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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU 100% of housework

59 replies

729927luc · 25/03/2022 19:45

Hi, after some impartial advice and I think this could be the place! So... I work 3 days a week as a teacher. My days are long (7-6ish plus some evening work). My husband works 5 days a week from home 9-5 but hours are pretty flexible. On my days off I take/pick up our child from school, have some school work to do and manage to do the vast majority of the housework. I also take full responsibility for the mother's load (if you've seen Motherland!) Basically dealing with all of the day to day parenting decisions (think world book day, reading, homework, pe kits, lunch boxes etc. etc.) I do all the food shopping, all the cooking (even on my work days) 90% of the washing up, all the washing, ironing, pretty much everything. Husband will occasionally have a wipe round in the bathroom if i ask and mow the lawn in the summer but that's it. Hw even needs reminding reminding do the bins which he often forgets so I'm there dragging out before 7 when I leave for work. My aibu is this. If we have a really busy weekend planned, I may ask him to step up and do a bit more so all the jobs are done before I go back to work but he insinuates to me that I should have enough time on my days off to get everything done. But I don't as you can see I do 99% of everything! I find it really exhausting and it makes me feel like I'm slacking! Should i do 100% of everything when I work 3 daysand he works 5?? He often seems a but surprised when I'm still having to do housework etc. on a Sat or Sun but we have a 4 bed house and that's how long it takes! Sorry for rambling I'm feeling exasperated by it all!

OP posts:
LittleOwl153 · 25/03/2022 22:13

He works 5 x 8hrs = 40 or 37.5 with a half hour lunch?
You work 3 x 11hrs plus? So 33hrs +
then 2 school runs (and presumably after school care for those days)- mine are old enough to be ignored once home but that still takes 30-45mins twice a day. So that's 36hrs? Does he do school run on the other days?

My teacher friend says 3 days full timetabled teaching is about 5 days work... could you change your working pattern so your work outside of school hours is done over the 5 days and more under his nose at home?

But no... he's lazy and needs to do ALOT more...

Basically NO I don't think you should be doing 100% of the housework and wifework load. I don't think he has any real understanding of what's involved if he thinks that - or he's just plain lazy!

LittleOwl153 · 25/03/2022 22:17

Keep a diary starting tomorrow for 1 full week. Write down each job as you do it in time slots. Making note of any downtime.
Try and do the same for him.

Sit him down next weekend and as him first if his is accurate. Then give him yours and ask whether he feels its fair. That will tell you what you need to know.

custardo · 25/03/2022 22:18

he is a shit, a lazy shit at that. a lazy lazy lazy shit. ....work from home bollox. bullshit. outsource it or quit your job.

can't quit your job? can't afford to outsource the ironing and the cleaning? then tell him to do his bit or fuck off. he's being abit cuntish

stitchinguru · 25/03/2022 22:21

@LuaDipa

Fuck no, you should not be able to every single household task in 2 days. Your dh is being ridiculous and needs to step up and do his fair share.
What do you think us single parents who work full-time do??
OakPine · 25/03/2022 22:32

Just once wouldn’t it be something if we came on here to a “my wife works full time. I do everything … how do I get her to help me?”

Ionlydomassiveones · 25/03/2022 22:59

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 25/03/2022 23:01

When I reached the end of my tether with DH in a similar situation, we (I) split all chores and allocated half to me and half to DH. I made sure DH's chores can be regularly scheduled, ie, hoover once a fortnight, mow the lawn once a fortnight, clean the windows once a fortnight, put recycling out on a Thursday etc. He then (practically at gun point) added an alarm to his phone for each chore, reminding him to do them. Snoozing or cancelling the alarm WILL end in divorce and he knows it so wouldn't dare. This has worked for us now for a good 18 months since we (I) implemented it and I no longer feel like I'm drowning.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 25/03/2022 23:04

What do you do on your ‘days off’?

pinkyredrose · 26/03/2022 08:32

Was he this useless before you married him?

JuneOsborne · 26/03/2022 08:42

Fuck that shit. Just tell your husband that's it's ridiculous and as a family, re evaluation of the situation is needed. And you will no longer be the skivvy that does everything.

It's always more difficult when you come from a position where the norm is that one of you does everything.

But honestly, if he respected you and your time and loved you and loved his family, he'd step up and be normal about all of this. Because it's completely abnormal to live as an adult and not lift a finger in the home you live in, unless you're royalty. I assume you're not dripping in diamonds and being waited on yourself....

Therealjudgejudy · 26/03/2022 09:53

Why on earth are you putting up with this nonsense?

Whatever00 · 26/03/2022 10:04

You are already doing the lio share. Tell him to step up or step out. He adds to your work load. He is either part of a team of he can get lost.

YellowPlant · 26/03/2022 10:07

I work part time and DP works full time.
On the days I don’t work we split the housework somewhere around 90/10 - 80/20
On the days we both work or are both off we split the housework 50/50.

rogueone · 26/03/2022 10:15

I have got the rage reading your OP- he is a disgrace of a man and he should feel ashamed of himself for contributing nothing apart from a wage packet. I would be setting some clear expectations going forward as I would rather be single than spend my time angry with my partner who should want to work as a team - he is like a lodger in your home. Not a good example for your DC either....

billy1966 · 26/03/2022 10:24

Another absolute waster.

How can youneven look at someone so lazy?

Divorce and live a far nicer life. You won't miss him or his mess.

Flickflak · 26/03/2022 10:43

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Flickflak · 26/03/2022 10:45

This reply has been withdrawn

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729927luc · 27/03/2022 12:08

So I spoke to him about it this morning and he just got annoyed and said I talk to him like a child. He says I need to tell him what to do as he doesn't know so I said okay I will. But I'm sad he doesn't see my point of view and now, from the way he's reacted, I feel like the one in the wrong again. I don't understand as well how he can't work put out might need doing? He is banging around upstairs now cleaning the bathrooms and has a mardy face on. What a lovely mother's day. I've been cleaning other rooms this morning, haven't had a break yet today (even though it's mother's day) and am now being made to feel like a cow because I've got to the end of my tether. Can't win...

OP posts:
Ind00rOud00r2 · 27/03/2022 12:14

If you cook, he should wash up

Get him to cook one or two meals a week & he washes up

If he works from home, he can hang the washing on the line, if you have a garden

Can you do an online food shop, or if you shop, he gets allocated another task ?

You need to delegate more

You need to spread the load

RandomMess · 27/03/2022 12:20

But his strategy is working isn't it?

You are already intending to back down because "it's not worth the effort" of making him do his share.

Quartz2208 · 27/03/2022 12:22

Take a break - he manages to work and be a adult there so he must know what needs doing he simply doesnt feel the need to.

I have to say this would not really make me respect or want to be with him

romany4 · 27/03/2022 12:26

Let him bang about and sulk.
He's behaving like that so you feel guilty and back down
Don't

AryaStarkWolf · 27/03/2022 12:30

Your DH is a misogynist who doesn't see you as his equal. Why else would he think he's above housework? I couldn't live with someone who sees me as a housemaid because I have a vagina

oldcatlady22 · 27/03/2022 12:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn at the poster's request due to privacy concerns.

AryaStarkWolf · 27/03/2022 12:32

@729927luc

So I spoke to him about it this morning and he just got annoyed and said I talk to him like a child. He says I need to tell him what to do as he doesn't know so I said okay I will. But I'm sad he doesn't see my point of view and now, from the way he's reacted, I feel like the one in the wrong again. I don't understand as well how he can't work put out might need doing? He is banging around upstairs now cleaning the bathrooms and has a mardy face on. What a lovely mother's day. I've been cleaning other rooms this morning, haven't had a break yet today (even though it's mother's day) and am now being made to feel like a cow because I've got to the end of my tether. Can't win...
So he's on the onehand annoyed with you for speaking to him like a child but in the same breath he's telling you that you need to tell him what he needs to do ........as if he's a.......child?

His reaction is disgusting

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