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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be a resentful breadwinner

247 replies

maw86 · 10/10/2025 19:50

So, the stats are:

  • 2 young kids (1.5 and 4)
  • Together 8 years, obviously kids together and a mortgage
  • I earn over 3 x more than him - a combination of me earning well as a senior city lawyer (I know, cry me a river etc.) and him not so much as a creative
  • I work harder (5 days condensed in 4), have more work pressure etc.
  • Household expenses are split 75/25
  • I pay for extra stuff on top of that like kids clothes and activities on my NWD with the kids
  • During second mat leave I ran up credit card debt to keep covering my share of expenses and have the time off, so I'm paying that off and not saving anything
  • He's responsible for laundry, weekly groceries shop, washing up, most drop offs, 2 pick ups, energy bill, cleaning ish (we have a cleaner every 2 weeks)
  • I'm responsible for everything else. Budgeting, household admin (insurance, car, buying stuff needed in the house), kidmin, weekend plans and booking things, every element of every holiday, bday/xmas plans/presents, 1 NWD with the kids 2 pick ups and flex on drop offs, whatever else we all do to run a home.

I've been resentful for some time and communicated this to him. My resentment is now spreading into generally feeling not supported / looked after / respected in general. Without being too woo woo I feel like he doesn't hold me up and that we're not a partnership. He isn't great at emotional support and I feel like he dampens my spirit rather than lifts it. Our romantic/sex life is non existent. We've been round the houses talking about some of these gripes for years and he wants to do better but isn't hitting the mark. He is a good dad in terms of how he interacts with the kids and is "hands on" to an average level. He isn't mean to me or abusive or violent or anything like that. We get on well, have stuff in common, make each other life etc. but this issue is always brewing.

A good friend had a direct word with me today about whether I really see a future with him - she's worried about me burning out and not having what I deserve and was basically angling for me to leave. Obviously she's biased, in the best way, so I'm here for some neutral views and different opinions. I know I am definitely not alone as a woman carrying the mental load and a disproportionate chunk of household responsibility, so is that just the way it is? Is there something else at play here around missing a kind of masculinity / protector / supporter figure? Am I being taken for a ride or am I a shallow b*tch?!

Bracing myself...

OP posts:
maw86 · 11/10/2025 12:16

This is all really interesting and helpful, on both sides. It seems like it's about more than the money, which makes sense. I'd be happier if I even got a "thanks" or a "well done" or a "how can I help", so there's some kind of validation element and an unmet need beyond the financial. I think it is fair to say, as someone did, that he also has unmet needs.

OP posts:
rookiemere · 11/10/2025 12:26

Do you say thank you to him OP for what he does? You may find you start to get more acknowledgment if you do this. It sounds like you’re in a bit of a vicious circle atm - which is common with young DCs and both DPs working FT - of who has it hardest.

ParmaVioletTea · 11/10/2025 12:31

AgDulAmach · 11/10/2025 09:47

The responses on this thread are fascinating.

I cannot for one second imagine a man in a stressful high-paying job, with a much lower paid partner, doing all the budgeting, admin, planning for the children, Christmas, birthday and holiday planning and a significant portion of the childcare.

It just wouldn't happen.

Yet the OP, who had to subsidise her own mat leave with credit cards, does all of that and is still supposed to be grateful to a man who does basic chores but no thinking. I would put big money on the 'cleaning-ish' being very very rudimentary indeed, as in, a brief sweep of the floors and wipe of the counters. The OP also said that she plans all the food. Her partner basically does none of the house management whatsoever.

OP, you're frustrated and burnt out because you're doing a very heavy paid job and all the household planning at the same time. That's hard. It also seems like you and your partner have become very separate - you've lost touch with each other, there's no connection there. Is that fair to say?

All of this, but particularly the 2nd paragraph.

ParmaVioletTea · 11/10/2025 12:40

She hasn’t yet said not said he has a creative hobby job, so where this has come from is baffling me

@redfishcat the OP describes his job as “creative “ in her first post. And the “hobby” adjective might be because clearly He enjoys the benefits of a high earning partner so can pursue something that couldn’t provide for his family - he didn’t even support @maw86 during her maternity leave for HIS child.

She’s doing a high stress job, made even more stressful by compressing 5 days into 4 so she can have time with her DC. He’s fairly lackadaisical about housework and family administration. And the OP is beating herself up - as well as receiving a lot of dismissive comments here - that SHE is somehow in the wrong.

Don’t ever marry him @maw86

themerchentofvenus · 11/10/2025 12:41

@maw86 your first post makes it sound like you think earning more gives you the right to do less.

I think this is so wrong. You are being disrespectful to your DH by seeing it this way.

You need to compare hours worked then share the family load equally.

If you both work 40 hours a week then sit down and work out a fair split of the other stuff, or one cook all week and the other do cleaning, get a cleaner both weeks.

Money should be shared so you have equal amounts left over.

january1244 · 11/10/2025 12:43

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 11/10/2025 11:34

I wonder if you like to be in control and whether you could relinquish some and let him step up? Writing him a list to buy food from is so infantilising.

Give him the kidmin for your youngest, assuming your eldest is at school.

It's nice to be married to someone who will take control of things - but you need to give them the chance!

My DH is not an advance planner and it can drive me nuts. But he'll still get things done in his way.

Actually this is very true also, and something that has come out of our discussions. Because I was speaking to him like he was an employee rather than a partner, or just jumping in to do everything myself (and then feeling resentful).

Also I think with money, it’s very apparent when someone is earning less - my partner said he felt very bad about this. He was working full time and trying his best, but it’s not a nice feeling to be the much lower earner. And I agree, I actually wouldn’t like it myself. I think it comes down to whether he has tried to make the most of promotions etc, rather than happily coasting. And some industries just don’t pay the same, despite effort. But working full time with young children is hard, whatever the industry I think. He probably feels like he’s taking on a bulk of the home stuff, and also exhausted, but still falling short

financialcareerstuff · 11/10/2025 13:06

OP I’m in a somewhat similar situation and I can understand the muddle. So my thoughts probably won’t be very coherent either. first off, totally agree mat leave debt should be shared.

unlike some I do think the money is significant. It is only fair and sensible if one person is bringing in much more money and paying more expenses and working harder outside the home, the other should be doing more inside the home. So one thing you can do is simply start paying less and having him step up. I have actually never found the idea of splitting by income fair. I think each party should benefit equally from living together…. Or, each party should have the same disposable at the end of the month. You are overpaying if you have less at the end of the month than he does. That is blatantly unfair, and I would simply adjust that, reducing your payments as a starter by half of the amount he is saving each month.

Even with that, he should be contributing more to other things, as you will be contributing more financially still. This speaks to a deep sense of equity within us.

Now that can be practical and mental - and should be if he has more time. But it can also be emotional.

I talk with my DH about tank fillers. I have a tank internally, and when it gets depleted - because I’m doing too much, holding too much up, working too hard for others, supporting others too much financially and emotionally…. I get depleted and resentful. He knows that part of his role generally as a good partner, but ESPECiALLY when I am carrying more of the load, is for him to fill my tank. He literally has a list of tank fillers in an email from me. They are all about me receiving and feeling looked after and nurtured. Him running a bath for me, bringing me flowers unexpectedly, making a batch cook of the one thing he makes really well, giving me a long, ‘receive only’ sensual massage, etc etc. If I get more nurturing in these ways, I can live with being the provider. Because my life is better for having him there, just as his is for having me. The problem again is equity - if his life is way better and easier for having you, while yours is…. Not way better and easier for having him. That is wrong.

Also very important to me is seeing him work very hard, as I do. Yes, he’s a creative so earns less automaticallly than I do. But that shouldn’t equate to sitting around doing nothing. I’m fortunate my DH works very hard- and I have huge respect for his creativity. What he does matters in the world and will likely live beyond most things I have done. so no it doesn’t bring the income (though it is possible it results in big payouts at specific points). But he’s not lounging on the sofa.

on top of this, he is physically hyper masculine, so I DO absolutely have that feeling of being looked after…. He barely lets me lift a shopping bag, and when I am tired I lie on his chest, and feel recharged. And if ever I was physically threatened, he would 1000% be my defender to the death if need be. Literally.

While we are meant to live in this post modern world when women and men are meant to want and need the exact same things and be equally happy to be the provider…. I do think that sense of having a protector is important - especially if you are stepping up in so many other ways.

You mention your sex life…. Very common for many long relationships, but honestly not unrelated, I would guess to your predicament. Men who are not pulling their weight, and can’t claim to be the man of the house through earnings etc either…. It’s not great for the dynamic in bed often and their sex drive. Not a problem for me in this marriage but it was in my last. I carried all the weight in that one, and earned more…. Did everything…. And at the age of 40, he left me for a twenty three year old….. someone he could feel the big man around. Not saying that will happen to you…. But if the potency/ effectiveness/labour/earnings/physical drive are all in favour of you…. It’s a tough balance for either of you to sustain without resentment.

BluntPlumHam · 11/10/2025 13:26

BarbarasRhabarberba · 11/10/2025 11:39

You say “Some of us are married to breadwinners/ high earners because we are also the high earners and would absolutely not want a low earning man to take advantage of us” so by that logic low earning women are taking advantage of high earning men, too.

I think we agree to a point - I like being the higher earner for financial autonomy as I mentioned earlier but I’ve no interest in getting married, for ideological reasons but also because I don’t want any partner having a claim on my assets. Where we differ is that I think it’s fair for high earning men to take that stance too.

I don’t think women having a requirement of marrying a man who earns just as much or higher is taking advantage. Usually it’s because they’re thinking long term security for the family over all. Women have more to lose as well.

Gratedcamembert · 11/10/2025 13:30

I don’t really understand couples that split money and expenses like this. Surely just pool everything as it’s family expenses anyway?

lots of women earn less than their partners and that seems to be acceptable so not sure why it isn’t when it’s the other way round. He does pretty much all of the grunt work so it’s not like he’s just lazing around all day.

Why do you resent him? Was it not clear that there would be an income divide when you got together given you have wildly different jobs?

Kuretake · 11/10/2025 13:48

BluntPlumHam · 11/10/2025 13:26

I don’t think women having a requirement of marrying a man who earns just as much or higher is taking advantage. Usually it’s because they’re thinking long term security for the family over all. Women have more to lose as well.

Presumably also fine for a man to marry a higher earning woman thinking of long term security for the family?

It's hard with these threads because we don't really know the dynamic. Lots of people assume all men are shit at housework because the men in their lives are. My DH is brilliant at domestic stuff so I don't bring that assumption.

I earn over 10x my DH's salary. He's also in a creative job - very successful artistically but doesn't bring much in money wise. I entirely funded my maternity leave I guess but I didn't see it like that as all money is pooled anyway.

Appleblum · 11/10/2025 14:49

Why do you resent him? Is it because you feel that he doesn't do enough at home? He is also working though. Have you ever considered that maybe it's your profession that does not allow for two working parents?

My dh is in a similar role to you and he doesn't have to do anything much at home because I'm a sahm. Amongst his colleagues most will also have a sah parent, or a nanny if both parents are working.

ParmaVioletTea · 11/10/2025 14:54

He literally has a list of tank fillers in an email from me. They are all about me receiving and feeling looked after and nurtured. Him running a bath for me, bringing me flowers unexpectedly, making a batch cook of the one thing he makes really well, giving me a long, ‘receive only’ sensual massage, etc etc. If I get more nurturing in these ways, I can live with being the provider.

This is so interesting @financialcareerstuff - what you describe here is what a lot of wives do for their provider husbands as a matter of course - as part of demonstrating love and care for their partner. And seen as part of being a wife.

Interesting that it’s not thought of as automatically part of what being a husband is.

Also interesting that you have had to give your DH a list for this and that @maw86 appears to feel guilty for not getting this care, and being harshly criticised by other women for daring to question the dynamics of her relationship.

ishimbob · 11/10/2025 16:01

ParmaVioletTea · 11/10/2025 14:54

He literally has a list of tank fillers in an email from me. They are all about me receiving and feeling looked after and nurtured. Him running a bath for me, bringing me flowers unexpectedly, making a batch cook of the one thing he makes really well, giving me a long, ‘receive only’ sensual massage, etc etc. If I get more nurturing in these ways, I can live with being the provider.

This is so interesting @financialcareerstuff - what you describe here is what a lot of wives do for their provider husbands as a matter of course - as part of demonstrating love and care for their partner. And seen as part of being a wife.

Interesting that it’s not thought of as automatically part of what being a husband is.

Also interesting that you have had to give your DH a list for this and that @maw86 appears to feel guilty for not getting this care, and being harshly criticised by other women for daring to question the dynamics of her relationship.

Edited

Really? I don't know any women who do any of those things for their husbands. Except the cooking perhaps.

I actually think expectations for wives in this respect are a lot lower. If I think about the couples I know, the men do things like flowers, running a bath, spa day gifts etc and the women mostly just don't.

ishimbob · 11/10/2025 16:16

ishimbob · 11/10/2025 16:01

Really? I don't know any women who do any of those things for their husbands. Except the cooking perhaps.

I actually think expectations for wives in this respect are a lot lower. If I think about the couples I know, the men do things like flowers, running a bath, spa day gifts etc and the women mostly just don't.

To give an example of this from my family - for my SIL's 40th, she asked my BIL for 2 child free long haul holidays with her friends, a spa day, a family weekend away because she needs to feel "spoilt" for her birthday. For his 40th, she suggested a meal out that he paid for

VegBox · 11/10/2025 16:24

I am in a similar relationship as regards income. One thing that made a big difference was just going back to full-time work and DH having responsibility for childcare. Compressed/ part-time work is just an absolute scam as a lawyer. I'm sure you make it work for your family and your employer, but I realised it fundamentally didn't work for me. DH can have his funky freelance job, insofar as he can fit it around childcare, and that's his job to figure out, since my job pays for our entire life. This made life much less stressful and reduced resentment on both sides.

BarbarasRhabarberba · 11/10/2025 16:42

ishimbob · 11/10/2025 16:01

Really? I don't know any women who do any of those things for their husbands. Except the cooking perhaps.

I actually think expectations for wives in this respect are a lot lower. If I think about the couples I know, the men do things like flowers, running a bath, spa day gifts etc and the women mostly just don't.

Same. I have never once run my male partner a bath, got him flowers, given him a massage or batch cooked anything (in fact he does all the cooking in our house because I hate cooking).

InterIgnis · 11/10/2025 16:50

Kuretake · 11/10/2025 13:48

Presumably also fine for a man to marry a higher earning woman thinking of long term security for the family?

It's hard with these threads because we don't really know the dynamic. Lots of people assume all men are shit at housework because the men in their lives are. My DH is brilliant at domestic stuff so I don't bring that assumption.

I earn over 10x my DH's salary. He's also in a creative job - very successful artistically but doesn't bring much in money wise. I entirely funded my maternity leave I guess but I didn't see it like that as all money is pooled anyway.

Of course it’s fine for men not to date or marry lower earning women, why wouldn’t it be?

I was never interested in dating men that couldn’t at least match what I was bringing to the table financially. It’s fine if you’re willing to accept that financial burden, but equally it’s also fine for someone not to accept that.

My husband and I don’t pool all our money either. All finances do not in fact have to be combined in a marriage.

Kindling1970 · 11/10/2025 16:54

AgDulAmach · 11/10/2025 09:48

The 'compared to some men...' line infuriates me. Basically you should expect men to serve you steaming shit, so if you get slightly less mouldy shit, eat it and be grateful.

Aren't men ashamed that this is how they are seen?

I didn’t mean he is ok for a man as I think he actually is doing his fair share as he does a lot of stuff around the house. I just don’t really see what OPs problem is. Surely she had kids with a man she knew would probably never earn amazing money so she made her choice.

TipsyCoralPeer · 11/10/2025 16:59

With the ages of your children, you are firmly in the tough years where you and OH can feel like ships in the night. (My experience anyway). I felt so unseen and unsupported.

You may find you end up throwing away a marriage that could have been saved.

Try to find a way to reconnect but give yourself a time limit. If it can’t be saved, move on.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 11/10/2025 17:54

JLou08 · 10/10/2025 20:42

I don't think you are doing the bulk of the household chores, not even close. The jobs you listed that are your responsibility aren't daily and life admin is something that can be done pretty easily on lunch breaks etc.
I don't think you should have been getting in debt for maternity leave, he should have been stepping up and supporting you financially if that was possible for him. If not and that was a joint decision to do that he can't be blamed for that.
You have very young children and a high preassure job. Sex life and romance can take a hit at them times, even more so if there is resentment and not equal respect in the relationship. Is that all on your DP or are you not making the effort either?
No one can really say from one post if you 'deserve better'. Based on what you have said I wouldn't have come to that conclusion. It sounds like your DP does a lot. Not everyone has the same earning potential so as long as he is still working hard that can't be held against him. Unless he was out buying luxuries and refusing to help when you got in debt he hasn't really done anything wrong there. The romance and sex life is likely to be down to both of you rather than just on him.

Agreed.

I also don't understand the 'cocklodger' comments. He works (full time?) and does the majority of household chores. How is he a cocklodger, just because he earns less?

Kuretake · 11/10/2025 19:49

InterIgnis · 11/10/2025 16:50

Of course it’s fine for men not to date or marry lower earning women, why wouldn’t it be?

I was never interested in dating men that couldn’t at least match what I was bringing to the table financially. It’s fine if you’re willing to accept that financial burden, but equally it’s also fine for someone not to accept that.

My husband and I don’t pool all our money either. All finances do not in fact have to be combined in a marriage.

If you're not pooling money it makes sense to want someone similar earning to you. If I made DH pay half the mortgage we'd have a much smaller house. No point in me doing my stressy job if I have to have holidays someone earning a 10th of my salary can afford.

InterIgnis · 11/10/2025 20:36

Kuretake · 11/10/2025 19:49

If you're not pooling money it makes sense to want someone similar earning to you. If I made DH pay half the mortgage we'd have a much smaller house. No point in me doing my stressy job if I have to have holidays someone earning a 10th of my salary can afford.

We pool some money whilst keeping other accounts separate.

I wasn’t willing to either compromise my own lifestyle or fund someone else’s. I see nothing wrong with anyone, male or female, making the same choice.

Kuretake · 11/10/2025 20:41

InterIgnis · 11/10/2025 20:36

We pool some money whilst keeping other accounts separate.

I wasn’t willing to either compromise my own lifestyle or fund someone else’s. I see nothing wrong with anyone, male or female, making the same choice.

Of course. I fell in love though and didn't consider him being low earning to override that. I'm not telling anyone else how to chose a spouse!

Whatinthedoopla · 12/10/2025 17:51

Do you want to be with someone who earns more?

And are you willing to be a single parent?

Are you willing to be with someone who isn't their dad.

Lovehascomeandgone · 12/10/2025 18:01

I felt exactly the same. I felt like I had an extra child. I’m glad we aren’t together anymore. I do exactly the same as I did when we were together aside from not having to put up with the atmosphere brought by my ex-husband aka the grim reaper who had such a hard life but actually did absolutely sweet FA. Sick of men who don’t pull their weight or pay their fair share, I was really resentful and felt taken the piss of. So much better now without him here.

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