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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not be prepared to make changes

504 replies

AngelThursday · 07/05/2017 16:19

OH and I (really can't call him DH ATM as I'm still reeling from my discovery a few months ago that he'd been having an ongoing affair) are currently working on our marriage as a result of his 4 1/2 year infedilty. Which he blames incidentally on my lack of interest in sex and intimacy (we haven't slept together in ten years). I am really trying to work on my issues with intimacy and to be fair he is being v patient and understanding about this.
However as part of the process of reestablishing our relationship he is putting pressure on me to make some other changes. ATM I am a sahm to our 15 year old DS. I have some help in the house such as a cleaner who also does some ironing, a dog walker once a week while I'm at my hobby/course and a gardener. OH is suggesting that we either reduce the help or I get a parttime job.
I feel the current set up works well for our DS (OH works long and erratic hours) and that he is only asking to make a change because of recent events. Also, we really don't need a second income as he earns very highly.
I have discovered that the OW is a career woman with three DC and can't help feeling he is comparing me to her.
So I'm therefore inclined to dig my heels in and refuse to make the changes he requests - AIBU?

OP posts:
LoveDeathPrizes · 07/05/2017 21:36

pooryorrick Fair point, but do we know that OH contested the lack of sex?

WeirdAndPissedOff · 07/05/2017 21:39

OP, I will start by saying I do not condone affairs, regardless of circumstances.
However as with posters above it sounds as though both of you checked out of this relationship in all meaningful sense years ago.

As far as the work issue goes - while it is possible your OH is trying to shift blame, or get his ducks in order, and whether your lifestyle is normal or agreed upon or not, in some ways none of that matters.

You've come to a point where both of you are are trying to make the relationship work going forward. He definitely has changes to make, given the affair. But he is also clearly telling you that he is no longer happy with the current arrangements.
You can refuse to make any changes "because he was in the wrong", and because everyone else does it, and because you are happy with the current set-up. But how long will the relationship last if you do this?

You either take on board his thoughts and position, and both try to make things work going forward - which will almost certainly require you to have more practical input into the house/a part-time job going forward.

Or your relationship doesn't have long left (which is also a very real possibility anyway - a 4.5 year affair is no small thing at all, and it sounds as though he is not getting much from the relationship).
In which case you would also be wise to look at getting a job, I believe. Only you know whether his earnings are high enough that you would get enough from a divorce/maintenance to continue to fund your lifestyle. If they're not, you're going to need to work - and if this is the case it's better you start now before you are left high and dry, and while you are still able to pick a job that will work well for you, rather than grab the first thing that comes along out of necessity.

So from a practical point of view, I can't see it being likely that you will be able to maintain your current lifestyle without getting a part-time job, or doing more around the house.
I would personally look at a job - at least that way you would be in a better stead to support yourself if/when it came to it.

PhyllisNights · 07/05/2017 21:41

Has no one for a second thought that she may have issues with intimacy due to something that's happened in her past? She could be a survivor of sexual assault for all we know. Let's just be sensitive and not rush to conclusions.

LoveDeathPrizes · 07/05/2017 21:41

But yeah, ten years. I am amazed that something didn't give before. Not because of the sex - plenty of people struggle there and lots of couples feel that it's not too important but that's a really long time for there to be such a huge disparity on what the other wants.

rookiemere · 07/05/2017 21:41

How did you discover the affair OP?
Perhaps your DH wanted you to find out, perhaps he thought you already knew ?
Make changes, don't make changes- it's up to you, but the world won't stand still around you.
I'd definitely look at charity or volunteer work - good way to brush up your skills without having an income if it does come to separation.

Italiangreyhound · 07/05/2017 21:42

I really don't think the money or work balance here is the main issue.

They agreed the OP would stay home and look after son, and that is what she did.

There may be all kinds for reasons not to want sex or intimacy, and of course some of these could be tragic and the OP has my sympathy.

But her husband is not her property. I do think it is sad and wrong generally when anyone has an affair. But when someone has been starved of emotional of physical intimacy for several years, then I think maybe the husband did what made sense to him.

I am not mad on sex but I do need to know I am special and important to someone. If we dh emotionally and sexually 'left me' but physically stayed, I think I would try and talk to him about it. Probably a lot. Maybe the dh did.

Yorick "But if one partner is refusing sex and it is causing a problem, the onus IS on that partner to TRY to do something about it." I agree, and think both partners should have tried to do something about it. Maybe they both did but it was not enough.

OP I am sure you know if you cannot work this out together he will leave. Is that maybe what you want? We only get one life on earth, we should all be happy in it, I think, if we can, you and your dh included.

PoorYorick · 07/05/2017 21:43

She said that he stopped asking, so she assumed he was all right with it (Jesus Christ on a pogo stick). This really implies to me that yes he did try to talk to her about it (I can't imagine any man in his position staying utterly silent on the matter) but she continually dismissed him until he gave up, realising how pointless it was.

I was about to say that had it not been for the affair, OP would not be making any effort to address the problem now. Then I realised that having discovered the affair, OP still thinks she doesn't have to make any effort, hence the entire point behind the thread. She thinks that as he has slept with someone else, she is now the eternal victim and can continue ignoring and neglecting him (but not his earnings) with full impunity.

I don't think an affair is necessarily the worst thing a person can do. I think exploiting someone for what you can use them for, with no regard or respect for them as a person, is much, much worse. This applies to money, sex, domestic duties or anything else.

Italiangreyhound · 07/05/2017 21:46

PhyllisNights I have certainly considered that and of course no one should have to have sex against their will. The OP's husband should had said long ago, this is a deal breaker for me, I don't want to live in a sexless or emotionally non-intimate marriage. Maybe he tried to. The OP should have dicusseed it more with him.

Given that she did not want sex or emotional intimacy, why not just allow the affair to continue? She is now angry and feels let down but I think it was something that was almost inevitable, unless he really was happy to just live in the house and not be intimate at all.

I don't want to blame the OP for the situation but I don't want to blame her dh either. Under these circumstances I may well have had an affair too, and I am not that massively keen on sex, but I do want to be special to someone!

rollonthesummer · 07/05/2017 21:46

I don't think an affair is necessarily the worst thing a person can do. I think exploiting someone for what you can use them for, with no regard or respect for them as a person, is much, much worse. This applies to money, sex, domestic duties or anything else.

I totally agree with you!

5OBalesofHay · 07/05/2017 21:48

Sounds like he wants a partner rather than a dependent. Perhaps thays why the affair? I suspect he's giving it one last try before he leaves you for her

ifeelcraptonight · 07/05/2017 21:50

I need sex and intimacy in a relationship. Not always PIV rumpy pumpy but cuddles, sofa snogs, sitting watching a DVD with feet touching or even just a text that says can't wait to see you later sexy (I don't live with my boyfriendypartnerperson).

My ex didn't want me to touch him. He never had sex with me other than to get me pregnant and he put a pillow down the bed so I wouldn't accidenally touch him in the bed at night. Eventually we had separate rooms. That is soul destroying, no matter what all the money in the world wouldn't compensate for how much damage that does to you (one) inside.

InvisibleKittenAttack · 07/05/2017 21:52

OP - if you are still reading this thread (which has turned into a bit of a kicking!) - have you considered that "keeping things exactly as they currently are" isn't an option anymore?

It does sound like he's not happy with your life together. You can't make him be happy with it.

My advice would be to simply go see a solicitor - being forewarned is forearmed and all that.

Ask what would you likely get if a) he walked out on you next week and b) he walked out on you the day after your DS left home for University. (there's also the 3rd option of deciding to end your marriage now, but your DS deciding to stay with his dad not you, that could leave you with very very little).

You might not want to work ever again, but if your husband decided to end your marriage, could you survive on what you'd get from him once your DS is an adult without having to work? Do you know what you'd get? Guessing isn't the same as getting some facts.

From what you've said, you have been perfectly happy with your lifestyle, but it's continued existance involves your DH being happy to keep things as they are as well, he's not. Some level of change is going to happen, either it's a gentle change you get some degree of control over, or it's a massive forced change when you will be scrambling to catch up.

PoorYorick · 07/05/2017 22:01

My ex didn't want me to touch him. He never had sex with me other than to get me pregnant and he put a pillow down the bed so I wouldn't accidenally touch him in the bed at night.

Holy guacamole. If you had had an affair, I for one would not have judged you for one second.

ifeelcraptonight · 07/05/2017 22:03

He used to wank in the shower. Or in the bed when I was beside him and he got to the point he didn't care if I was sleeping. He never touched me ever. There were no wee kisses, or hugs or anything like that.

It was utterly completely soul destroying.

I did leave, we did divorce, but I would not for one nano second blame the OPs husband for having an affair. It is utterly awful to live with no intimacy from the person you are sharing your life with and I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

Italiangreyhound · 07/05/2017 22:07

ifeelcraptonight that sounds terrible, I hope you are happy now with someone who makes you feel loved.

ifeelcraptonight · 07/05/2017 22:10

I am - very. Smile

Well, not stupid TV show happy, but more - content. We touch, he likes to feel that I am in the bed he likes my foot touching his leg even if we are only snoozing. He does small things like opens doors (I know total cliche) and he's just an all round decent spud. And the sex is bloody amazing and I know he desires me.

ifeelcraptonight · 07/05/2017 22:15

All I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't underestimate how much it wrecks your self esteem to be with someone who isn't intimate with you - not just sex but all the wee touches, caresses, makes the time to cuddle up in the evening watching tv, takes the time to go and get your favourite snacks or buys you some daft wee thing they know you like.

It does kill any love you have for the person to feel totally unappreciated and I would almost bet my last pound that's how the OP husband has felt - he tried to talk to her and got nowhere and there was 5 and a half years he wasn't getting any sex or intimacy before the affair. That's a long time to keep asking and be rejected. (not excusing the affair)

Goldfishjane · 07/05/2017 22:29

OP I was wondering if there's any affection
I wouldn't assume no sex = no affection

ifeelcraptonight · 07/05/2017 22:30

She says intimacy and sex. I took that to mean the intimate loving touches. Apologies if I've got that wrong

Pitbull · 07/05/2017 22:38

A 15 year-old boy does not need his mum to stay at home just for the sake of him. What does he need you to be there for? I cannot fathom...
You are home, yet you can't do your own cleaning, can't walk the dog and can't maintain the garden. What is exactly your purpose in the household?
And not having sex with your husband for 10 years is not normal. You are doomed yet you are not prepared to make changes. You are going down.

Goldfishjane · 07/05/2017 22:47

Pit bull, i heard that as "dahhhhhhn" a la Peggy Mitchell.

BoneyBackJefferson · 07/05/2017 22:47

PhyllisNights

There are a whole load of 'what ifs' that we could throw about

NoFuckingRoomOnMyBroom · 07/05/2017 22:50

Oh dear, there is so much wrong with your marriage, I'm sorry.
Seriously wouldn't bother trying to fix it but because in all honesty you can't, it's fucked beyond repair Hmm
At a guess you stay because it benefits you, can't think why else.

WatchingFromTheWings · 07/05/2017 23:08

presumed that meant until DS left home and I see no reason to change that.

What if he doesn't leave home until he's 25? Or 30? It's ridiculous that your son is so mollycoddled at his age. My eldest had a Saturday job at that age and caught buses into town on his own or with friends.

The fact you think you are totally blameless speaks volumes. You're selfish and entitled. I too think he's planning on leaving you. Let your poor husband go so he has a chance of being happy.

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 07/05/2017 23:18

I suppose I am quite privileged
Quite!? You are very priviledged Confused

I don't understand people who don't like sex, refuse to have it, think it's not important, but suddenly find it extremely significant if their partner has it with someone else
So do I. Seems rather odd to me.

As for comments about her not having sex? She's a wife, not a prostitute getting money for sex
Oh please Hmm In a normal healthy relationship couples show affection and have sex with each other.