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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

I just don't fancy DP any more

15 replies

KhoPeePee · 17/11/2013 21:52

For the past year or so he's been working ridiculously long hours and I've done the lions share of housework, stuff for the kids etc. and I'm now realising that I have been gradually checking out of the relationship. We've been together for 9 yrs and have 2 DCs and I have tried to talk to him various times about the fact that I think we need to work on our relationship but he just doesn't see that there are any major issues. Over the past few weeks, I've looked at him and thought 'I really don't fancy you at all any more'. Help, is this the end?

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 17/11/2013 22:00

If there's no emotional connection it's hard to have a physical connection. What's more, he's not even recognising the fact you're moving apart.

I think counselling would be the best thing to do - he'd be forced to look again in your relationship.

canyouexpand · 17/11/2013 22:13

I think it's the beginning of you trying to help him understand there are significant problems. He is not on the same page in terms of appreciating the insecurity of your relationship. If he hasn't taken your concerns seriously at other times, what other approach could be more effective?

tingle1 · 17/11/2013 22:25

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perfectstorm · 17/11/2013 23:37

Tingle, she didn't say that; it's simply an explanation that they lead different lives and over the past months and perhaps years. I don't know who in their right mind could think fulltime sole charge of infant/preschooler twins (OP has previously mentioned twins when posting) plus running a house doesn't count as working all week - a nanny would do less and be paid well for it - but as it happens, the OP hasn't even said she doesn't work outside the home, just that as her DH works such crazily long hours she has taken over all household responsibility, and as a result their lives have diverged and they've drifted apart. She's looking for advice on how that can be fixed, and if it can. Your response is just your own biases placed on a third party, in the form of a personal attack on her. Really unhelpful.

OP, I think looking after tiny kids does tend to be a bit of a tunnel, and your relationship often turns into housemates with creche attached for a while. I honestly think that's pretty normal. I don't think it has to be the end, no, but I do think you need to arrange childcare one weekend lunch (dinner, and you'll likely be knackered) and go for a meal where you can lay it on the line. And I think you might want to contemplate couple's counselling and telling him bluntly that his thinking there are no major problems is a major problem, because it's very good evidence he has absolutely no idea what you feel or think, and if he's brushing aside your trying to tell him then that's also evidence that he's not really that interested (in fairness, he could just be hoping it goes away of its own accord/not wanting to admit it to himself, rather than not caring). Counselling is one thing, but I also think if at all possible that you need to make a point of setting aside time to spend together, doing something you always used to enjoy, with no kids within a mile of you at all. Because spending time with Daddy will be a lot less likely if you split, anyway, and so couple time now is an investment for them, not taking time from them.

I genuinely think having very young kids drains so much love, energy and time from couples that almost all have a few cracks in the relationship in these earliest years. I think within 2 years they'll be schoolage and far more independent you'll have your life back again - it's such a short time - but I don't think the odds of having a relationship at the end of it are great if you don't communicate at all meanwhile.

Imperial is right. Without emotional intimacy surviving in a longterm relationship, sexual is not likely to either. And his failure to see any problem is evidence of how far things have drifted. It's not hopeless unless he is completely unwilling to meet you halfway, I don't think.

Brandnewmamma · 17/11/2013 23:56

I think that is unfair tingle. I have a demanding full time job.. Have been in it for over decade and I think being a Sahm is really full on!!!

Comparably, work is easier, you get a proper break, time to chill on the commute etc, housework is tedious at times.
Anyway op, I think you are losing heart in the relationship but these things are not deal breakers .. Talk to him, tell him you want more. I would consider trying to start something fro home or doing something for yourself to enjoy too so you have stuff that keeps you going outside of house and kids.

barmygirl · 18/11/2013 00:01

I do hate the idea that there is some kind of heirarchy of work-importance...it drives me mad. If you work full time at home and do all the housework and take care of children (one of the most important jobs you can do!), and the partner does a job that brings in the cash, it's about recognising the importance of each of your roles and not treating it as a competition...you each contribute equally but in different ways and if one or either of you feels ignored or neglected then you're not going to feel sexually attractive/attracted to the other. As I've experienced it, women need affection in order to feel sexy and men need sex in order to feel affecionate- so it's a case of accepting that in each other and stepping back a bit and giving back to each other. The trouble is, how does that actually work in practice? Counselling seems to be the way, but you both have to be up for that in order for that to happen and both accept there is an issue; he seems not to see that, from what you're saying. If I could suggest a real, workable, answer, I'd be happy, as am having the same arguments/issues just now with my own partner. I hope things work out for you. It's about acknowledging the roles you both play in the team...sorry I can't be of more help! But I understand exactly what you're saying!

KhoPeePee · 18/11/2013 17:31

Thanks for the replies everyone. I do work 3 days a week btw and well spotted, 3 yr old twins. I have been to Relate once by myself as he didn't want to come but when I got back he said that he would come next time (the counsellor told me that she thought I need couples counselling, not much she could do for me alone). Actually got a call today saying that an appointment has become available on Thursday so we'll see what that brings.

We do actually get some time together to go for dinner, maybe once every couple of months, the last time I just sat there thinking that this isn't working out.

OP posts:
Golddigger · 18/11/2013 17:35

Show him this thread. Tell him everything. Bring up everything. You have nothing to lose at this stage.

KhoPeePee · 18/11/2013 17:38

It's a difficult one as I agree that having young children drains a lot out of relationships but I also wonder if being in this high pressure environment brings some underlying issues to the surface too...

Also, the working long hours thing was more to show why he may be less aware of the issues as he is distracted by work all of the time. I do actually do things with friends myself without kids and have a hobby so that's not an issue for me. He actually needs some time like this more than me IMO as he works all the time and that's it.

OP posts:
KhoPeePee · 18/11/2013 17:39

Goldigger I'm nervous that saying I don't fancy him is something that can't be gone back from

OP posts:
Twinklestein · 18/11/2013 17:48

It's a difficult one as I agree that having young children drains a lot out of relationships but I also wonder if being in this high pressure environment brings some underlying issues to the surface too...

I agree. By way of comparison husband works exceptionally long hours, we've been through the tunnel of small children, and it never stopped me fancying him, I think there's something else going on here.

I don't think this has to be the 'the end', I've seen other couples reignite a lost connection, but obviously he has to be willing to acknowledge there's a problem.

Can you pin-point exactly what's causing you to 'check out'?

Oblomov · 18/11/2013 17:49

I work 3 days and ds2 just started school. Last few years have really zapped the life out of me. I really hope you can overcome this OP.

Golddigger · 18/11/2013 17:51

Could you say that you dont fancy him as much as you did, which would be the truth?

KhoPeePee · 18/11/2013 18:12

Twinkle stein it can't really put my finger on it, I think that in the last year I've come out of the fug of being completely overwhelmed by the DCs and want some of my old life back but not sure if it should be with him. We were never the most communicative before tbh.

Goldigger - that is a good idea for how to approach it at the Relate session

OP posts:
perfectstorm · 18/11/2013 22:13

I stopped wanting physical contact with anyone when DS was very small. Lots of friends say the same and there have been numerous threads on here - I don't think that's unusual (though as Twinklstein says it's not universal either). Having said that, we had a close friendship and very passionate sexual relationship before, so there was a lot there to rediscover. I think Relate does sound really positive as a next step, because he'll find it hard to pretend there's no problem with you and a counsellor there discussing how there is.

It sounds like a total breakdown of closeness/connection/intimacy. I hope you can work it through. Good luck.

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