds controlling. I'll be happy for you to go to work if I don't have to give you any money. If you don't go to work, I'll give you a small amount, if you do, I won't 'have to'. DODGY.

Rentacar · 30/09/2020 09:54

You sound a bit like me. When my babies were 1 and 2 I got a job working from home in the evenings as he wouldn't give me much. When I told him I applied, he tried to put me off (subconsciously or not) by saying that it was really hard to get that kind of job so don't get my hopes up. I got the job.

I then got another job that does intrude a bit in our family life which he's not happy about. He hates that I work for some if the school holidays and moans about it but then moans that I didn't go back to work full time when the kids were 5.

I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. So, I just decided to do what I wanted to do. I earn a wage that keeps me going but I make sure I have one day to myself and one day to do household stuff so work 3 school hour days a week.

That's more than enough with all the balls I am juggling. I do 95% of the childcare and cleaning. I do all the shopping, paperwork, kids stuff etc. I pay for everything to do with the kids, birthdays, xmas, clothes, uniform, school dinners, clubs etc. Plus I pay for all of my own stuff, car, insurance, TV licence etc. He earns 2.5 times what I earn.

I totally pull my weight and more! But he still thinks that I don't do enough. I don't care anymore. I have my own little life and I'm happy with that.

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/09/2020 09:57

I don’t claim child benefit because of having to pay it back

When do you pay it back?

I have been claiming it for 20 years.
The only repayment is it goes against dp’s income so he pays tax on it.

The thing is if we split he’d be able to give the children anything and take them anywhere. What would I be able to give them? I’d be living hand to mouth. And right now will I even be able to find a job? I’ve no family to help with childcare so I’m going to have to pay childcare during the holidays etc

You could give them everything he would be able to give them because you would be rolling in money if you divorced. Plus you could give them your time which he isn’t able to do.

You wouldn’t even need a job.

But if you got a job you would be entitled to benefits for nursery fees so would have more money coming in than you would atm with your £600 allowance and if you work you would have to shoulder the childcare fees.

You would be entitled to about £1100 child maintenance for a start
1/2 the house.
1/2 his pension.

In your position divorce is an attractive option.
Friend is getting 60% of everything because her ex was abusive.

She is actually keeping the mortgage free family home as part of her settlement

You have to look to the future.

He can do anything to you whilst you are still married and still living with him.

He could stop your £600 per month.
He could move a gf in.
He could beat you till you bleed.

Atm he owns everything and you own nothing but could if you divorce him

If you do go down the divorce route it could take some time but don’t give up, get all the evidence and be prepared for a fight.
And don’t move out.

combatbarbie · 30/09/2020 09:59

You'd have more than 600 a month if you left. Sure it will be hard to start with but you have marital assets to gain which is worth a substantial amount. How much is the house worth?

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/09/2020 10:03

Also do not go back to work if you are going down the divorce route otherwise he could go for joint custody and that would mitigate any child maintenance

LondonJax · 30/09/2020 10:07

OK. First, SAHP are no more lazy than a working parent. Lazy people are lazy people. I have friends who take (even in these times) their kids out every single day, rain or shine and friends who will happily stick the kids in front of the TV (and not just so they can use the loo, cook dinner or have a cuppa in the teeniest amount of peace). Seeing them before kids came along and most of the time you'd see a similar theme - always out and about...busy, busy, busy or happy to sit down, feet up whenever possible. Nothing wrong with either as long as the kids are OK and the home is happy.

Second, a marital/partnership home is a joint one. End of story. If my DH dies, it comes to me. If the home was owned by him alone, his family could ask me to leave if the home is left to them. If we divorce, it's half mine. I put money into it, I kept the home nice with meals on the table when I was a SAHP full time. I've contributed to making a happy family home and half of it is mine. That's it. No argument.

Third, whilst the house work is easier in some ways for a SAHP, it's not all their responsibility. DH used to take over DS when he got home from work - I have given my DS a bath about a dozen times in his life when he was a toddler. DH did that and enjoyed it - it was 'their' time, a chance to take the mickey of mum, have a chat, have a giggle, play splashing games. Learning to enjoy each others company. DH does the evening washing up and always has apart from when he worked away from home pre-Covid. He does the housework as and when needed - he'll mop the floors whilst I hoover the living room for example. It frees us both up quicker to enjoy a day out or a film night.

As far as jobs are concerned, take a look at the local schools. There are sometimes, if you're lucky, dinner ladies type jobs. Ideal to get your foot in the door. If you're known to the school they'll let you know if something else comes up. My sister started as a dinner lady then was offered a job in the finance department in her local school. Most of the holidays off bar a few days. They're like gold dust but it's worth asking and finding out where they advertise.

And, if you have time, think about volunteering. It doesn't get you money but it shows willingness and you never know where it leads. I did that when my mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. With 20 plus appointments to cover in a year I had no hope of getting a paying job but it helped to have that on my CV when my current (school based) job came up.

You really need to sort out the issues around the house and the amount you get. I got an allowance when DS was small and I was SAHP - but it was for me alone. DH paid the bills, paid the credit card for anything DS needed and often said 'tell me how much the coat was and I'll transfer the cash - that's too high a price out of your cash'. I think that's normal.

LilaButterfly · 30/09/2020 10:08

SAHP have to stop making themselves small and unimportant. You should stand up for yourself.
Im a SAHM and DH earns a good salary. His full salary goes in a joint account that i have full access to. I can spend whatever i like, he never complains. I dont spend ridiculous amounts, but i do treat myself sometimes.
He pays for everything from food to bills. Hes been paying into my pension fund since i stopped working.

I dont think im lazy, but i definitely have less work than DH if i count the hours. I do 98% of all housework and childcare, but he does help whenever i ask him.
The only reason he can work his hours and earn that money is because you are at home organising everything. It should be shared and you shouldnt have to beg for it.

Codexdivinchi · 30/09/2020 10:14

@Camobag

It’s genuine. The house is his - it’s in his name. It might be split if we divorced but right now it’s his. Everything in it is his. I don’t have anything at all. I used to have some savings but now they are gone. The thing is if we split he’d be able to give the children anything and take them anywhere. What would I be able to give them? I’d be living hand to mouth. And right now will I even be able to find a job? I’ve no family to help with childcare so I’m going to have to pay childcare during the holidays etc.
Many many women have been in your position and made the leap.

Your not helpless. If you want to be financially independent you have to make it happen. Nothing worth having is easy.

Marmunia1975 · 30/09/2020 10:17

I previously said I work 59-odd hours per week and have the luxury of doing this at home, so yes I do wrangle getting DD dressed, school run, cooking, cleaning, admin with this while DH needs to be on site with his job.

So yes, us WOHM do carry out the SAHM caring duties with running a business/etc...I end up having to spill my work over into Saturday and Sunday. For that reason, yes, I do roll my eyes at SAHMs who say they are exhausted with simple running the home and admin tasks.

Member984815 · 30/09/2020 10:20

I'm a sahm , it's not in anyway lazy my husband has a good salary , we see all money that comes into the house as communal money and it's used by both of us , I don't think it would work any other way it's hard to get work that will fit around school hours and allow you to leave when kids are sick for appointments and all that , especially now with covid , stop beating yourself up

Alongcameacat · 30/09/2020 10:38

I previously said I work 59-odd hours per week and have the luxury of doing this at home, so yes I do wrangle getting DD dressed, school run, cooking, cleaning, admin with this while DH needs to be on site with his job

What time do you drop your child to school and pick her up?
If she is at school 30 hours a week, assuming you are sitting down at your desk job half an hour before dropping her and leaving half an hour before picking her up, you work 25 hours while she is at school?

What does she do for the other 34 hours a week while you are working? Presuming she goes to bed at 8pm and you work until 2am while she is in bed?

Do you think that is a ‘luxury’ life for your child or you? That sounds like a life of hardship to me to be honest.
Is also be interested to know how you engage with her in the afternoons and what she does during school breaks?

luckystarmaking · 30/09/2020 11:20

is this actually for real? Nobody in their right mind would put up with this from a husband

Lots of women are being financially abused. I've been a victim myself. This kind of insidious abuse can make you feel trapped and helpless. OP would be left with the kids, she can't just stroll in to a fully furnished house.

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/09/2020 11:28

The house on paper might be in his name but as you are married and it is the marital home then legally it is jointly yours.

Just because you don’t physically bring cash into the marriage doesn’t mean you aren’t worth anything.

If you walked out the door today do you think with £600 your dh could find someone to cook clean and do childcare. Would he be able to do his job. No more working a few minutes/hours later in the office.
No going out on a weekend without children being dressed and planned for etc

I don’t think you know the value in what you do.

CountFosco · 30/09/2020 11:34

Obvs any normal husband would also max out the private pension for the OP in these circumstances.

This is a very good point, if he intends to stay married to you forever then this would minimise the tax paid on the family assets. That he does not do this speaks volumes about how permanent a fixture in his life he views you.

VeniceQueen2004 · 30/09/2020 11:37

Your husband is hideously financially abusive. By leaving you would be giving your kids a role model - someone who would rather struggle financially than effectively be someone else's indentured servant.

How on earth did you end up with such a horrible man?

VeniceQueen2004 · 30/09/2020 11:38

Also your husband could 'give your kids everything' now. But he doesn't. Instead he gives you a pittance allowance and leaves you to buy them everything they need out of that. He doesn't care what they go without because he does so.

Quartz2208 · 30/09/2020 12:07

How long have you been together?

His assets must be huge

But he doesnt give the children anything now does he? And you can (and should be) claiming child benefit - it would be his responsibility to pay it back

Plus if you split child maintenace would be given to you plus a split of the assets

chopc · 30/09/2020 12:07

@JoJoSM2 are you living off money you have saved yourself / invested or living off your husband? Why do you feel you don't need to make a financial contribution to your family or keep your financial independence?

category12 · 30/09/2020 12:13

@Camobag

It’s genuine. The house is his - it’s in his name. It might be split if we divorced but right now it’s his. Everything in it is his. I don’t have anything at all. I used to have some savings but now they are gone. The thing is if we split he’d be able to give the children anything and take them anywhere. What would I be able to give them? I’d be living hand to mouth. And right now will I even be able to find a job? I’ve no family to help with childcare so I’m going to have to pay childcare during the holidays etc.
You're married so you have a claim on all marital assets = the house, savings, pensions. It doesn't matter whose name they are under. Nothing is his legally, it's all shared assets.

You need to speak to a solicitor on the quiet and properly understand your rights.

If you divorced, your divorce settlements should see you right, plus he'd need to pay a hefty sum in child support.

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/09/2020 12:13

Camobag

Has your dh checked out of family life.

You seem to lead such separate lives. What does he do now for you and the children.
Not about what he gives in monetary terms but what he gives willingly of his time and thinking about what you would enjoy doing even if it is just going for a walk in a nice area/park etc and taking a picnic or just spending time with you all doing something you all enjoy.

There are single parents and single parents who are married.

Being a single parent beats the latter hands down

Personally I suspect that you live in a house that you think you could never afford and that is why you stay.
My only warning is that it is an illusion.

Look at what price you pay to live in such a lovely house.
He at the moment holds all the cards and when he is fed up with you he will toss you aside and move in a younger model who will insist they have their name put on the deeds and then your share goes down

It happened to a friend of my mothers years ago who actually worked f/t and had contributed to the household. She ended up on the settee and he was upstairs sharing her bed with his new gf who he had moved in and given half the house to.

She ended walking away with very little as it got too much and she moved out and as it was no longer the marital home (he waited till their youngest was 16 and in work) and the house with her ex and his new gf on the deeds meant he ended up having to pay her very little compared to 1/2 the house worth.
Just what she had paid in over the years.

Be warned. This lady never thought her dh would ever contemplate such a thing and it came as a shock to her how little he thought of her.

Everyone else looking in, it come as no surprise

KatharinaRosalie · 30/09/2020 12:21

he’d be able to give the children anything and take them anywhere

He can do it right now. He doesn't though, does he? Throws some coins your way for his children. No reason to believe he would suddenly change into a generous caring dad.

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