Married life

[Newshinyme]

I've name changed for this. I mainly lurk reading threads and this has made me really think about my relationship with DH and our intimacy. We very rarely have sex because of me, the truth is I can never summon up the energy to do it. We have 2 young DCs 4 & 6 and both work full time, I'm always knackered and feel very claustrophobic. I can tell when DH wants to have sex as he starts to be more touchy ie cuddle me but I get annoyed because I know it's because he wants sex rather than just hugs. When I'm trying to get ready in the morning for work if he sees me naked or in underwear he grabs me which irritates me cos we're in a rush and I have to push him away.

This is terrible of me isn't it? Do people really have sex loads? Is there something wrong with me?

[cantthinkofagoodone]

I'm in a similar boat. I have to make sure we both go to bed really early.

Before kids I was a morning person but now we're always woken up by DC rather then on our own so the good stuff on weekend mornings is but a memory for the timebeing. Sigh...

[Lweji]

Hearts, you can also reverse it, that she doesn't want sex because he is insensitive and annoying and possibly abusive.

[SancerreMerlot]

Hi newshinyme, I can really relate to your situation as I experienced the same issues with my husband who I have been married to for a long time. Busy with full time work and kids, I felt like you. The only thing that has worked for us really well (and it may not for you) was to schedule sex. Same time every week or fortnight (you choose). That way no worrying on your side about every cuddle being an attempt to get you into bed and on his side, my husband was tired of being rebuffed all the time and he was feeling shit about himself too. So we did one night a week, same night every week and the pressure was lifted. We don't always have sex but we do have to hit the sack and get naked, even if only to chat for an hour. We put the kids down and go straight to our bedroom (skip dinner, get take away afterwards!) and because we haven't really snogged, talked all week apart from parent, day to day household stuff, it's lovely to lie down and snog, chat etc. Anyway it worked for us and although it was a bit weird to schedule it a first and it felt really unromantic, having done it for such a long time now, it is one of the best nights of the week. May not work for you but maybe something similar so you don't get stressed trying to get ready for work, which used to annoy the hell out of me. x

[bubalou]

Don't be too upset - he wants to have sex with you. It sounds like he adores you and can't help himself.

Try not to see it as such a turn off. If you aren't in the mood then you can't be expected to just switch it on but don't start getting caught in a cycle of getting upset and irritated or the gap between times will just get bigger.

[Meerka]

old phrase "men need sex to feel loved, women need to feel loved to have sex" came to mind.

Being exhausted and groped unwelcomely (is that a new word?!) would make anyone want to recoil from intimacy.

Maybe sit down and lay out out in plain speaking. And ask for more help in the house. State exactly the practical things you need help with, giving specifics will give him something concrete to get to grips with. Though its sadly notorious how people sometimes make an effort for only 3 days then relapse. But you never know, he may listen.

[AppleAndBlackberry]

Maybe you are feeling annoyed with him about this and maybe about texting a lot and that kind of thing is meaning you don't feel very close or intimate at the moment and so obviously you don't want sex. I think you need to open up to him a bit about how you are feeling and encourage him to talk to you too and hopefully restore some of the intimacy.

[GiveMeSomeSpace]

I too think that you should be happy that your husband still finds you attractive and wants you.

My opinion is that if a pair of adults can't talk about these important things openly, come to a compromise that works for both and make an effort for each other, they should be honest with each other and go their separate ways. He wants to be wanted and he will be wanted but someone else. Similarly, it may be that he isn't right for you. You should ask yourself if that's the case. It may be that you need to find someone else that is RIGHT FOR YOU.

There is little point in continuing to hurt each other repeatedly and end up losing a friendship in addition to the intimacy that has been lost. Be true to yourselves and each other and let him go if you can't be.

I hope it all works out for you both and you can work it out together rather than apart.

[Isetan]

Is the constant pawing the turn off or is it the person doing the pawing?

I hated the constant groping because I didn't want to be intimate with someone who didn't respect me and treated me like an unpaid babysitter who had to be sexually available at all times. I didn't realise it at the time and couldn't understand why I couldn't bare him touching me. So for me, the arse grabber was the problem, the arse grabbing was just another frustrating instance where he prioritised himself over me.

There appears to be a lot not being said within your relationship, not just to each other but to yourself as well. I would definitely seek marriage guidance, the current situation will only deteriorate if left unchallenged.

If you still want to be married to this man then you must speak up.

[Dahlen]

I think the OP is bang on about her assessment of the situation. The underlying resentment is at the root of the problem here. That's what needs addressing. IF that goes, she'll be in a position to see if her DH's advances are going to lead to lots more passionate sex because she likes them or if she genuinely finds him a turn off because he treats her like a piece of meat.

OP, I really cannot recommend this book enough. It will help you understand why you feel so angry about your domestic division of labour and 'helpful' texts like "the DC need a bath tonight". It will also help you explain that to your DH in a way he can understand, which will hopefully lead to changes in your relationship that leave you both feeling much more balanced, respected and emotionally intimate. From that, hopefully better sex will result. Although if he's an entitled arse about it, you may just end up kicking him into touch. Either way will be a resolution of sorts.

Good luck.