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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think friend's marriage might be in trouble?

10 replies

Avocadosalt · 30/01/2014 12:12

Before I get flamed for concerning myself with someone else's marriage, I am concerned for this friend and we have a strong friendship as do our children.

Some of the things that have been cause for concern are these.

Husband does not let her get involved in finances. He runs the bank accounts and basically tells her when they afford something new for the house or new clothes for the kids. She has to ask if it's new clothes for herself or an extra purchase.

Husband often makes remarks like, why don't you have our children eating healthily like so and so does? Why don't you exercise like so and so? Unfavourable comparisons with other women, but he says it in a way that you're never sure if he's making a joke and sending up the other person.

Both husband and wife are very flirty with other couples when they are out. Some people have been offended by this in the past, but they see it as no big deal. It's just the way they have fun. I think my friend does it to turn on her husband.

When she was breast feeding through the night on demand, he would wake up and watch her, sit with her in bed. At first I thought how kind of him to keep her company, but she didn't like him doing it and wished he wouldn't.

She feels as though she's not quite good enough for him.

OP posts:
antimatter · 30/01/2014 12:14

When she was breast feeding through the night on demand, he would wake up and watch her, sit with her in bed. At first I thought how kind of him to keep her company, but she didn't like him doing it and wished he wouldn't.

does this couple talk about intimate aspects of their life, sex?

farewellfigure · 30/01/2014 12:16

Unless she has confided in you that SHE is worried her marriage is in trouble, you are jumping to massive conclusions. TBH half the stuff you've written wouldn't bother me at all and certainly wouldn't make me think their marriage is in trouble. Everyone's marriage is different. She might not be bothered by any of it. People get along differently. Just because it's not the same as your marriage doesn't mean it doesn't work. They might get on fabulously!

Avocadosalt · 30/01/2014 12:17

A little. She likes to give the impression they have a racy time. They're into sex in public places, I mean out of view but slightly risqué.

OP posts:
Avocadosalt · 30/01/2014 12:20

She hasn't said she thinks they're in trouble. She has said she wishes she was still the the sexy woman he married. She feels he is short changed because she is different after having children.

OP posts:
antimatter · 30/01/2014 12:26

because they have sex in public places doesn't equal to them being open and honest about their sexual fantasies

he seems to be enjoying control he has over her - is she complaining about it?

maybe they have arrangement where he is the dominant one in RL (don't think he is in the bedroom though and that part of their relationship was never discussed openly)

Avocadosalt · 30/01/2014 12:31

She does complain about having to run stuff by him first, practical day to day stuff. Not all the time though. Her general feeling is that he is a catch and she's lucky to have married him.

In the bedroom, she feels it's her job to turn him on and never vice versa. So her making most of the effort.

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SelectAUserName · 30/01/2014 12:31

I think it's rather inappropriate of you to give out details of your friend's private life on a public website for the purpose of asking strangers to speculate on the state of her marriage.

If you're concerned, talk to her not us. Be a kind non-judgmental friend so that if she does have difficulties, she knows she can turn to you - in confidence.

Avocadosalt · 30/01/2014 12:42

I have gently broached it but it's difficult. I think in situations like this you have to wait for someone to come to you and just let them know you're there for them in the meantime.

As for posting on MN, this is anonymous so I don't see what harm it causes.

OP posts:
SelectAUserName · 30/01/2014 12:58

It probably doesn't cause her any actual harm, although there is always the possibility of someone recognising her (or him, or you and then putting 2+2 together) from your description, but it feels like a breach of trust to put such intimate information online about someone who doesn't know that their sex life is the topic of an AIBU, and it makes you seem less of a close trusted friend and more of a prurient gossip.

YMMV, obviously.

Tokyocalling · 30/01/2014 13:13

He sounds like a control freak and she sounds insecure.

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