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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

Spoilt DH

133 replies

Lightspark · 26/12/2020 07:29

I know that this is going to come across to some like I'm some sort of money grabber, but please hear me out...
So, DHs family are quite wealthy, mine are not, which is all fine.
DH has had issues in the past around seeing us as equals financially because he earns more than I do after I reduced to part-time working after DCs were born. It caused a lot of arguments.
DHs parents will often give DH gifts of money which appear not meant for me to receive which has definitely not helped matters!
My inlaws really aren't helping this situation at all in terms of us being treated as equals when each year we're handed our own individual gift bag and envelope for christmas.
Each year, DH opens an envelope to hundreds of pounds and a gift bag containing a few expensive gifts. My bag usually contains some nice smelling soap, hand cream and a bottle of prosecco along with an envelope with probably 1/6 of the amount of money that DH receives.
My issue isn't that I think they should give me more (and I know people will accuse me of otherwise but this is the truth). My issue is that, whilst they treat us very unequally at christmas, my family treat us exactly the same. We receive similar gifts and always joint envelopes of money.
It's because my family do things so differently, I think that it really highlights the inequality between DH and I when we receive our gifts from his parents.
I think he is extremely spoilt and it just isn't helping the way he sees me, when they treat us so differently. They spent almost £1000 on him for his recent birthday (they told me this quite openly) and although they are (in my opinion) very generous in the amount they give to me (not comparing to what DH is given), I think that they have created unintentionally, a very spoiled and financially entitled DH.
This did not become clear until after we were married and probably until after DC1 was born.

  1. I'm wondering if I'm being the unreasonable one here?
  2. How do your parents/inlaws treat you and your spouse when it comes to gift giving?
OP posts:
Littleyell · 26/12/2020 09:47

@LindaEllen that’s my thinking exactly. I wonder if this is a real post. It’s odd.

Littleyell · 26/12/2020 09:51

How are your bills split OP? Who pays what?

Bitcherama · 26/12/2020 09:56

Dump him then
Go back to work full time.
Do something other than moan about it. He sounds like a cock but complaining about his parents when they also give you cash is graceless and grasping.
You don't like it, take action.

Stay123 · 26/12/2020 10:00

@LindaEllen and @Bitcherama yes, why take the money then bitch it’s not enough. He gets nothing from her parents. I know they can’t afford to give but she really expects more? How horrible. Are you with him for his money?

Redtartanshoes · 26/12/2020 10:01

I’d start getting access to the statements for all of those accounts if I was you... and see a divorce solicitor in the new year.

As others have said this is not an in law problem... it’s the name you married

HmmSureJan · 26/12/2020 10:03

@Lightspark

"Make him do his half" And there lies the problem.

We've been there.
Tried that.
You ca not "make" anybody to anything without completely running yourself into the ground.

I had one of these. I also had the "well make him then". And the bafflement that I couldn't "make him". He'd become aggressive and attacking if I tried to. In fact this whole thread appears to be a mirror image of my marriage. I had a nervous breakdown in the end and my mental health has never fully recovered. End it before you get to that point OP.
emilybrontescorsett · 26/12/2020 10:04

I find the responses on here bizzare. The same posters saying it's fine would be up in arms if in laws treated their biological and step children differently.I
I would start protecting yourself financially op. Your dh and in laws have no respect for you and do not value the work of a stay at home parent. How about telling dh that you are going back to work and in those sqys, he needs to sort childcare for his child. Did he want children as he doesn't seem to care much for his child or the mother of his child? As for the in laws I would Stop buying for them, let your dh sort it. I would also been cooking g or entertain them in my house again leave it to your dh, go out when they come. They sound vile. Mil gave cash to dh and I am about for us to split equally.

Lillygolightly · 26/12/2020 10:05

The in laws are a red herring, yes they may have caused the issues in the first place in regards to how they raised your DH, and probably compound that issue now with gift giving but ultimately your DH as an adult is now responsible for his own behaviour.

Many years ago I once worked 2 jobs, DH didn’t work at the time so I was the sole breadwinner, I also did all school runs and looking after our DC, I was stressed and exhausted. We started a business together, my working 2 jobs and doing DC care allowed us to fund the start up costs. DP’s parents gifted/invested some money to help during this time, and you know what I heard endlessly was how his parents helped us, but not how I had busted my ass working 2 jobs etc. This used to really piss me off, but then it dawned on me....my working 2 jobs was me just doing what I was supposed to do, it was expected, what his parents gave was not at all expected, it wasn’t their responsibility to help us, it was a gift and therefore was appreciated.

My point being is that his parents gift giving is their prerogative, and I don’t think it is necessarily wrong that they give their son more than they choose to give you. They are not responsible for the inequality in your relationship. It is not al all unusual for the balance and equality in a relationship to change once kids are born, especially if one partner places more value on the financial contribution over other inputs such as domestic chores or child rearing etc.

The crux of the matter here is that at the very root of things your priorities are different. You choose to put family first, you sacrifice yourself for your children/family and think of those needs before your own. Your DH on the other hand prioritises himself and his own well-being first, and from what I can see you are last on the list. 1) is himself 2) his children/parents 3) is you....your last. Very simply he places his value and his contribution above yours, and the reason why your frustration with his parents comes into play is because he counts their gifts to him as part of his worth/value/contribution to you/your family, yet you do not benefit from these gifts, because he reserves it all for himself because it’s what he thinks he deserves because he is entitled.

You are fighting a losing battle here OP, there is nothing and will be nothing you can do to make him view you as his equal. He will always believe he is worth more, it won’t matter whether you earn the same, or even if you were to earn more, (and I guarantee that if you did, he would only view this as you finally putting back in what you have taken out and so still not equal!!!) and even so why should you have to do that to be viewed as his equal? You don’t, you should be his equal regardless of your financial situation/contribution....you should be his equal purely because he respects you and loves you and as the mother of his children.

You didn’t win him, you weren’t lucky to bag him, he is not some prize catch!!! Just because a man may earn well and has generous wealthy parents does not make him a good man, good husband and good father. A good man, a good husband and father shares his wealth with his family, he treats his partner and the mother of his children as an equal, and he shows her love, care and respect!!! You don’t seem to get much if any of this at all, and THIS is your problem, not his parents because it is his choice to treat you as he does. It’s your choice as to whether you want to allow/put up with this, because you don’t have to, you do deserve more because being treated with respect and as an equal in the minimum bar, but also the most important bar to set in ANY relationship.

rookiemere · 26/12/2020 10:08

My DPs do the envelope of money thing. They make it clear it's joint money, except on my birthday when it's for me, when I'd use it to buy any tech upgrades I need like a new phone or iPad (DH gets his from the joint account). What I find odd about your ILs is the lack of fund for their GCs. DPs put money into a savings account for DS and pay for his schooling.
Their attitude suggests that they see the DCs as an extension of you rather than their DS.
But yes your H sounds financially abusive so leave him.

emilybrontescorsett · 26/12/2020 10:13

Thinking about this op, would you be better off divorcing him?
Seriously you would get a share of his assets and not have to see his shit parents. He would then see his child, if he could be bothered, at set tines . Would that be an option?

Bluntness100 · 26/12/2020 10:17

Op, what is it you want? They aren’t going to give you more money. Nor him less. He isn’t going to give you more money either. You’re not willing to go back to work fully to earn it yourself. You’re not getting more money, this is it.

His parents won’t treat you equally, you are not their child.

The fact they are giving you both money and regularly give money, indicates there is a financial problem at home. No one gives money if the person doesn’t need it. So is there something unspoken here, that you both need their financial support to some extent as you only work part time?

It also reads like he is not supportive of you not working and wishes you to return to work. So he’s not going to give you more money when this situation remains. And neither will his parents, as they will know he doesn’t support it.

Overall I think thr two of you have got yourself in a mess, and the need and desire for money is the root cause of your issues here.

Norwester · 26/12/2020 10:18

I am not your bully in this scenario, OP. You're married to the bully.

You want to be a SAHM. That only works if both partners want that, value it, support it. That ain't what you got.

If your dh treats you like this now - hiding funds, secret accounts, solo holidays - what do you think will happen if he leaves you? Or if you wise up and leave him? Will your solicitor find that money? Will the CMS?

Earning your own money IS taking care of your dc.

As to special needs and health problems, you will feel better leaving your dc with professional carers than with your dh, who cannot be asked. The carers will do better by your dc.

School is not childcare. Even when your youngest starts school, you will need childcare to work FT.

It's possible that you just really wanted to be a SAHM and thought that would last for years. I am sorry that it is not working out as you'd hoped. It is hard to shift gears.

But you need to.

Bluntness100 · 26/12/2020 10:18

The same posters saying it's fine would be up in arms if in laws treated their biological and step children differently

Ehrm, kids being raised together are very different to a husband and wife. Confused

arethereanyleftatall · 26/12/2020 10:18

Ok. So, what you've described is an abusive, selfish man who you don't like very much. Nor he you. Neither does he enjoy his children.
Logistically you can't work for a few years due to children's special needs.

So, your options;

  1. Stay and continue as you are. He's not going to change, will only get worse and resentment will only grow.
  1. Get a full time job and hire nanny plus cleaner.
  1. Divorce. You will get maintenance from him.

I've gone for option 3 although my kids are older. I am so happy. I cannot describe to you how much easier it is doing everything myself (which I was doing anyway) but without the mentally exhausting bitterness and resentment.

rookiemere · 26/12/2020 10:21

@Bluntness100 my DPs give us money because they spend very little and worry about inheritance tax. We don't need it as such, but nor do they. I appreciate we are very fortunate.

rookiemere · 26/12/2020 10:21

@Bluntness100 my DPs give us money because they spend very little and worry about inheritance tax. We don't need it as such, but nor do they. I appreciate we are very fortunate.

Mdmd · 26/12/2020 10:27

The problem is with your DH.

Leave him. Take all you’re entitled to from him. Work full time. And if you can, get him to stick to a contact schedule.

Just be aware. For kids with additional issues, them going to school isn’t a cure all.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/12/2020 10:45

It seems to be people, who don’t have a problem with the situation are usually those, who would naturally share the money anyway or have partners sharing money equally. Some have said as much. This isn’t the situation at all.

Ops in laws have given money to their son without regarding their dil. Of course it is their choice. What is disgusting is that this man child has learned he’s top dog, no 1.

You have a horrible husband op. Time to fill your pot first, not your husband’s.

Bluntness100 · 26/12/2020 10:47

[quote rookiemere]@Bluntness100 my DPs give us money because they spend very little and worry about inheritance tax. We don't need it as such, but nor do they. I appreciate we are very fortunate.[/quote]
I don’t think that’s the case here though. This whole issue is because he has money anc she doesn’t.

AgentJohnson · 26/12/2020 10:53

I can understand your hurt and frustration but pointing the finger at the infantilism of his parents is an excuse, so that you don’t have to accept part responsibility for staying in a relationship with a entitled man baby.

Are you really saying that not being equally spoiled by his parents is the problem? Would your acceptance of the financial inequality that you continue to sign up to be absolved by a few ££££ in an envelope at Christmas?

He has always been this way; he has either been good at hiding it, you have not wanted to acknowledge it or, it is a combination of the two.

Your relationship has greater problems than the differences in cash you get from his parents. This is not the relationship to be in if you want a semblance of financial independence. No one is going to rescue you and make your H see the light. For some men, children are an easy way to trap women into a subservient role. Part-time equals less money and financial dependence.

You are being financially abused and the first step, is accepting that. The second step is accepting that change is not going to come from the person/s benefiting from the status quo (which includes you).

Burnthurst187 · 26/12/2020 10:54

Wish I got given "envelopes of money" from the ILs! They see giving cash or vouchers as a big no no for some reason

rookiemere · 26/12/2020 10:56

It sounds like - and I could be totally wrong here - that both H and ILs blame you for having a special needs DC ? Or think that you are making it up to avoid working FT.
OP you could stop cooking his meals and washing his clothes. Keep the money given by ILs in a savings account for your escape fund.

Omeara · 26/12/2020 10:56

You are blaming your in laws for your husband being a selfish fucker. He is the one to blame and is the one you should have an issue with.

Your husband is an adult and doesn’t need to be told to show his wife respect and treat her as an equal in the marriage. He is choosing not to do this.

im5050 · 26/12/2020 11:14

I think your blaming the parents for giving their son money and not giving you as much because you don’t really want to face up to the fact that your DH is an abusive financially controlling dick
It’s much easier to get mad at his parents than having to face the fact of what your DH is like
Plus you mention your kids have some special needs
A lot of men ( the shit ones like your DH ) seem to find some affront with their offspring having special needs - it’s like it’s a direct hit to their manhood, sounds ridiculous but that’s what I’ve noticed
And for what it’s worth I spent around £600 on my adult son at Christmas in cash and gifts
I gave his partner of a year who had a Boxing Day birthday around £150 in presents for Christmas and £50 in cash for his birthday as a separate
It’s my choice to spend more on my son at Christmas as he is my son

Popcorntoes · 26/12/2020 11:36

But I think OP has children with additional needs who couldn't just be left- maybe they need specialist nursing or similar.

Even so OP - tell us more about your real situation, the wise people on here may be able to help you make a plan for later, you will have to boost your resources starting from now so that you can leave him.

Because you will need to leave him, eventually.