I'm a stay-at-home mom to an almost 2-year-old. My partner works and pays our household bills, which are around $350–$400 a month, excluding his personal expenses. Sometimes he also gives me an allowance of about $500, which I appreciate.
I do the majority of the cooking, cleaning, childcare, and pretty much everything that comes with running the household.
Here's where I'm struggling. Sometimes I get frustrated because I want him to help more around the house or take care of our daughter so I can go to the gym, have some time to myself, or simply rest without having to worry about the baby.
I understand that he works and financially supports us, and I'm grateful for that. But sometimes I feel like because I'm a stay-at-home mom, I'm expected to be on duty 24/7, while he gets to clock out.
I don't want to feel guilty for wanting time to take care of myself, too.
So, moms, please be honest with me. Am I being ungrateful because he pays the bills and sometimes gives me money? Should I just accept that the household and childcare are my responsibilities? Or is it reasonable to expect him to share some of those responsibilities even though I'm not financially contributing right now?
I genuinely want different perspectives because sometimes I question whether I'm asking for too much or whether my feelings are valid.
The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.
Learn more about our guidelines.
I used to be the breadwinner. I still owed it to my spouse to do some chores and help with the baby. You're not asking for much at all. This is your spouse undermining your labor because it's unpaid.

I’m a sahm but I also have restaurants I wanna try, events I wanna go to, places I wanna explore, friends to see and hobbies to do. I’m a sahm but that doesn’t mean my existence solely revolves around the house and kids, i have an active social life I go out 2-3* a week while hubby is at home w the kids, after hours at 7, my boy goes to sleep at 9 so he’s only literally looking after him for 2hrs before he’s off to sleep. I have my dance twice a week Tuesdays and Fridays at 7pm, and sometimes I’ve made plans on a Sat night w friends. I don’t feel guilty at all and he’s doing his part financially but also some parenting to share the burden w me. Go do what you wanna do, see who you wanna see and don’t feel guilty or ungrateful about it- he knows I need a break too just as much as he does, we take turns getting out of the house to take them.

You are not being ungrateful. He's a shitty parent & partner.

You both work fulltime jobs. He is still your childs father, so he should still be caring for and watching your child.
And you are not his mother nor his maid, he should absolutely be cleaning his own house.

I'm a SAHM. My husband works outside the home. I work in the home. When he's off, he clocks in at home and I get to take the breaks he got to take during the day at work but I didn't. Also, you deserve time to yourself. If you get burnt out, the home falls apart and that's the foundation of EVERYONE'S life.

I know how you feel im in the same situation he dose help a little bit now its our second baby

You don't say that he makes comments about it and he contributes additional money when he can. The way you talk about him/your dynamic doesn't sound to me like you have a partner that doesn't care. It sounds more like he may just be oblivious to the fact that you're needing more than the financial support. While he should still notice that you need time for yourself both in and out of the house, maybe he needs to be reminded of it or given specific instructions or days/times that he can work around? It is good for you and your relationship to be able to get that time for yourself. He should want to help you achieve that and he needs to also be taking a more active role in your kiddos life when home.
We are on holiday with my 1 year old baby! I was washing few things outside on the bathroom which is outdoor, and he kept calling me because the baby was crying! I shouted and said “omg why instead of you shouting at me you do something to keep your baby calm” he grabbed me through my arm and started shouting “ why are you always shouting! I am constantly embarrassed by you!” He said some many hurtful things that it’s not even worth mentioned! But the thing is, I feel he is a good guy but he actually doesn’t love me! So he feels frustrated! I just don’t know how I will start my life over! Just for context, we do not fight all the time! We do get along pretty well! But when he is frustrated I feel he liberates his hidden hatred! I just don’t know what to do! I know tnrw he will say sorry that he loves me bla bla!
15
My son is 2. I’m solo parenting. I work 9-5 remote. When he wakes up from his nap around 2-3pm I struggle to keep him entertained until I finish my shift so end up putting the tv on. He now is getting upset when I turn it off and is now watching it longer than I’d like him to. He is watching on average 2 hours a day when I’d prefer him to watch less than 1 hour as per guidelines. Any at home activities I can set up for him? Pls recommend!!! I’m desperate!!!!
17
My fiancé has told me twice now he doesn't think I'm doing a good enough job or enough as a mom and I've disappointed him. Our son is 5 weeks old tomorrow. His main complaint is that I don't seem happy enough when he gets home from work and I act like spending all day raising our son is a chore and he would like time to relax after work instead of me immediately asking him to do something or "bombarding him as soon as he walks in the door". I handle all the night feedings, he's done it twice since he was born to let me sleep, and he's gotten up with him in the morning twice. He was upset with me on Saturday for asking him to get up with him at 8:30 so I could sleep in because he wanted just one day to sleep in. I understand his frustration but I don't think I deserved that. I'm a first time mom, I'm still figuring this all out, and I just had a c-section 5 weeks ago, and I havent slept more than 3 hours straight since he was born because even on the nights he gets up with him I have to pump. I am excited when he gets home from work because I have a person to talk to and someone to share this with. I see why he's frustrated but I don't think he's giving me enough grace or putting himself in my perspective. He says I feel like a stranger to him now, he's disappointed, and he's not sure he wants to marry me anymore. I don't know what to do.
2
20
Can’t believe I’m posting this as I swore it wouldn’t be me. But my baby is 2 weeks tomorrow and I just wish my cat wasn’t here. I wish he could just go in a cat hotel for a few months. I feel like he makes my anxiety 10x worse. He jumped on her highchair whilst she was in it and she has a tiny scratch on her arm. It makes me honestly hate him. Then I feel so terribly guilty, it’s not his fault at all and I think he can sense my energy. Did anyone else get this and when did it go away? I want to love him the way I did asap.
2
13
My 3 year olds parent and child swimming class got moved to this evening (usually I take her on Saturday) anyway her dad is off work today and my period suddenly started extremely heavy so I asked if he could take her for me (explained why) he said absolutely not he'll take her to another pool not that one (even though he CAN take her and she wanted him too) he took her to this class when she was 1 year old for 1 lesson anyway...
I was royally pissed.
So off I take her and hope as normal a tampon does the job 🫠🫠🫠
He had no idea the effort a woman has to go to every week shaving worrying about period etc every 4 weeks. Forget I thought he might do me a favour
6
I'm a stay-at-home mom to an almost 2-year-old. My partner works and pays our household bills, which are around $350–$400 a month, excluding his personal expenses. Sometimes he also gives me an allowance of about $500, which I appreciate.
I do the majority of the cooking, cleaning, childcare, and pretty much everything that comes with running the household.
Here's where I'm struggling. Sometimes I get frustrated because I want him to help more around the house or take care of our daughter so I can go to the gym, have some time to myself, or simply rest without having to worry about the baby.
I understand that he works and financially supports us, and I'm grateful for that. But sometimes I feel like because I'm a stay-at-home mom, I'm expected to be on duty 24/7, while he gets to clock out.
I don't want to feel guilty for wanting time to take care of myself, too.
So, moms, please be honest with me. Am I being ungrateful because he pays the bills and sometimes gives me money? Should I just accept that the household and childcare are my responsibilities? Or is it reasonable to expect him to share some of those responsibilities even though I'm not financially contributing right now?
I genuinely want different perspectives because sometimes I question whether I'm asking for too much or whether my feelings are valid.
9