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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

Wife has no interest in sex or even holding hands!

254 replies

Jimbo54 · 31/05/2015 10:37

I am 40 years old. My wife is 8 years younger. We have a four year old and a two year old. Since my wife fell pregnant the first time, we have had sex about eight times (mostly when she, very occasionally, gets drunk). We have had absolutely no other intimacy – kissing, cuddling, anything. This isn’t by any stretch my doing. I love my wife and find her very attractive. But she simply is not interested at all in me, physically. I know what you will say – talk to her about it! I have tried. But she clearly feels uncomfortable talking about sex or intimacy and the closest thing I’ve got is “you don’t you appreciate that I’ve just had two children” with a look to say “you selfish pig, how can you expect me to have any interest in you when I’m so busy with the work/children”. Well, yes, of course I appreciate that, but I don’t see why there should be a complete embargo and for so long. It is destroying our marriage and I just cannot get it out of my mind. She says that I am a good father and I have a great relationship with the boys, but, I have to say, in fairness, she has done more of the heavy lifting with our second child than me. But I am starting to think she simply doesn’t want me in that way (she is objectively more attractive than me) and I find that very upsetting. But then I think back that when we got married, it took two weeks to consummate the marriage, so why am I surprised now? Further that, even now, when we rarely do have sex (and only the most vanilla of activity is allowed (for example, she won’t even allow snogging!)) I just know that she wants it over as quickly as is decent. In fact, now I think about it, she has never, not once, in at least the last eight years, instigated sex or any form of intimacy and I always have to do the running. I am now thinking enough is enough. But I could really do with a second opinion. Am I being selfish? Isn't this madness? What do I do? Help!

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 05/06/2015 17:02

Im sorry to hear that Spance But its not child care .....its parenting You are their parent.

And when i was growing up....(once past the toddler stage) i was taught to knock on parents bedroom door before being told whether i could go in or not.

Obvs these arent the only things causing the issues though.

tomatodizzymum · 05/06/2015 17:49

I think one thing that crops up in some of these is the internet (SPance and one other guy upthread). People spending evenings online instead of socialising with each other. Sexual relationships usually thrive when the couple are also regularly spending social time together, esp for women. We have a no internet rule after 6pm (I'm in a different timezone) and it has improved our friendship and sex life.

ComfySensibleShoes · 05/06/2015 21:38

OP I think she may be gay or bi, you say it crossed your mind when she did (or said) something when drunk which made you wonder. Maybe she has repressed/denied her feelings for a long time.

NoTechnologicalBreakdown · 07/06/2015 09:16

To echo Helena more bluntly, Spance, read that bit back again. It's great you are helping, but you sound like you think you are doing it for your wife as a favour and expecting payment. That will cause resentment. The children are not your wife's problem which you are helping with, they are your problem too. And you are not entitled to payment any more than she is.

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