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When you have a family, it\u2019s often the case that time off work doesn\u2019t leave much time for relaxation.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why this man decided to keep his annual leave secret from his wife \u2013 a plan that backfired and has caused a rift in his relationship.<\/p>\n
Posting to Reddit, the man explained he had been working overtime to accrue more holiday, and with a \u2018major certificate test\u2019 coming up, he took a week off work to prepare for the exam.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u00a0didn\u2019t tell my wife, because I knew she would start asking me to do other stuff, go places, etc.\u2019 he said in the post.<\/p>\n
\u2018Despite my intention for the time off being academically based, I do have kids and I know I cannot study for 12 hours a day, so I would break it up every few hours and do some stuff with them.\u2019<\/p>\n
According to the man, the first day of his hush-hush holiday was \u2018fine\u2019 because his wife was working and the kids were out of the house, meaning he was able to complete almost two weeks\u2019 worth of revision in a single day.<\/p>\n
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By day two, however, he was unable to keep up the pretence of working from home.<\/p>\n
The man said: \u2018My wife starts doing the, \u201cyou cannot stop studying to play with your son?\u201d, \u201che wants to go outside, can you take him?\u201d <\/p>\n
\u2018I told her: \u201cThis is why I didn\u2019t mention having paid time off. Because from your perspective I am still working<\/em>, yet you aren\u2019t going to take it that way.\u201d\u2018<\/p>\n His wife called him an a**hole for lying to her, to which he replied: \u2018Maybe I am, but I know my wife. She gets on me to do extra stuff while i\u2019m working from home, so if I\u2019m not \u201cworking\u201d but still studying I knew she would push it even more.\u2019<\/p>\n He went on to say that even though his wife wanted him to pass his test, she has a tendency to \u2018get in the way of\u2019 his studying while in the house. <\/p>\n As a result he was frustrated and lied, but sought perspectives on whether he was in the wrong for doing so.<\/p>\n Redditors\u2019 responses were mixed, with some arguing he should do more in the home and others saying his wife should expect less of him.<\/p>\n One said: \u2018When you\u2019re married and have children you always have to tell your partner as a courtesy when you take time off, especially a whole week. You\u2019re married, you communicate.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s a father. His child should be his priority,\u2019 commented another. \u2018Unless his wife is at stay-at-home mum, she does not magically have more time. The text indicates she works \u2013 so there are working parents but only one of them has time for the kids?\u2019<\/p>\n A third added: \u2018He finished most of his studying in a day, had the rest of the week off and still<\/em> said no to spending time with his son on the second day. That\u2019s screwed up. No way his wife would get away with that kind of behaviour.\u2019<\/p>\n On the flip-side, one person said: \u2018Your wife should be understanding of the fact that your certifications increase your marketability and salary so she should really want you to pass those!\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Unfortunately, you are in a no-win situation,\u2019 said another. \u2018Your wife wants you to pass the exam but then throws roadblocks in the way of your preparing for it.<\/p>\n \u2018I can completely understand why you didn\u2019t tell her, and her reaction proves you were right.\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s a tough situation, but it\u2019s possible the husband\u2019s definition of \u2018extra\u2019 work around the house isn\u2019t exactly accurate. <\/p>\n Research shows women take on 40% more unpaid labour in the home, from childcare to cleaning, alongside spending almost twice as much time on parenting than their male partners.<\/p>\n The work of women with full-time jobs is also seen as less of a priority, meaning their careers take a back seat to family matters far more often than with men. <\/p>\n It\u2019s a tough issue, but one that\u2019s likely made worse by dishonesty and resentment.<\/p>\n