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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

bored with unromantic dh

29 replies

soggy14 · 02/01/2011 19:21

Have been with dh for about 16 years. Ups and downs but always very secure relationship. 3 children. Now dh appears completely uninterested in any kind of "romantic couple type" behaviour. We have sex fairly often (1-2 a week) which is fine but he is uninterestd in going out together (always wants to take the kids) or even just cuddling up on the sofa. I've tried to explain how strongly I feel about this as I cannot see our relationship surviving indefinately like this - I feel like some kind of live in house keeper who also does sex :( rather than half a couple. He is currenly putting a fair amount of minor prssure on me to dress mor seductively for sex (posh undies etc) and I've said that I'm happy to get dressed up if he takes me out somewhere nice but he then goes on about how it is just a waste of money to go out to eat etc. Any suggestions? We talk a lot - at home and we get on very well adn the sex is fine - it is just that I cannot get him to understand that I need to be occasionally treated like an attractive woman and wined and dined a bit. He will not even cook for me at home, or even get a take away and light a couple of candles etc - says that it is all just pointless gloss and not important. I've started back at work now so am meetign other men and am really worried that I will end up having an affair because I am so desparate to just be made to feel special again and not be taken for granted. He does do lots of lovely things (like deice the car for me :) ) just nothing ever even slightly romantic (says that thigs like birthday cards are a waste of money etc).

OP posts:
TDada · 02/01/2011 22:01

Some sort of intervention is needed: counselling for example.

Possible that he doesn't want to stay out too long for dinner cos he doesn't want to spend more money on coffee/drinks etc.

Ask him how he wants to look back at his life? Does he want to feel as though he has had a rich relationship experience.

Stop giving him "specials" that he doesn't deserve- he needs retraining!

Continue you to be honest and open to him about your fears + admiration for other ways of relating.

He is obviously taking you for granted.

elephantsaregreen · 03/01/2011 07:32

Hey OP
I just wanted to say 'chin up'! and that you do deserve a partner who loves you and even treasures you. Your DH seems to take you for granted.

I have a similar situation and feel that I am banging my head against a brick wall, but I second the advice of sorting out your relationship and not using that as justification if/when another man turns your head. That could end up backfiring when you are then painted as the 'bad' one, even if your DH has been ignoring your needs for yonks.

I would encourage you to think about what your personal limitations are. Think hard about what you think you can and can't live with. In other words, what it would take for you to leave. Then communicate that clearly to him. Then stick to the boundaries you have set. If you have explained clearly what you will/won't accept and then he still does it, well, then it's clear that he isn't taking your needs into consideration.

And finally I think that you need to be truly prepared to be alone if you explain that leaving is a potential outcome.

I know you aren't necessarily suggesting you leave. So I echo the points raised earlier that so far he is getting his cake and eating it too. He gets to avoid making an effort and he is getting you to fulfill his needs.

TDada · 04/01/2011 10:01

Hi Soggy -In a way, it is a shame that you can't show your husband this thread.

BTW you helped me to refocus on affectionate interaction with DW - I can already see the benefits Wink. With a pressurised job and household it is easy to be focussed on giving practical support and help domestically but that is obviously not sufficient nourishment for a thriving relationship.

malinkey · 04/01/2011 10:33

Also it sounds sad and totally selfish that he refuses to socialise with your friends as a couple. Do you have any friends who you both see? Or is your social life totally separate from him?

I agree that counselling is a good idea if you could get him to go. Sounds like he's pretty stubborn/pigheaded though so am sure he is will likely refuse to go. Do you think if he realised that your relationship might be over if he didn't do something about it that that would encourage him?

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