Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Relationship advice

5 replies

Comparingapplesandoranges · 29/11/2023 05:18

Just posting for some advice about what to do next. I've been with my DW (same-sex relationship) for 16 years, have 2 children together (6 and 3), a house etc.

After having our last child, I suffered significant depression and said some very hurtful things (like I didn't love her etc) because I was struggling so much and felt like I had no support at all from her as she was so focused on work. I should have reached out for help but I didn't due to shame, guilt, fear etc and that's something I take responsibility for. I still struggle with the bond with my youngest but I'm in a much better place. I have apologised for my behaviour and hurt words and tried to get back on track.

I suspect she has ADHD so can get hyperfocused on stuff. Shes very early Meno so is also up and down a lot re mood swings.

Over the past few months I have tried to address our total lack of intimacy/affection and but always had the sense that she wasn't feeling it but kept trying.

This past week has been awful, she admitted that whilst she loves me, she isn't happy and feels awkward when I touch her, even just holding hands makes her feel uncomfortable. I've tried really hard but she keeps saying she can't forget the hurtful things I have said to her. I can understand why she feels like that, I've tried to validate her feelings and try to explain about how my mental state was but she said she can't get past it. She also blames me for having the kids as she never wanted them but went ahead with it anyway. She wants to go back to it just being us.

I'm at a loss as to what to do. I don't want to separate, I love her so much and want us to grow old together and nurture our family unit. The practicalities would be awful, we might have to sell the house and that's the last thing I would like for my children. It's their home. She keeps saying how much she wants me to be happy but being happy is being with her and the children - I find that really patronising.

We don't argue in front of them but we aren't modelling positive relationship behaviour. She shrinks from my touch and I just dont know what to do. We have booked a marriage counsellor but I feel like she has totally checked out so wonder if this is just a tactic to string everything out so she could say we tried everything. I'm anxious about the therapy but willing to try anything if it gets us back on track. I know I can't make her feel anything for me 😭

I'm just heartbroken. I can't eat or sleep for that crushing feeling in my chest

OP posts:
maybejustonemoretime · 29/11/2023 05:41

Go to relationship counselling

GarlicMaybeNot · 29/11/2023 05:55

She also blames me for having the kids as she never wanted them but went ahead with it anyway. She wants to go back to it just being us.

Bloody hell, that's a shocker. Did you know this before?

You can't send a 3 and 6 year old back for a refund, so her wish is impossible.
You can't force her to love parenting with you, so your wish is impossible.

I think you might be reaching the end of your relationship 😢 Having different versions of the same argument - which is basically about compatibility - will only make you both more miserable and resentful. Whatever the eventual outcome (things may yet change), it'll be more constructive for the pair of you to start thinking practically about how to manage a civilised split.

If you really find this impossible to countenance, can you afford a counsellor to pour your feelings out to? It should help you to be more objective when talking with your wife. Good luck Flowers

MilkChocolateCookie · 29/11/2023 06:02

This is sad to read OP. Go to relationship counselling and give it your best shot, but it sounds like it will be difficult to regain what you once had.

Comparingapplesandoranges · 29/11/2023 06:09

GarlicMaybeNot · 29/11/2023 05:55

She also blames me for having the kids as she never wanted them but went ahead with it anyway. She wants to go back to it just being us.

Bloody hell, that's a shocker. Did you know this before?

You can't send a 3 and 6 year old back for a refund, so her wish is impossible.
You can't force her to love parenting with you, so your wish is impossible.

I think you might be reaching the end of your relationship 😢 Having different versions of the same argument - which is basically about compatibility - will only make you both more miserable and resentful. Whatever the eventual outcome (things may yet change), it'll be more constructive for the pair of you to start thinking practically about how to manage a civilised split.

If you really find this impossible to countenance, can you afford a counsellor to pour your feelings out to? It should help you to be more objective when talking with your wife. Good luck Flowers

I didn't know at the time she didn't want them because she didn't say anything. I never know how to respond to that, parenting is really difficult and not every one gets the same joy out of it and that's OK. But she doesn't seem to see that.

She's more hostile towards me as each day goes on. I'm going to do the counselling and see what happens

OP posts:
FetchezLaVache · 29/11/2023 06:16

I didn't know at the time she didn't want them because she didn't say anything.

That's really shocking! It's not as if you simply stopped taking the bloody pill, is it. How utterly weird that she forgot to mention she didn't want kids. How involved was she in your treatment/pregnancies? In hindsight, did the coldness set in then?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page