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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To quit my job and become a housewife

249 replies

HateMyJob12345 · 18/04/2022 09:56

AIBU to resign from my job and become a housewife? I am miserable at work (have another thread about it) to the point where I’m probably going to resign as it’s making me ill. My husband says I should resign as he’s seeing how miserable I am and says he’s happy to be the breadwinner. We can afford to do this. At the moment we don’t spend all our money and a large chunk goes in savings each month. The thought of being a housewife and having the time to have a clean house, cook decent meals each day and that sort of thing is seeming so appealing. But I’ve always scoffed at women who don’t work, as the feminist in me is saying women should have their own income. And I’m used to having my own money. I have enough savings to keep me going for 12-18 months but then I’d be dependent on my husband. Anyone else done this? It feels lazy as I don’t have kids. Of course I will look for another job but there’s every chance I won’t find one so might end up a housewife.

OP posts:
MadameHeisenberg · 18/04/2022 13:35

Men can't do what we do and don't try. So why do we try to do what they do?

Eh? Men obviously cannot get pregnant and give birth - they don’t try as it’s a physical impossibility.

Not sure what you mean about women ‘trying to do what men do’? As in going to work and financially supporting their family? This isn’t the preserve of men. Most women also do exactly this; it’s entirely normal for most families.

Cheesechips · 18/04/2022 13:37

*You are dependent on your husband. Sounds like you chose wisely, so be dependent, there's nothing wrong with it. He is meant to provide for his family. Women should have the same opportunities as men but it can't be denied that we are the childbearers and naturally child feeders and rearers. Men can't do what we do and don't try. So why do we try to do what they do?

Why do children want both parents doing 8 hour days and seeing them for less than a third of their lives?

They don't.*

What? She said she doesn't have kids!

mrziggycoco · 18/04/2022 13:37

@Quincythequince

Life is too short to stay in a job that’s making you ill. Having said that, giving up work altogether and having no income of your own is risky and you should at the very least put in plans to retrain on something you would like to do, or take some time out, but then find another job.
Your husband's income is income of your own. A family unit is just that. You are vulnerable and dependent as a wife and mother but that's okay. The contribution of mother and wife to the family is invaluable and there is one single person in each family who can do it.

Why do we tell each other that we must have jobs instead of we must care for our families? Why does modern society deem the former the most important when it clearly is not?

lameasahorse · 18/04/2022 13:37

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

mrziggycoco · 18/04/2022 13:38

@Cheesechips

*You are dependent on your husband. Sounds like you chose wisely, so be dependent, there's nothing wrong with it. He is meant to provide for his family. Women should have the same opportunities as men but it can't be denied that we are the childbearers and naturally child feeders and rearers. Men can't do what we do and don't try. So why do we try to do what they do?

Why do children want both parents doing 8 hour days and seeing them for less than a third of their lives?

They don't.*

What? She said she doesn't have kids!

Fair enough she doesn't have kids but it all still stands and could be applicable for her in the future.
mrziggycoco · 18/04/2022 13:39

@MadameHeisenberg

Men can't do what we do and don't try. So why do we try to do what they do?

Eh? Men obviously cannot get pregnant and give birth - they don’t try as it’s a physical impossibility.

Not sure what you mean about women ‘trying to do what men do’? As in going to work and financially supporting their family? This isn’t the preserve of men. Most women also do exactly this; it’s entirely normal for most families.

Normal doesn't mean best.
Cheesechips · 18/04/2022 13:40

Fair enough she doesn't have kids but it all still stands and could be applicable for her in the future.

She's 42 and she said that ship has sailed.

Appleblum · 18/04/2022 13:41

It sounds like you need a break and you can afford it. Your DH is also supportive, so why not? If being a housewife doesn't suit you, you can always look for another job, it's not a role you'll be stuck in forever you know.

Bunnycat101 · 18/04/2022 13:43

What grade are you? There is every chance you could make an internal move easily without giving up the security of your pension. Just get applying.

Imsosorryalan75 · 18/04/2022 13:45

Meh, life's too short. Do what you want. You can always fet a job later on.

MayMorris · 18/04/2022 13:47

@CheshireCats

Don't do it. If you were to split up in the future, you will have lost your career and financial independence. Not to mention pension contributions.
This…but… Would he agree to pay into a savings ISA for you in lieu of pension and agree that if you split up this would be treated like a pension e.g. considered in pension sharing arrangement for future not existing asset

Would he agree to pay you a “salary “ for your home working each month so that money is yours not something that you are beholden to him for and you have some autonomy over it. Including a personal allowance which is for you only to spend entirely as you wish on whatever you want/need and not an account you have to share detials of

I would also be saying you need “holiday” allowance same as him…otherwise you will never get a day off and over time he will stop doing anything even at weekends.

You must treat it like a job. In return he can lay out his expectations of what is fair for you to take on in a discussion where you both agree what your working week would involve. With SAHM the job speck is clearer and has a predefined set of changes based on kids ages as they grow up…you don’t have that so must define exactly what your new role will be.

I would also take the opportunity to train up for a new career with a view to get back to working in next 3-5 years

As a SAHM you have a ready bank of social day time opportunities and chances to get out the house, with women at similar stage of life and common ground. That is a godsend to get away from domestic drudgery and stuck inside the house. It breaks up the week, allows you to talk to someone. So, how will you get that social interaction- you’ll not have that “mums and toddler” network, you’ll not have the sort of stuff I go to with over 55s retired community ( I live on my own now and again need to get out and socialise even though I’m introverted). Do you have friends already that are SAH with no kids and paid employment that you can socialise with? Otherwise be very careful. Add to that how will your DH feel that he is in work slogging away when he knows your out and about socialising at least for some hours during the working day? That can grind someone down when work gets stressful and resentment can quickly build up.

Personally, I’d consider it only if there was a time limited period, like retraining, improving your health or some other goal.

But just because now it seems more attractive than working , in 10 years will you feel like that still…no role in life that you can define to others, the relentless entropy of housekeeping….as soon as you tidy/clean something it will begin again to get dirtier over time no matter what you do…you can never achieve a point where you can say I have done that, I have created that, I don’t need to do that again- you’re just pushing back on natural decay and chaos all the time, soul destroying and wide up to build up of resentment when you’ve spent all day domesticating and DH either doesn’t notice, doesn’t ask how you got on that day, or walks in and starts to undo all your hard work cos he no longer cares as he doesn’t have to ever clean up his mess.

Don’t do this just becuase of how you feel now. Look at a vision of 10 years times. What do you want to have achieved in your life, what can you see your doing with your time, where will you get your joy in living from, what would you and DH be doing togther that would strengthen and deepen your shared life. Talk and talk with DH to align your visions into a shared vision you know you are both aiming for
Start there. Work backwards to define how to navigate to that vision over next 10 years. Then build your plans around it including what you will do for next 2 years regarding your job or resigning.

Also consider what would happen if your circumstances change. What would you do if one of you became Ill, perhaps your DH has to give up work due to sickness, or is made redundant…maybe he finds it harder to get work…what will you do? You need something so you can both step up and make up income in maybe lower paying jobs until he can find his new carer job again. You cannot abdicate all responsibility for supporting yourself or you as a couple if circumstances change. That is not his role in your marriage- you are in it together. For example my husband never worked again 17 years into my 30 year marriage . I had to return to work full time (I had stayed part time fortunately) and was main breadwinner for the rest of our marriage. Then I ended up divorcing him after 31 years. I never ever thought that would happen after so long. Luckily we both had financial support and assets and we could separate without being dumped into poverty

Be really careful to not throw away your independence. You do not know what is around the corner.

SirChenjins · 18/04/2022 13:48

Be wary of coming out of the job market - depending on your role, it’s not always that easy to ‘just’ get another job at some point down the line with the same/better pay and the same T&Cs if you’ve had a break in service (of these things are important to you obvs)

MadameHeisenberg · 18/04/2022 13:49

@mrziggycoco

Staying at home in a trad wife role might be ‘best’ for you and yours, but it certainly isn’t for many other millions of women and their children.

And it’s a moot point anyway as the OP doesn’t have kids.

WakeMeUpWhenTheyHaveGone · 18/04/2022 13:50

“You are dependent on your husband. Sounds like you chose wisely, so be dependent, there's nothing wrong with it. He is meant to provide for his family. Women should have the same opportunities as men but it can't be denied that we are the childbearers and naturally child feeders and rearers. Men can't do what we do and don't try. So why do we try to do what they do?

Why do children want both parents doing 8 hour days and seeing them for less than a third of their lives?

They don't.“

Another hahahahahahahahahahahahaha 🙄

Both parents do not have to work full/time (FT) or 8 hour shifts! One parent can work part-time (PT).

The OP has said that they do not have children and that they will not be having children in future.

So, what happens when the man can’t work due to bad health, dies, refuses to share money (financial abuse), cheats (infidelity), and/or has children outside of the relationship or marriage???
Should the women and children left behind just be poor and struggle???

tattygrl · 18/04/2022 13:55

Taking time out from work doesn't have to be a permanent thing, and it sounds as if the decision might be made for you by your health if you don't take action soon. Why not try being a housewife for a while, take the pressure off yourself, focus on other things and on simply enjoying life (which presumably you're not right now, since work sounds so stressful), and just see what happens?

MayMorris · 18/04/2022 13:56

Op, you talk about being worn out, stressed etc.
Might be barking up wrong tree, but I started perimenopause in early 40s and it has massively impacted my mental health since (late 50’s now).
I developed weird anxiety over nothing. Stuff that 5 years earlier I’d have not dwelt on started to get catastrophised and stuck in my head. Sleep quality didn’t help- I was permanently tired. My mental resilience dropped…stuff at work around politics, performance I just sorted to struggle with. I felt so stretched and worn out.

Have a read up…if it is a possibility have a chat with GP to see if they can suggest something or explore further .

Sure it might mean you still need to change career, but maybe some tweaks to your biochemistry or change of tact regarding your physical health will get you a bit of mojo back

DramaAlpaca · 18/04/2022 13:57

Life is too short to do a job you hate if you don't have to. Leave, take a break and use the time to recharge your batteries and look for something else. You're lucky you have the support to do it.

Jewel1968 · 18/04/2022 13:58

If you hate your job I understand the desire but it is very risky. You can afford it now but what happens if you break up with husband (this will likely change your relationship) or he loses his job. My advice:

  • check out other gov departments
  • look for job outside CS
  • take a career break (might not be agreed to)
  • look for a secondment
  • ask for a move at work citing healt (would need OH referral probably)
  • if all of the above doesn't pan out then maybe take your husband up on his offer to support you.
notwhatineednow · 18/04/2022 13:58

I quit a job I hated with no new job to go to - but I enrolled on a course to help me get qualifications for a job I did want to do.

It was being so unhappy in my old job that drove me to leave, but grabbing the chance to do a course led me to a career I do enjoy.

Being a housewife has no prospects!

By all means quit the job and go part time if you want less stress or to have more time at home.

But you need something that's for you, be it a small income in a job with nice people, or retraining, or volunteering / campaigning.

What do you enjoy doing?

Nancydrawn · 18/04/2022 14:01

OP, sorry for derailing and derisive laughter at the other, ridiculous, poster.

I think you're absolutely right to want to leave your job. I don't think that a wild swing to no-job-for-rest-of-life, though, is a good move for you: for your finances, your sense of independence, your sense of purpose, or your relationship.

Is there another job you can imagine loving? Is there something you care about that you'd like to devote your life to? Is there a slightly-boring-but-undemanding job with fewer hours and lower pay that would nevertheless give you some occupation?

I wouldn't make any life decisions on a grass-is-greener philosophy. In fact, I'd take that sabbatical and use it to imagine my life in many different directions. You don't have to violate employment contracts; you shouldn't interview during. But you certainly could do some due diligence in terms of seeing what things are available; seeing what life is like without work; talking to a financial expert on the money implications; and spending some time unwinding. It will help you separate out what you want from what's currently making you miserable.

Good luck!

CrowUpNorth · 18/04/2022 14:02

There is always the option to look for a p/t job if you feel that would be better for your health. Personally I'd go for that rather than being a fulltime housewife as you can keep professional skills current for if you decide to go back to work f/t in a few years.

Palease · 18/04/2022 14:04

@MayMorris
as soon as you tidy/clean something it will begin again to get dirtier over time no matter what you do…you can never achieve a point where you can say I have done that, I have created that, I don’t need to do that again- you’re just pushing back on natural decay and chaos all the time, soul destroying and wide up to build up of resentment when you’ve spent all day domesticating and DH either doesn’t notice, doesn’t ask how you got on that day, or walks in and starts to undo all your hard work cos he no longer cares as he doesn’t have to ever clean up his mess.

Thank you for putting into words the current resentment I am struggling with. It’s a shit job and no one cares that you mopped the floor that day or cleaned the bathroom. It’s so boring that I hate hearing the words coming out my mouth when he asks how my days been. “Great, I cleaned the bathroom and hoovered the stairs”. Ugh.

mrziggycoco · 18/04/2022 14:05

@notwhatineednow

I quit a job I hated with no new job to go to - but I enrolled on a course to help me get qualifications for a job I did want to do.

It was being so unhappy in my old job that drove me to leave, but grabbing the chance to do a course led me to a career I do enjoy.

Being a housewife has no prospects!

By all means quit the job and go part time if you want less stress or to have more time at home.

But you need something that's for you, be it a small income in a job with nice people, or retraining, or volunteering / campaigning.

What do you enjoy doing?

Being a housewife is an invaluable role and the payoff is the appreciation of your family. The prospect is the love of your children who then care for you in old age and pass on the values to their children. It's social change at grassroots level. It's a wonderful example and a celebration of innate self-worth.
HelebethH · 18/04/2022 14:06

Why not take a year out to decide what you really want? Maybe after a year you might want to work again. You could use the time to see if there is any sort of career changing direction you woud like to investigate and train for. I retrained at 43 and set up my own business. Never looked back.
Nobody asks for " I wish I spent more time at work in a job I hate" as their epitaph.
You are in a very fortunate position to have this opportunity that I suspect lots of people would love. Grab it with both hands. Good luck!

chisanunian · 18/04/2022 14:07

Do it. The sheer joy you feel when you walk away from that shitty job will be something that stays with you always.

You'll then be free to breathe a huge sigh of relief and find yourself again. Take some time out to decide what else you'd like to do, whether that is stay at home and be a domestic goddess, change career, retrain, work part-time, volunteer, anything.

Do it. Smile

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