My husband only ever thinks of himself. He eats everything, sometimes not even leaving any for our child.
James, where have the bananas gone? I say to my husband.
I ate them. I fancied them, he replies.
Couldnt you have left at least one for our sons afternoon snack?
Oh, dont make a fuss. Its not like they dont sell bananas in the shops.
Then go and get some more, will you?
I cant, Ive got the football match on. How can I go now?
This is always the way in our family: cottage cheese, biscuits, apples. I have to hide food at times, or else my boy might go hungry with a father like that.
Weve been married for five years. Our son will turn two soon. With a mortgage to pay, money is a little tight. My husband thinks of himself as the main provider since he put a roof over our heads. In reality, he managed a deposit by selling his old studio flat, and my parents helped a fair bit too. My mum thinks James is terribly selfish, and to be honest, I cant completely disagree.
One time, we were getting things ready for a birthday party. I was busy cooking for the guests, but James was always under my feet, clearing away plates before anyone else got a look-in. Worst of all, he even got into the birthday cake. Id left it out on the balcony, since there wasnt any space in the fridge. When I brought it in to cut up, I found that a good slice of the beautifully decorated chocolate cake had disappeared. Imagine how embarrassed I was!
This is what he always does. Yes, he earns money, but surely it wouldnt hurt to think about someone else now and then. He always gives the same excuse: Well just buy more, dont worry! Fine, perhaps he doesnt care about mebut how can he not care about his own child? Especially when every pound counts, and Im relying on what we have. We go through enough food in a week to last most families a month.
Why do you nag him so much? Hes a man, let him eat. He brings money in. If youre so bothered, just cook more, his mother says in his defence.
But it doesnt seem to matter how much I cook; itll never be enough for him. Hell eat it all. And I cant just buy moretheres the mortgage to pay, clothes to buy, the endless household bits and bobs.
In the end, I told my husband that if he did this again, Id file for divorce. Wed split the house and get on with our lives separately. He was offended and ran to complain to his mother. Now, she wont even speak to me. But honestly, I think Im in the right. What do you think?
Sometimes, people forget that a family isnt just a roof and a mealits the care and consideration for one another that truly makes a home.
