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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be too exhausted by training contract to have sex

134 replies

HildegardVonBingham · 07/12/2024 15:29

Hi all

I've just started my training contract at a city firm. The firm are inexplicably making us do the SQE (famously hard exams - c.44% pass) alongside the training contract. We get a day off once a week, but realistically you have to do extra work before or after work or at the weekends.

I'm not really enjoying the work - it is a steep learning curve - and studying alongside it feels relentless. As a result I am often too tired to have sex. I would say we do it about once a week, and DP and I had a massive barney about it this morning. DP tried to initiate sex several times this week and I didn't want to because I'd had an awful week at work and massively cocked something up. DP feels unloved and rejected because I don't want to have sex, and I shouted that I feel that all I do is work, study, and go to the fucking shops of do fucking washing up. I just think it's really selfish to not understand that when I'm tired and have had a shit week the last thing I want is to have sex. DP's job is quite relaxed, and this makes me feel extra martyrly and irritable.

AIBU!!!!

OP posts:
EvelynBeatrice · 07/12/2024 19:59

Two thoughts:

  1. the lifestyle and understanding when your other half is under the cosh is why so many lawyers end up with other lawyers/ investment professionals/ big four corp financiers; despite enjoying the money (!) partners not in these kind of careers can fail to understand/ sympathise
  2. if the hours and pressure aren’t for you, you can always move on ONCE you have your qualification.

As a mum to someone your age, never let a man hold you back.

21ZIGGY · 07/12/2024 19:50

HildegardVonBingham · 07/12/2024 16:31

TBH I suspect that @PrincessofWells is right. I don't mind working long hours, but long hours plus loads of study on top of that is horrible. If I don't pass the SQE exams in my third and fourth seat I won't qualify - my career is completely done for. It's very do or die, and my partner doesn't seem to get that sort of pressure. What I really resent is that there have been periods where I've been much more interested in sex than DP, and I never behaved like this...

Do you have the lpc?

levantine · 07/12/2024 19:48

Honestly, if he is not doing half the cooking, cleaning etc, I would dump him. I don't say that flippantly, this is your life and if you stay with him it will continue to be your life. You are under stress, what is he doing to support you?

If you can't answer that question and you are looking for a life partner, then I'd move on.

Cakeandusername · 07/12/2024 19:30

How long have you been together? Honestly you’ll regret it if you prioritise a bf over qualifying.
I’d simplify your food - ready meals/meal prep service. You don’t need to be wasting time shopping and washing up.

ARealitycheck · 07/12/2024 18:56

I'd suggest a frank discussion with your partner. He isn't wrong in wanting more sex, nor are you for not.

It is often a woman will post on here that hubby has withdrawn that intimacy and she will get told to leave, get action elsewhere etc. You both need to decide is this level of intimacy good enought to keep you together.

tarheelbaby · 07/12/2024 18:53

The age-old barney: men want sex; even the most mild-mannered, seemingly lovely men are surprisingly persistent and all the more persuasive if they are otherwise lovely.

So 'man up' as the phrase goes: show the man how it's done and focus on your career. Fit your own mask first, as they say on the airplanes. Build your house, they will come knocking.

TLDR:
Mainly men just want sex. So when you're ready to tolerate one, choose a capable one. My DH was a wizard. He could DIY better than handy men and could read a spread sheet too. He could rake the garden, keeping the plants alive but loved a posh dinner, classical music concert and formal church service.

Earning your stripes now means that you can pick and choose because you are not beholden to them in any way. The best of them will relish an equal who can hold up her end.

Men still cannot imgaine women not wanting to have sex WITH THEM (and many women really don't want sex as much as men) nor can they imagine that a person would be so focused on career that sex takes a backseat - even though they do this themselves. *Consider how many men you know who have paused dating for career.

Earn your certificates (whatever they're called; you know what I mean), those at least, are dependable. Don't scupper your career on a man and then end up being ditched. This is how they've really fucked us for millenia.

When you are fully qualified and earning the big bucks, you will be highly sought after by the men who ... see above *

It sounds sexist but it's really 'pro self-ist': continue with the training, ditch the whinger, and earn the place/qualification. All men would do the same. (and they'd be shagging someone on the side who might makes all kinds of sacrifices only to be dumped at the end.

SidhuVicious · 07/12/2024 18:51

Wolframandhart · 07/12/2024 18:49

It sounds like you dont have the time for a partner who doesnt get it.

It sounds like she doesn't have time for a partner full stop. 😆

SidhuVicious · 07/12/2024 18:50

PrincessofWells · 07/12/2024 16:13

To clarify what I said - this is the life that a city lawyer has, you're always knackered, stressed, busy, working late etc. You either incorporate your relationship into that lifestyle, or long term you risk losing it.

I'm not saying anything other than that.

Having briefly been a bid manager for a mid sized firm I agree.

Wolframandhart · 07/12/2024 18:49

It sounds like you dont have the time for a partner who doesnt get it.

whatnow5 · 07/12/2024 18:46

Course not. I’m in a high pressure job, as are a lot of my friends. Sex drives and subsequently sex lives negatively correlate directly to the level of work stress you’re under. Your partner should think more about pressure he can remove from you, instead of burdening you further.

CandyMaker · 07/12/2024 18:44

Shefliesonherownwings · 07/12/2024 16:46

Pretty useless and unhelpful comment. Considering how hard it is to get TCs now, the OP is lucky to have one. I’m sure she is hoping to just get through the training in order to start on her career, so being told she chose this doesn’t help at all.

OP I’m a training principle and the SQE is rife with problems. Doing your training and studying will be so hard and exhausting. To be honest, unless you want to jack it all in and effectively jack in the career, you have to put up with the workload unless it’s really taking a physical and mental toll that’s making you ill. what does your superviser say about it all?
Once you qualify you will have so much more scope to move somewhere less pressured.

What you need is a loving supportive partner looking after you not someone throwing their toys out of their pram because you won’t put out. Get rid of the man and keep the job.

Agree with this.

Cakeandusername · 07/12/2024 18:38

I’d prioritise work and study. If they aren’t supportive they aren’t one for you. Then reassess when qualified if city law for you.
On a positive pass stats are decent if you are under 24 - 89%
SQE stats broken down by age, ethnicity etc
sqe.sra.org.uk/docs/default-source/pdfs/reports/sqe2-july-2024-statistical-report.pdf?sfvrsn=61e723ee_5

ribiera · 07/12/2024 18:35

Of course he's being awful for making you feel this way about sex but honestly OP, if you can't stand the pressure now, just please don't continue this career path. It will only get worse.

ExtraOnions · 07/12/2024 18:30

It’s not about the job, or the qualification … it’s, yet another, revolting, entitled man, who thinks sex is a right, rather than a privilege. Honestly, don’t hitch your cart to this one.

Crouton19 · 07/12/2024 18:25

Presumably you need to set aside time at the weekend to study as well? I did the GDL and LPC alongside full time work in a law firm and had to fit it all into weekends and annual leave, even with the firm paying for it (I think I got half a day off per exam). Burnout is a fact of life in a city law firm, but hang on in there and once you're qualified, you can go elsewhere.

Work out what household jobs can be shared, order groceries to be delivered, ringfence an evening or two a week for the two of you, non-negotiable. And count down the days until the exams are over...

EuclidianGeometryFan · 07/12/2024 18:16

Dump the boyfriend and concentrate 100% on your training and work.
Don't date until you are fully qualified.

Jagoda · 07/12/2024 18:04

So despite your workload you are still up for sex around once a week?

He needs to grow up or fuck off.

AdviceNeeded2024 · 07/12/2024 18:01

WasThatACorner · 07/12/2024 16:08

Sex is a great way to wind down, with someone who is supportive and pulling their weight.

Not so much with someone who is chilled waiting for you to do the shopping and chores.

👏👏

100%. Couldn’t have put it better.

MrsPinkCock · 07/12/2024 17:56

Do you have your LPC?

I am just trying to work out how you got a training contract without LPC or SQE, and why you would be asked to do the SQE if you already had LPC?!

Combattingthemoaners · 07/12/2024 17:43

Read this book - Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski. He should also read it.

Basically there is no such thing as a sex drive, only brakes and accelerators. Your brakes are on because of work stresses but his accelerators are working the same as always. Everyone saying end it because you’re not sexually matched - that is nonsense. You have to work at it the same way you work at anything in a relationship. Work out what triggers your brakes and accelerators for both of you and communicate with one another. It is all about context.

Spirallingdownwards · 07/12/2024 17:43

Seriously some of the obvious lawyers/wives of lawyers commenting simply have no idea of the realities of studying for the SQE even full time let alone alongside your actual training contract. It is just not the same as LPC or Solicitors Finals as they were back in the day. The reality is when she qualifies she will actually be in a far less stressful position as a NQ - 2 years qualified solicitor. So do stop with the nonsense if she can't cope with this how will she cope as a solicitor.

My sympathies are with you @HildegardVonBingham. Is your DH fully on board with you qualifying and is his role similar even if not the same. I am afraid to say my ex very much liked the idea of me becoming a solicitor when I was qualifying but didn't like the realities of it when in practice. Hence he is now my ex. I hope you cam find a way to ensure he is more supportive of you and you can work out how to make time for each other.

Honeycrisp · 07/12/2024 17:42

SunQueen24 · 07/12/2024 17:10

It sounds like OP is only just getting to grips with the reality of a legal career, so her OH can’t have been expected to know. My point is, if OP’s and her OH have such different values it won’t work long term.

Yep.

That said, OP clearly isn't enjoying it much either. @MummyJ36 is posting like this is someone in an established career, but that's not the case. Leaving the sex aside, it wouldn't be the first time someone had signed up for a city TC and hated it.

Mrsttcno1 · 07/12/2024 17:36

Broadly speaking I don’t think either of you are unreasonable, just perhaps not compatible. You’re not unreasonable to not have sex if you don’t want to, but equally he isn’t unreasonable to be unhappy at a relationship changing, especially if it’s going to be a long term change, and he may not want a relationship like that which is also not unreasonable.

If it’s a short term thing then I’d say he’s being unreasonable, I wouldn’t be bothered whatsoever if my husband was having a rough couple weeks at work maybe a tough case or something and for that reason wasn’t having sex etc, but if my husband never wanted to be physically intimate for months on end because of work, and the work situation wasn’t going to change, then I’d be having a think about whether that relationship is right for me.

Mill3nnial · 07/12/2024 17:35

You're busy and your DP has expectations

Obviously you don't have to do anything you don't want to do but you have a demanding job so you just have to balance it somehow

ineedtowomanup · 07/12/2024 17:35

Once a week is fine OP. Law is bloody stressful and it's only going to get worse, city firm or not. Burnout is usual

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