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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

Husband loves me but doesn't fancy me - does this ever end well?

213 replies

Loisatwitsend · 15/05/2012 14:15

I am new to all this but over the last 2 days I have been reading all the helpful comments and support peiople give eachother on here so thought I'd try myself.

My H and I have beeen together nearly 20 years with 2 young C aged 5 and 2. Everyone thinks we are soul mates and made for eachother. He has never been good at opening up and in 20 years has only cried 3 or 4 times!

He told me this weekend he still loves me and has the prefect life and family but that something is missing. He doesn't fancy me and never has really. He thought it wouldn't matter as he loves me and I am his best friend etc. We have been through a tough few years with 2 little ones, a lot of pressure rebuilding our home and financially and no doubt we have not spent the time on our relationship that we should, but he says he has felt these feelings on and off over the years before all this.

He now says he needs time to sort his head out but doesn't want to leave (because of the kids). I have said for ages we need to spend more time together just the 2 of us and he has not responded to this. He now says it is beacuse he doesn't and didn't want to because he knew he already didn't feel the right way about me.

I have done a lot of crying and talking to him. He is saying little or nothing. I know I now need to shut up and try and give him some space but I can only think that if he wants to fix this ( which I think he has already convinced himself he can't), he has to spend time with me and talk. Has anyone been here and managed to work through this or am I kidding myself? Am I prolonging the agony or is this worth fighting for. I love him to bits and am devastated - he is my world - should I have hope!

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 21:29

Gnome, your DH must be a very, very special female sort of man, not a man at all, in fact

I wonder what he thinks of that Grin

Coconutty · 15/05/2012 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GnomeDePlume · 15/05/2012 21:54

Am studying DH:

  • beard
  • hairy legs
  • has shorts on so cant see further

We have 3 DCs, no other adults were involved in the process, nope he is most definitely a bloke!

No, he hasnt written a book and also doesnt read many as he is dyslexic so has to put up with me reading out thrilling excerts from MN!

GnomeDePlume · 15/05/2012 21:58

What I was trying to get at was that if my very blokey DH can spot this then the script being followed is pretty obvious.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 22:05

precisely gnome

your DH having functioning synapses that are not impaired by him being in possession of a beard is also relevant here Smile

MerryMarigold · 15/05/2012 22:11

beards are typical of right-on men who are very in touch with their feminine side Grin. Don't see a lot of nightclub bouncers with beards now do you?

Greatauntirene · 15/05/2012 22:16

Gnomedeplume could be right with her (or her DP's) take on things.

Another thing with my DH was that he felt taken for granted and unappreciated by me, at the time we were both v busy with family, jobs etc, so we both felt the other wasn't valuing what we were doing. So it sounds like you and DH are in a similar situation.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 22:18

heh

I think beards aree typical of men who haven't shaved for a few days/weeks/months

and some women Grin

Greatauntirene · 15/05/2012 22:29

Forgot to add that if there is OW or even if there isn't and DH is thinking he might like an OW, you should make changes to your life so it isn't just office and DCs. Can you pay for regular baby sitting so you can go out more, pay for cleaner? so it's not just work work work (and you can compete with OW real or imaginery).
I think you should stop crying, as that just feeds his view that the love is all on your side, not his, and get feisty and show him what he will be losing by leaving ie a sexy desirable fun woman.

GnomeDePlume · 15/05/2012 22:38

strokes moustaches

Seriously though...

I'm afraid it does look like OP's DH has had his head turned by someone new.

I disturbed DH from watching cycling (oh the romance!). His opinion is that if OP's DH hasnt got physical with the new woman and she turns him down then OP's DH may well return to the marriage of his own volition. If this does happen then he will be rather embarassed by the whole thing and not want it mentioned ever again. He may well not admit to the infatuation.

If on the other hand it has got physical but a new relationship doesnt form then he may well move on again quite quickly. My DB has done this, walked away from his marriage into a series of short-term relationships.

I'm afraid that neither of these are the happy ending that OP wants and I am sorry for that.

My DH has now wandered off to bed (no doubt fed up with me asking him MN relationship questions)

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 22:42

Get him his own nickname, Gnome

he could be a Relationships Guru Grin

carernotasaint · 15/05/2012 22:47

That book is only good for one thing and thats a fucking door stop for propping the door open when you kick this "man" out.

carernotasaint · 15/05/2012 22:47

That book is only good for one thing and thats a fucking door stop for propping the door open when you kick this "man" out.

TheFarSide · 15/05/2012 22:49

So what, though, if somebody's DH expresses an opinion that there is an OW waiting in the wings - is his opinion more valid than anybody else's? The fact is, none of us know and while it might be useful for the OP to see this as a possibility, I don't think it is the only explanation.

Anyway, OP, my advice would be that you are feeling bad because your DH has left you hanging - this may be because he is a bastard or it may be because he genuinely needs some space. In these situations, I think it might be counterproductive to force a conversation right now because you are hurt and vulnerable and expecting him to provide answers that he can't/won't give. I would strongly recommend individual counselling for you, to help you cope with this upsetting and frustrating situation and find your emotional strength again. It would also help you figure out what you want from a marriage and whether your DH can provide it, rather than worrying about what he feels or wants.

GnomeDePlume · 15/05/2012 22:49
Grin
GnomeDePlume · 15/05/2012 22:52

sorry, the grin was in reply to AF

I merely proffer my DH's view as it is a male interpretation of male actions

TheFarSide · 15/05/2012 22:54

Gnome, carer, AF - do you think it is appropriate to continue your hilarious conversation on this thread? I'm sure the OP doesn't see it all as one big joke.

KlickKlackknobsac · 15/05/2012 22:56

highly amusing gnome a husband who imagines anothers is shaggin around or thinking about it.
Love you af Grin Grin

KlickKlackknobsac · 15/05/2012 22:58

OP has gone - said that ages ago.
We are awaiting her return.
Specifically for the- 'he has another woman and you were right- can anyone recomment a solicitor'
Or 'he is still unsure but I am giving him more time and sorting out his bankstatements'
comments.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 23:01

threads never wander off topic and people never chat amongst themselves when OP disappears do they ?

oh no

GnomeDePlume · 15/05/2012 23:02

TheFarSide - did you read my last post? My posting of my DH's interpretations were not in any way hilarious. They were quite serious.

No one has made a joke about the OP's situation.

The lighthearted comments were not aimed at the OP's predicament.

carernotasaint · 15/05/2012 23:02

I dont see this as a joke and im damn sure Gnome and AF dont either. So basically we are told we are not taking it seriously. Cos apparently because we are not telling the OP to make allowances and excuses for him because he has a penis then we cant be taking this seriously.
Well Far Side the 1950s called. They want their attitude back.

QueenieLovesEels · 15/05/2012 23:04

I don't think anyone is laughing at the OP's expense farside

Weird comment.

KlickKlackknobsac · 15/05/2012 23:06

Op has the full gamut of views except for- 'stop complaining you are a woman and should be seen and not heard' We have tried very hard to provide a balanced response.
She has gone, and were are kicking grit amongst the tumbleweeds in the mn desert.

AnyFucker · 15/05/2012 23:07

farside named the 2 wrong posters

carer was not having a conversation with me

looks like someone arguing for the sake of it, if you can't even get your so-called protagonists correct

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