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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not go back to work FT?

5 replies

Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 01/03/2023 08:26

DH & I have a DC3 and a puppy. No family support whatsoever. DC in nursery 4 full days per week (7.45am-5pm).

I work 4 days, but with one shorter day WFH which allows me to get the housework etc sorted.

DH works 5 days FT and is also studying a professional qualification alongside this. He travels as part of his work, away roughly 4 nights a month at random.

DC is knackered by the time they come in from nursery, so has a quick dinner then to bed for 6.30pm, so we don't see them much in the evenings. DC also has a recurring medical issue meaning lots of GP/specialist appointments and time off nursery, with nobody else to watch them.

I do all laundry, all cooking and majority of the cleaning. He'll occasionally put away a washing or hang one up on the weekend. We split things like one person doing bedtime, the other sorts the dogs dinner, walks her and does dishes. I do pretty much all the GP appointments, vet appointments for the puppy etc.

DH and I have same level roles (management), we earn the same amount despite me doing less hours as I was further on in my career pre-DC. We're comfortable financially.

On a normal day, DH is supportive of this setup and encourages it. But anytime we argue, he trots out the "well when you work full time again, you've never had to work full time since having DC" etc. We've been over it so many times I don't know how we can move past it! If I worked full time, he'd need to start doing a shed load more than he does, but he doesn't see how good he has it.

If there's a night he's on pickup and I'm a bit later in due to traffic, he'll moan there's nothing ready for DC dinner. There's a homemade pasta sauce in the fridge, he just needs to boil some pasta and chuck it on, but apparently that's too much to ask of him.

Aibu not to return FT?

OP posts:
oldestmumaintheworld · 01/03/2023 08:30

If I were you I'd arrange to go away for a week and leave him to it. Might be a bit more appreciative after that! There's nothing like the real experience.

soleilblue · 01/03/2023 08:32

Once he can demonstrate he can step up then go back full time. Although I'd look at the maths on your wages as it's often not worth it. Maybe he could apply to condense his hours?

Nishky32 · 01/03/2023 08:32

I would be employing a cleaner whether 4 days or full time- we had a cleaner when I worked 3 days. You must be exhausted

Exasperatednow · 01/03/2023 08:36

I don't think you are being unreasonable.

Potentially he could work part time and you work full time. He would then need to do everything you do. You could start doing a blow by blow account of you day for him to pick up. Remember to include the mental load stuff.

grafittiartist · 01/03/2023 18:02

I'm still part time, and mine have left school!
Still loads to do on my one day off.
Don't underestimate house stuff.

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