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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband keeps working

153 replies

Hfox · 24/10/2025 10:37

Both DH and I work full-time. He pays the mortgage and almost all of the bills, while I work from home and take care of around 90% of the childcare. I don’t even put the kids in after-school clubs because they can be home while I work.
DH usually gets home quite late, around 10–11 PM — either because he’s working extra hours or spending time on his hobby. He has two days off during the week, and I’ve repeatedly asked him to let me work undisturbed on those days since I already take so many breaks to manage the kids on the other three.
He doesn’t expect me to contribute equally financially, and I do help where needed. I actually earn more than him, so I cover larger expenses like mortgage overpayments, buying a second property, and paying for holidays which are things that benefit both of us.
The issue is that he keeps taking on extra work even on his days off. It feels like the day-to-day responsibilities fall entirely on me, and we rarely spend any quality time together. I’ve even thought about offering him more financial help so he wouldn’t feel the need to work extra, but I know he’ll continue doing it anyway so it feels pointless.
We’re financially comfortable, and he doesn’t spend money on himself or any vices , it all goes toward the family. But I’d much rather he spent some of that time with us instead. I’m honestly at my wits’ end because I don’t see how things will improve.
I’ve even thought about leaving, but I know our lifestyle would change drastically if I did. He works incredibly hard, and while I admire that, I don’t see why we both have to keep pushing ourselves so much at this stage in life. We’re both 40 now, and I just wish we could slow down and actually enjoy the life we’ve worked so hard to build.
The above makes him look good but he's got horrible communication skills and never tells me what he's planning when such as booking work etc. Can someone please advise what I can do here?

OP posts:
Hfox · 24/10/2025 10:38

oh I forgot to add that he just 'stone walls' me when I try to communicate my frustration with him.

OP posts:
BuddhaAtSea · 24/10/2025 10:41

Well, he doesn’t like you, does he? Doesn’t sound like you’re anything more than an appliance or a hired help to him.
You shouldn’t be in this position. Raise your bar.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 10:43

Why on earth doesn't he expect you to contribute equally financially if you earn more than he does?

Your entire set up sounds nuts to me. Can't you both pay a proportionate amount of your salary to cover household costs? And pay for proper childcare while you're at it, so that you're not trying to juggle everything at once?

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/10/2025 10:43

Why does he pay for everything if you earn more?

MidnightPatrol · 24/10/2025 10:50

This is a very confusing arrangement.

Being out the house all of the time… has he just disengaged from the family entirely? Or is it because he feels pressure to be earning?

Why is he paying for everything if you earn more than him? Is that where the pressure to be working all the time is coming from?

You need to have a sit down chat about your finances and how things are structured, sounds pretty bizarre.

TheSandgroper · 24/10/2025 11:03

It’s all about respect. He has no respect for you, for your work, for your wage, for what you do in the home. You are his bangmaid and you pay for the privilege.

I might consider moving him out of the bedroom, if you can. That might catch his attention. And you stay in the big room because you’re the higher earner. That’s got to count for something.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/she-divorced-me-i-left-dishes-by-the-sink_b_9055288

She Divorced Me Because I Left Dishes By The Sink

It wasn’t a big deal to me when I was married. But it was a big deal to her.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/she-divorced-me-i-left-dishes-by-the-sink_b_9055288

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:05

MidnightPatrol · 24/10/2025 10:50

This is a very confusing arrangement.

Being out the house all of the time… has he just disengaged from the family entirely? Or is it because he feels pressure to be earning?

Why is he paying for everything if you earn more than him? Is that where the pressure to be working all the time is coming from?

You need to have a sit down chat about your finances and how things are structured, sounds pretty bizarre.

I have, i really have! I try my best not to turn it into an argument but it somehow does and he completely disengages and stonewalls me.

OP posts:
Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:06

BuddhaAtSea · 24/10/2025 10:41

Well, he doesn’t like you, does he? Doesn’t sound like you’re anything more than an appliance or a hired help to him.
You shouldn’t be in this position. Raise your bar.

As hurtful as it is, I am beginning to believe this. When he is with us which is one day a week, he is being the best dad and husband. It is very confusing.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 12:07

OP, why is he paying for everything when you earn more than he does?

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:08

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/10/2025 10:43

Why does he pay for everything if you earn more?

I think it stems from when we first got married and I earned a fraction of what he earned. He used to pay for everything and whatever I made, I would save. Then with three kids, i was on mat leave for 3 years, so again he was paying and to make up I just did all the housework and childcare as I felt guilty. However now I am out earning him but hes not changing his attitude and views and still expects me to do all the housework and childcare which i stupidly carried on but I am feeling burnt out now.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 12:10

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:08

I think it stems from when we first got married and I earned a fraction of what he earned. He used to pay for everything and whatever I made, I would save. Then with three kids, i was on mat leave for 3 years, so again he was paying and to make up I just did all the housework and childcare as I felt guilty. However now I am out earning him but hes not changing his attitude and views and still expects me to do all the housework and childcare which i stupidly carried on but I am feeling burnt out now.

So what does he say when you try to talk to him about this?

Is he just a raging misogynistic?

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:14

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 10:43

Why on earth doesn't he expect you to contribute equally financially if you earn more than he does?

Your entire set up sounds nuts to me. Can't you both pay a proportionate amount of your salary to cover household costs? And pay for proper childcare while you're at it, so that you're not trying to juggle everything at once?

The initial reason was that I realised with my working from home and his support, we were saving hundreds, if not thousands, in childcare costs. The arrangement was that he would step up for two days a week, while with 2 days of uninterrupted work, i could manage 3 days wfh and taking care of kids after school and all of Saturday alone with the kids.
It made sense financially, and as a family, we ended up saving a significant amount. However, he doesn’t seem to be holding up his end of the bargain breaking the team.
Because of doing all this, we were able to move into a bigger property and become financially strong. I didnt realise doing all this, our marriage was being broken. :(

OP posts:
Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:16

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 12:10

So what does he say when you try to talk to him about this?

Is he just a raging misogynistic?

oh god no.. hes not at all. He is a very quiet sort of person but his best defence mechanism is 'stonewalling'. He never argues, shouts or even replies for that matter! he knows hes doing wrong so he just stays quiet and 'stonewalls' which i am beginning to think is a form of abuse.

OP posts:
Mandylovescandy · 24/10/2025 12:19

While obviously you should be able to talk to him about it and make changes if that isn't working can you just make changes for you? Could you go part time? Pay for more childcare? Pay for a cleaner?

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:23

Mandylovescandy · 24/10/2025 12:19

While obviously you should be able to talk to him about it and make changes if that isn't working can you just make changes for you? Could you go part time? Pay for more childcare? Pay for a cleaner?

A couple of years ago when my 3rd child was 2, i did go part time as things were becoming overwhelming. However in my profession, if you are on good projects , a lot of clients dont accept part timers so for the sake of my career and I also got a little promotion, i did go back full time.
I do feel I am very ambitious and work very hard for my goals (one was to become financially secure) but I need my husbands support with 3 kids and with getting older, I am starting to feel burnt out.

OP posts:
Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:26

Mandylovescandy · 24/10/2025 12:19

While obviously you should be able to talk to him about it and make changes if that isn't working can you just make changes for you? Could you go part time? Pay for more childcare? Pay for a cleaner?

Having said that, I do agree with you, I think I need to start hiring help. I just also wish he spent more time with us rather than be away to work all the time unnecessarily.
I think he feels spending 1 day with family is enough and some evenings here and there when kids should be in bed.

OP posts:
JoyintheMorning · 24/10/2025 12:30

He doesn't want to change does he? Having worked to ensure financial security he has found it to be satisfying and he likes that feeling and will not let go of it.
Perhaps it is time to think of it as obsessional behaviour.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 12:33

So what does he say when you tell him that you are happy to cover half of the finances (or a proportion that aligns with your respective salaries) but you need him to step up and do his fair share with the kids and the housework?

When you say he stonewalls, do you mean that he is just refusing to talk to you about any of this?

If that's the case, I would be reconsidering the relationship if I were you. You cannot function as a couple without basic communication.

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:33

JoyintheMorning · 24/10/2025 12:30

He doesn't want to change does he? Having worked to ensure financial security he has found it to be satisfying and he likes that feeling and will not let go of it.
Perhaps it is time to think of it as obsessional behaviour.

I agree.

OP posts:
Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:34

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 12:33

So what does he say when you tell him that you are happy to cover half of the finances (or a proportion that aligns with your respective salaries) but you need him to step up and do his fair share with the kids and the housework?

When you say he stonewalls, do you mean that he is just refusing to talk to you about any of this?

If that's the case, I would be reconsidering the relationship if I were you. You cannot function as a couple without basic communication.

Yep! Pretty much. You know I often second guess myself and wonder how another woman would have handled it better. But how?? what you suggested is what I do!

OP posts:
Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:36

A few months ago, I packed my bags and checked into a hotel leaving him with kids. He had to call in sick at work. He was OK for a few months and now back to his old habits. The weird thing is that hes not spending his money on any vices.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 13:18

Hfox · 24/10/2025 12:34

Yep! Pretty much. You know I often second guess myself and wonder how another woman would have handled it better. But how?? what you suggested is what I do!

I'm not saying it's your fault or because of the way you're handling it. It sounds like a him problem.

The real question is, do you want to keep tolerating this? In your shoes, I think I would probably be telling him that a proper conversation about this stuff was non-negotiable, and that I would be filing for divorce if he wasn't willing to engage.

I'm not saying that's what you should do. People stay in dysfunctional relationships for all sorts of reasons, and as long as the children are safe and well cared for, then it isn't anyone else's place to judge. But I wouldn't be willing to stay with someone who refused point blank to communicate.

Hfox · 24/10/2025 13:26

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 24/10/2025 13:18

I'm not saying it's your fault or because of the way you're handling it. It sounds like a him problem.

The real question is, do you want to keep tolerating this? In your shoes, I think I would probably be telling him that a proper conversation about this stuff was non-negotiable, and that I would be filing for divorce if he wasn't willing to engage.

I'm not saying that's what you should do. People stay in dysfunctional relationships for all sorts of reasons, and as long as the children are safe and well cared for, then it isn't anyone else's place to judge. But I wouldn't be willing to stay with someone who refused point blank to communicate.

Yes,I said that this morning and he just said 'Fine divorce me then' knowing full well that he doesnt mean it. Later on when he makes up , he says he doesnt mean it and would never want a divorce.
If we were to divorce, everything we have worked for over the years would all be gone to waste. Our kids would lose their secure home. I do love him so much and just want him to behave better but I do realise you cant force people to do better.

OP posts:
ClickClickety · 24/10/2025 13:44

He clearly doesn't want to help out more at home so I would use your spare income to pay for help. And stop doing his washing.

TheSandgroper · 24/10/2025 13:44

It’s time you looked clearly at the man you have rather than some man you wish you have.

He has shown you what you really are to him and your title is “bangmaid”.

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