Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband 'needs'

264 replies

NeedyOne · 03/07/2024 04:13

An argument with DH about his needs not being met, the usual needs men demand. Sex.
I've said before that if you ignore me all day, speak to me about only sex and make lewd remarks it's not attractive and I'm not interested if there's been no connection. His reply is that it's apparently all about me, my needs are always first and his never matter.

I asked today after he had a 2 day sulk, was he going to talk to me as this behaviour is passive aggressive and controlling. He refused to engage. I asked why he thinks it's ok to demand his needs are met but I'm apparently unreasonable to ask for him to spend time with me.

His reply was, that is my need, (time together) and that he shouldn't have to do it if his needs aren't being met.
I had to clarify a few times as surely he couldn't be saying time spent with your wife, watching a movie or whatever (he never arranges anything) is apparently a need and he doesn't and won't be engaging in it as he's not having sex.

This can not be real? Do men equate the two as equal.
Add in the fact we have small children that crawl over me before bed and I do all the household labour and childcare.

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 03/07/2024 05:09

Can't remember who said that women aren't slot machines that you put kindness tokens in until sex comes out but it's true. He clearly feels entitled to sex and the sulking is coercive behaviour designed to make you agree, it's toxic.

GaryLurcher19 · 03/07/2024 05:06

It sounds like an unhealthy relationship. Your partner sees everything as transactional. That's a bad sign. But even worse, he sees himself as gangster boss negotiating deals.

If I were you, OP, I'd scarper.

Powderblue1 · 03/07/2024 05:06

Sorry OP that sounds easily to love with.

I actually read something recently about for women, 'fore play' is actually what happens all day leading up to it. Like have we had a good morning kiss and cuddle, have we been listened to, have we felt connected basically. I did speak to my husband about this as it resonated with me and he's definitely been trying more on that front.

You're right, sex shouldn't be transactional.

Aussieland · 03/07/2024 04:58

You are right. Although I guess in his eyes sex should be something you want to do too rather than a “reward for good behaviour”. I am totally in your camp but I can see how he might feel that way.

Guavafish1 · 03/07/2024 04:58

Your wasting you life.
There no love or respect

He has changed the terms and conditions of your relationship

Applepencilplant · 03/07/2024 04:53

Nothing as hot as a sulking man!
FFS
Sorry you're going through this. You shouldn't need to explain it to him. Where do they get this idea their 'needs' need to be met?!?!
Do they have a secret group chat we know nothing of?
If he can't understand you need something more than this then there isn't much hope.

You deserve a man who wants to spend time with you and whose foreplay isn't 'spread em'.

VotesAndGoats · 03/07/2024 04:50

NeedyOne · 03/07/2024 04:17

And as I wrote this, it dawned on me, I wonder if he's thinking about the God awful love language crap, so he's a 'physical touch' or as men think... sex love language and I'm clearly 'time spent' in his eyes, so he's just gone with that and decided she gets no time spent as my physical touch (sex) isn't met.

An admiral effort to downplay his misogyny.

No.

He's not being realistic about life with young kids though.

The only viable way forward is for him to accept he's a bit of a knob currently and for him to communicate like a grown up.

MissingMoominMamma · 03/07/2024 04:38

You can only have sex with someone you find attractive, and there is fuck all attractive about someone who sulks.

This will only get worse.

Aquamarine1029 · 03/07/2024 04:36

You deserve to have a partner who values you. Don't settle for less.

NeedyOne · 03/07/2024 04:26

Aquamarine1029 · 03/07/2024 04:22

Stop wasting your time trying to figure him out. You've wasted enough time already.

Yeah you're right.
There's nothing to figure out.
It's so depressing.
He'll be ok for a few days then sulk
It's awful to live in

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 03/07/2024 04:22

Stop wasting your time trying to figure him out. You've wasted enough time already.

NeedyOne · 03/07/2024 04:21

Aquamarine1029 · 03/07/2024 04:15

Get divorced. As soon as humanly possible. Your husband is a fucking pig and useless idiot.

He says I'm self centred and selfish

I just assumed you'd want to spend time with your wife, not that it was transactional

OP posts:
NeedyOne · 03/07/2024 04:17

And as I wrote this, it dawned on me, I wonder if he's thinking about the God awful love language crap, so he's a 'physical touch' or as men think... sex love language and I'm clearly 'time spent' in his eyes, so he's just gone with that and decided she gets no time spent as my physical touch (sex) isn't met.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 03/07/2024 04:15

Get divorced. As soon as humanly possible. Your husband is a fucking pig and useless idiot.

Swipe left for the next trending thread