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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should a stay at home parent expect payment (other than an allowance)?

100 replies

working4ever · 03/06/2023 22:32

Sorry for long post - bear with it!

Other half says ". You pay me absolutely ZERO as an unpaid slave and take all our money" "and a formal complaint of domestic abuse via coercive control / controlling behaviour has been made to social services about this".

I work full time, OH quit work in Aug 2016 just as I was about to go back to work after maternity leave with OH citing stress. It was made clear before birth that I must return to work full time to give child all opportunities. There was discussion that I might be able to reduce my hours in time. Nursery was arranged for 3 days a week with me working from home and doing childcare one day and OH one day (OH worked full time up until then). Then after OH quit with no warning or discussion, with no money coming in and OH not looking for work I said we had to reduce this to 2 days nursery and they take over another day this was after 5 months). Savings at that point sub £1000 and declining rapidly. OH claimed job seekers. Finances were hard. OH did minimal childcare (ie 9 to 5.15 2 days then 3 days and not outside these hours) no housework and no cooking.

DC starts school in 2020, OH picks up DC each day and does school holidays 9 to when I get home. I still do mornings and evenings. OH "works" at a hobby that costs us money. OH gets PIP (diagnosed as being on ASD spectrum in 2020/21). I would spend minimal in order to save for household expenses. In 2021 it was agreed that since OH used PIP as personal spending I should be able to have an allowance too which is slightly less than PIP. I use this to now have my hair cut and coloured regularly (which was previously only once or twice a year with a £20 cut and buy a home colour kit) and also for other bits and pieces eg lunch for us all at McDonalds or wherever, contribute to work leaving gifts, mothers day flowers etc. I also use this to pay for days out to Paultons etc. OH prescriptions come out of joint. It was also agreed that they would cook up to 3 times per week which they never did before, even if just simple pizza and chips

OH has access to joint accounts and savings and always has and will just spend from there even Amazon purchases for themself or gifts for their friends.

My mum died recently and I have a sizable amount which they want half of to spend as they please. When my brother died a few years ago my mum gave me and brother a few thousand each and it turns out my OH went to my mum and said they should have been given half as well. My feeling is that OH is being entitled. OH has purchased in past petrol motorbike, electric motorbike, electric scooters, electric quadbike, tshirt press and all the stuff that goes with it, web hosting, turntables, laptops, speakers and numerous other stuff with joint funds. They also like to control in other ways and I have been threatened if I don't do x then y will happen.

Would you pay your OH for staying at home? OH has an additional £100 petrol allowance. Entertainment for when DC is on schools hols is from joint eg swimming, McDonalds, pier amusements. I do washing, although more than two loads is way too much per week apparently but I just crack on as we need to wash clothes, towels etc. I clean bathroom and usually kitchen, oven etc plus extras like windows and other stuff, change bedding, wash it (iron bedding as OH likes it ironed). OH does ironing as and when it suits so often I will get up at 5.30 am and do urgent ironing. No vacuuming for a month so far. Hit and miss with lawn mowing as it's either not or then every week for a while. They asked for a list of stuff that needs doing and when I provide it eg beds need changing every week or bi weekly, floors need mopping, bathroom cleaned I'm told I'm controlling. It is used against me.

It's been made clear (from both OH and FIL) that whatever my FIL provides either now or when they have passed that it is for OH/DC.

So essentially (if you made it thus far), should I pay OH for housekeeping and child care? I'm beginning to think that living separately and paying someone else to do childcare whilst I work who may be better qualified would likely make me and DC better off atlhough DC will miss their parent.

Clearly I'm sure you'll read there is more to this than I am revealing but bottom line, when both of you are working (one in the home and one in the workplace) with a similar "allowance" would the working at home person expect to be paid more?

OP posts:
bryceQ · 04/06/2023 06:49

The stuff around your mum and money is absolutely vile. That's not the kind of person I'd want to be with. Honestly you would be better off seperated I think.

Sceptre86 · 04/06/2023 07:05

I really hope this is a post from a teoll because if it is true what on earth is going on with your life? Ditch them and move on. A partner should support you, build you up. Your support this idiot and their hobbies, they went behind your back and asked your parents for half the money they have you. How utterly disgusting is that? They are a deadweight around you. Unpick the shackles and let them go.

In the mean time, I'd start looking for childcare so a nanny, childminder, apply for breakfast and afterschool club. I'd get finances inorder.

You do have to take some responsibility for your own life though. So when it was decides you would have to go back to work full time after baby you could have also insisted that they find a new job. You've allowed yourself to be railroaded and used. Life is short op and you deserve every happiness. In order to achieve that ypu need to let this person go as their needs will always come first and they will drag you down. Start putting your plans in motion. Best of luck.

TellKingTutIWantMyMummy · 04/06/2023 07:06

I couldn’t even get to the end, your OH is an absolute cunt, you’re an idiot, and you need to end your marriage.

arethereanyleftatall · 04/06/2023 07:08

So glad I missed the memo that said relationships are mandatory.

Curseofthenation · 04/06/2023 07:25

I don't know how you've lasted this long. I would LTB for half of this bullshit in your shoes. The annoying thing is that he will get half your inheritence. Life is too short for all this crap though.

nahwhale · 04/06/2023 07:36

I'm beginning to think that living separately and paying someone else to do childcare whilst I work who may be better qualified would likely make me and DC better off atlhough DC will miss their parent. do this. They can have some contact time though? Unless you think that will be unsafe.

nahwhale · 04/06/2023 07:36

It doesn't sound like you have a relationship at all really

babyproblems · 04/06/2023 07:37

I also couldn’t bear to read to the end. You need to leave. This isn’t a partnership and you are being used by your OH.

this is an awful set up and not healthy for any of you. Please please consider leaving. How are you existing like this?? You are being used and controlled and your partner is not a partner. Good luck op xx

babyproblems · 04/06/2023 07:38

Can you wait and not sort out the inheritance until you’ve left. If you know the executor this might be possible? X

Bedtimemode · 04/06/2023 08:19

You're being taken for a mug op, you can do better

I work part time and dp is full time and I still manage to get all the housework and food shopping etc done. We do bedtimes together and then chill in the evenings. That's how it should be.

Summerpetal · 04/06/2023 08:40

Your a mug
leave the fucker

piedbeauty · 04/06/2023 09:10

Leave.

You've carried and funded your 'partner' for years - why?

Midnightpony · 04/06/2023 09:37

Divorce

ExpectingToBeBashed · 04/06/2023 09:42

Leave - this is no way to live and will only get worse.
You deserve better!!!

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 04/06/2023 09:43

He/she brings absolutely nothing to the party OP. Honestly you will be better on your own.

Naunet · 04/06/2023 09:45

When my brother died a few years ago my mum gave me and brother a few thousand each and it turns out my OH went to my mum and said they should have been given half as well.When my brother died a few years ago my mum gave me and brother a few thousand each and it turns out my OH went to my mum and said they should have been given half as well

Leave this gold digging leach. My god, why does this?!!

Naunet · 04/06/2023 09:45

*who not why

Rudicoolcat · 04/06/2023 09:55

"They" are a keeper aren't they??

Good lord sweetheart, read your post back to yourself and see if you can see the answer...

Everyone deserves better than this.

Sneakyblinders · 04/06/2023 10:00

Wow.. leave / divorce as soon as possible.

WhoopsyDaisySugar · 04/06/2023 10:04

LTB. I hope you are not married to this entitled and lazy freeloader.

maryberryslayers · 04/06/2023 12:09

Definitely leave and don't give this lazy scrounging twat another penny, especially not part of your inheritance.

They are literally adding nothing to your life so what's the point of living with them?

truthhurts23 · 04/06/2023 13:44

tell "them" to take a long walk off a short pier
"they" are taking advantage of you, this is not an equal partnership
if you are working full time, the household chores should be divided appropriately
LTB

working4ever · 04/06/2023 18:15

Thank you everyone for confirming that I'm not being unreasonable at all. After a while you do think you might be and I'm doing something wrong. I will be booking an appointment with a solicitor to sort out next steps. Sometimes it's easier to ask the question on a forum than confide in friends and family who will take your side even if you are wrong!

OP posts:
ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 04/06/2023 18:17

Get rid of this grifter. Now.

Dacadactyl · 04/06/2023 18:24

No i wouldnt pay an allowance to a SAHM for providing childcare to their own kids.

I was a SAHM for many years and had full access to any and all money i wanted/needed. Me and DH on same page about finances tho so this worked.

I think your problem is youre not on the same page with money and your OH makes decisions about giving up work without discussing it with you.

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