My Mom Discovered How My Wife Was Treating Me Like a Housekeeper — She Made Her Regret It

My Mother Found Out My Wife Had Been Treating Me like a Housekeeper Since I Work from Home and Made Her Regret It

I never imagined becoming my wife’s full-time servant by working from home. I managed a job, childcare, and housework for three years until my mother took over, and things shifted in unexpected ways.

I mumbled as I was washing dishes and responding to emails, “I never imagined working from home would turn me into Ruby’s full-time servant.”

This is not how it was intended to be. Everything appeared to be equally divided between us once we were married. However, things have changed now that she has the twins and a job.

Three years ago, Ruby gave birth to our twin boys. Eager to continue advancing her career, she took two months off before going back to work. At first, it made sense. I took up daycare because Ruby’s job was demanding and I could work from home.

I had reassured myself, “I can handle this,” “It’s temporary, and Ruby will help once things settle down.”

However, nothing became stable.

I did more than merely watch the kids during those first few months. I cleaned up messes, changed diapers, and fed them. After returning home, Ruby would collapse on the couch after dropping her luggage by the door.

“I’m beat,” she would rely on. “Can you handle dinner?”

“Sure,” I’d reply, balancing cooking and the boys. I thought, why not, even though it wasn’t ideal? I had already arrived home, and she was exhausted from work.

But as time went on, I realized Ruby wasn’t simply worn out. It was as if she thought everything would be done at home. I was now more than simply a father; I was also the one who did errands, cooked, and cleaned.

She would say, “Can you pick up my dry cleaning?” before leaving.

“Did you start the laundry?” While at work, she would say this on the phone.

I thought, “Finally, I’ll get a break,” when the boys finally entered kindergarten. However, Ruby continued to believe that I was in charge of everything at home. The fact that I had a full-time job didn’t matter.

I mentioned it one night.

I said, “Ruby,” as I sat beside her after the children had gone to bed. “I believe we should more effectively split up the chores. I can’t do anything by myself because I work too.”

She frowned a little as she raised her head from her phone. She remarked, “But you’re home all day,” “You have time to do these things.”

A twinge of frustration pricked me. “I’m working, too,” I responded, attempting to seem composed. “Just being at home isn’t enough. I need assistance.

Ruby rubbed her temples and moaned. “When I go home, I’m worn out. My work drains me of all energy. Can’t you just continue to handle it for the time being?”

I refrained from arguing. I gave it up. But I was furious within. How could she fail to notice that I was tired too? I kept up with the duties because I didn’t want to live in an untidy house, but it was getting to me.

The housework wasn’t the only thing. My pals were missed. It had been months since my last outing. When I wasn’t working, I was taking care of the kids or cleaning. Ruby didn’t seem to notice that my life was getting smaller.

When my mother unexpectedly stopped by one afternoon, that was the tipping moment. She had prepared lasagna and thought I might enjoy some, but she never came during the week.

I was trying to respond to a business email, folding laundry, and preparing dinner when she entered the house. Her eyes narrowed as she observed me for a while.

“What on earth are you doing?” she said in a startled tone.

“Just the usual,” I said, attempting to lighten my expression. Cleaning, cooking, and working. as usual.

Mom looked at me while setting the lasagna on the counter. “Do you do this all the time?”

I gave a nod. “Yes. I take care of the majority of the household chores because Ruby is quite busy at work.

She knitted her brow. “This is incorrect. You’re also employed. You shouldn’t take on too much.

I shrugged as a knot started to grow in my throat. “Mom, I don’t mind. But it’s becoming difficult. It’s been months since I last saw my friends. I’m worn out.”

Mom’s face shifted. Her eyes were suddenly filled with fire. “This is excessive. I am fully aware of what must be done.

She had already reached for her phone before I could reply.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

“You’ll see,” she stated firmly.

Ruby contacted me at work the following day. Anger was trembling in her voice.

“How could you harm me like this? I have appointments for a manicure, yoga, and waxing.

Uncertain of what was going on, I blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“My weekend! I’m on my own with the kids, your mother stated when she unexpectedly showed up this morning. You needed a break, she remarked.

I went cold. Mom hadn’t told anyone about her idea. “Wait, she what?”

Ruby yelled, “She’s taking you to a spa with your friends for the weekend,”. “I don’t have time for this, and now she’s left me with everything!”

Her voice carried a hint of irritation, but beneath it came something more akin to panic.

A rustling sound came from the other end of the telephone before I could reply. My mother’s words then broke through.

An irate senior citizen using her phone | Source: Pexels

Mom responded, “Ruby, you’ve been taking advantage of him for too long,” in a firm but composed tone. “What makes you believe that your time is worth more than his? Like you, he works full-time. Nevertheless, he does every household task. That’s over now.

A pause occurred. At first, Ruby didn’t respond. I could see her standing there, speechless, unsure of how to react.

“Mom—” She interrupted me before I could finish.

“Son, don’t worry. Her tone softened for me as she said, “I’ve got this.” “You’re going to that spa, and Ruby’s going to see what it’s like to handle everything herself for a change.”

“But… I didn’t realize…” stumbled Ruby.

Mom stopped her in her tracks. “All right, you will. Ruby, enjoy yourself with the children. It is time for you to spend some time with them.

The call ended there. With my phone in hand, I stood there feeling both relieved and incredulous. I felt really noticed for the first time in years. Mom realized that I was more than just the unseen assistant in the backdrop. She was advocating for me.

Everything I wanted and more was provided by the spa weekend. I wasn’t worrying about cooking, cleaning, or if the kids wanted a snack for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. I wasn’t concerned about juggling work and housework. I was simply me.

I became aware of how exhausted I had been as I sat in the hot tub in the quiet.

I mumbled as I sank down into the warm water, “I didn’t realize how much weight I was carrying until I felt it lifted,” For the first time in years, I felt at ease as the tension in my back and shoulders began to release.

Ruby, meanwhile, was experiencing some of what I had been going through at home. She was in charge of the children as soon as she woke up. She was suddenly responsible for everything: cleaning, laundry, school drop-offs, and breakfast.

On Saturday night, I came home to find Ruby waiting for me at the door. She had heavy circles under her eyes and her hair pulled back in an untidy bun. She came running over to me and put her arms over my neck.

“I’m so sorry,” she said in a crackly whisper. “Until I handled everything myself, I had no idea how much you were handling. It was really overwhelming.

The weight of her words weighed heavily on me as I held her for a moment. Softly, “It’s okay,” I said. But we must work together to accomplish this. I can’t continue to do everything.

She drew back to meet my gaze and nodded. “I am aware. I’ve previously discussed cutting back on my hours with my boss. I should be here with you and the guys more. I don’t want our family to disappear.

Her words soothed my weary soul like a balm. I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time. Perhaps things will change. We might be able to strike a better equilibrium.

“I’m glad,” I grinned and responded. “We’ll figure it out.”

In the ensuing weeks, things started to change. Ruby fulfilled her commitment. She began working fewer hours and contributing more at home.

It was improved, but it wasn’t flawless. Instead of living apart under one roof, I felt as though we were once again a team, working together.

I felt stronger now, both personally and in my marriage. I discovered that it was OK to request assistance and to demand respect and balance. While working on it with Ruby, I felt as though we were on the same page for the first time in years.

Like this tale?