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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hate DH working hours

302 replies

StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 08:21

So my husband earns lots of money and has decent job which he has worked his way up to, I am very proud of him, however, this has all come at a price, he works quite late, until 8pm or later some nights

although he does finish early 2 days per week to when I am working too. I feel like I am doing most of this on my own.

He also has hobbies that he goes to 2 nights per week and if he goes put on a weekend it feels as if there is no family time.

He thinks IABU, please tell me if I am.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 08/04/2022 11:31

What does he do because those hours and that pay isn’t actually that great and it sounds as if you work too

I think you need go talk to him and see if a better balance can be sturck

LittleBearPad · 08/04/2022 11:34

@StaceHu23

Yes but we both couldn’t do that could we? Not with the kids?
Yes but you alternate so that one of you does childcare pick up and one of you works later.

There doesn’t seem to be much give and take e.g. on Sundays he can and should sort dinner etc.

StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 11:38

@HangingRock25 by the smell of his football kit! Absolutely! I don’t think he is having an affair.

OP posts:
Sunshineandflipflops · 08/04/2022 11:39

I empathise with you to some extent op. My ex husband worked fairly standard hours when our dc were small but as I also worked p/t, all the nursery/school drop offs somehow fell to me, which I had to fit into my day, which did impact my career progression.

That I could have coped with but then he also had to have a finger in every pie elsewhere - such as social stuff with work, local community based things, playing football once a week (which of course was followed by drinks) and he could never decline a social invitation.

It also got to the point where my family would comment on him being out 'again' and it was embarrassing.

Anyway, in my case he ended up having an affair as a result of all the social stuff he was involved in at work so that ended our marriage anyway. What really hurt though was that just before I found out about the affair, he was telling me that I never went out with my friends! Erm...when exactly am I supposed to to that, while seeing my husband once in a while, working and looking after our children?! As it happens, I now get a lot more time to do my own thing...when he has the children . Funnily enough, he has less free time now.

Anyway, I echo what pp's have said that while your dh's salary is good, it's not good enough to be away from his family for that amount of time. My partner works 9-5.30 every day for a similar amount and has just got a new job paying significantly more but still won't work anywhere near those hours (but he does wfh, which makes a difference).

balalake · 08/04/2022 11:44

Part of the issue is the long hours, even if genuine. Not worth the impact on his health long term, and also probably contributed to by his or someone else's bad management.

QforCucumber · 08/04/2022 11:47

Your total joint income is around £65k yes?

DH and I earn that jointly both working FT and both home by 5:30 every night (granted I only have a 2 mile commute) he works 8-4 I'm 9-5, kids are 6 and 2 and we eat together every day - I agree that you could, together, work on a better life home balance at that salary.

TillyTopper · 08/04/2022 11:50

I can see why you feel a bit lonely - but my DH has the same situation. I leave at 6:30am and get back between 7:30 to 8pm 5 days a week. But that's just what is expected in some sectors and hopefully his pay matches his hours. I think perhaps you need to try to get comfortable with it and maybe do a hobby or similar yourself? To my mind your DH isn't going out excessively though.

StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 12:10

Now I’m worried he has another woman 😂😂😂😂

OP posts:
Mulhollandmagoo · 08/04/2022 12:17

Its a really tough one, I get it, me and my husband have jigged our working hours around to minimise the need for paid childcare as everything is so expensive, but it does mean we have had to sacrifice lots of time together, but all we do is really make the most of any time we do, its usually just getting a few treats and watching a film on TV when we're not too knackered to make it to the end Grin
while our daughter is in bed.

I miss him so much and would love some quality time, but I know this isn't forever, and its what we have to do right now. I don't think your issue is his working hours, but how he prioritises his free time, on one of his early finishes he could come home and you could spend time together, or he can pitch in with the kids.

Pyewhacket · 08/04/2022 12:24

@TillyTopper

I can see why you feel a bit lonely - but my DH has the same situation. I leave at 6:30am and get back between 7:30 to 8pm 5 days a week. But that's just what is expected in some sectors and hopefully his pay matches his hours. I think perhaps you need to try to get comfortable with it and maybe do a hobby or similar yourself? To my mind your DH isn't going out excessively though.
Mine too - the man's a saint.

I have to be at work by 6.30 and I'm not home until 8-8.30, which can be over the weekend, bank holidays and even Christmas day. That's if I'm not on a night duty or covering for staff shortages or sickness.

Have done for years, even when the kids were young. To be fair we had a nanny but she was didn't work the weekend and was gone the minute my husband put a foot through the door.

The kids are now mid-late teens so it's a lot easier but daddy was your go-to man. The school spoke to him, not me. He could also cook , feed the kids and do the crossword at the same time. Who said men can't multitask. Oh, and he works full time in the aviation industry - still smells vaguely of Jet fuel and hot oil.

It's just the way the cooking crumbles.

Pyewhacket · 08/04/2022 12:28

Apologies for any typos, using my phone on my break.

TedMullins · 08/04/2022 12:41

There are a few issues here. You’ve cut down your hours for the kids but it seems he hasn’t made any compromises. Could he drop a day a week to allow you to up your hours and he’s the primary parent on that day? He doesn’t sound like he’s pulling his weight as a parent.

Secondly, why can’t you see friends and family during the week? If you finish work at, for example, 5, why not meet friends during the week and bring the kids? Either at each other’s houses, or to a child friendly pub. Spend an hour or two with friends then home in time for the kids bedtime.

You could take up a hobby on an evening he finishes early, or on a weekend day. He seemingly has all the freedom to pursue his own interests while you have none.

Chely · 08/04/2022 12:44

I'd take that. Mine fucks off for months at a time, after almost 18 years of it I'm so done with it. Only 4 more years to go, I can't wait.

billy1966 · 08/04/2022 12:49

Shit husband and a shit father who is rarely around and suits himself.

Stop having children with this man.

He has loads of free time and you clearly don't.

He's not particularly well paid if paying nursery fees is an issue for you.

He is clearly avoiding sharing the load as much as is possible.

You are being played OP.

StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 12:50

@TedMullins yes I meet up with friends and their kids regularly, always got play dates etc planned, I’m on about the times I get by myself with my friends

OP posts:
StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 12:54

@billy1966 thankfully I don’t want anymore children. I feel like the opinions here are so varied, i suppose it depends on the woman and what she will put up with

OP posts:
TicTac80 · 08/04/2022 13:02

Sounds difficult. I can't comment on being a parent and having a DH (who works) around. I don't think either of you are being unreasonable.

I'm a single parent working FT. I do understand the high costs of childcare though!! There was a point where I was paying out more than I was earning (and that was as a B5 nurse). I stuck with it though, as it allowed me to continue with NI contributions, pension and career progression. Since XH (who didn't bloody work and was unreliable with childcare) left , I also managed to re-jig my hours/shift times on my ward so that they would coincide with child care hours (but FT hours still). My youngest is 8, so I'll be doing these rejigged hours until she's starting secondary school (and able to get herself to/from school). It's been bloody hard though, but we're in a good routine now.

My bro and SIL have 2 young DC. They both work FT and have negotiated doing FT hours over 4 days. One does Mon - Thurs, the other Tues -Fri. They have a cleaner come in once a week. It means that they each have a FT wage coming in (along with career progression, pension contributions etc), but only have to pay for child care for 3 days a week. Would this be something that you/your DH could look at doing? My bro/SIL are both very hands on with the kids, and share out parenting/life admin/mental load equally. It's brilliant to see and works very well for them. Both my DB and my DSIL have time to socialise/do hobbies and they take that stuff in turns. It's what I wish my XH had done with me.

You said that you're planning to do your MW training. That sounds fab but I'll warn you now, that during placements, you will have to work shifts: this will be earlies, lates, long days and nights (and community/clinic). I can't comment on other MW units/L+D wards but ours tend to have shift patterns like this: 7am-3pm, 7am-8pm, 1pm -8pm, 7:30pm - 7:30am. In my area, there is no childcare that starts at 6:30am (to allow you to get to work for a 7am start). Nursing and MW training is a hard slog (I found it more difficult to juggle than my first BSc) and you'll need to have a really good support network around you so that you can attend lectures, placements and do assignments. Also, the placements can be anywhere in the area that your uni covers. I'm sure you know that but I wanted to say it. I retrained as a nurse when my eldest was 3: my folks were alive then so were amazing and helped me so much with childcare. I'd really recommend that you start researching what childcare is available in your area, and start planning how you and your DH will sort it.

I wish you all the best. Feel free to PM me if you want. I'm a B6 now, so the rejigged hours didn't stand in the way of promotion. Also my issues with XH, childcare etc have meant that I'm really understanding of just how hard things can be.

123walrus · 08/04/2022 13:42

Could you work during the week and use childcare so that you have Sunday as a family? Your eldest should get funded hours now so might be affordable. And a cheaper way of getting time together than your OH changing his job that he enjoys. It might be good for the kids too.

If you want to go out in the evenings, you could use a baby sitter. I know it’s difficult with a 1 year year old who doesn’t settle well but you can hire professionals with experience and it would allow you to go out. Alternatively consider inviting friends over for drinks and a takeaway whilst your OH is out.

Quartz2208 · 08/04/2022 13:58

[quote StaceHu23]@billy1966 thankfully I don’t want anymore children. I feel like the opinions here are so varied, i suppose it depends on the woman and what she will put up with[/quote]
Yes exactly and the rewards for doing so

You get all of the pain and none of the reward. You make all the sacrifices etc

Talk to him I think some hard truths and decisions are needed in order for you to further your career

And more childcare by him

StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 14:03

I suppose some women are happy with that arrangement too, I’m just not I don’t think

OP posts:
billy1966 · 08/04/2022 16:43

Tot up the amount of down time he has at sports, watching games, any time that isn't work or with the children.

Look at EXACTLY how many he is really present around the children, as involved in their care.

I bet even you will be surprised at how little time he is with his children.

Compare how much free time he has to EXACTLY how much time he is hands on involved with his children.

Write it ALL down clearly.

It is very helpful to do this.

No obfuscation is possible when it is all written down in black and white.

Think about the figures and decide what you want from a discussion with him.

Hes a shit husband and a dhit father I bet from those figures.

Those around you know it too.

You deserve better and so do your children.

Flowers
sillysmiles · 08/04/2022 16:49

@StaceHu23

How would I have the same opportunity for a career? Who would have the kids?
Childcare would have the kids. If you were working those hours too, you'd have to work out a joint solution.

Is the real problem that he has become your outlet for a social life but he still has friends and hobbies so you are not his only social option.

Have you talked to him about where your time for friends and hobbies is?

Adeleskirts · 08/04/2022 16:56

Hes a shit husband and a dhit father I bet from those figures.

This is horrible and I simply don’t understand why someone would wish to proclaim someone they have never even met to be a shit husband and father from the little snapshot above. It’s so ott and horrible.

Op. You’ve both got youtself into a situation, you both need his money to live basically. Pay your bills. Neither of you are big earners. And as much as people like to declare irs easy it’s not that easy to just up your earnings often and often people become emotionally involved in their jobs so would resent walking away.

You need to sit down and talk to him about how you’re feeling. How you want to contribute equally and wish him to do the same for the children, so you need to come up with a plan together on how to do this. It might be a plan that isn’t quick but a route you can both go forward with.

You’re not happy and I very much doubt he is either, he’s working all hours, has a three hour commute every single day and he’s got three mouths to feed, and financially reliant on him.

So communication is key. Talk to him and try to work out a way forward.

It can be anything from moving closer to his work so he is home for three hours more a day, to him looking for other jobs, to you explaining how you intend to make up the financial shortfall. Ageee he gets to go on his two nights football but you want two evenings also. Agree how you will compromise and work together to ensure both your needs are met.

StaceHu23 · 08/04/2022 16:57

I know he’s shit, my question is, wtf can I do about it?

If he won’t budge then what should I do?

He will make out that I am trying to stop him seeing his friends and whatever else bullshit. He will never budge that way I know for sure, he starts to make out I am controlling and that he needs to see his friends and have hobbies?

OP posts:
Adeleskirts · 08/04/2022 17:00

@StaceHu23

I know he’s shit, my question is, wtf can I do about it?

If he won’t budge then what should I do?

He will make out that I am trying to stop him seeing his friends and whatever else bullshit. He will never budge that way I know for sure, he starts to make out I am controlling and that he needs to see his friends and have hobbies?

Ok that escalated. If that is really what you think of him that he’s shit, gaslights you etc then leave the marriage,
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