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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be miffed hubby doesn't fancy me any more :'-(

148 replies

GinPink · 07/07/2018 16:23

I just want to know what you would do.

I have three children aged 5, 3 and 3 months.

Hubby seems to have gone off me.

He is a great dad, works hard and normally working 6 days a week. I do work but am on maternity leave now. When he comes home he baths the older two and deals with all the hard work of their craziness till they eventually go to bed, while I either cook dinner or look after the baby depending on how things go. I love him so much and he wouldn't have time to be seeing another woman.

He suffers from a medical condition and has said this has affected his ability to perform in the bedroom until it clears up a bit as it's uncomfortable with condoms.

I offered to go in the pill but his response was that 'wouldn't that make you fat?' I have tried to raise the subject but he always finds a reason not to which usually makes me feel like it's just because I'm hideous.

I've put on loads of weight since having children. I feel really ugly. He is great at cleaning the house, looking after the children and works his ass off but he doesn't say anything to make me feel like he still loves or desires ME. He says loads that I'm a great mum, and appreciates me for that but there's just no affection and I feel like a housemate/baby sitter for him more than an actual person. I need to sort my appearance out but I feel like he should love me and want to be intimate with me any way - as to be fair I've grown three of his babies and pushed them out my foof???

OP posts:
pandamodium · 07/07/2018 19:47

Your baby is still so young. My youngest is a year tomorrow, I didn't lose the weight till about 6 months after and that was accidental down to illness not a conscious effort.

I think your being sensible going to the GP to get some guidance.

I don't think you sound strange just upset.

The eurgh comment is out of line even "jokingly" you need to tell him so.

cantfindname · 07/07/2018 19:52

This may sound old-fashioned, but hell I am old so it is allowed.

Love isn't all about sex. Love is about trust and respect, caring for each other, helping each other in rough times, being friends and standing by each other no matter what. Sex is a wonderful extra.. not the main dish.

My partner and I totally adored each other (sadly I lost him last month) but we didn't have a sexual relationship, for many reasons. OK, so we are older but that wasn't one of the reasons. We would have literally gone to the ends of the earth for each other. That's love.

ferntwist · 07/07/2018 19:55

OP you don’t sound strange at all! I don’t think the vast majority of people posting here would think that either. To me you sound like a lovely person and surprisingly forgiving of your other half. I’m glad you’re going to challenge him on saying ‘urgh’ when you get undressed. That’s just schoolyard bullying. Like a previous poster said, how would he like it if you said that about his skin condition?

Flisspaps · 07/07/2018 19:56

@cantfindname and did your partner make disparaging remarks about your naked body?

Birdsgottafly · 07/07/2018 19:57

I think it's more to do with him, than you.

He gets hard, he is therefor attracted to you, but he won't 'do the deed', because of a fear of something.

You have assumed it's you because of your insecurities.

It would be interesting to see his reaction to you losing weight etc, he will probably get concerned that he is going to lose you.

You need to be honest with him. What he says in response, then dictates how you deal with it.

Lizzie48 · 07/07/2018 19:59

It's never 'jokey' for a man to say 'urgh' when his wife takes her clothes off. Especially in view of the fact that his wife has had an eating disorder in the past. That's just not on. Even if he can't help it if he doesn't find her attractive with the extra, mocking her appearance is just not on. Hmm

Birdsgottafly · 07/07/2018 19:59

cantfindname, whilst I agree. I lived in a sexless marriage because of health reasons (my DH later died), if you are both healthy and happy, there has to be another reason why you aren't having sex.

It's important to keep talking.

mimibunz · 07/07/2018 20:07

I think you need to give him a break. He does his fair share with everything; don’t make him responsible for how you feel about yourself. That has to come from you.

ladycarlotta · 07/07/2018 20:07

@GinPink I really feel for you. I don't have children (I am pg) but like you I was an 8-10 when my partner and I got together, and am a 12, sometimes a 14 now, which feels big. His last job was incredibly stressful, and during the time he was there he became basically sexless. Like the impulse wasn't there, like I was his sister or something. He'd never been that demonstrative, and I always had a mini anxiety that he didn't fancy me, although we did initially have a great sex life, and over time he became more cuddly and willing to hold hands, have a smooch etc. But at this point in our relationship it was like a light had gone out. I was afraid that he had an OW but actually I think he just didn't think about sex at all - and it totally tore me apart. It made me feel so unhappy and unlovable, compounded by the fact that I had gained weight - I didn't know if it was my fault. I tried to hide it most of the time, but he did know that I was very upset, and he felt guilty about it, but sort of interpreted that as him being a disappointment and not good enough etc, which made him retreat more into his shell. He'd ask me to please keep instigating, but from my perspective, 75% of the time I tentatively instigated, he didn't respond at all, and it left me feeling even more awful. When we did have sex, I felt so much pressure that I couldn't relax/get wet/orgasm, so he'd be all dejected and inadequate about that - I felt I was constantly managing his emotions as well as my own.

This is all quite painful to me still, and I haven't spoken to anybody about it really. But I am telling you because I hope it makes you feel a bit better. We spent about 18 months like this and I really thought that was it for our sex life, and was so miserable about it because I really, really wanted sex to be a part of my life - but I wanted him to be a part of it too. I don't know if I could have left him over it, because he is my One.

I think if your husband is getting hard, that's a really good thing. He is capable of being aroused around you. I've noticed that lots of men make jokes or glib comments rather than admit that they are the ones who feel inadequate, sexually speaking. He doesn't necessarily have this as a conscious thought process, but by being light-heartedly mean about your body, he's putting you on the back foot rather than him. It could be that he doesn't even think that what he's saying is bad, but when he does it he is desexualising you. OP, I really need to tell you that YOU ARE ENOUGH. The problem is not with you. Don't let him make you feel that, and don't make yourself feel that either - I know that disordered thoughts are very easy to give space to in a situation like this.

I think it is highly likely that he is a bit depressed, perhaps through circumstance. My partner and I have a pretty good sex life now - not like when we were first dating, but it's enthusiastic, mutually satisfying, and probably averages out to twice a week. A lot of the key to that was communication, really laying out for him how I felt, and being strong enough to hear him when he said what he felt, even if it was painful to me. I also had to accept that I would need to be patience - things were not going to get better at the flick of a switch; they took a long time.

I'm afraid (because this may be out of your control) that one thing that helped enormously is a change in circumstances - he has moved job and our living situation is quite different, and as his stress dissipated, his sex drive came back like magic. There is a lot in your situation that you can't change, and I agree that perhaps being at your stage in life with 3 littlies is just something you will have to wait out. This doesn't have to be forever ,although it may have to be for now, but you can communicate your way through that if you start thinking as a team. In the meantime, can you try doing little things that don't lead to full sex but are still enjoyable and erotic? Whatever gets you off. Take the pressure off both of you, and start showing one another that your bodies are enjoyable.

Sorry this was a bit of an essay. You just really touched me and I wanted you to know that it can get better. Leaving aside all the rest of my rambling, I think the very central thing to how you approach this is, tackle it as as a unit. Both of you together. Don't allow yourself to be isolated from him by this; don't cast yourself against one another when actually you should both be fighting for the same thing: the health of your relationship. Just do right by him as far as you can, and demand that he does right by you as far as /he/ can: you need to listen to one another, respect one another, see one another. It's too easy to drift apart when life gets in the way.

I wish you very very best of luck.

BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 07/07/2018 20:13

His comments aren't nice, he should just be honest and say he would prefer you to lose weight and return to your original size etc. Physical attraction counts a lot when it comes to sex. Most people, if they are honest, wouldn't want their partner to double in size.

It sounds like he is just worn down, the comment of saying you grew his babies says an awful lot imo. It likes you think he should be eternally grateful etc. He works full time, has to come home and start cleaning the house etc despite you being home all day. It sounds like he gets very little time to himself.

AynRandTheObjectivist · 07/07/2018 20:16

Oh look, Boxsets has popped up to say why SAHMs or part time working mothers deserve to be treated like shit. In other news, sources close to the Pope suggest he's still Catholic.

Iamtryingtobenicehere · 07/07/2018 20:31

Sorry op, but maybe I’m thick. Where do you deduce that hubby doesn’t fancy you?

You’re both busy, you’re both raising a young family.
You’re still healing from the birth of your youngest baby just weeks ago, I’m guessing you both have disturbed nights still and consequently are both knackered.
Your DH sounds like a lovely, hands on, considerate dad, with a medical condition yet you’re honestly grumbling because you’ve decided he doesn’t fancy you?
I’m not sure if you’re fishing for compliments but I really don’t get why you’re feeling so unloved.

SlothSlothSloth · 07/07/2018 20:33

OP you don’t sound strange to me at all!

I’m afraid I have no useful advice for you, just wanted to jump in and say stop worrying about that at least. You sound really nice, and totally normal. What you’re describing is a very, very normal concern that lots of people go through in their relationships.

He is putting you down with his “urgh” comments. Glad you’re going to challenge him on it.

Really hope things get better for you soon 💐

Branleuse · 07/07/2018 20:39

why the fuck are people dismissing the fact that a man has told his postnatal, eating disordered wife, barely three months after giving birth that she looks RANK and made URGH noises when she got undressed

If you do not fancy your partner anymore and you have reason to believe that you never will again, then leave. If you stand there making cruel insults to them then youre an absolute dick.

SlothSlothSloth · 07/07/2018 20:44

Branleuse i think a lot of people may have missed that part, as it was in a later update. It is very bad yes but in the circumstances of having three kids including a new baby i think it may only an LTB-worthy situation if he continues with it once confronted...

TatianaLarina · 07/07/2018 20:54

I don’t think you sound strange OP, just confused, understandably.

Some men struggle to fancy women over a certain size. But it sounds like a combination of factors including exhaustion, depression, performance problems... He may prefer to project blame onto you rather than face his own issues.

TammySwansonTwo · 07/07/2018 20:55

It likes you think he should be eternally grateful etc.

He fucking well should be. Pregnancy has wrecked my body and my health - the least blokes can be is grateful. And too fucking right he helps with his kids and housework when he gets home.

What century is this?

AynRandTheObjectivist · 07/07/2018 20:57

My favourite gem of Boxsets is the time he told a SAHM to a toddler with additional needs that she had 'seven days a week to do as you please'. That's the kind of person he is.

sailorcherries · 07/07/2018 20:57

Branleuse possibly because the OP then later admitted that he didn't say 'rank' exactly and she can't remember what the context or phrase was. As for the 'ugh' comments I've made them to my DP - I had lost my sex drive and he only ever seemed to get changed when I said I was, ending up naked at the same time as me and trying it on/making suggestive comments/making any sexual comment despite me already saying I was not interested. I made the 'ugh' comment because I did feel 'ugh' about that situation. The OP may not be in the same situation but her constant references to her needs, wants and horniness despite her partner's reservations does not make for nice reading.

If a woman wrote that she was the one lacking a sex drive and her husband kept going on about his needs, wants etc and how it made him feel crap she'd be told to ltb by some for acting that way.

Stormy76 · 07/07/2018 21:02

You don't sound strange you sound tired and hormonal, your DH should not be making noises, comments or faces at your about your weight. That's out of order, you need to have a very direct conversation with him because I doubt he would like it either if you did the same to him. It's cruel and he should be ashamed

NoNotheresnolyrics · 07/07/2018 21:03

Can’t comment on the husband situation but with regards to a sensible diet, Weight watchers has really helped me. Good luck OP x

FrangipaniBlue · 07/07/2018 21:11

I love my DH with all my heart and I think he's sexy as hell.

But he is the same waist size that he was when we met 20 years ago so if he piled 3 or 4 stone on now, while I'd still love him I wouldn't find him sexually attractive anymore.

There's a world of difference between love and sexual attraction, they are not mutually exclusive.

But I also agree with other posters that he's probably also knackered and overwhelmed - tiredness doesn't seem to affect my DH sex Drive but it absolutely does mine, people are just different!

AynRandTheObjectivist · 07/07/2018 21:13

Sorry op, but maybe I’m thick. Where do you deduce that hubby doesn’t fancy you?

Well he makes 'urgh' sounds when he sees her undressed. I know some people on here will claim that poor widdle men are just so stupid they can't possibly be expected to realise that that's hurtful, but in my experience, men like this know exactly what they're doing.

If any men are reading, if you want to know the best way to get your wife to lose the baby weight - do your share of parenting. The only reason I was able to get the energy to go to the gym and focus on healthy eating was because my husband was pulling his weight at home and with parenting.

GinPink · 07/07/2018 21:13

Thanks all in particular @ladycarlotta for your raw and honest reply. I'm probably not going to try to talk to him tonight as we are both exhausted but will tell him soon how his 'urgh' comments hurt me even if they are meant to be a joke. I'll also make a mental note of the exact phrases used if he does continue to do it.

I'm going to leave the thread for a little while to think it all over but will post again later on

OP posts:
Alicatz66 · 07/07/2018 21:14

Don't be hard on yourself OP ... my kids are all grown up now , but I remember how hard it was when they were babies ... it's quite mean of your DH to be critical of your body at this time .. please be kind to yourself .. eat well .. take the baby for long walks.. my DD who I now 21 would only sleep while being pushed in the pram !! I covered miles ! .. I used to get up every day though , get showered, wash my hair, get my make up on .... made me feel better .. you just bumble on the best you can at this stage !! . 3 kids under 5 must be exhausting xx

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