When my husband, Eric, suggested we have a third child, I realized something had to give. I wasn’t willing to shoulder more responsibilities while he acted like a king in his castle. After telling him exactly how I felt, he kicked me out — but not before I made sure the situation worked in my favor.

Eric (43) and I (32) have been married for 12 years, and we have two kids together: Lily, 10, and Brandon, 5.

Recently, Eric started pushing for a third child, which left me feeling completely overwhelmed. While I adore my children and had always envisioned having a large family, the reality of our lives is exhausting. I’m the one who handles everything—cooking, cleaning, childcare, and working part-time from home.

Eric’s role as the “provider” stops at earning money. He’s never changed a diaper, never done nighttime feedings, and never taken the kids to the doctor. It’s all on me. The idea of going through another pregnancy and raising another child essentially alone was unbearable.

Last night, after yet another one of his monologues about how great of a provider he is and why we “should” expand our family, I finally lost it.

“We have a good life. I take care of you and the kids. Why not have another?” he said casually as we were getting ready for bed.

I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Eric, you don’t take care of me—or the kids. You hardly even know them,” I snapped.

He looked at me, stunned and silent.

“You’re not the amazing dad you think you are,” I continued. “And I have no desire to be a single mom to three kids. Two is already hard enough.”

His jaw clenched, but instead of responding, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.