I assume you are talking to me since I am the only one in this thread the comments apply to. You have no ideal how my household runs so let me school you on why I deserve to be respected as a human being despite the fact that my main job is not to provide income.
My husband receives 3 homecooked meals a day. Not junk food, not fast food, not cereal but homecooked meals for my husband and kids. Secondly I handle everything related to kids appointments, scheduling maintenance for the house, personal errands, plan all vacations, personal events, etc.
My husbands job is to go to work and not worry about a thing except advancing and loving our family.
Also, out kids are homeschooled. So that means I have to teach, plan curriculum, drive here and there to activities, plan when we go to homeschool conferences, etc. My husband does not trust babysitters unless it is a family member so there are few breaks for me.
Finally, I run a business from my home. And no, that money does not get spent. Unless there is an emergency like when all of our pipes burst and the bathroom flooded. Then that's what my money is for.....emergencies and whatever else I may want. But it is mainly to be saved.
So yes I do feel "entitled" to be treated with respect. I am equal to my husband but I am not the same. His job is to provide income and protection. My job is to manage the household and educate the children. We are both responsible for the well being of our children and this household. And he is responsible for making sure that I am okay financially no matter what between the two of us. He does not have the option to use up my services and then decide to no longer worry about if I will be able to live okay. This agreement is for life.
Do you have any questions?
You are fulfilling your role as a stay at home mom entirely then. And you seem to have that worked out respectfully.
So my comments wouldn't apply to you. If you weren't doing all of the patriarchal duties then that would be a different story.
You also don't sound like you are separated, or in a situation where child support applies.
My comments are geared towards two parents with split custody each working a day job. If we each have separate houses, heating, cars and insurances to pay for, and see the child on equal terms, and make similar money, then we should be splitting child care costs 50/50.
The fact that you are both willingly in this agreement already, and Im assuming have been for a certain period of time, would play into a court decision in your favor.
I just think if you are also making income, then your money should either be saved for the family, or also used for the child. Not just some personal expense account because your husband is a provider. God forbid he lost his job, got injured, sick etc.
If he died, and life insurance ran out would you be able to support your family the same way as you do now? Or are you entirely reliant on his income? I mean maybe you aren't I don't know.
And I was a stay at home dad for an entire year to help avoid daycare costs where I live for my family. So I know all about making the meals, cleaning the house, caring for a child, doing laundry and handling the day to day stuff of raising a child virtually by yourself.
I've also been the provider working making the main source of income. So I see both sides of the fence. When I was a stay at home dad however every cent I made on my own went towards my son. Diapers, wipes, food, etc. And I never once asked my girl to buy me something personal. I never got to save my money to use on myself, nor would I have considered it. In fact I would watch my son all day until my girl got home from work, and go to my own job at nights.
But I have nothing against a stay at home mom that actually works hard all day to take care of her family. You're arrangement is actually an ideal one. However there are a lot of women out there that use their child support as an excuse to have a free ride financially though. If you split from your man it is not his job to take care of ALL of YOUR financial needs. It may be his job to help. But if he left you, he should not have to pay 100% of your rent for life, 100% of your food for life, 100% of your clothes for life, 100% of your bills for life. At some point you would have to pick up part of the tab. Just my opinion though, don't take it too personally.
I mean my girl left for no reason other than she wanted to start seeing other people. We grew apart. Currently she is living with her parents and has essentially threatened to extort me so she can get an apartment without using her own money. She actually said this "i'll just make you pay for my own place" So because she voluntarily left to no fault of my own beyond her personal preference it is now my sole job to pay for two residences? Helping her, yes, paying for her entire life, no. If my son needs clothes food, diapers, supplies, or she needs gas or help on a bill I'll pay. But she has a job too, so I should not be expected to pay for EVERYTHING.
Also if you're husband makes most of the money, pays most of the bills with a solid income, owns the house, and can afford day care and to support the child financially by himself. Then if you did do a custody battle for some reason, wouldn't he technically be more fit to have primary custody? Or does your gender somehow give you a benefit in this decision?
Edit: also do you have a problem with role reversal?
Is it an issue if the mother provides financially and the father is the caregiver? Is it somehow shameful if the mother has a stronger financial career and the father takes on patriarchal duties? and if so is the father entitled to the same lifetime financial security you expect? Or does it suddenly not apply because of gender biases?