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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Being made to feel guilty for going to work

32 replies

Rushingrushing · 08/09/2022 13:06

This is more of a rant or asking for advice.
I have a 17 month old child. He has has numerous medical issues, nothing serious!! I started back to work in Jan full time but came to an agreement with my boss that I could work from home part time to look after DS, partner works shift so it was based around his roster. Some weeks I didn't come into the office at all but could only get the majority of my work done when DS went to bed.
Anyway my partner is out of work the past 2 weeks with "work related stress" due to an ongoing bullying issue. I assumed with him at home that I could go back to the office full time, which I have done. In that 2 weeks he has been so angry that I told my boss that I could come in full time, he thinks I should have said nothing and both of us could be home most of the time (more like so I would still look after DS). He has been asked by friends to play golf a few times over the 2 week period. I offered to go in late one morning so he can get a very early round in but he said no, I also offered to contact aunts and SIL to mind DS while he plays he still says no. He doesn't want anyone to mind DS except me!
Today his texts were very short so I asked was he angry and he said he's angry at the whole situation but there's no point in him saying anything because I will just point out the same things and nothing will happen so forget it. I said no I won't forget it, I'm sick of being made to feel guilty for going to work and that he doesn't get to have a big rant then tell me to forget it before I have my say. Now he's ignoring me. This is all because he said no to playing golf 4 times in 2 weeks. I said play on a Saturday or Sunday but he doesn't want to pay the extra, he just wants to sulk.
2 days ago he called me a part time mam. I was fuming and he just said ah it was a joke, relax.
My DS has been in and out of hospital and was 12 months old before I ever left him, and even then I cried. Other than work I am constantly with him.
I just don't know what to do. DP will be out of work until Oct 12th that we know of and I dread his list of complaints everyday.

OP posts:
Goldbar · 08/09/2022 15:30

Rushingrushing · 08/09/2022 15:08

@AryaStarkWolf you're right that it's not all cases but with my friends, cousins and women in work it is definitely the majority. You're also right that he just called the doc and said he's stressed and doc just asked what dates to put on the note, plus when those dates end call again if he wants more time.
@Goldbar the creche fees in our area are €1200 a month and that is if you are lucky enough to get a space, the last creche we spoke to 2 weeks ago have a year waiting list. Also I work for a non profit organisation so my boss couldn't give me a pay rise, especially after covid. This is why he agreed to the wfh sometimes. A women I worked with for 8 years retired and offered to mind DS everyday (she's like a mam to me and Nan to DS) but DP said no thanks. I don't get this but won't go against his wishes as I think whatever we decide should be agreed by both of us and both should feel comfortable.

He has no right to say "no thanks" to perfectly good childcare if it means that you're pulling a double shift of childcare during the day and work at night.

CanThisBe · 08/09/2022 15:35

I'm amazed your employer had been prepared to accept those childcare arrangements. It was never going to be sustainable. If DH doesn't want to care for his own child he needs to pay for childcare while you're working.

Rushingrushing · 08/09/2022 15:42

@Goldbar I know that and we have argued about it a few times, that's why his text said "I will just point out the same thing" because every time he complains I say this person will mind DS.
@CanThisBe my boss is extremely flexible and can see that I get the work done so is happy with how things are. He always says family comes first so I know I'm very lucky to have a boss like this. This is why I told the truth that my DP was home and I could come back into the office, I don't want to take advantage of my bosses generosity and lie to him. Also it's not just the cost of creche which we could manage with a few sacrifices, it's that there are no spaces. In the past hour I've contacted another 6 creches that are more local to my job than home but no luck.

OP posts:
CaptainSensiblesRedBeret · 08/09/2022 15:49

He’s too ill to look after his child but not too ill to play golf?

TheVikingGirl · 08/09/2022 15:55

To those saying well he is off sick well what if OP was sick I’m guessing she would still have to take care of DC. It’s work not taking time off home life ffs.

He sounds like a twat.

AryaStarkWolf · 08/09/2022 15:56

@Rushingrushing I just don't think Ireland is anymore more sexist in that way than the UK is, we've definitely gotten a lot better from even a generation ago, I have 3 brothers and they couldn't be more different than my dad was in that respect.

With regards to the Dr situation, I think it's probably easier in Ireland to get signed off work because we have to pay for the GP ourselves

Goldbar · 08/09/2022 15:59

@Rushingrushing . I would offer him the choice - either he looks after your DS or this other person looks after your DS (or he arranges alternative childcare). But you are not available as you need to work. Then just walk out.

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