Should I go back to work to get DH to step up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In this day and age, with no alimony and no daily divorce, no one should be a SAHM.

Plus don’t count on getting “half” if you split. Women who are low earners rarely get 50% of assets. More like 30%.

The no alimony thing is just not true. People love to say that on this board. I receive alimony. It's not uncommon for couples where one person is extremely high earning and the other's career took a backseat to support it. And yes, I got HALF. And kept the house.

+1. In OP's situation she would get alimony and half of the assets.

I know a couple whose physician husband had to pay 26k per month in alimony/child support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Team husband. This woman is batshit crazy.

+1 My thoughts exactly!

Yeah, I wish I had this "problem."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

You have NOTHING to complain about. Seriously, shut up. I hope he leaves you.

DH came home so tired today. He is already asleep. I was so mad at him earlier today. It is hard to stay angry at a guy who looks so tired.

I’m over it….for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

So what do you want your husband to do? Work fewer hours for less pay?

Yes, I have told him many many times to work less. He only seems to get busier, not less busy. He is very specialized and there not many of him so he is always high in demand, his clinics are overbooked and there are often add ons and emergencies. The hours are long and unpredictable.

Different take. Why not tell him he has only one life and he needs to enjoy it more with you?
He sounds like a workaholic and does not possess much self awareness.
Have an honest discussion focused on both his and your happiness.

I say this all the time. I said previously that I blow up at him every few months or once per year. I am normally content and fine with our situation.

I think what happens is that when he gets into the swing of conferences and meeting other cutting edge surgeons, he becomes more motivated with work and then he does more industry stuff. He gets interested in new technologies, wants to get more involved in research, etc. The visiting physicians or meetings and conferences he attends makes him want to do more than just surgery. The surgery itself is already grueling enough and then he does all this extra stuff in addition to seeing his patients and doing surgery. He is also specialized so he always has patients waiting to see him. He adds on emergency surgeries of patients who can’t wait 3 months. It is a never ending cycle.

You married a man who is passionate about his work and also manages to make an excellent living. You can choose to support him or you can opt to make things miserable. I understand your situation because I used to work for a doctor like this. Keep in mind that there is no shortage of women to flatter his ego in the hope of becoming wife #2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In this day and age, with no alimony and no daily divorce, no one should be a SAHM.

Plus don’t count on getting “half” if you split. Women who are low earners rarely get 50% of assets. More like 30%.

Thissss

Learned this the hard way. He weakly anything in retirement accounts is protected

You split your house and cash accounts. That’s it.

Wrong

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Bannockburn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

Guess tou rationalized that away then Op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

So what do you want your husband to do? Work fewer hours for less pay?

Yes, I have told him many many times to work less. He only seems to get busier, not less busy. He is very specialized and there not many of him so he is always high in demand, his clinics are overbooked and there are often add ons and emergencies. The hours are long and unpredictable.

Hmm.

May as well say what it is bc right now you sound like a troll again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 kids and am a SAHM. DH is a surgeon and I basically have to do everything. He has to work late, has work related dinners, industry meetings, research, continuing education and often says he has to attend dinner when some other surgeon is in town. I am so beyond fed up and irritated. I understand that he can’t handle the day and has never taken a sick day or snow day to take our kid to the doctor or dentist. All this extra stuff in addition to not helping during the day is just pushing me to my breaking point. He will also want to go play or watch sports with someone if he happens to be free. He will say he never hangs out with friends. He does not count professional dinners hanging out with friends even if he is friends with these colleagues.

I used to work and I was responsible for both mornings and afternoons because Dh is not reliable to ever do any pick ups. He helps if he gets out early but I could never depend on him. His answer if I should be able to pick up a kid but it is never definite because of the nature of his work.

I know a mom who had a similar set up. Her husband did nothing so she went back to work. Now she has a job and FT help and still does 90% of the kid stuff.

Would going back to work even help my situation?

With surgeon shift work most would be home a smattering of days a week. Guess he really avoids you, the kids and the house.

You should go back to work. At least you’d be working with normal people who thank you for your work instead of take advantage. That or get busy doing other things and hire more help.

Your spouse is very checked out. Even for a “surgeon”. That or this is a TROLL post since it’s so repetitive with previous posts

He absolutely is checked out. He works long hours and reminds me that his job is also physical so he is exhausted after surgery all day. On weekends, we tag team and drive our kids to their sports and activities. He does enjoy watching our kids play sports.

One difference and I think this is a difference between the men and women in our circles is that your kid having X event or multiple kids having sports practice would never be an excuse on why a man can’t go to a work event. For women, if your kid had ballet or soccer, especially at the same time, you normally wouldn’t say you can go out to dinner at that exact time.

DP. In my circle, divorced men say they can’t do x or y because of kid conflicts. Married men can make it to whatever. Married women don’t say why they can’t make it.

That’s one way to get him involved with the kids! 50/50 divorce!

Until his new girlfriend because the de facto nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

So what do you want your husband to do? Work fewer hours for less pay?

Yes, I have told him many many times to work less. He only seems to get busier, not less busy. He is very specialized and there not many of him so he is always high in demand, his clinics are overbooked and there are often add ons and emergencies. The hours are long and unpredictable.

Different take. Why not tell him he has only one life and he needs to enjoy it more with you?
He sounds like a workaholic and does not possess much self awareness.
Have an honest discussion focused on both his and your happiness.

Im not sure he is a workaholic. He seems to genuinely care for his patients. If a patient sees him and needs surgery, he will do the surgery. There is a never ending flow of patients so he just keeps getting busier. At the same time, he has friends and colleagues who operate less and do more research and industry and he likes that side too. He is trying to do both and it feels like it is at my expense.

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

You have NOTHING to complain about. Seriously, shut up. I hope he leaves you.

DH came home so tired today. He is already asleep. I was so mad at him earlier today. It is hard to stay angry at a guy who looks so tired.

I’m over it….for now.

It would be a big problem for me if when he was home he was locked up in his home office, or going to bed super early (ie 8am) or napping half the weekend or watching Netflix instead of interacting.

That’s rude and disrespectful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

So what do you want your husband to do? Work fewer hours for less pay?

Yes, I have told him many many times to work less. He only seems to get busier, not less busy. He is very specialized and there not many of him so he is always high in demand, his clinics are overbooked and there are often add ons and emergencies. The hours are long and unpredictable.

Hmm.

May as well say what it is bc right now you sound like a troll again.

I don’t think OP’s necessarily a troll. I used to work in a hospital. The DH sounds like a surgeon who moved into upper management but still has clinical duties. That’s why he gets the 7-figure salary but he has to work like a dog for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

You have NOTHING to complain about. Seriously, shut up. I hope he leaves you.

DH came home so tired today. He is already asleep. I was so mad at him earlier today. It is hard to stay angry at a guy who looks so tired.

I’m over it….for now.

It would be a big problem for me if when he was home he was locked up in his home office, or going to bed super early (ie 8am) or napping half the weekend or watching Netflix instead of interacting.

That’s rude and disrespectful

He had really tired eyes. I haven’t seen him this tired for a while. He left home this morning before six and came home at 7. He was exhausted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound really dumb. No, going back to work won't help. It will be worse. You married a surgeon. That is not a career in which he can help at home. You should know this.

Agree. And whiny. Let’s hope OP is breathtakingly attractive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're angry at your spouse, but you chose him and his career. He can't be a part time surgeon and yeah it's unrealistic for him to take a sick day (and cancel someone's surgery!) to take your kid to the doctor.

I think what you need is either a nanny or a housekeeper. I found a part time nanny and it's been life changing. She works 2:30 (when kids get out of school) to 6/6:30. She helps tag team the kids and I finish dinner. She helps set the table and corral the kids (two are toddlers). I only have her 4 days a week too, but it's just taken a big load off of me. DH gets home at 6pm usually and all of us can eat dinner together. I work full time, but she's basically like having a SAHM. I'm so glad she picks the kids up from their activities and school. I don't feel like I'm missing time with them, nor spending an hour driving them at night.

The surgeon in our block works hard, helps take care of one SN kid and other kids, plus has a caterpillar snow plow and does the whole neighborhood so he can get to the hospital when it snows! His wife works in a demanding profession too. With travel.

Yours sounds like a selfish dud.

Op here. There are different kinds of surgeons with various workloads and pay. DH is a busy one who earns $1m+. He has friends who are paid a $300 or 400k salary and do not operate that much, so more research, teach, etc. He also has friends and colleagues who work more than he does and gets paid far less. He would never be able to take our kids to the bus stop in the morning. Even on clinic non operative days, he has to get to the hospital to round before he starts seeing patients. Even without rounding, he starts seeing patients at 8. DH always reminds me that he has tons of paperwork, phone calls to return and patients to check on who are post op still in the hospital.

Every few months or at least once per year, I blow up at DH and he does better. Then he goes right back to his normal ways. I’m so fed up with him.

You have NOTHING to complain about. Seriously, shut up. I hope he leaves you.

DH came home so tired today. He is already asleep. I was so mad at him earlier today. It is hard to stay angry at a guy who looks so tired.

I’m over it….for now.

It would be a big problem for me if when he was home he was locked up in his home office, or going to bed super early (ie 8am) or napping half the weekend or watching Netflix instead of interacting.

That’s rude and disrespectful

He had really tired eyes. I haven’t seen him this tired for a while. He left home this morning before six and came home at 7. He was exhausted.

So what’s your complaint?