When you are sole breadwinner of the family, you can't your life for granted and put your loved ones in the situation of a financial bind. (optinsure.com)
That decision was, in fact, one I had to make — I went from major breadwinner to sole breadwinner in my household at that time. (canadianbusiness.com)
And when you mention he gets to «swan off to work», don't you mean he reluctantly drags himself out of bed in his role as sole breadwinner? (housegoeshome.com)