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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

Dh says a winter coat isn’t essential?

282 replies

Megafedup · 16/02/2021 11:27

It all started when I bought myself a new winter coat costing £39.99. I never buy myself anything and it is extremely high quality for the price and will last for years (a rare find). I haven’t bought a new coat in years and the one I had that I have worn repeatedly was falling apart (it was well worn.) The others I own that are more new looking but again had for years and don’t fit anymore (not since I’ve had kids and lock down etc.) Although I am losing weight I will never be that size again! I really loved the coat and feel more like me and really nice in it (a feeling I haven’t had since having dc) and losing a lot of confidence. I tried it on and my husband just frowned and couldn’t say anything nice.
DH has done nothing but complain about the fact I bought this coat when we are tight for money, I see it as an essential because I need a warm coat for the cold. Now when i say my child needs a new pair of shoes as has outgrown the ones he has my husband will shout ‘well you bought that coat!’ I feel extremely upset and angry to the point I blew up at him this morning as so sick of him constantly berating me for the coat. I realise I was wrong and shouldn’t have lost my temper but I can’t bare anymore of his under the breath comments about it. I have explained endlessness how I needed the coat and realise we don’t have the money. However he has bought himself new clothes recently yet he doesn’t bring that up only my coat. He will also buy new headphones, moisturisers etc (albeit cheap) but on a whim and his purchases add up for himself yet that is fine. He will find money I’ve noticed when it is for things he wants. I am walking on eggshells and feel like a little girl getting told off on the rare occasion I buy something (even essential items for the dc.) The whole situation is really getting me down and I am sick of having to fight and argue for essentials for the dc too. Every time my toddler goes into the next size up it all starts again. I think dh would leave dc in 2 sizes too small if he had his way and never seems to notice when anything new is needed so I am always the bad guy.
For context I am a SAHM of a baby and a toddler. Sorry for rambling on and thank you if you got through it all.

OP posts:
Oly4 · 16/02/2021 14:47

He is abusing you. No way would I put up with this. Of course a winter coat is essential and he’s lucky it only cost £40.
I’d also be looking at ways to get a job so you have income of your own. Let him look after the kids while you work.
And children’s clothes and shoes are obviously essential, don’t let him tell you they are not.
And every time he buys himself something, feel free to point it out. What a dick

HappyasLaura · 16/02/2021 14:49

Please don’t feel guilty for spending £40 on a new coat, OP. Seriously.
Your husband is being financially abusive.

By the way if and when you do get a job, total income needs to go into a pot and childcare costs also need to come from that pot.
So often I hear on here or SAHMs wanting to go back to work but childcare will eat the entire net income.
Whereas childcare should be paid for by both parents from joint income.

clydeonabike · 16/02/2021 14:53

Domestic abuse commonly starts during pregnancy, the cynic in me tells me there's a reason a joint bank account was not a feature in your relationship until then...
You need to retain/regain some financial independence OP and if that means you going back to work then so be it.

that1970shouse · 16/02/2021 14:56

@DioneTheDiabolist

Does he have life insurance OP?
Shock Smile Grin
Spudlet · 16/02/2021 14:57

I’m a SAHM and we don’t have lots of spare cash, and are quite careful. DH is also a much more cautious spender than me. However, I just grabbed him in passing and said ‘If I needed a winter coat and it was going to be £40, I could just get it, right?’ And the answer was ‘Of course, if you needed it.’ Which doesn’t make him some sort of Prince among men - it’s just as it should be.

A winter coat is absolutely an essential and £40 is a great price. Your DH is an arse and being financially abusive.

cansu · 16/02/2021 15:00

He sounds awful. I am really sorry that you are having to defend buying yourself a very reasonably priced coat. Yes it is essential. I would be seriously start thinking about getting back to work so that you have some independence from this kind of bullying from him. When you do get some money of your own, be careful that it goes into your own account.

Wakingup55643 · 16/02/2021 15:05

What an arse. Sorry I've only skimmed through previous replies, but I think everyone must be in agreement. Why shouldn't you have a coat ffs?!!!! My dh goes out totally unprepared all the time - the other night he went out in the car in the snow, no phone (never ever takes it) and came home freezing an hour later as the key fob battery had died and he had to walk home! Serves him right. Sorry you've also got an idiot of a dh. We all deserve better x

notthemum · 16/02/2021 15:17

Megafedup.
There is a tax break for childcare, look it up on-line. It works out that for every £10. You pay the Government will pay £2. This can save you quite a bit over the course of a year.

TheBlueStocking · 16/02/2021 15:19

It's not even an expensive coat. I'm not surprised you lost your temper. I would have as well

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 16/02/2021 15:27

So he'd rather you freeze when you take the kids out? What the fuck is he on about?
He sounds like a financially controlling bully and yes, I'm with other posters asking why you're still with him. He sounds awful.

Candyfloss99 · 16/02/2021 15:30

I think you need to get a job. You can't be a SAHM with a husband like this.

christmasathomeagain · 16/02/2021 15:32

@StephenBelafonte

Coz if you don't then yes, a good winter coat is essential
This is a good point and I would say the same. At the moment I rarely use my coat as I drive to places so don't NEED to be out in the cold long therefore if money was really tight I could manage without one. However if you need to spend any length of time outside then of course you need to be dressed appropriately for the weather.
thelegohooverer · 16/02/2021 15:44

If you’re going to talk about spending and budgets and finances please get clear in your head who is responsible for what, and how money is earned.

Many women consider their financial position in terms of the costs of childcare, as if paying for childcare is a mother’s issue only. It’s relevant, of course, in calculating family finances but it is a shared cost. And if it is in your interests to go back to work (for your MH, self esteem or to avoid an abusive power imbalance) don’t allow him to hold this over you. Start from the position that he could stay home and you go out to work (even if it’s just a thought experiment to get your position straight in your own head).

By taking a break to have children you have damaged your earning potential. By having a wife at home, not taking time off, rushing in the evenings to the crèche and coming to work haggard from sleepless nights, he has maximised his earning potential. When you function well as a family unit those things can balance out, but he is simply not entitled to think of his earnings as his- it’s family money that is created both by his work and your support. By getting married and having children he has also increased his standing as an employee - men are viewed as more dependable - all of these factors boost his promotional capacity and future earnings.

Don’t start with clothing budgets - start by sorting out your pension which should be a top priority. Wrangling about costs and moisturiser will miss the issue. You aren’t a kid asking for pocket money. Take an adult perspective - pensions, health insurance, life insurance, debt management.

If the focus is on you going back to work (ie pulling your weight by earning more), make sure there is an equal focus on him pulling his weight with house work, childcare, night time feeds and days off for sick children.

As a sahm I fully support my dh’s career because it serves us both but if I were working I would not be doing all the shopping, laundry, childcare, child listening, juggling of after school, night time dramas, hospital and dental appointments, special needs appointments, booking of holidays, organising of tradesmen, etc to the detriment of my own career.

My dh would rather be the sole earner than take on half the sahm work and that’s a decision we can afford. Perhaps, if you look at your finances you will find that you can’t afford to be a sahm, but remember that also means that he can’t afford a sahw either.

Annasgirl · 16/02/2021 15:48

Hi OP,

A lot of people are advising you to talk to your OH and suggest a plan etc.

However, they are not familiar with financial control and abusive relationships. DO not blame yourself if he gets worse after you try to fix this - he will realise you are getting wise to him and this is the most dangerous time for you.

Please contact Women's aid and get advice from them.

I am always shocked on these threads that so many women blame a woman for being in this position and shout at her to "get a job' - that may well be the final solution but if she has no DH to support her, how will she manage with initial childcare costs; school drop off etc etc etc

If he is this abusive over a coat, I do not believe he will be 100% fully supportive and take on his fair share of childcare so that she can have more than a zero hours contract job.

nancywhitehead · 16/02/2021 15:48

@StephenBelafonte

If you don't have a car then you fucking well need a good winter coat . Cheap bastard.
I find this a weird comment that you only need a winter coat if you don't drive. Sometimes people still walk places or walk for leisure even if they have a car Confused I would say in the UK, pretty much everyone needs a decent winter coat!
Bluntness100 · 16/02/2021 15:57

I also think the op needs to plan to get back to work ASAP

They are struggling financially and her husband resents her. She did actually habe a winter coat, she said it was “falling apart” . I’m not sure if that is what it says and bits are falling off of it, or if it’s just a bit knackered, but she did have one. He’s saying they are struggling because of that 40 quid spend.

There’s no reason for the op not to work till the youngest is in school. She will get free nursery hours.

No one can stay at home when the other doesn’t support it. It’s great to want to stay home for several years till the youngest is at school,but that only works if both parents are in agreement and you can afford it.

starfishmummy · 16/02/2021 16:05

@DioneTheDiabolist

Does he have life insurance OP?
Grin
Flyg · 16/02/2021 16:11

My ex was like this, when i was a SAHM i only had new coats and shoes for the first 3 years after having kids because my mum bought them for me. He would also sometimes scroll through the natwest app on his phone and ask what certain spends were for - this was purely a way of him letting me know he was watching what i spent.

He absolutely ripped into me for a few things i got for myself, there was always money for him to go to the pub at 3 in the afternoon and not come back until the next day though. I suspect more £££ went directly up his nose than on anything for me.

Please leave, its truly shite being married to a tight arse. Even worse when they are tight on you but will spend on themselves.

LaVitaPuoEsserePiuBella · 16/02/2021 16:13

I haven't read the whole thread but he's vile, and abusive.
A winter coat is an essential item of clothing, not a luxury.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/02/2021 16:18

He will likely try and sabotage any and all of OPs attempts to go back to work. He wants her to remain dependent on him and does not wish for her to have any form of financial independence.

ThatsGoodCakeLove · 16/02/2021 16:18

That is quite sad OP, he sounds like a miserable bastard. I'd rather scrape by on my own than be treated like that. Sounds abusive.

EvieBoo2 · 16/02/2021 16:19

I'm sorry to say it but your DH is a moron. Of course you need a winter coat. I wouldn't put up with him if it was me. Easy for me to say I know, but honestly I would get away from this idiot as fast as possible.

GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom · 16/02/2021 16:24

your DH is a moron.

I don't know...he's got OP dependent on him and too frightened to buy a winter coat or children's clothes while he spends on himself and travels in a warm car. He's created a beneficial set up for himself, so I wouldn't call him a moron.

I would call him a nasty arsehole, though.

Kacey2979 · 16/02/2021 16:25

A winter coat is essential. But I probably wouldn’t buy one now as we are heading into spring. I know it’ll be several weeks to warmer weather yet. Also, you say you are losing weight. But a coat is essential and £39.99 is really quite reasonable for a coat so he’s being an ass.

caramac04 · 16/02/2021 16:28

Sorry OP, this sounds like financial abuse to. Is he always this controlling? Maybe get your ducks in order.
On a lighter note, if he’s not a complete dick why not hide his coat/ shoes/headphones and when he asks just ask innocently if it’s really necessary.
If you’re worried about doing that then definitely get planning and get your ducks in a row, if you’re feeling uncomfortable about his carping on about your coat especially when stating that the children need new shoes then you can bet sure as hell that the children feel it too.
Hope I’m wrong. Enjoy your nice, warm, bargainous coat and when he mentions it just remind yourself how lovely it is and that you deserve it.