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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

DH suggested I put this to you lot. What do you think?

422 replies

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 11:43

I'm going to try to keep this as neutral as possible, as it seems DH and I both completely believe we're in the right, despite our opposing views. Also going to try not to drip feed.

We've been together two years, married just over a year. We both have DDs from previous relationships. Mine (12) lives with us and goes to see her dad overnight at the weekend; his (13) stays two nights a week. My DD has some SEN, and coupled with the hormonal chaos of being 12, can be quite hard work. I also work 25 hours a week in a job that I love, but that can also be stressful and a bit overwhelming (social work).

A couple of months ago, DH told me that if I won't dress up for sex - ie. stockings, suspenders, thong, basque, whatever - he can't see any point in our relationship continuing. I was absolutely flabberghasted. It was like being kicked in the head. He did apologise, and we patched things up a bit, but he keeps coming back to the same thing every time we have words. He says that it would make him feel wanted and appreciated, that he is constantly giving to me, and that I give nothing back.

Thing is, I DO want and appreciate him. I love him. I'm so glad we found each other, at this relatively late stage in life (I'm 40, he's 50). But I find the weekdays hard, when DD is playing up and I'm exhausted from work and the constant bloody grind of housework and organising everything. As consequence, sex tends to happen at the weekends. I'd say we probably have sex a couple of times at the weekend, and sometimes, but not always, once during the week.

The funny thing is, that at the weekends when I'm relaxed and can focus on us rather than everybody else, I do dress up for him, and am happy to do so. I really enjoy it, and love the effect it has on him. This morning, during yet another argument about this, I reminded him of this, but he said it doesn't count because I'm only doing it under duress. I'm not doing it under duress, but it seems I can't win. He is insistant that I should - on say, a Tuesday evening, when I've been at work, then come home and have been running around doing domestic chores and coping with / helping / monitoring / disciplining DD til 9.30pm, I should pop on some saucy underwear and adopt the sex kitten persona. But I don't want anyone to make anymore demands on mme. It's all I can do to crawl into bed and read for half an hour.

In the interests of balance, I should add that DH has more money than me and props me up a bit financially, which I'm incredibly grateful for and regularly tell him so. He does most of the washing up, hoovers the house once a week, cleans the bathrooms, does any gardening, and helps me with DD a lot. I have quite high standards domestically (but not ridiculous - I only clean once a week and change beds every 7 - 10 days), and am very tidy. Being tidy helps me feel on top of things, and I make no apology for it. DH says that he likes my standards, but doesn't really help to maintain them. I feel that I tidy up after him a lot.

An example: He eats a lot of biscuits. I have asked him to use a plate for these, as otherwise I have to clear up his crumbs. He refuses; thinks I'm being ridiculous. I got a telling off a couple of weeks ago for asking his DD to eat off a plate too. I've tried to explain to him that this little thing could actually help with the sex thing - I wouldn't feel so resentful having to clear up after him all the time. But it is just dismissed. He actually said to me this morning (and I quote) " we should have high standards domestically, and high standards in the bedroom" Shock

Your goign to tell me to LTB aren't you? Sad

OP posts:
NigellasDealer · 25/07/2014 12:17

I mean *that is what he thinks he is still paying for now

BeCool · 25/07/2014 12:18

You're right: he was an avid user of porn before we got together; not so much now (I think?)
So you think he changed his porn habit completely after you married? Really?

Egghead68 · 25/07/2014 12:18

I was going to say the same thing. Total mistake to marry after 12 months imo.

You know what you need to do ... (and it's ltb in case you don't)

WhereTheWildlingsAre · 25/07/2014 12:19

He is being massively unfair and very unsexy. Dictating when you must do something for his satisfaction??!! Really?? Is this just another service you are expected to provide or a loving relationship between equals?

Pooka · 25/07/2014 12:21

He'll say that mnetters are man hating harpies I'll bet.

hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2014 12:22

Stop watching porn.... it's ruining your relationship with your DW
^^ THIS.. WITH BELLS ON ^^

gamerchick · 25/07/2014 12:23

I don't really think you have many choices.. put up and shut up which will end up you properly miserable.. be assertive and tell him where to get off or the doors over there or kick his arse out.

He doesn't sound like a very nice person.. is he besides this?

TheresLotsOfFarmyardAnimals · 25/07/2014 12:23

I think he wants a prostitute. Someone to fulfill his sexual desires, appear willing, unphased by daily life.

I do think that having sex is an important part of being in a marriage but it is just one cog in the machine. He needs to contribute more than financially.

Does he care about what you like in a sexual relationship? Would he get decked out in his finest David Beckham tiny white pants if requested?

Does he use his own initiative to contribute to the household or just 'help you out' with the housework?

He is simply being selfish.

hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2014 12:24

he was an avid user of porn
Cross post.
Of course he was and he still is.

He sound feckin' horrible TBF.

Fairylea · 25/07/2014 12:25

I left my first husband for pestering me for sex in the way he wanted sex all the time when I already thought we had quite a lot of sex ! (Like you mostly weekends etc). I just got utterly fed up of him going on at me and in the end I became resentful about it all. One of the nicest things when I first left him was to be able to get in pj's after a long day and know I wouldn't have any of the passive aggressive shit to deal with because someone wanted to have sex. I really can't be bothered to deal with that.

Many years on I am remarried and my dh never puts any pressure on me to have sex at all. We still have a good sex life (2-3 times a week mostly, and we have a toddler as well as my older child) but I have the lower sex drive and he still just goes along happily.

Someone moaning about sex is the biggest turn off there is.

And fuck all that dressing up shit. Seriously. Who has time for that at the end of a long day?!

ABlandAndDeadlyCourtesy · 25/07/2014 12:25

You are happy to dress up at the weekend, he says he doesn't want to do it then as you are under duress.

You are not happy to dress up mid week and he wants to insist you do it then, when you would be under duress.

Do you think he is more turned on by knowing you are doing something you don't really want to do?

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 12:26

Yes, he will pooka.

I don't thing the porn habit has completely changed, just reduced.

In fairness to DH, he does a lot of caring lovely things for me too.He would wait on me hand and foot if I asked him too, and recently took me on an amazing holiday. He is - outside of the sex thing - one of life's 'looker afterers'

OP posts:
rootypig · 25/07/2014 12:28

He would wait on me hand and foot if I asked him to

Get asking

He is - outside of the sex thing - one of life's 'looker afterers'

That doesn't entitle him to call the shots

ABlandAndDeadlyCourtesy · 25/07/2014 12:28

He would wait in you hand and foot but won't use a plate or pick up his crumbs when you ask him to?

Does he go in for grand gestures (like "buying you" a new kitchen) but do less day to day stuff (like tidying said kitchen)?

madamweasel · 25/07/2014 12:29

My DH is bloody grateful to get ANY sex, let alone with bells and whistles on. And he earns loads more that me. And he tidies up (sometimes without being asked).

Your DH should value you as a person first and foremost and respect the fact that you work and are not his paid prostitute. And isn't sexual activity under duress rape? So he can pipe down about demanding anything from you with intimidation of any sort.

Fairylea · 25/07/2014 12:30

But he's not looking after you is he? He's making you feel under pressure and like you're not good enough unless you conform to his porntastic image of sex.

NoSquirrels · 25/07/2014 12:30

Wow.

Everyone else has said everything. This would be it for me, though:

A couple of months ago, DH told me that if I won't dress up for sex - ie. stockings, suspenders, thong, basque, whatever - he can't see any point in our relationship continuing.

I would say well, off you trot then, sweetheart. Even if you love him, love cannot solve all things, and lack of respect is as serious as it gets in a marriage.

I was absolutely flabberghasted. It was like being kicked in the head. He did apologise, and we patched things up a bit, but he keeps coming back to the same thing every time we have words. He says that it would make him feel wanted and appreciated, that he is constantly giving to me, and that I give nothing back.

And by nothing, he means sex. Bloody hell.

The real thing is, although life is stressful now, with work and teenagers and all those things, what if the shit REALLY hit the fan? Could you rely on a man as selfish as this to support you "in sickness and in health"?

Bruins · 25/07/2014 12:30

He didn't take you on holiday OP, you are married, you went together.

You're catching his attitude.

ElizaPickford · 25/07/2014 12:30

Another massive LTB from me.

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 12:31

Exactly fairylea Sad

OP posts:
Minime85 · 25/07/2014 12:31

Goodness. Not read all the replies but I think there is a huge consensus. He sounds like a not very nice man to be honest. A relationship in all aspects, including sexually, is meant to be mutual and two way NOT just to fulfil his needs. I think a serious serious conversation about your future is required and do you really want to stay with someone who seems to hold you in such disregard? You have some serious thinking to do.

Deverethemuzzler · 25/07/2014 12:32

I got as far as him trying to blackmail you into wearing stockings and suspenders for sex.

Tell him to fuck off.

Seriously. How dare he tell you that your relationship is worthless unless you dress up like a cliched idea of what a hooker looks like.

Ugh.

hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2014 12:33

Just because he's nice in other ways, does NOT make sexual harrassment OK!

SarcyMare · 25/07/2014 12:34

for a few nights start watching porn yourself and find somethng to turn you on, that involves him putting himself out, wearing dresses might be fun, or even stockings

ABlandAndDeadlyCourtesy · 25/07/2014 12:36

Would he stand for you saying if he wants the marriage to last, you are insisting on applying a strap on every thursday?