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Relationships

To not want to ask my parents for money?

137 replies

BrokenArrows · 28/08/2020 15:05

My husband is an only child. A mummy's boy. His mum (a single mum) has been very generous with giving us money each month, as well as a larger amount to help with a deposit on our house, and other amounts at random times. My husband and his mum openly talk about finances, and I feel like he kind of runs the show with her money advising her of what to do in terms of re-mortgaging, potentially selling and downsizing her house, etc. I also feel that my husband has asked directly (and pressured her) for some of the money she has given us over the years. She is a very selfless person and would always want to help others rather than herself. She's very careful with money. Very rarely eats out, never goes on holiday or to movies, or days out and never does anything nice for herself. Although we live what I consider to be a very comfortable lifestyle, we still struggle with bills sometimes. She helps with some of our DC's school fees or uniform costs, provides us with a few hundred pounds a month from a second pension she has, and would try and help more if he asked. It's very generous of her.

Now the issue is that his mum (single income and now retired) makes far less than what my parents make. Yet somehow she works some voodoo magic to come up with money whenever we need it. My parents have worked hard (as has his mum) and raised us kids comfortably, and now they are retired and living their lives and enjoying holidays, cruises, dinners out, films each week, improvements to the house etc. My husband seems annoyed with this and the fact that they don't openly just hand out money to us like his mum does.

He has asked me before to ask them for money when times have been tight, but I just don't feel right doing this. Partly because my dad and I have had a slightly rocky relationship in the past and I don't know how or want to approach the situation to ask them for money. I do not discuss money with them at all. I don't want it to create friction. But husband gets into a strop with me about it and yells at me basically out of frustration that they have more money than his mum and are enjoying their retirement. I think he feels entitled to it. I have explained to him that I'm uncomfortable asking them for money, and to me it's not worth creating any potential arguments or conflict with them. But I know he's still resentful, and occasionally still throws it in my face during an argument.

Does he have the right to be upset by this, or is he being totally unreasonable? Or am I being unreasonable by not asking my parents in the first place?

OP posts:
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LilyMumsnet · 28/08/2020 16:56

We're moving this thread over to relationships now.
Please folks, remember talk guidelines and no personal attacks. If anything breaks our guidelines, report it to us so we can take it down.

OP we hope you follow other user's advice regarding woman's aid. Flowers

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Brainwave89 · 28/08/2020 16:57

I see some red flags here. Over time he seems to have gained some degree of control over his mum's finances, and he also seems to wish to have greater control over yours as well. On principle, I never asked my parents or in laws for money, and if you are both earning well, I am not sure why this would be necessary at all? Asking them for cash may damage the relationship you have with them.

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hibbledobble · 28/08/2020 17:02

I'm also a strong believer of living in one's needs. I don't own a credit card, have never been in debt, and wouldn't ask my parents for money unless there were extreme extenuating circumstances.

It's not right to expect parents to fund a lifestyle. Private school is a luxury that few can afford. If you can't afford it, then you should move your children to a state school.

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BackforGood · 28/08/2020 17:04

You definitely need to speak to someone independent, and understand a little more about financial control / abuse and see from outside eyes how this isn't a good place to be.

Your first post has me, like so many others, unbelieving that you are funding a lavish life style such as private schooling for your dc, by taking money off your MiL every month. To be clear, I understand there are quite a lot of Grandparents that choose to do this - that is fine if their finances are secure. It is not fine if the grandparent is being pressured into downsizing, and the grandparents has a frugal lifestyle and no luxuries themselves.

Your later posts make me concerned about you.
Do please get in touch with Women's Aid for advice.

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Sally2791 · 28/08/2020 17:05

It’s shocking that his poor mum is not enjoying her own money. Stand up to your horrible H and have no part of it. It’s wrong.

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Giningit · 28/08/2020 17:08

So embarrassed for you OP to be living with a such a ManChild. I also think he sounds financially abusive.

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ShellieEllie · 28/08/2020 17:12

It sounds as though he is financially abusing his mum! That really wouldn't sit well with me at all and I'd be seriously questioning my choice of husband.

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user1471538283 · 28/08/2020 17:46

This is choice. Spending another person's money is so easy. Both of you need to live according to your means and let his mother enjoy her retirement. If your DH is so obsessed with money he can go out and earn more as can you. I don't know how you can both sleep at night.

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NotThatStrange · 28/08/2020 17:52

As someone who was financially abused from all my family members. I feel so sorry for your MIL. My family felt entitled while giving me nothing in return. I felt that I had the obligation to go "without" to make my family "happy"

I am right now NC. This is greed as well as abuse.

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category12 · 28/08/2020 17:59

Op, speak to Women's Aid and start thinking about how to exit the relationship safely.

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justasking111 · 28/08/2020 19:35

I knew from the first post this OP was in trouble. Like the woman who goes to the doctor for a minor problem then during the conversation admits to a suppurating lump on her breast.

I would speak to your parents privately if they are supportive @BrokenArrows they may well be shocked at first.

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ErinBrockovich · 28/08/2020 19:50

You are both being very unreasonable to be taking money monthly from his mother!
Have you no shame?!
I couldn’t imagine asking my parents for money, even if I was on my knees. So embarrassing.

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