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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH grumpy all weekend if I don't give him sex

334 replies

maggh · 22/06/2024 20:55

There's a clear correlation.

He expects it every Friday night basically.

If I don't want to or say no, he's super grumpy all weekend. He doesn't talk much, moaps around, doesn't want to do anything, criticises stuff I've left undone at home. Just bad vibes all round.

I honestly wouldn't care if I never had sex again.

I only do it to avoid the moods, never because I want to.

Sometimes I say no, I'm tried or whatever and he just says he hates his life.

He also smokes and says if I ' gave him more sex ' he'd quit.

We have two kids under 5.

I'm feeling very resentful.

OP posts:
Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 19:17

XChrome · 23/06/2024 18:50

The only posts plumbing the depths of irrationality are yours. You're trolling to create discord and to promote Lovehoney.

Couldn't agree more!!

Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Well I certainly wouldn't be taking advice from you based on your posts here!

PaminaMozart · 23/06/2024 19:20

I don't think you hate your husband, @maggh .

But you hate the way he treats you. It is making you desperately unhappy and utterly miserable.

And he makes your skin crawl.

He absolutely KNOWS what he is doing and he KNOWS how desperately unhappy you feel as a result.

He also knows that you are too weak to do anything about the situation because you are too brainwashed invested in the idea that marriage is forever and that your children would suffer if you were to leave.

This will be your life. He will NOT change.

XChrome · 23/06/2024 19:20

maggh · 23/06/2024 15:15

@XChrome he loves them but he just can't be bothered to do those things with them.

He often says he finds it hard that he's now a ' grown up '. I think that sort of hits the nail on its head really.

I think he struggles with the responsibility and that he's just not a kid anymore and there aren't any excuses when you're essentially a grown up and navigate your life.

He's been super molly coddled as a child and teenager and young adult if you ask me. His mum was an utter slave to him. He just never learnt that it's not all about him and his comforts. I feel like that's all he thinks about. Well I'm tired, I shouldn't have to put up with this. He doesn't think oh but my wife is enjoying this OR my kids are having fun.

I take the kids away from him a lot, hoping that by the time I come back- he'll be in a better mood for having had the day to himself or whatever - but it never works. That's what I do, I do stuff to try and make him less grumpy all the time and it doesn't help. Case in point the sex thing. I do it for a bit of peace, for half a smile, for a trip shopping and dinner out with the kids. But I don't feel like he ever thinks ' oh this would make her happy '. ' I'll give HER a break. No never ever had he said, you go and have fun, you deserve it. Never. Not even on his thought process. Or, you have a lie in today- I'll sort the kids in the morning. I let him have a lie in both days at the weekend, again, to try and get him to have rest, so he's not as moody with me. I never get a lie in. I've not slept past 7 since I had my oldest, 4 years ago.

Last week I had a play date for my eldest and he was grumpy he had to look after the youngest and made me take him too.

When you love your children, you love spending time with them.
His idea of love seems quite selfish, but genuine love is not selfish.
You are right that he is massively immature. Do you want to spend who knows how many years of your life hoping he'll grow up and act like a responsible adult? It's quite possible that he never will.

SighingMum23 · 23/06/2024 19:20

Your situation sounds a lot like mine last year. I had 2 small children and just felt exhausted.

I seriously made sex a completely transactional thing 40percent of the time but then I actually started to enjoy it.

Our relationship is better with sex and it mostly comes form DH pushing for it. I am always happy without it but then when it does happen I feel glad that it did most of the time.

Maybe try having sex for a month and see if it makes your relationship better? This is literally what I did, and it actually did help a lot. It means a lot to my DH and I may never understand that completely but it does and it does make him a much happier person.

Equally he doesn't get that I really need my cafe break and mental space to read but he gives me that time to have it.

I must add that our relationship got much better when we both started working part time. It was a big hit financially but we both weren't happy otherwise.

XChrome · 23/06/2024 19:21

PaminaMozart · 23/06/2024 19:20

I don't think you hate your husband, @maggh .

But you hate the way he treats you. It is making you desperately unhappy and utterly miserable.

And he makes your skin crawl.

He absolutely KNOWS what he is doing and he KNOWS how desperately unhappy you feel as a result.

He also knows that you are too weak to do anything about the situation because you are too brainwashed invested in the idea that marriage is forever and that your children would suffer if you were to leave.

This will be your life. He will NOT change.

100%

Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 19:23

PaminaMozart · 23/06/2024 19:20

I don't think you hate your husband, @maggh .

But you hate the way he treats you. It is making you desperately unhappy and utterly miserable.

And he makes your skin crawl.

He absolutely KNOWS what he is doing and he KNOWS how desperately unhappy you feel as a result.

He also knows that you are too weak to do anything about the situation because you are too brainwashed invested in the idea that marriage is forever and that your children would suffer if you were to leave.

This will be your life. He will NOT change.

Excellent post.

StormingNorman · 23/06/2024 19:34

Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 18:30

The OP hasn't said that.

She has said that.

LilacRaven · 23/06/2024 19:48

He also smokes and says if I ' gave him more sex ' he'd quit.

Why are you allowing him to smoke if you have young children together? This isn't to judge I just don't understand why a parent wouldn't demand it unless you're scared of confronting him about his behaviour (which would obviously be a separate issue then). It's not just about being a bad role model but more about him putting pleasure before his long-term health to be around for his children as long as possible. I would never go near my partner again.

Youdontevengohere · 23/06/2024 19:52

Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 19:16

Ya reckon??? I'd never have got that...🙄

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom 🙄🙄🙄

That’s alright 👍

maggh · 23/06/2024 19:54

LilacRaven · 23/06/2024 19:48

He also smokes and says if I ' gave him more sex ' he'd quit.

Why are you allowing him to smoke if you have young children together? This isn't to judge I just don't understand why a parent wouldn't demand it unless you're scared of confronting him about his behaviour (which would obviously be a separate issue then). It's not just about being a bad role model but more about him putting pleasure before his long-term health to be around for his children as long as possible. I would never go near my partner again.

It's a tough one with smoking isn't it.

You can't force someone to stop. When we met all those years ago, I also smoked a bit.

I talk to him about it sometimes and I hate it. I want him to stop. He doesn't smoke in the house or in front of the children.

But yeah, I tell him all the time- if you don't quit, you won't be here for them very long.

It's his stress relief in his shit life. His life is so shit apparently.

OP posts:
RedYellowPinkGreenPurpleOrangeBlue · 23/06/2024 19:56

Ilovebees · 23/06/2024 12:54

in my opinion the solution is simple , OP tells her husband it’s OVER and get him to move out , give him 2 weeks . Get divorce papers together and he won’t have a choice . This is not love , this is hating each other for not getting their own ways . Not a way to live a life . If he won’t move , she can move herself out of this situation , I know it’s hard to do but better than staying with someone you hate so much to have any sexual contact with forever . OP needs to make this official to him , no more sex and we are over . Or she can say , no more sex , but you can stay married to me if you want , but you have to accept no sex from me . Then it’s up to him what he decides to do .

I agree that the husband is a vile shit, but how on earth can you get someone to move OUT of their own house?! If my DH was unhappy with me, and told ME to get out, I would tell him to fuck off. Where am I meant to go? Where is the OP's husband supposed to go? Confused

PeloMom · 23/06/2024 19:57

OP the more info you provide the more I think you married my exH. Everything bad in his life was someone else’s (usually mine) fault

OrangeSlices998 · 23/06/2024 19:58

OP you cannot set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm. A grown man, a decent man, can see what needs doing and shares the load. Gives you a lie in, takes the kids to the park so you can have some time alone, respects you, treats you well regardless of whether you have ‘given’ him sex that week/day. You deserve so much better than a sex pest man baby who isn’t pulling his weight and is another thing for you to manage and think about. You’d be so much happier without him and his moods! Why would you stay, everything you’ve said here he doesn’t show you kindness or respect, treats you like the maid, doesn’t parent equally, never ever gives you time for yourself. Nothing redemptive there!

LilacRaven · 23/06/2024 20:02

maggh · 23/06/2024 19:54

It's a tough one with smoking isn't it.

You can't force someone to stop. When we met all those years ago, I also smoked a bit.

I talk to him about it sometimes and I hate it. I want him to stop. He doesn't smoke in the house or in front of the children.

But yeah, I tell him all the time- if you don't quit, you won't be here for them very long.

It's his stress relief in his shit life. His life is so shit apparently.

Yes I've never smoked myself so that's why I can't understand it but obviously if it's a hidden it's not as bad and stress isn't good for long term health either.

Have you ever had a serious conversation with him about what you both want from life and how you can achieve it? I've got a 2 and 3 year old so totally understand how chaotic life can feel and me and my HB went through a rough patch where we both said we were unhappy but we realised it wasnt related to each other but life (jobs/house/routine) so made a plan of action and both commited to it. I can honestly say I am fulfilled and happy at the moment but I went through some real low times especially with PND so it is possible to get to a good place but only if your partner wants to as well.

Ilovebees · 23/06/2024 20:04

RedYellowPinkGreenPurpleOrangeBlue · 23/06/2024 19:56

I agree that the husband is a vile shit, but how on earth can you get someone to move OUT of their own house?! If my DH was unhappy with me, and told ME to get out, I would tell him to fuck off. Where am I meant to go? Where is the OP's husband supposed to go? Confused

Haha , 😂 where is he supposed to go ? To the same place like everyone else in this world go when they break up ? Get a hotel while looking for a another flat /house , stay at relatives or family’s house while searching for a new place ,
so you’re saying unhappy couples cannot get divorced EVER because they have nowhere to go , so the MUST stay together forever miserably ? Use your brain lol , if one of them is so unhappy that they can’t function anymore , I’m sure they would want to get away ASAP no matter where or how , anywhere other than in the same household .

BeRealOrca · 23/06/2024 20:08

Ilovebees · 23/06/2024 20:04

Haha , 😂 where is he supposed to go ? To the same place like everyone else in this world go when they break up ? Get a hotel while looking for a another flat /house , stay at relatives or family’s house while searching for a new place ,
so you’re saying unhappy couples cannot get divorced EVER because they have nowhere to go , so the MUST stay together forever miserably ? Use your brain lol , if one of them is so unhappy that they can’t function anymore , I’m sure they would want to get away ASAP no matter where or how , anywhere other than in the same household .

You're missing the point. If OP wants to end it, why should DH have to leave the home and not the OP?

Ilovebees · 23/06/2024 20:14

BeRealOrca · 23/06/2024 20:08

You're missing the point. If OP wants to end it, why should DH have to leave the home and not the OP?

But I did say in the same message that you replied to , that the options are that the husband moves out , and if he won’t , then she should take herself out of this situation and find a new place herself 🤷

Bertsmum22 · 23/06/2024 20:15

He’s a prick moping around but if you’d happily never had sex again there must be some issues?
Can’t he just have a wank?!

Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 20:16

BeRealOrca · 23/06/2024 20:08

You're missing the point. If OP wants to end it, why should DH have to leave the home and not the OP?

Probably because the OP would still have the kids?

Ilovebees · 23/06/2024 20:20

Runnerinthenight · 23/06/2024 20:16

Probably because the OP would still have the kids?

Yes exactly and any good hearted husband would not move his ex wife and kids out of the house and surely he would move himself out if things were over and official ? But if he’s such a prick that he doesn’t care about his kids wellbeing then it shows that he’s even more evil of a person , which should give OP a very good reason move out with her kids even quicker , so she doesn’t have to see his face ever again after finding out he would rather kick his kids out of the house than himself .

CherryBlossom321 · 23/06/2024 21:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

😂😂😂

SerafinasGoose · 23/06/2024 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Misogynist, much, you?

EdithBond · 23/06/2024 22:15

maggh · 23/06/2024 15:25

Sorry I know you're trying to help, but I still don't think it's helpful to point that out.

Some people really do think people change and relationships change. So we make decisions based on that. I hoped that I could get to the bottom of my issues around sex before we got married. I've had quite a bit of counselling as I've also got a history of males doing some really fucked up stuff to me while I was drunk / then filming it and black mailing me with it ( I have no recollection of those events ). I've got big issues, I know I do and I thought that I could get to the bottom of that one day. I also don't have very good female role models and come from an abusive home. I didn't have the right ideas going into it to even be able to make the right decisions to find the Mr Perfect everyone on Mumsnet seems to find.

I thought we love each other, he's not abusive, he's from a good family, looks good, we get on well, it's worked for 8 years- why should I not marry him ? The sex thing we can work on and I hope I will change. His messiness I thought would sort itself out with kids. He always used to say it himself too. 'I'll need to change when we have kids '. I also assumed that women do all the child care because that's all I've known really. I had no idea how hard it was going to be in reality AT all and how I would resent him for it. NO idea.

I’ve just read all your posts and this one explains a lot. I really feel for you 🤗. Does your H know about the sex blackmailing? If so, it makes it all the worse he’s demanding and coercing you into sex.

The lack of a healthy relationship when you were growing up is also insightful. When abuse is normalised in childhood, it’s harder to see it. And I’m afraid from what you’ve described your H is abusive: sexually and emotionally. He may not mean to be, but he is.

I was in a similar situation to you, though nowhere near as bad and without the sex coercion and lack of interest in the kids. I loved him v much (still do) and didn’t want to put my kids through a relationship breakdown, as I’d been affected by a bitter divorce and dysfunctional family.

I also expected him to take his fair share of the household load once we had kids. Like your H, his mother did everything at home. But he didn’t step up and instead became more and more morose/negative and wouldn’t go to counselling or talk to anyone. I was carrying so much, I ended up with depression and anxiety. He wouldn’t move out (not even temporarily). I couldn’t afford to leave with the kids and he knew it. It became a war of attrition.

After counselling, anguished soul-searching and even reaching out to both our families (poor response), plus many warnings things had to change, I reluctantly concluded that, while he said he loved me, he didn’t love me enough. I told him it was over. After a couple more years, we stopped living together. By then, the kids were older and it affected them more than if it’d happened earlier.

Everyone’s different. I don’t know you. You sound v self-aware, empathetic and strong. You sound a fantastic mum. You sound like you’d be much happier on your own. And you deserve a loving, kind, equal partner. My advice would be to ask him to move out on a temporary break. It’s less final. He sounds like he may be depressed and he should use that time to sort himself out, decide what he wants and what he proposes to offer you and the kids. The reality of losing you all may trigger him to shape up. Could his family or friends put him up and support him?

But I wouldn’t hold out much hope. If he won’t leave even temporarily or step up, then I suggest the healthiest thing is to tell him it’s over and start to make plans to leave. No rush. Get advice on your rights, sort finances, weigh up your options, build a support network of trusted friends/fellow lone mums around you. But start to plan your future and move towards it as quickly as you can. And aim to stay on good terms for the kids’ sake. The most important thing to kids is parents who get on, rather than parents who live together (and resent each other). Much love ❤️

BeRealOrca · 23/06/2024 23:22

Ilovebees · 23/06/2024 20:14

But I did say in the same message that you replied to , that the options are that the husband moves out , and if he won’t , then she should take herself out of this situation and find a new place herself 🤷

Sorry, I did not see that :)