AITA for refusing to do anything around the house because my wife insisted on staying home with our child
A 28-year-old electrician (OP) and his 27-year-old accountant wife, married for one year, faced a major change after the birth of their first child seven months prior.
When the wife's maternity leave ended, she decided she could not return to work due to strong feelings of guilt about putting their child in daycare.
The OP reluctantly agreed to support the family solely on his income, which required him to increase his work hours significantly, from 45 to 65-70 hours per week.
Although the wife initially promised to manage all housework in exchange, she recently began demanding the OP help with ch**es, leading to a major argument and the wife now giving him the silent treatment. The OP is left feeling angry and trapped by the broken agreement and increased workload.
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The OP is currently experiencing significant resentment because the financial sacrifice he agreed to, which involved taking on a grueling work schedule, is now being compounded by his wife reneging on her promise to handle all domestic duties.
The conflict centers on the perceived breach of the foundational agreement they es**blished when she resigned, causing him to feel that his efforts are unappreciated and his boundaries are being ignored.
The core issue is whether the wife is ent*tled to an equal division of domestic labor despite having given up her career income, or if the OP must continue to bear the entire burden of providing financially while accepting no help at home.
Should the OP uphold the original agreement strictly, or is it time for a renegotiation of responsibilities given the extreme hours he is working?
Internet Users Didn’t Hold Back:
Support, sarcasm, and strong words — the replies covered it all. This one definitely got people talking.