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OT - Feeling Like a Martyr and Need to Vent

devilwoman's picture

AAARRRGGGHHHH!! Why exactly do men feel that women are responsible for EVERYTHING????

I work full-time as a secretary, sort of. I do alot more than that...I am in construction, so many times I'm a project manager, collections agent, and I am without a doubt the "office Mom". I clean up everyone's mess, remind people of appointments, etc. I was due for a raise in September, and my boss finally got around to discussing it in late October. I told him what I wanted (not nearly enough, but times are hard, and I'm not greedy), and he said he'd get back to me. He never did.

The boss, one of the guys, and I were talking about finances on Friday, and my boss said something to the effect that "he was the only one making concessions", due to the economy. He jokingly asked if anyone wanted to give back some money. I said I was willing to forego my raise....then said, "Oh yeah, I already did." Semi-joking, as it's been quite some time. He told me that "I would be taken care of". Later, the accountant asked about the discussion re money, and advised me that I had been given a raise. It was not even HALF of what I discussed with my boss MONTHS ago, and nowhere near what I should be paid. I am actually offended. I am paid less than 1/4 of what most of "the guys" receive. I realize that I'm not a UNION person, but geez!!

Today, my MIL is coming over. DH doesn't lift a finger re housework typically, but you would think, since HIS mom is coming over, he would help out at least a bit. I've been cleaning since around 8am, but has he helped? NOOOOOOOO.... He's watching TV, playing with his phone, etc. I didn't plan to cook a big breakfast, since I am very busy trying to get the (admittedly) messy house in order, so he grudgingly agreed to make breakfast. I guess that's my help for the day...week...whatever.

My son does the cleaning for my office every two weeks, and of course today is cleaning day. I help him...it's kind of a bonding thing for us, as well as just a way for him to earn gas money and etc. So DH knows that I'll be working for several hours at the office, as well as all day at home. But apparently I still don't get any help.

I love DH, but you know what? I am not the only one responsible for this house. I'm REALLY fed up. I make his breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day, as well as work full-time, and TRY to keep up with the house as best I can. I CAN'T DO IT ALL.

Okay...vent over. Thanks for reading this far.

Comments

devilwoman's picture

Oh, and to add:

If I say anything to DH regarding helping out, it will cause a big argument, which will ruin the already almost ruined day.

MsPerception's picture

I would just leave the house a mess for him to of course blame on you for not cleaning. I can tell you when my 18yr (if) he gets married and this situation happens I will so be on him because he was raised and taught better and thats that. Fend for yourself and your son-dinner, laundry things like that and let him figure it out.

**I only have one shot at a truly great life and not one spent waiting for a man to notice me, want me, love me and be true to only me. 2010 is the year of "me" **

winehead's picture

Goforit's right. Women frequently don't stand up for themselves, at work or at home. Partly that's cultural dating back to caveman days -- women are helpers, don't make waves, responsible for family functioning, need to be needed. We also allow it by being passive. Study after study shows that women have more responsibility for household tasks than men. That's nuts. If two adults share a home, two adults need to share the work in maintaining it.

I swear one of the reasons I divorced my ex was because I would spend the time organizing our family calendar, give him a copy, post it on the fridge and he'd still not look at it or remember without me reminding him. Uhm, I'm not everybody's mom.

It sucks to be taken for granted but it'll never stop until you stop it. You may need to find a quiet time where you can talk about this rationally. Know ahead of time what you are and are not willing to compromise about, and even if he does flip put him on notice that you will not do xyz. Then stick to it. Your feelings and time are just as important as his, and I bet you feel a great deal of inner strength when you stand up for yourself. If you don't take care of you, nobody will.

devilwoman's picture

You're right, of course. Unfortunately, we've had "the talk" before. He admits that he should do more around the house, then he vacuums (or whatever) with the sad puppy look on his face, and it's right back to the same in about a day.

He actually laid on the sofa eating potato chips this morning, watching me work. How I managed NOT to kill him is a mystery AND a miracle.

MIL will be here in about 15 minutes, I absolutely SMELL, due to cleaning all day...and HE just ran into the shower. Yeah, I guess he needs one, after a hard day of doing nothing.