I think as GSM said, more information is needed.
Sometimes it’s just the small things that press the bruise isn’t it? 😢
My husband and I both have children from previous relationships. He has 3 grandchildren which we see occasionally and my daughter had just had her first child, my first grandchild.
I retired early from my job 2 years ago and we have been working together for 2 years full time renovating properties.
I want to look after my grandchild once a week but he says this will affect our work and is not happy for me to do it despite me saying i will work an extra day at the weekend.
If I spend more than a few hours a week with my grandchild he says my life revolves around her but I just want to be close to her and want to help my daughter get back to work without it costing a fortune in childcare.
I don't want to have to choose between them but I'm feeling like it may come to that.
I think as GSM said, more information is needed.
Yes your husband is jealous. Time is fleeting. My GDS are growing up now but I so remember the time when they were babies. .Don't give it up
Sometimes in life we can’t always get what we want it’s something your DH should consider. He can’t always have his own way and can’t make all the decisions work wise or family wise. It’s your family and it’s your new GC so if you want to take one day off do so.
This working arrangement with your DH should be flexible according to your priorities. Family priority might not be top of your DH list but it is to you and so it should be especially now as you are a new gran.
Your DH is being rather selfish jealous and controlling you really do need to be determined and yes stand your ground. A days break from this working partnership may be good for you all round.
Curlywhirly
You have offered a compromise (working a day at weekend) so he really doesn't have a leg to stand on. Stick to your guns, and enjoy looking after your grandchild. You are not being unreasonable, he is.
That isn’t a compromise. It’s working on a day he could reasonably expect to be spent doing whatever they usually do on weekends.
Just explain to him how much it means to you. It's only natural to want to be involved in your beloved grandchild's life, and one day a week is very manageable. If you were very much older or unfit, I would be hesitant, but as you blessed with the capability of being able to help out, just do it. Your husband will come round, in time, especially when he realises the happiness you gain from helping your daughter.
You can’t say it’s ‘very manageable’ without knowing the details of OP’s commitment to their business and other details of their lives.
I don’t think it’s a compromise either. It’s just as much the OP saying I want it this way as it is her husband saying well I want it this way.
I think the fact that it’s a grandchild is stopping people from seeing that this is something where both parties need to listen to the other’s reasons and try to understand why they see it the way they do.
Lathyrus
I don’t think it’s a compromise either. It’s just as much the OP saying I want it this way as it is her husband saying well I want it this way.
I think the fact that it’s a grandchild is stopping people from seeing that this is something where both parties need to listen to the other’s reasons and try to understand why they see it the way they do.
Lathyrus I don’t think it’s a compromise either. It’s just as much the OP saying I want it this way as it is her husband saying well I want it this way.
It doesn't seem a compromise at all, to me. OP expresses her own wishes, gave no rational idea as to how business would manage.
I fall back on the premise that a owned business is hard work and everyone must do what is necessary to keep profits.
Compromise means each side makes concessions, I believe.
You say that you only see his GC occasionally which might mean he just isn't interested in any of them including yours. If you have retired with a pension is it important that you continue working 5 days a week? If this isn't about finances you might have problems with jealousy.. I wish you all the best
How is it not a compromise? The OP offered to do extra hours at the weekend to make up for any lost time. I wasn't aware that marriage came with binding 'obligations'...
And yes, I do understand the nature of running a business together, as my husband runs his own business. But surely at the end of the day, family comes first. I get the feeling from the OP that her husband just doesn't want her taking time away from him to look after HER grandchild - ie, not his.
Initially my thought was he’s being unreasonable, having reread your OP I feel this issue is about your relationship and relationships with your adult children.
You need to sit down, calmly, and review your expectations of each other in these new circumstances. It sounds as though he expects to be less involved with his adult children/their families, than you do.
Best of luck reviewing together
Tell him to get over himself and stop behaving like a spoiled brat.
We are in second relationships and have AC and GC from previous marriages - we have always said "family first" above all else and my OH would never make me choose.
I had the very same situation years ago and I dug my heels in, at first I was flabbergasted at the words leaving his mouth then I came to the realisation that the core problem was jealousy.
So for the past 2 years you have worked together renovating properties, ok, that's good that you have worked together but now things have changed, you rightly so want to be a grandma and be part of your grandchild's life, what is wrong with that? Nothing is wrong with that, from what you have said it seems to point to throwing toys out of the pram and its extremely unfair to create this situation that you are now in.
I'm all for talking things through and working out a compromise but it seems despite you trying to do that, its to no avail, well wouldn't budge an inch, it's him who is being childish and jealous. Your relationship with your granddaughter is very precious and most certainly not up for negotiating anymore.
He sounds a tad controlling and jealous. I wouldn’t be happy with his attitude.
Nothing wrong with wanting to be a Grandma and wanting to spend time with your grandchild.
Quite a lot wrong with changing working hours without taking into account the impact it will have on the business.
He’s said it will affect the work. So maybe he’s not jealous controlling or childish. Maybe he’s the one that’s actually being the grownup and looking at the viability of the business and the consequences for their finances.
I can think of quite a lot of ways in which the absence of one key partner in a business during the working week could have a major impact. Especially in renovating where suppliers have to be chased up or a task has to be completed against the clock because a tradesman is booked in.
The has made her case sound very simple. I doubt it is.
One day a week!!!
Babies are very soon toddlers, toddlers are soon at school, school bring teenagers, then they are gone
Don’t miss that …one day a week
my seven are all grown and flown and I m thankful for every time I put something on hold to help with one or other of them I still have a lovely relationship with them but don’t often see them now Treasure every hour or day
Or maybe he's just using that as an excuse to get his own way?
Blondiescot
Or maybe he's just using that as an excuse to get his own way?
Yes maybe. We can’t tell from the information the OPs given us which one of them is being the determined to have their own way regardless.
A selfish jealous man who wants his wife all to himself a as nd to control her.
A selfish, thoughtless woman who puts her own emotional wants above the needs of her partner and their financial security.
Like one of those optical illusions…..
Lathyrus
Nothing wrong with wanting to be a Grandma and wanting to spend time with your grandchild.
Quite a lot wrong with changing working hours without taking into account the impact it will have on the business.
He’s said it will affect the work. So maybe he’s not jealous controlling or childish. Maybe he’s the one that’s actually being the grownup and looking at the viability of the business and the consequences for their finances.
I can think of quite a lot of ways in which the absence of one key partner in a business during the working week could have a major impact. Especially in renovating where suppliers have to be chased up or a task has to be completed against the clock because a tradesman is booked in.
The has made her case sound very simple. I doubt it is.
Absolutely. So many posters seem to have no grasp of the financial realities.
Thank you for all your comments.
Just to clarify and add some detail, my husband was already running his business before I retired. When I retired I offered to help out as I had no other commitments.
I have a pension and receive no salary from his company.
Su51nan
Thank you for all your comments.
Just to clarify and add some detail, my husband was already running his business before I retired. When I retired I offered to help out as I had no other commitments.
I have a pension and receive no salary from his company.
Well then, go babysit! Live your best life
Op
So what is your role in the company?
How much does this babycare impact it?
Su51nan
Thank you for all your comments.
Just to clarify and add some detail, my husband was already running his business before I retired. When I retired I offered to help out as I had no other commitments.
I have a pension and receive no salary from his company.
Well that makes all the difference then. Go ahead and do what you want.
Off you go and enjoy your grandchild.
That’s not exactly how you described things is it? However regardless of whether you draw a salary you work full time in the business and therefore have a significant input. Presumably you benefit when a renovated property is sold? Partners in a business have an obligation and can’t just dip in and out as suits them.
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