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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Selfish or not? Job or not?

107 replies

Eaaaar · 26/03/2021 21:56

Hi, long time lurker here.
I need help and apologised for the length of my request.

So for context, I really enjoyed my job pre-baby and due to that company going into administration and PT hours being unusual in that sector I haven’t been able to return.

I lost a few PT jobs thanks to covid and then for months I gave up looking and relied on OH which he wanted all a long but I struggled without money to myself.
When Covid began to quieten in the summer I found a PT job WFH in a sector I wasn’t keen on but it best paid for the hours I’d be doing so took it to get some financial independence back.
After 5 months, I HATED IT, felt SO miserable and expressed this to OH.
It was difficult to keep motivated and WFH with our DC at home.
I was also struggling for money, after paying half of the rent I had hardly anything which had to be given to my personal outgoings.
So OH was covering majority of bills and food shop.

In what now must of only been a passing comment OH said do what you need to do, go FT, put DC in nursery if that will makes things better for you we will sort it.
This was music to my ears, and I admit perhaps I did things too quickly but I was excited to get into what I enjoy and have more money to contribute to household and myself.
Applied for a job in the sector I enjoy, checked a nursery and started the enrolment process once I knew I got the job.
OH was involved and made aware at every step yet leading up to starting the job and during my first week, we cannot see eye to eye.

I completed my first week today and have loved it so much, not even the job but just going in and being me.

We’ve argued about it again tonight.

OH wants to save for a mortgage which he decided in December and said this is a family goal.
He is upset because I’m causing this goal to get further away mainly due to Nursery Fees which must mean we have different goals.
He says even if I contribute to half the bills, him going half on Nursery wipes it out.
He brings up safety around Covid because he has underlying health issue but it only comes up when it suits him.
He said he told me so about the house not being as tidy as it used to be but doesn’t help keep it tidy because he has no time yet it’s okay that I juggle everything.
He tells me it’s hard for him to adjust because my goals change too much.
He says I’m selfish for all of this because I’ve only thought about myself and not considered how this affects anyone else.
He’s also annoyed that due to DC picking up illness from Nursery taster, we’ve all been ill this week.
I keep reminding him it won’t be like this forever.

Then a few days later he’ll say how proud he is of me and we’ll work through it until we argue again.

I’d also like to mention that DC is a toddler, only goes to Nursery twice a week and absolutely loves it.

AIBU and instead stay at home until we have a mortgage?
I really understand where he’s coming from on some parts but it’s hard to work around his every changing thought and I don’t want my mental health to suffer while I wait for him to say we’ve got enough to move out.

Please help with either helping me understand his POV or making me feel less selfish and more sane lol.

OP posts:
BonnieDundee · 26/03/2021 22:04

Would you ever tell him he is selfish for having a job and going to work? I suspect not. If you wouldn't why is it ok for him to say it to you? Unless he thinks you are less important than him

Eaaaar · 26/03/2021 22:08

@BonnieDundee He thinks he should be the one at work because of how highly paid he is, it's logical as it would take me much longer to get to his pay bracket. So I'm important keeping the house in check, he's important working.
I understand his 'logic' but I am not happy not working he understand but also doesn't understand hence the arguments.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 26/03/2021 22:15

No no keep working. After 6 months or so if YOUR not happy then reassess.

BonnieDundee · 26/03/2021 23:05

Ah so because he earns more he is more important than you Hmm tell him to jog on

Skysblue · 26/03/2021 23:08

You’re not being selfish. This is a very common situation OP... Woman stops working to have baby, woman’s job prospects evaporate, man says it just ‘makes sense’ if he gets the money and she does the child and cleaning house and anything else that ever needs doing. Woman agrees because it’s best for the baby and her self esteem is down, plus she’s exhausted and trusts him.

But it’s bad for the relationship. Woman gets depressed over having no colleagues / escape from home / financial independence. Man becomes resentful his wife ‘isn’t happy’ despite ‘not having to work’. Man doesn’t do any of the night wakings / mealtimes / housework and takes all of the lie-ins, yet makes sniping comments about ‘I wish I could stay home all day doing nothing.’ Woman doesn’t find this very attractive: sex becomes rare. Man feels rejected and becomes even more of an ass. Eventually man and woman realise they don’t feel the same about each other anymore. Maybe they stay together maybe they don’t. But by this time all the financial power, pension, job prospects etc are with the man, and the child has grown up and gone, and the woman is too old / out of job market to long to attract a good job. Of course this doesn’t always happen. I’m just saying that it is a very very common story.

If you have a job that makes you happy then for gods sake stay in it. It may not make financial sense over the next 2-3 years but it does over the next 5-10 years. Even if it never makes financial sense, it keeps you sane and financially independent and there’s a lot to be said for that.

tillytown · 26/03/2021 23:25

Why can't he reduce his hours to help with childcare fees? He can bond with his child and keep up on the housework, after the comments he made surely he would be happy with this

Eaaaar · 28/03/2021 10:56

Sorry for long reply, first chance to get on here.
Thank you, makes me feel better to have opinions from others as only hearing his I feel stupid and selfish.
We've argued all weekend about it I say argued, more like him ranting.
He won't make any changes on the job front because he says it's logical that he should do what he's doing with hours and all because it will take me too long to get to his level of pay.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 28/03/2021 10:59

It’s isn’t about pay though he doesn’t like the fact that he has to step up does he outside of his all important work. How can you see his point where everything revolves around you making sacrifices and that he sees nursery fees as just you not a joint expense

Are you sure you want to buy a house with him

TheProvincialLady · 28/03/2021 11:02

You need to work for:
Your sanity
Your financial independence
To show your partner that he does not get to unilaterally decide your family ‘life goals’
Your future earning power
Your pension
Your ability to leave him, should you want to

And if you’re not married, that mortgage your OH wants - if you’re not earning, you’re not on it and that makes you vulnerable and frankly exploited.

He doesn’t sound very nice, to be honest.

Eaaaar · 28/03/2021 11:04

@Quartz2208 Well that was part of my problem, I wouldn't be buying it with him as I had nothing to contribute. He assured me what I was contributing (house and childcare) was enough but I wanted more (better job and more money to contribute) - which he complains about.
So the problem now is because I'm so selfish and thinking of myself I've made this house goal much further away to complete and I had to stayed out he's sure we'd start the looking process next summer. Also sending DC to Nursery means he will get ill more often which doesn't work with his high pressured job so if he's ill like he has been this week, it isn't worth it for what a bad mood it puts him in Hmm

OP posts:
InsideNumberNine · 28/03/2021 11:11

But surely what you’re earning and contributing is the same, or even more, than the nursery fees? So how does this make the goal of buying even further away?

Sexnotgender · 28/03/2021 11:19

How expensive is your nursery if 2 days a week is impacting his oh so important salary?

Have you signed up for tax free childcare?

MinnieMountain · 28/03/2021 11:20

So because you want to look after your own needs a bit, you’re selfish?

I went back to work for all the reasons @TheProvincialLady listed. It was definitely the best decision for our family despite DH earning twice what I do.

Plenty of parents hold down demanding jobs. DC get ill regardless.

ButIcantsitonleather · 28/03/2021 11:21

So basically he is calling you selfish because you’ve dared to have your own goals and dreams, rather than slotting meekly into the role he wants to keep you in for his own convenience?

Quartz2208 · 28/03/2021 11:22

Hold on he wanted you to stay at home clean the house and look after his child whilst working part time to cover half the rent which enabled him to save up to buy a house just in his name?

And he is accusing you of thinking of yourself and being selfish.

Look at what he wants a situation where he has a house you as unmarried have no claim over gained because of your sacrifices that could leave you with nothing.

Do not quit your job OP and take time to properly look at whether this is a loving partnership

Eaaaar · 28/03/2021 11:25

@InsideNumberNine That's what I think but he says the amount I will contribute to household will leave me without much so what's the point... and it makes the goal further away because even with me contributing, the 50% of nursery fees cancels that out so he won't be able to save as much as he has been the last few months.
I really need to calculate it all to pence and pound but haven't had the time.
My wage has increased from £12k to £20k so without having to do all, I know I am in a better position.

@Sexnotgender £55 per day which is average in my location.

OP posts:
ButIcantsitonleather · 28/03/2021 11:25

Wait. What? He wasn’t going to put your name on the house?? @Eaaaar

Eaaaar · 28/03/2021 11:29

Wait wait, I don't know for sure about the name. As you can probably tell, I am very inexperienced with how all that works. I just meant I have bad credit from when I was younger and due to Mat and PT haven't been able to get that down as much I'd of liked and then financially I wouldn't have been able to afford any % of the costs involved. So if you can still have your name on it then I'm sure he would but honestly it hasn't been discussed which I will MAKE sure it is in future.

OP posts:
Tiktaktoe · 28/03/2021 11:30

@Quartz2208

Hold on he wanted you to stay at home clean the house and look after his child whilst working part time to cover half the rent which enabled him to save up to buy a house just in his name?

And he is accusing you of thinking of yourself and being selfish.

Look at what he wants a situation where he has a house you as unmarried have no claim over gained because of your sacrifices that could leave you with nothing.

Do not quit your job OP and take time to properly look at whether this is a loving partnership

Absolutely this. Please don't get pregnant again, it will put you in an even worse position.
ConkerBonkers · 28/03/2021 11:34

Stick with your job, you have an equal right to work. It is only fair that nursery fees are split. He is being very selfish. As others have said, it's a long term plan, it's very damaging to be out of the job market, and to not earn pension/ national insurance entitling you to state pension. Once in a job, it's 10x easier to get another job should you want to. He wants to deny you a lot, for the sake of not having to pay his contribution to nursery fees. Please stick with your job.

Sansaplans · 28/03/2021 11:35

@Quartz2208

Hold on he wanted you to stay at home clean the house and look after his child whilst working part time to cover half the rent which enabled him to save up to buy a house just in his name?

And he is accusing you of thinking of yourself and being selfish.

Look at what he wants a situation where he has a house you as unmarried have no claim over gained because of your sacrifices that could leave you with nothing.

Do not quit your job OP and take time to properly look at whether this is a loving partnership

OP don't give up work whatever you do, the above post I would say is accurate. He resents having to pay towards childcare as it hinders his goal of saving for a house, it doesn't seem he has the family in mind.
Travis1 · 28/03/2021 11:35

Nope. Do not give up your job. He’s told you where he values you. Tied to the sink. Do not give up your independence. His whole attitude sounds really unattractive and I don’t think I could stay

timeisnotaline · 28/03/2021 11:39

When partners (& dads) talk like this about your work it is very important you stick with having a job and an income. You count as a person too. You both had that baby. Ask him if he regrets the child since you’d be able to save more without her? Or is money not always the most important thing? Your job matters too.

InsideNumberNine · 28/03/2021 11:40

Do you know how much he earns? If I were you, I’d put together a full list of your current incomings and outgoings. Even with the nursery fees, you’re surely bringing in more because of work. Not to mention the bonus of being in work and progressing in your career once your DC are at school.

Alonelonelyloner · 28/03/2021 11:42

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR JOB!

breathes

He is being selfish. You need to work for your own self-esteem and your own income. You have not changed any goalposts, you are doing what it takes to ensure your future as well as that of your family.

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