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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

Am I in the wrong?

61 replies

Thanksagainand · 12/12/2021 12:00

Long and rambling, sorry. Just feel a bit crushed and anxious and need to pull myself out of it again.
Hello, for a few years I sell Christmas stuff on Etsy. Last year I made 3k and Dh got a bit excited - he usually makes it really difficult.
This year, well. I was hoping to make it a bigger thing, but have made some daft mistakes, and it’s not grown as much as I’d have liked, so I’ll take about the same.
I do wonder if it’s partly due to Dp wanting walks/ lunch hours etc. He seems to think it’s ok to come and stand around and gets irritated if I’m busy. He works very hard 8-6 ( I think too hard) then gets tired and grumpy. I work on my stuff 10 - 4 then it’s family stuff/ house. I am also working alone which means I’m learning a lot in a short time so it hasn’t grown but is about the same. It has however given me a bit of confidence by all the wonderful comments and reviews. I feel that that comes crashing down when Dp comments. But he says I’m being silly and need to get a job.
. I want a job, but lost a lot of confidence for various reasons.. Ideally I’d like a job but as I’ve been a sahm. For ages I’m a bit behind on the skill set. Dp thinks I should have a top career . I think he thinks I’m not tying, would rather swan around, should automatically get a top job.and is not happy at whatever I do..work in a shop? ‘It’s not enough to make a difference ‘ ‘ it won’t lead to anything’ so I thought if I set up an Etsy thing it gives me a reason to learn skills that hopefully make me more employable.
We spend HOURS talking about his work, and he was very ill so has been very depressed. I don’t feel we discuss mine at all, and if we do I always feels like he’s criticising. I can’t help wondering if he criticises when I’m not there to cook, clean or I am imagining it. I just mentioned that I’ll be doing orders all day and maybe he’d take dd to her sport ( I always do as he is busy with work ) that led to this conversation..
Dp,’how many orders have you got?
it takes a long time this.’
Me ( sounding a bit irritated) ‘ stop criticising. now is not the time to criticise. do it after I’ve got these orders out."
DP,
‘ It doesn’t help the family’
me, ‘It helps me’
Dp ‘so fuck the family then.
(as walks away..) Ill make breakfast then. ‘

I don’t know if I’m being stupid to want to do this, obviously i will look for work after Xmas. Just find it such a struggle to keep building up my confidence and enthusiasm, then we go for a walk and he is all depressed which means I need to waste time getting myself happy again. In order to do anything. This isn’t making me rich, but it does make me feel human. Also it’s in my area of expertise and I am pretty good at it, so, you know, I’m helpful.
Now I’ve wasted time recovering from that conversation writing this! It’s just that he left me feeling worthless, stupid for trying, stupid for wasting my time. And anxious that he’s right.
Bugger I was really enjoying doing my lovely orders! People DO like what I’m trying to do!

OP posts:
Grimsknee · 14/12/2021 22:33

"Dp wanting walks"
Sorry but is he a dog, or a man? If he wants a walk why do you have to stop working?

Mumof3confused · 14/12/2021 23:09

@Grimsknee

"Dp wanting walks" Sorry but is he a dog, or a man? If he wants a walk why do you have to stop working?
🤣🤣🤣
Thanksagainand · 15/12/2021 07:36

Thanks raisedbyoangolins! Still can’t find a course as such, I’m a bit dim, but there is a job! I’m going to apply today.
And yes, you two cheekies! Very funny.😀 will write more later to thank you guys

OP posts:
Thanksagainand · 16/12/2021 21:39

Thanks smiley. It’s tricky because I don’t know if he knows he’s doing it.
Yesterday tho he’s all ,’ how do I do this’ then upset cos I don’t want to go to whoever shop with him. and then on the phone to his friend he’s all mr in charge. Hadn’t noticed before.
Time2tork, I can’t imagine what a roller coaster youve been on.
Billmasen, thank you. Yes I think it’s scaleable. That’s what I need to work on next, now I know it is positively received. I have a lot of thoughts to scale it and other ideas.
Nedclarity, that’s encouraging!
Oh I REALLY want to earn!

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reader12 · 16/12/2021 22:36

He sounds horrible, and sounds like he enjoys making you doubt yourself, sorry.

I was a SAHM for 9 years with one child, DH felt the financial burden, I lost my confidence and eventually did a free back to work course for mums which gave me the push I needed to get back out there. I know my DH got irritated / frustrated by me spending time on volunteering and project that didn’t make money, but he was never mean about it. And it definitely helped build my confidence towards getting a job.

I think being frustrated at being the only real wage earner and being critical and difficult about everything you do are two completely different issues.

Thanksagainand · 17/12/2021 01:50

Thanks reader12. For the empathy. Very well done at getting back out there. It’s insanely difficult! Well done.

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Lajumelle1 · 17/12/2021 03:24

@Thanksagainand I was wondering if you could possibly DM me a link to your shop? I used to sell on Etsy too. I know what it's like having the pressure of orders coming through and having to get them made up.

Thanksagainand · 18/12/2021 00:26

Okydoke

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Thanksagainand · 18/12/2021 22:25

Thanks all. I think everyone is right. I need a bit of retraining and I need to stop being wet. Get work, and go from there. Cheers

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Aprilx · 19/12/2021 07:42

He does sound horrible in the way he goes about things, in particular I don’t see what is wrong with you getting a job in a shop or cafe of whatever. It is a start and will equip you with skills such as customer service which are very much valued.

But he same token though, it sounds like he carries all the financial burden whilst you tinker around with what sounds like no more than a hobby which has brought in £3k over two years. That is not on and if the roles were reversed and you were carrying the full financial burden whilst he tinkered around on a non paying hobby, there would have been an almighty outcry. Your business isn’t working, your partner does not agree to being the breadwinner, you need to go back to salaried employment.

Thanksagainand · 19/12/2021 09:46

Thanks Aprilx. I agree. It’s great to hear other povs. I am going to make a much more concerted effort. I can also use the little Ive earnt to pay for training of some sort. And no, that’s not a delaying tactic. 😀 there are a few jobs I am applying for. I have the main skills just not the digital side of things so much. Will teach self over Xmas. Good, a plan!

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