{"id":4675,"date":"2024-09-25T01:57:54","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T01:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/?p=4675"},"modified":"2024-09-25T01:57:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T01:57:56","slug":"my-husband-demanded-i-save-up-while-pregnant-because-i-wont-be-able-to-work-when-our-baby-arrives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/my-husband-demanded-i-save-up-while-pregnant-because-i-wont-be-able-to-work-when-our-baby-arrives\/","title":{"rendered":"My Husband Demanded I Save up While Pregnant Because I Won\u2019t Be Able to Work When Our Baby Arrives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Six months pregnant, juggling swollen feet, cravings, and a full-time job, I expected love and support. But what did I get from my dear husband? A piggy bank with a note telling me to \u201cSAVE UP\u201d for maternity leave. Guess who\u2019s about to get a rude awakening?\n\n\n\n

Pregnancy is supposed to be this magical time, right? All joy, anticipation, and that adorable baby bump glow. Well, let me tell you, it can also be when your husband suddenly forgets how to be human. I\u2019m Regina, 35, and I thought I had life figured out until my darling Dan threw me a curveball that would make a saint swear\u2026\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, babe!\u201d Dan called out as I waddled through the front door, my six-month-pregnant belly leading the way. \u201cHow was work?\u201d\n\n\n\n

I groaned, kicking off my shoes. \u201cLike being a beached whale in an office chair. But I managed.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan chuckled, his eyes falling to the shopping bag in my hand. \u201cOoh, what\u2019d you get?\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cA dress that doesn\u2019t make me feel like a sausage in casing,\u201d I replied, pulling out a flowy maternity dress. \u201cThis is so comfortable! Just what I need to squeeze my growing belly and breathe easily.\u201d\n\n\n\n

His eyebrows shot up. \u201cWhoa, big spender! Better watch that paycheck, honey.\u201d\n\n\n\n

I laughed, thinking he was joking. Oh, how wrong I was. \ud83d\ude21\n\n\n\n

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\u201cNo, seriously,\u201d he continued, his face oddly serious. \u201cYou should start saving up.\u201d\n\n\n\n

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\u201cFor what?\u201d I asked, confused. \u201cThe baby stuff? We\u2019ve been putting money aside for months, yeah?\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan shook his head, looking at me like I was missing something obvious.\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, for when you\u2019re not working after the baby comes. You\u2019ll still need to cover your half of the bills, remember?\u201d\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&us_privacy=1—&gpp_sid=-1&client=ca-pub-8932760345406231&output=html&h=327&adk=1952611928&adf=2787796368&pi=t.aa~a.3976709300~i.25~rp.4&w=393&abgtt=6&lmt=1727220944&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=7352134614&ad_type=text_image&format=393×327&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupergrate.net%2F21761%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1pIf1Djvagk0NiEdIpH_W4dVwcq9bpmrEsCyfTxYzKvyvQNxQM03uiVck_aem_XE4G57U_yQPG_q30gKJvcw&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=286&rw=343&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1727229399475&bpp=1&bdt=1487&idt=1&shv=r20240923&mjsv=m202409170101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie_enabled=1&eoidce=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C393x327%2C393x327%2C393x327&nras=5&correlator=8633079513443&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=120&u_his=1&u_h=852&u_w=393&u_ah=852&u_aw=393&u_cd=24&u_sd=3&adx=0&ady=3815&biw=393&bih=651&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759842%2C44795922%2C95332586%2C95338226%2C95338242%2C95342765%2C95335247%2C95337196%2C95339678&oid=2&pvsid=271418166208773&tmod=1460859399&uas=1&nvt=1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C393%2C0%2C393%2C651%2C393%2C651&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=4&fsb=1&dtd=4825\n\n\n\n

I blinked, certain I had misheard him. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, what?\u201d\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&us_privacy=1—&gpp_sid=-1&client=ca-pub-8932760345406231&output=html&h=327&adk=1952611928&adf=4273053703&pi=t.aa~a.3976709300~i.27~rp.4&w=393&abgtt=6&lmt=1727220944&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=7352134614&ad_type=text_image&format=393×327&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupergrate.net%2F21761%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1pIf1Djvagk0NiEdIpH_W4dVwcq9bpmrEsCyfTxYzKvyvQNxQM03uiVck_aem_XE4G57U_yQPG_q30gKJvcw&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=286&rw=343&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1727229399478&bpp=1&bdt=1490&idt=1&shv=r20240923&mjsv=m202409170101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie_enabled=1&eoidce=1&prev_fmts=0x0%2C393x327%2C393x327%2C393x327%2C393x327&nras=6&correlator=8633079513443&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=120&u_his=1&u_h=852&u_w=393&u_ah=852&u_aw=393&u_cd=24&u_sd=3&adx=0&ady=4242&biw=393&bih=651&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759842%2C44795922%2C95332586%2C95338226%2C95338242%2C95342765%2C95335247%2C95337196%2C95339678&oid=2&pvsid=271418166208773&tmod=1460859399&uas=1&nvt=1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C393%2C0%2C393%2C651%2C393%2C651&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&ifi=9&uci=a!9&btvi=5&fsb=1&dtd=4824\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, yeah,\u201d Dan said, as if explaining that water is wet. \u201cWe\u2019ve always split everything 50\/50. Why should that change just because you\u2019re having a baby? Fair and square!\u201d\n\n\n\n

I stared at him, waiting for the punchline. It never came. \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\n\n\n\n

\u201cDan,\u201d I said slowly, \u201cyou do realize I\u2019ll be recovering from pushing a tiny human out of my body, right? And then taking care of said human 24\/7? Postpartum recovery. You do get the concept, yeah?\u201d\n\n\n\n

He shrugged. \u201cYeah, but that doesn\u2019t mean our expenses will magically disappear. And I ain\u2019t gonna magically start earning twice as much. Start saving now so you won\u2019t fall behind.\u201d\n\n\n\n

I felt like I was in some bizarre alternate reality. \ud83d\ude28\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, let me get this straight. While I\u2019m on unpaid maternity leave, healing from childbirth, and taking care of our newborn, you expect me to contribute exactly the SAME as when I\u2019m working full-time?\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cExactly!\u201d Dan beamed, as if I\u2019d finally grasped some profound truth. \u201cSee? You get it!\u201d\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t get it. Not one bit. \ud83d\ude22\n\n\n\n

That night, as I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position for my ever-expanding body, I heard Dan shuffling around in the living room.\n\n\n\n

When I returned from my fifth bathroom trip of the night, I found a pink ceramic piggy bank on my nightstand with a Post-it note stuck to it.\n\n\n\n

\u201cSTART SAVING, MOMMY!\u201d it read in Dan\u2019s chicken scratch.\n\n\n\n

\u201cDan?\u201d I called out, my eyes wide with disbelief. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d\n\n\n\n

He appeared in the doorway, grinning like he\u2019d just solved world hunger. \u201cIt\u2019s for your savings, honey. You\u2019re gonna need it.\u201d\n\n\n\n

And then he laughed. Actually laughed.\n\n\n\n

I stared at the piggy bank, then at Dan, then back at the piggy bank. At that moment, I made a decision. If Dan wanted to play this game, I\u2019d play. And I\u2019d win. \ud83d\ude08\n\n\n\n

Over the next few days, I became a human calculator. Every penny spent, every minute invested in this pregnancy\u2026 I tracked it all. Dan wanted 50\/50? Oh, he\u2019d get 50\/50 alright.\n\n\n\n

I created a spreadsheet titled \u201cThe True Cost of Growing a Human\u201d and got to work. Prenatal vitamins? Check. Maternity clothes? You bet. But I didn\u2019t stop there. Oh no, I went deeper. \ud83d\ude0f\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey Dan,\u201d I called out one evening, \u201cquick question. How much would you say it costs to pee 17 times in one night?\u201d\n\n\n\n

He looked up from his phone, confused. \u201cUh, what?\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cJust estimating the water bill increase,\u201d I said sweetly. \u201cOh, and while you\u2019re at it, how much would you charge to carry around a bowling ball in your shirt all day?\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u201cRegina, what are you talking about?\u201d\n\n\n\n

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I smiled innocently. \u201cJust some pregnancy math, honey. Don\u2019t worry about it.\u201d\n\n\n\n

As the days went by, my list grew. I added everything\u2014the visible costs like doctor\u2019s appointments and the invisible ones like \u201c3 a.m. existential crisis about becoming a parent\u201d and \u201chormonal cry session over dog food commercial.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Finally, after a week of meticulous tracking, I was ready. I printed out my masterpiece\u2014a beautifully detailed invoice of pregnancy expenses.\n\n\n\n

Dan came home from work to find me sitting at the kitchen table, the invoice in front of me, and the piggy bank next to it.\n\n\n\n

\u201cHey, what\u2019s all this?\u201d he asked, setting down his briefcase.\n\n\n\n

I smiled. \u201cOh, just some light reading. Why don\u2019t you take a look?\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan sat down and picked up the paper. His eyes widened as he scanned the list.\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegina\u2026 what is this?\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat, my dear husband, is your half of the pregnancy costs,\u201d I said cheerfully. \u201cSince we\u2019re splitting everything 50\/50, as per your request.\u201d\n\n\n\n

His jaw dropped as he reached the total at the bottom. \u201cThis\u2026 this can\u2019t be right.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, it is \ud83d\ude19,\u201d I assured him. \u201cI\u2019ve been very thorough. See, there\u2019s even a line item for \u2018mental anguish caused by husband\u2019s financial demands.\u2019 That was a pricey one.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan\u2019s face cycled through an impressive range of emotions: shock, disbelief, confusion, and finally, dawning realization.\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegina, I\u2026 I didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d\n\n\n\n

I held up a hand. \u201cOh no, you were very clear. We split everything down the middle, remember? So, this is your half of the pregnancy costs so far. And don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ll keep a running tally after the baby comes too. Diaper changes at 2 a.m.? That\u2019ll be $20 each. Breastfeeding? Let\u2019s call it $50 per session. Oh, and for every stretch mark, I\u2019m charging a beauty tax.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan looked like he might faint. \u201cBut\u2026 but\u2026\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow,\u201d I continued, patting the piggy bank, \u201cI suggest you start saving up. After all, you\u2019re gonna need it.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Dan stared at the invoice, then at me, then back at the invoice. Finally, he let out a long, defeated sigh.\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been an idiot, haven\u2019t I?\u201d\n\n\n\n

I nodded sagely. \u201cThe biggest.\u201d\n\n\n\n

Then, with all the grace of a pregnant penguin, I shuffled off to our room, pausing only to pat the piggy bank mockingly. \u201cYour turn to feed the pig, Dan. And trust me, it\u2019s got quite the appetite.\u201d\n\n\n\n

But I wasn\u2019t done yet. Oh no, this was just the beginning of Dan\u2019s financial awakening. \ud83d\ude0c
Over the next few weeks, I became a pregnancy accountant extraordinaire.\n\n\n\n

Every trip to the store? Logged with military precision. New medical bills? Cha-ching, right onto Dan\u2019s tab. Those 3 a.m. wake-ups because the baby decided to practice river dancing on my bladder? You bet that made the list.\n\n\n\n

I started charging for every twinge, every waddle, and every time I had to ask Dan to tie my shoes because I couldn\u2019t see my feet anymore.\n\n\n\n

Running errands while feeling like I was carrying a bowling ball in my shirt? That came with a hefty convenience fee.\n\n\n\n

Dan\u2019s eyes grew wider with each updated total. I swear I could see his wallet wincing in his back pocket. He was racking up a debt to me faster than a shopaholic with a new credit card at a Black Friday sale.\n\n\n\n

Finally, after watching the numbers climb higher than my ever-expanding waistline, Dan cracked.\n\n\n\n

\u201cOkay, okay!\u201d he exclaimed one morning, hands raised in surrender. \u201cI get it. I really, really get it.\u201d\n\n\n\n

And just like that, the tide turned. Over the next few weeks, Dan\u2019s attitude did a complete 180. \ud83e\udd73\n\n\n\n

He started taking on more household chores, accompanying me to every doctor\u2019s appointment, and even signing us up for a couple\u2019s prenatal yoga class.\n\n\n\n

One evening, as we sat on the couch, my feet in his lap as he gave me a much-needed foot rub, Dan cleared his throat.\n\n\n\n

\u201cRegina,\u201d he began, looking sheepish, \u201cI owe you an apology. A big one.\u201d\n\n\n\n

I raised an eyebrow. \u201cI\u2019m listening.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was so focused on the finances that I completely lost sight of what\u2019s really important. You\u2019re growing our child, and instead of supporting you, I added to your stress. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d\n\n\n\n

I felt my eyes welling up (\ud83e\udd79damn pregnancy hormones).\n\n\n\n

I squeezed his hand. \u201cI want you to know that from now on, we\u2019re in this together. Completely. No more 50\/50 nonsense.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo, does this mean I can tear up the invoice?\u201d\n\n\n\n

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I nodded, a mischievous glint in my eye. \u201cOn one condition.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d\n\n\n\n

I grinned. \u201cWe get to smash that piggy bank together.\u201d\n\n\n\n

He laughed, really laughed, for the first time in weeks. \u201cDeal.\u201d\n\n\n\n

And so, with great ceremony (and maybe a little too much enthusiasm), we shattered that ceramic monstrosity into a thousand pieces. As we swept up the remnants, I couldn\u2019t help but feel like we\u2019d cleared away more than just broken pottery.\n\n\n\n

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\u201cYou know,\u201d Dan said, scooping up the last of the piggy shards, \u201cI think I learned an important lesson here.\u201d\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh yeah? What\u2019s that?\u201d\n\n\n\n

He pulled me close, his hand resting on my belly. \u201cNever underestimate a pregnant woman with Excel skills!\u201d\n\n\n\n

I let him tear up the invoice, but not before getting a firm commitment that he\u2019d step up and support the family properly when the baby came. I had him agree, in writing, to cover all our expenses while I was on maternity leave.\n\n\n\n

And that piggy bank? Well, let\u2019s just say its patched remains now serve as a reminder in our garden, a testament to the day Dan learned that in marriage, just like in parenting, it\u2019s not about keeping score. It\u2019s about being a team.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Six months pregnant, juggling swollen feet, cravings, and a full-time job, I expected love and support. But what did I get from my dear husband? […]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4675"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4675"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4676,"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4675\/revisions\/4676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/runeecho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}