Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
VanGogh · 25/07/2014 22:18

What a twat. Shocking lack of respect for you as a woman.

Do not feel you should bend to his whims and "requirements" because he "props you up financially" you are not an escort.

CheerfulYank · 25/07/2014 22:33

I'd tell him to fuck right off.

You're giving him what he wants and it's still not good enough.

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore · 25/07/2014 22:40

Is this dressing up thing perhaps something he did with a hooker and he is trying to "relive" the experience with you?? Confused It does seem as if he's saying that's literally the only way he will have sex with you, which would earn a hearty "piss off!" from me.

FunkyBoldRibena · 25/07/2014 22:54

Christ on a fucking bike; what a sordid transaction this 'relationship' is.

All these 'nice' things are purely to buy your participation in his sex fantasies.

Nice.

PlantsAndFlowers · 25/07/2014 23:17

Shocked at the 'he took me on holiday' comment, when as someone said up thread you went together,!

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 23:43

I know. I'm an idiot (and a bit pished).

Am now in the marital bed. Not talking to him. He askedwhether I'd had a nice evening. I told him there is only one thing he can say of any relevance, and that is, "I'm sorry".

Hasn't happened yet. Could be a long night.

OP posts:
AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 23:48

God, I'm angry.
Thank you, nest of vipers.
I don't want to leave him. I actually really like him. He's clever and funny and lovely. We have so much fun together. If only he could stop this

But I think (hope) this could be a catalyst.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 25/07/2014 23:48

Has he read the thread then, Cat?

Maryz · 25/07/2014 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AntideluvianCat · 25/07/2014 23:53

I don't know. We don't seem to be communicating at all very well

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 25/07/2014 23:57

Problem is, "this" isn't just a small foible. It's his fundamental underlying personality. It can't just be brushed under the carpet as a quirk.

Maryz · 25/07/2014 23:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PenelopePitstops · 25/07/2014 23:59

I hope things change for you.

He sounds arse like but if he will fix it then all is not lost.

Hope you manage to communicate Thanks

PenelopePitstops · 26/07/2014 00:00

Nice letter maryz

maras2 · 26/07/2014 00:00

He's a shit and you know it.However, he's your shit and you will not take any notice or advice from us.Sorry but you really won't,will you?

AntideluvianCat · 26/07/2014 00:14

Of course I will maras
I started the thread because I wanted to hear what you guys had to say, not because he told me to
I am now seriously considering my position, as they say.

OP posts:
QuipFree · 26/07/2014 00:17

Is there any possibility that he has video or photos of your sex life?

AntideluvianCat · 26/07/2014 00:18

Oh. He hasn't RTT .

OP posts:
QuipFree · 26/07/2014 00:20

It's okay that he hasn't RTT. Let's face it, it's not really about him. We aren't commenting for his benefit.

Zazzles007 · 26/07/2014 00:25

Wow, I've just caught up with your full thread OP. I have been alternately Grin at some posters comments, Shock at your situation and Sad that others have experienced what you are going through. At one point, I too felt that I had been transported back to the 1950's, where women were expected to be a lady in the parlour, a cook in the kitchen, and a whore in the bedroom Hmm.

I think this 'man' really isn't as wonderful as you think he is, and that this is gradually dawning on you. Many posters are showing you that his demand and control of you is unreasonable. Is it possible that this particular situation is only the tip of the iceberg? Could you characterise the rest of the relationship to us, no holds barred?

NoSquirrels · 26/07/2014 00:26

It's late, and you've been drinking. I think you should probably try to set a time for a calm discussion. Mayrz's letter idea is good.

Meantime, think about how you view yourself and the relationship - you've made some odd comments regarding his financial contributions etc. and the value of that to your emotional relationship. Check in with yourself about your boundaries, what you require in terms of respect. You need to be clear, so the discussion doesn't descend into biscuit-gate etc.

Good luck. I hope he turns out to be the man you think he was when you married him, and not the version who appears onscreen to us as a horrible arse!

BOFster · 26/07/2014 00:35

I feel so sorry for you- you sound lovely Sad.

This can't go on: can you seriously imagine a sex-life in the longterm where you had to truss yourself up in stockings and suspenders every time? Whatever the kink, it gets old fast, especially when you start to feel like your partner prioritises it over an actual mutual relationship with a real woman. You've explained why you don't fancy the palaver on a constant basis, but he has ignored that and thrown his toys out of the pram and issued a petulant ultimatum.

I suggest you call his bluff- there's no way you can just fall into line once you've realised how selfish and dickish he's being. It would feel like a tiny death every time, and you'd end up despising yourself as well as resenting him.

It's hard to admit you've backed the wrong horse, but it's much worse to keep riding it to somewhere you don't want to go.

Iownathreeinchferrari · 26/07/2014 00:37

I think I stead of expecting you to get changed into your pussy sexing outfit at 9.30 on a Tuesday, he should run you a lively bubble bath and give you a back massage.

justiceofthePeas · 26/07/2014 00:58

Agree with Pps. But don't think you should LTB. Don't think you should evrn dignify it with a discussion.

You just do what you want to do and wear what you want to wear.

If he stomps off in a petulant huff let him. But don't give him the air time of duscussing it.

And if he drops crumbs tell him to clean it up. If he doesn't get rid of all the biscuits.

He is being a cock.

rainbowsmiles · 26/07/2014 00:59

wtf???????????? I can't imagine how degrading it would be to be forced to dress up for a man before he could enjoy sex with me. He's a bully. bullys aren't all bad but they are bad where it counts.

The idea that you need to canvas opinion on this along with the fact you are surprised by the overwhelming response suggests he has already begun rewiring your thought processes.

He's no very nice really, not very nice at all.

Swipe left for the next trending thread