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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:
ImperialBlether · 31/05/2015 12:47

It sounds as though she has a very low sex drive and all of her tactile requirements are met by the children.

Rivercam · 31/05/2015 13:04

Wow, what a lot of conflicting replies, from leave her, to take it slowly, and try and improve the situation...

MaMaof04 · 31/05/2015 13:33

On the original post you wrote:
But then I think back that when we got married, it took two weeks to consummate the marriage, so why am I surprised now?
then at a subsequent post you wrote:

We had a pretty decent sex life before we were married, but then it tailed off and now is non-existent.
I do not really get it- I can do all kind of theories but really I can't get it.
So I am not able to help.
Anyway I think that if you intend to have sex outside the marriage then please talk about this with your wife. If she gives you her blessing then go for it ; if she is opposed then I think that you might be able to bring her to a therapist or to talk at least. (Affairs behind the back of a partner are just plain sordid and bring down to a scum level the betrayer. Honesty is important.)

BurtMoreover · 31/05/2015 13:40

How are things when you go on holiday Jimbo?

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 13:41

Frankbough, absolutely love your post.

Faithless · 31/05/2015 13:45

When you are angry, knackered and feel burdened by domesticity, sorry but yes, holding hands can be too much to ask when all you want is some time to yourself.

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 13:55

Fucking hell, when a woman signs up to having two kids under the age of four, which, presumably, this woman has expectations of her husband providing for,via long hours, she signs up to being a shattered drudge. Some women need to make their bloody minds up what they want, and this woman has: kids and no sex. Bloody preposterous for the husband to now be accused of not pulling his weight by some on here.

I am the mother of a fourteen-month-old baby and currently pregnant. I am almost 44 and tired and feeling sick, especially in the evenings. It is not high on my list of priorities to have sex with my husband, but I love him, so I offer him blowjobs, hand jobs (sometimes with Bio Oil as a treat) and am constantly telling him what a terrific father he is (he is - I go to work full time and he is a fabulous SAHD). I also tell him how gorgeous he is (he isn't) and enthuse when he has bleached my toilets without being asked. It may also sound very 1950s subjugated housewife to some of you, but I think love and respect has to be manifested, otherwise you are just taking someone for granted who has needs just as great as yours, different though they may be.

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 13:56

Have you seen the price of Bio Oil these days, by-the-way?

MagentaVitus · 31/05/2015 13:58

Why bio oil and not regular sex lube?

Gileswithachainsaw · 31/05/2015 13:58

purdie

depends on whether the husband helps out ever doesn't it? whether he sits on his arse all day in holidays or periods of unemployment as well.

The fact you work does not exempt you from watching the kids for half an hour do your wife can have a bath.

Dowser · 31/05/2015 13:59

Sorry to hear this Jim. I think you right that in a relationship there are expectations and sex and intimacy plays a big part.

It doesn't feel like neither of you are getting your needs met. It doesn't sound like she even likes you let alone wants to be intimate with you.

You can't live like this? Why should you. You're a young man . If you were single, you wouldnt be going without a sex life would you?

You can go to Relate on your own you know. You don't have to go as a couple. It would help to talk to someone in RL, explore your feelings and how you cann bring about changes in your life.

As your wife won't go with you you could just tell her that you are going for counselling to work out what you want to do as you can't live like this anymore.

If she's as open and direct as you say she will appreciate the straight talk.
Good luck.

ALaughAMinute · 31/05/2015 14:02

"Have you seen the price of Bio Oil these days, by-the-way?"

KY jelly is better than bio oil and cheaper too! Grin

Just sayin'

Dowser · 31/05/2015 14:07

Faithless. I agree time on your own when you have ankle biters is important. I had three under five and one with SN but I still found time and energy to be intimate with my husband.

Even just a hug or a cuddle but these two are in separate beds and he's not getting anything. Not even a snog!

She's just not interested in him sexually....he says so!

If you're not lighting up her life and she's not bringing any joy into your relationship ....you're flogging a dead horse!

Would love to hear what she thinks/ her take on it!

Dowser · 31/05/2015 14:09

Almond oil with a drop of lavender.

Much nicer!

tomatodizzymum · 31/05/2015 14:10

I too was Faithless but in my case he changed, he gave up work for me to go out of the house. He became the SAHP. Not an option for everyone I know, but the roles reversed. I was recharged, I was willing to be an adult again but he was physically and mentally exhausted and often in bed by 7pm. He wanted only to sleep when he could. We started to share the home and both work. We slowly built our relationship back up and realised that intamacy is a very important part of our relationship. Otherwise you are just flatmates. It may very well be that she is emotionally and physically drained.

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:12

Real sex lube? Where does one procure that, then? How much does it cost? I already have Bio Oil in my house due to a scar on me 'ead I'm trying to cover up. I think I'll try Fairy Liquid when that runs out.

The thing is, I don't think Jimbo sounds like the sort of cunt who languishes on the sofa all day shouting to the missus to bring him a tinny. If the OP is to be believed this woman has made deliberate and sustained choices regarding the status of her marriage. More fool Jim for not leaping off the hotel balcony on the first night of their honeymoon and scrambling aboard the first rickshaw he saw and fleeing to the airport.

Come on, Jim, tell us...why embark on a lifetime together with a wet fish? Did she tell funny jokes?

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:13

Lavender? I'm not a fucking octogenarian!

bobajob · 31/05/2015 14:15

It sounds like the OP's wife works too, so not sure why the focus is on her being the grateful housewife?

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:17

I also think if a woman is so bloody tired all the time from having, you know, all those frigging kids she wanted since she was a nipper, then she should go out to work and let her husband be the SAHP. What's that I hear you say? You can't afford to swap roles? Why not? Would you have to downsize your house? Aw, what a shame. One of the cars would have to go? Oh dear. Tragic. You wouldn't be able to afford that all-inclusive holiday to BoringWhiteBeaches somewhere in t'Caribbean? Nightmare. You made your bed, lie in it. But with your husband.

Dowser · 31/05/2015 14:18

| Message poster purdiepie Sun 31-May-15 14:13:22
Lavender? I'm not a fucking octogenarian!

?

bobajob · 31/05/2015 14:19

You seem confused purdie Confused

Faithless · 31/05/2015 14:19

Now I'm in a great relationship with someone who respects me enough to treat me as a human being rather than drudge and ego masseuse. We are at it every opportunity i can get my hands on him and the sex is well beyond vanilla.
Really, equal relationships with shared burdens are infinitely sexier
I really do urge you to try giving her time to herself. Just try taking the kids out for 2 or 3 hours each weekend taking over bedtimes etc .just try and see what happens.

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 14:20

so, you are thinking of cheating and are holding back from doing your share of the household shitwork because you don't get enough sex ?

oh dear

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:25

Dowser, the smell of lavender reminds me of old, smelly ladies.

What about, bob?

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:28

AnyFucker, you could try taking the OP's comments in context. He's not a Neanderthal or selfish, by the sound of him. There's really no point in the feminists getting all high and mighty here; this woman is doing zero to protect her marriage. She's popping kids out. That's it.

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