Spouse works in the medical field and has a skillset that is highly in demand. The problem? She gets involved in issues that don't involve her. This has happened again resulting in her being terminated. 2 years ago she started a job, worked 4 days and was canned for causing ill will in the unit. Several years before that she decided to stick up for a coworker who was canned for not doing her job (paperwork was 3 months behind, she was late, etc) and asked to resign. I sense a trend.
I was traveling last week (I do a lot of single day trips for work) when she told me about this recent firing. I asked her what happened, she said that she was ready for a change and that it was meant to happen. I asked her what her plans were for the future. "Oh, I was so overworked that I thought I'd take a couple of months off for myself". Huh? It was a one day/week job that she said was easy.
We worked on a budget this morning and I asked her what her plans were. She mentioned the summer off to rest, garden and relax. Fine, I said, but we're going to have to make some cuts. No trip out west to visit your sister and no vacations (her income pays for our daughter's tuition and stuff like trips). I axed a few items out of the budget and all seemed ok. I went back to my normal Saturday routine (lots of naps, I usually work 5 14hr days).
After I fed my daughter and made something for dinner I went back to bed. When I woke up I walked into the kitchen and heard her say "well, if he's not going to do more, he's out of here, I'm not taking this crap". I got some water and went into the other room. When the call ended I asked her what was wrong, she seemed upset. Her friend suggested that I take on another job. Huh? When? That failing I should demand a much higher salary (I got a 20% increase last year, I'm maxed out). I'm looking for work but we live in a small town (30k) and IT jobs here aren't paying six figures. I do love what I do.
I'm confused. I do the best I can to support us and we do ok. 2 decent cars, a nice home, good school for our daughter and we really don't want for anything. I make a nice salary that is higher that most of the people I know. It's busy work but I love it (ok, the travel I hate but there isn't much I can do there). I've applied for jobs elsewhere but she never likes the cities there in, as a matter of fact she wants to move to a smaller town that is 3 hours west of here. I have the chance to work in Iraq but I'd rather not risk that one. Been there, done that.
We talked more, I told her my feelings on this but she's very PO'd now. I was too tired to argue and let it pass when she talked about how much her ex BF made (class act that one, he hit her several times before she had enough). Her sister has even mentioned to her about her constant talk of money.
How would you deal with this?
For the most part I love her but I don't understand this behavior.