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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

DH resentful about being the sole earner

285 replies

TheresARatinMyKitchenWhatAmIGo · 07/06/2014 23:20

In arguments, DH brings up the fact that I gave up work and that he is the sole earner. He works very hard, feels quite stressed, and if he in any way thinks I am judging him, he brings out this bitterness that I am not earning.

As far as I am concerned this is ancient history. I gave up work 7 years ago, and we agreed it at the time. However, he now remembers it as my unilateral decision. In any case it is usually fairly irrelevant to the argument we are having, but because he feels stressed with work, he always brings it up as a way to score points. Look how hard I work, you're not working etc. And I can’t argue with that because it’s true. So it’s a sure fire winner for him.

He thinks I resent him for working hard and never being around, and that I am unsupportive. Whereas I think I am very supportive, I am very grateful for all his hard work, and I don't give him a hard time about his working hours, or the hours that he spends on hobbies. I merely sometimes express concern about his hours of work, and wish he could manage his job without always working the 12 hour days every day, plus looking at work on his laptop evenings and weekends. I listen to him talking about work and try to help him suggesting he delegates more, sets boundaries around his working hours, stuff like that. But this is unsupportive apparently, and I don't understand.

We are very comfortably off, and although we have huge overheads, private school fees, mortgage, expensive lifestyle, we also have plenty of assets, and his very good salary. When I gave up my job, I had a bit of time as a SAHM and I have been retraining for the last 3 years in a new career. This involves working for no pay a couple of days a week, and studying for a doctorate. At the same time, I look after our 3 children, manage the house and do the cooking and laundry.

He is now giving me a hard time about when my training will be finished, because then I can get a job. I find this pressure unhelpful because it is quite hard to study and do everything else that I do. And we are not hard up. We recently bought a holiday house, because he fancied. it. So it's not like we are struggling because I am not working. If that were the case, I would try and get a job. I think that him bringing this up is a way for him to beat me in arguments and make me feel bad. And diverting the discussion to something he knows he can win. Because I can't really argue, that yes, he earns all the money.

He earns more than I ever did in my previous career. Is it so wrong that one of us works and the other doesn’t? Will he ever get over it or stop using it as a weapon?

OP posts:
LePamplemousse · 09/06/2014 21:16

I don't think the people coming across as jealous are envious of aoP's position as a SAHM, it's more the money I assume.

Chaseface · 09/06/2014 21:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scottishmummy · 09/06/2014 21:19

Id give the same response to this topic irrespective of monies involved
Im solvent, i work ft by choice Not compelled to,i want to work
This isnt anyone being wel jel.and its simplistic to reduce it to that

Minnieisthedevilmouse · 09/06/2014 21:28

It is never fair to belittle demean or negate ones partner regardless of the issue. There is always the ability to communicate. That's why I think it's fundamentally unfair.

I think your priorities are similar but divergent. He's doing the classic (obvious on this thread too) where the only viable action is a paid one. You are looking at being that, but in a year or so (?) once doctorate finished. Are you still aiming for the same long term goals? Is he clear and accepting of the short to mid term to achieve those?

Do you both listen as well as talk? Wishing you well op. It's hard.

TheresARatinMyKitchenWhatAmIGo · 09/06/2014 21:33

Scottishmummy - I plan to work as soon as I am qualified. And yes I have got after school care already on the days I work, for my youngest child, so that can easily be sorted.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 09/06/2014 21:34

Better crack on then,get the cv ready and network

Dozer · 09/06/2014 21:34

He wanted a holiday home which adds approx 150k of debt plus various additional bills council tax etc. This is a big drain, I think it's bonkers, but the argument from him went, "'I work so hard and this is what I want".

So he got his own way over £150k of debt because he has a paid job?
Charming.

I know someone in RL who told his wife she needed to get back to FT work (young DC). He was shocked to hear that in consequence he might be required to take a share of childcare and domestic work, which could impact on his work and nights out Hmm

Dozer · 09/06/2014 21:36

What sort of hobbies/time commitments (in addition to very long working hours) do you mean?

scottishmummy · 09/06/2014 21:36

Presumably you've chosen to study an in demand area,to secure employment

TheresARatinMyKitchenWhatAmIGo · 09/06/2014 21:43

Dozer. Triathlon training mainly. I have no complaints about it. It is very important to him. I get to do lots of things that are important to me.

OP posts:
JeanSeberg · 09/06/2014 21:49

I think it's unwise for one half of any couple to be so financially dependent on the other.

And no I'm not jealous.

HayDayQueen · 09/06/2014 21:56

I think it's unwise for one half of any couple to be so financially dependent on the other.

That may be how you feel, but that really doesn't have bearing here, does it?

They decided as a couple that she would be a SAHM. Whether they were right or wrong in making that decision it's what they BOTH decided. HE doesn't get to moan about it now. He can REGRET it, wish to change it, but NOT blame the op for it.

scottishmummy · 09/06/2014 21:59

Of course he gets a say,to revise a decision made 7yrs ago.thats reasonable
Because it suits the op to be off 7+yrs doesn't mean it suits her dh
Its causing discord and argument so they need to revise the arrangement

AChickenNamedDirk · 09/06/2014 22:01

I can see both sides of this, as a working parent of 2 kids.

I was FT after number 1 and now 4d/wk after number 2.

I am extremely envious of the cushy number all the men with SAHWives have at work (they arent scrimping, they are massively well paid) - they really have NO IDEA about the reality of being a working parent with actual parenting responsibilities day to day.

However on the 1 (one effing day!!) that I dont work I get comments like you get. Despite having earned almost double my H at times and even now, prorated back to FT I earn more. I take 1 day and its hugely important to me to have that time with both kids- something I was very distressed not having with my first child. Even if its one day, its imporatant.

Good luck and let us know what the solution is!

AChickenNamedDirk · 09/06/2014 22:03

I agree with Jean. It is unwise to be dependent on another person totally. I would never be in a situation where I couldnt support myself.

MrBusterIPresume · 09/06/2014 22:04

OP I think you've had a hard time from some posters on this thread.

Yes, it's possible that your DH is just a decent person taking out his work-related stress on you. However ime mature adults who feel under pressure at work will discuss it rationally with their spouse - they don't insist on taking on additional debt by buying holiday homes.

The other possibility is that the "sole earner stress" line is a red herring, and he is actually a selfish person who is willing to use unpleasant controlling and manipulative behaviour to prevent you making too many demands on his nicely arranged life.

Look at what you have written:

DH brings up the fact that I gave up work and that he is the sole earner...it is usually fairly irrelevant to the argument we are having...he always brings it up as a way to score points...I can’t argue with that because it’s true

This is a classic diversionary tactic - he attacks you to divert attention from his own behaviour. I would lay money that he brings up this "issue" in disagreements where you are asking him to do something he doesn't want to do, or where he wants to do something you'd prefer he didn't do. He brings up the fact that you don't work, you stop talking about whatever it was you were discussing and instead start defending yourself against what you see as an unfair charge.

He keeps returning to the same issue time and time again because it works - you're not on MN posting about whatever it was you had your last disagreement about, are you? You're posting about whether you deserve your DH's censure. Bringing up this issue neatly switches the focus from his behaviour onto yours. It puts you on the back foot, on the defensive, has you devoting time and thought to whether you've done something wrong, how you can convince him that he's not being fair, rather than what you were originally discussing. As previous posters have suggested, if you were working, he would find something else to use as a grievance.

I am very grateful for all his hard work, and I don't give him a hard time about his working hours, or the hours that he spends on hobbies.

I bet you don't give him a hard time - you've learned that if you do, he will go on at you about not working!

I gave up work 7 years ago, and we agreed it at the time. However, he now remembers it as my unilateral decision

If it was genuinely a mutual decision, then this is gaslighting - trying to make you doubt your recollection of events. Again, as classic manipulative technique to put you on the defensive.

He wanted a holiday home which adds approx 150k of debt plus various additional bills council tax etc. This is a big drain, I think it's bonkers, but the argument from him went, "'I work so hard and this is what I want"

What about what you want? Why does he get to make major financial decisions without consulting you? Because he earns the money? The money he earns is family money. The work you do to keep your domestic life running allows him to work the hours he does to earn this money. To dismiss you right to input on financial decisions is a marker for how much he respects you.

He is quite an anxious type, likes everything under control

Everything including you.

I listen to him talking about work and try to help him suggesting he delegates more, sets boundaries around his working hours, stuff like that. But this is unsupportive apparently, and I don't understand.

To a self-centred, controlling personality, a difference of opinion may be perceived as a hostile act (lesser mortals are not supposed to have their opinions, just agree with the ones presented to them). Does he also accuse you of starting arguments if you express a difference of opinion or politely disagree with him?

I merely sometimes express concern about his hours of work, and wish he could manage his job without always working the 12 hour days every day, plus looking at work on his laptop evenings and weekends...I can't help wishing he was a bit more available to the family sometimes

These don't sound to me like unreasonable demands from a nagging wife. It sounds as if you just want a partner who participates willingly in family life.

Some posters have suggested that you and your DH have a communication issue. I suspect you may well have expressed your wishes perfectly reasonably and clearly in the past, but your DH is not listening because a) he doesn't respect you enough to take you seriously and b) listening to you might mean having to adjust his behaviour and he has no intention of doing that.

There is nothing to be lost from sitting down with him and trying once again to spell out your concerns. If he tries to divert the conversation by bringing up your not working, just say "that's not what we're discussing at the moment, we're discussing xyz so let's stick with that".

You manage a household and 3 DCs, work part-time and are completing a doctorate. That's an impressive workload by anyone's standards and you deserve more respect than your DH seems willing to give you.

Viviennemary · 09/06/2014 22:08

The point is people can't live on fresh air. The OP should be making a financial contribution to the house. All this pie in the sky stuff about choosing whether to work or not. Alot of people don't have that choice. Fine if your partner agrees. Not fine if your partner doesn't agree.

scottishmummy · 09/06/2014 22:14

Psychobabble aside,the dh can express dissatisfaction at how a decision turned out
Hes not compelled to abide to what apparently suited 7yr ago.they both need to discuss
And hopefully op will pass her course and work.given they're so solvent summer club,after school etc won't be a problem

MrBusterIPresume · 09/06/2014 22:16

The OP is making a financial contribution to the house - she is doing a lot of work, unpaid, that would cost the family a great deal of money if it was outsourced.

The OP is not choosing not to work She has chosen to retrain and reenter the workforce.

Reaching an agreement with your partner over issues like working/staying at home is realistic is your partner is a reasonable human being with a sense of decency who is prepared to compromise. Not so realistic if your partner is an unreasonable controlling arse who has no intention of compromising over anything.

AChickenNamedDirk · 09/06/2014 22:18

I find it really hard to understand how a relationship like this can be balanced. I totally know how much work is involved in being at home, studying and looking after 3 kids. Being at work is easier by far, though suspect someone very senior might feeel pressure of massive responsibility and accountability at work and at home due to being sole earner.

The stuff you are doing around the studying is a priviledge. Would you do that if you were a single mother and had to work? Would you fund your study to move forward still?

He does sound controlling etc and he should open the conversation about you starting to earn again differently - for sure.

Maybe there is more going on about how much is on his shoulders?

I dont know. Its really difficult and there is a right answer. I think you need to communicate.

scottishmummy · 09/06/2014 22:19

No.financial contribution adds monies.shes housewife studying,and unwaged
Acording to her they're solvent so no shes not saving money or contributing money
I loaded my own washing machine tonight,doesn't equate to financial contribution

Viviennemary · 09/06/2014 22:20

The OP doesn't sound very prepared to compromise to me. She has chosen not to make a financial contribution. I'm afraid if I was in the situation of the OP's partner I would be seriously considering leaving.

Bowlersarm · 09/06/2014 22:25

It is unwise, OP, to ask opinions on being a SAHM on MN. Good luck with your plans.

AChickenNamedDirk · 09/06/2014 22:27

Ha- bowlers has got the answer here. Dont ask on MN!

Good luck OP. Its hard...

GinUtero · 09/06/2014 22:28

OP, whoever accused you of "faffing about" evidently has no understanding of the amount of work that goes into a doctorate! Taking into account that you're also working two days a week and taking responsibility for 3 children, I take my hat off to you.

When I did my doctorate, I didn't work, neither did I have responsibility for any children then and I still found it full-on!

"The OP should be making a financial contribution to the house." If your family was struggling financially, then I'd absolutely agree with this, but given that money is not a pressing issue, I would argue that the OP is making a far more valuable contribution being there for her children.

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