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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:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/07/2014 14:18

"I just want him to stop harrassing me and appreciate what he has."

Then you must call his bluff. If he actually said there's no point in the relationship continuing without elasticated foundation garments being wheeled out mid-week, then you must very seriously tell him that you quite agree and ask him when he'll be moving out.

He will only appreciate what he has when there is a realistic chance of losing it. Always stand up to a bully. Don't bake bread for it...

RedRoom · 25/07/2014 14:21

I'd tell him to shove a plate of hobnobs up his arse.

I can't get my head round why he thinks the relationship can't continue if you won't dress up when he demands it. Does he really see no point in being with you any more if he doesn't get exactly what he demands sexually? And let's face it, his sulk at not having his request for sex with dressing up at least twice a week met is a bit ridiculous. I could understand him saying he can't cope with no sex at all for months at a stretch, but he's getting plenty. He's being really selfish.

Also, his "high standards domestically, and high standards in the bedroom" comment is really weird. Is sex only of an acceptable standard to him if it involves lingerie and costumes? Does he not grasp the other thousands of ways of making sex enjoyable, or the concept of mutual pleasure? He sounds too fixated on the one thing that gets him off, and too selfish to see / care that it does nothing for you.

TheFairiesAreBack · 25/07/2014 14:23

So he wants you to do something you won't enjoy doing because it will satisfy him?

Twat.

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 14:26

I think what he wants is for me to want it too.
Which I do Confused

Just not when I'm knackered and have spent 14 hours dealing with everyone else's needs rather than my own.

OP posts:
HolgerDanske · 25/07/2014 14:27

He doesn't get to decide what you should want to do. He needs to get that idea right out of his head.

ravenmum · 25/07/2014 14:33

I don't get what he means by "we should have high standards domestically, and high standards in the bedroom" - if he's not helping maintain your high domestic standards by doing something as basic as using a plate, then he can't expect you to maintain standards he's imposed in the bedroom. Makes no logical sense ... unless he is confusing the word "we" with the word "you"?

You go along with his fantasy because you like to see him have fun. Does he do anything designed to turn you on and make you happy? What is all this giving he says he is doing? Is he giving you little things that you like and cost more thought and love than cash, or is he talking about going to work and earning money (which he would do whether you were there or not)?

Bruins · 25/07/2014 14:37

Sounds like he grew up watching Benny Hill.

emotionsecho · 25/07/2014 14:38

Anti, but you do want to do it and do it when you want to why the hell can't he accept that? That's what an equal, respectful partnership is about.

He wants it all his way or no way irrespective of your needs or wants at that particular time, that's not an equal respectful partnership.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 25/07/2014 14:38

"I think what he wants is for me to want it too"

A good sex-life revolves around both people being compatible. Means communicating, being considerate and sensitive to each other's needs. It's got to be two-way thing.

I'm still struck that the time elapsed between meeting and marrying was so short. My guess is that you thought the 'at it like rabbits' phase was a phase and he thought he'd hit pay-dirt and found someone who could live up to his porn-fuelled fantasies...underwear included... any day of the week. Stating that unless you do X the relationship is down the pan is unacceptable.

hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2014 14:40

So what are you planning to do about this OP?
I think you should show him.
He asked you to put it to us and you have and you've had the responses.
Surely he should get to see them?

Isetan · 25/07/2014 14:44

I can see why you snapped him up so quickly, he must've been beating them off with a stick.

He feels entitled to demand that you act out his sexual fantasies and is prepared to issue threats to achieve it. You have a relationship dynamic where you are expected to show gratitude dress up like the orifices on his wank fodder in return for his 'niceness' usual activities for an equal caring partner.

Time for your partner standards to catch up with your housework standards. Oh and this type of selfishness is rarely confined to the bedroom but I'm guessing its hard to achnowledge that when you're being so damn grateful all the time.

Bruins · 25/07/2014 14:47

He needs to see these responses.

Would he not appreciate how others view him? Time to burst his bubble OP.

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 14:53

I guess so, hellsbells, but I think there's a risk that this will seriously antagonise him and make matters worse. Even I wasn't expecting it to be so unanimous.

cogito - you may well have hit the nail on the head with your last paragraph.

The "giving" thing: yes, he's very financially and materially generous, but he's also very attentive - pouring me a glass of wine when I get home, tea every morning, breakfast in bed, that sort of thing.

But I don't think he's aware of half of the stuff I do around the house. He was complaining this morning that he does all the cat-care. I pointed out that just because he doesn't always see me when I'm emptying the litter tray and sweeping up twice a day, it doesn't mean it didn't actually happen...

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2014 14:59

Maybe give him a general summary first and see if he believes you and then if you have to you can show him?

eggnut · 25/07/2014 15:00

One of my ex's was obsessed with stockings and suspenders and it went from the occasional thing to every single time. He would request "stockings and suspenders" in this little baby voice that immediately killed any desire for him stone dead!

Sorry, I can't stop laughing at this gem from another poster on here (sorry I forgot the name, it was a few pages back). Priceless!

It sounds as though the real problem is that he feels entitled to have sex the way he wants it whenever he wants it that way. And that he's set you up to lose by saying that you getting dressed up at weekends doesn't count as you're doing it "under duress." Unless his outlook changes dramatically, you will never be able to win, you will never be able to count on him taking a reasonable attitude toward sex (i.e.: my partner is not a prostitute and I'm not entitled to get a biscuit sex with suspenders just because I want it at that moment).

I would agree with calling his bluff. Or ask him if he's willing to do counselling to see if you can reach a better understanding of one another, instead of just declaring the marriage over right now over Suspendergate. But be very careful if he does agree to counsellingif he has controlling tendencies (rather than just being a bit stupid and selfish about his sexual expectations) he could use it to manipulate you withkeep your eyes open.

I know I'm laughing but I'm sorry you're going through this. It's very painful to encounter such unreasonable behaviour from a partner.

hesterton · 25/07/2014 15:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FairPhyllis · 25/07/2014 15:08

He doesn't see you as contributing anything to the relationship/your life together other than being a sex object.

If he really meant what he said, then that's how he feels. It's really that simple. He feels that sex is the only thing you give him that he values, therefore it has to be on his terms every single time.

Tell him to get stuffed. Why did his previous relationship end? Was it something to do with seeing women as sex objects?

NigellasDealer · 25/07/2014 15:09

fairphyllis has it fairly summed up IMHO

Bruins · 25/07/2014 15:10

This thread is making me (and I expect a few others) feel so uncomfortable. I'm not sure why, perhaps because it feels as though the clocks have been turned back to another era.

Anti you're only forty, how can you put up with this? Show him the thread, please.

NigellasDealer · 25/07/2014 15:15

I just re-read the OP and he sounds like a total cunt.
'got a telling off' for asking his dd to use a plate!!
un-fucking-believable

aylesburyduck · 25/07/2014 15:27

I think he's a complete twat.

And I think that you should tell him that the mumsnet collective also think he's a twat...not that he will take any notice because he is obviously always right!

I'd tell him to FOTTFSOFATFOSM.

Pickledradish · 25/07/2014 15:36

Does he have a golden cock for you to worship?

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 15:38

Whats FOTTFSOFATFSOM?!

OP posts:
FairPhyllis · 25/07/2014 15:40

And OP you are also slipping into this attitude that you should be grateful to him for behaving like a normal partner:

"[he] props me up a bit financially, which I'm incredibly grateful for and regularly tell him so"

He does not "prop you up". Yes your standard of living is probably higher than it was before your marriage, but you were independently supporting yourself and your child before you married. Now you are married, you are both living on joint family money, not on "his" money. And the fact you are telling him you are grateful is probably only reinforcing his attitude that he is the provider in exchange for sex (specifically, exactly the sex that he wants).

"[he] recently took me on an amazing holiday."

No, you went on a joint holiday together, using family money.

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

This is normal in a relationship, not something you should be extra grateful for.

He is bullying you. Issuing ultimatums about ending the relationship is massively unfair and signals that deep down he doesn't think your feelings are important if they are getting in the way of you being a 24/7 sex fantasy.

hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2014 15:45

Fuck off the far side of fuck and then fuck off some more!
HTH!!

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