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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:
Smorgasboard · 31/05/2015 14:30

Does sound like it was not great from the start really. No surprise it's not got better. You have a breakdown in communication, she doesn't like you but is not telling you why. I think tell her you are going to counselling to work out if you want to stay with her. If she still doesn't open up, well the she's had fair warning of the gravity of the situation and done nothing about it, then your choice is to walk if that's what you want after talking it through with someone. It's understandable, not many would put up with a life like this.

Jimbo54 · 31/05/2015 14:31

One reason that I decided to post this was that we actually went out last night (her mother is over from Australia, so can look after the boys). I commented on how nice she looked several times, was very attentive and we had a nice, v drunken evening, but literally she ran to her bedroom when she got back, when I had other thoughts...is so depressing. don't want to seem whiney but we all have our needs, if you know what I mean.

purdiepie - she didn't use to be a wet fish, but when we got married she did start to change. When I bring up the sexless wedding night, she says that she was tired and I can't hold that against her forever, but it does still irritate me.

Dowser - she would say "what do you expect, I work full time and have to look after the children". but I would say they are both at a nursery, I get them up and drop off and she picks up and generally bathes / puts to bed. so, whilst she defo does more than me, I do think I do my fair share.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 14:34

I think the comments I picked out are completely "in context". he made them, and I haven't twisted them in anyway. He even admits how wrong they are. Doesn't stop him though, does it ?

OP, if you want my advice (and you may not) I suggest you end your marriage as amicably as you can. Once you are browsing dating sites and trading household tasks for sex, the writing is on the wall.

Horsemad · 31/05/2015 14:35

She's just not that into you I'm afraid.

bobajob · 31/05/2015 14:37

If she does more than you how are you doing your fair share? Do you both have equal down time?

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:39

Ugh. Here come the feminists

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 14:41

is that the rickshaw with the special seat on the side for handmaidens ?

YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 14:42

It's good that you had a nice night.

But with such a distance between you, it was unlikely to build a complete bridge all at once, wasn't it? I imagine she went to her room as she didn't feel relaxed enough for anything else.

YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 14:44

I agree with PP - if you suggested that for six months or whatever you weren't going to have sex, it might give you a chance to rebuild the relationship, or at least to see if that's possible before leaving.

TurnItIn · 31/05/2015 14:46

Oh some people really need to grow the fuck up.

Even being able to type on a computer and join a website such as this is entirely down to feminism - unless you're prepared to walk the walk - submit completely to your man, stop wearing trousers/working outside the home for actual money/voting/not being raped by your husband/having the right to divorce without losing your children etc etc etc - then I suggest you think before you write such embarrassing nonsense and subject my eyes to it.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 31/05/2015 14:49

She works full time and does the bedtime routine every night? You certainly aren't pulling your weight. Apart from anything else, you should want that time with your children.

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 14:50

purdie do you think this woman who "is doing zero to protect her marriage" should have sex she doesn't want to keep her man ?

You are Davina McCall and I claim my £5

YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 14:50
YonicScrewdriver · 31/05/2015 14:51

Did Davina say that, AF? Bah.

purdiepie · 31/05/2015 14:53

Thanks for that. But I don't think women invented computers. And most mothers don't want to work, thank you very much. Voting is a privilege only the middle classes can enjoy to maintain the status quo of their comfortable lifestyles and feminism has done fuck all to improve the life chances of women in the Underclass and that is because poverty has fuck all to do with patriarchy and everything to do with class.

Sorry to derail, Jimbo. As you were...

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 14:53

Silly ole Davina

meandjulio · 31/05/2015 14:56

AnyFucker there's 'not enough sex' and there's 'no sex or touching at all' and they are WORLDS apart IMO.

OP I am going to say what a lot of women get told on here - that it is OK to end a relationship that is not making you happy. If you cannot live a celibate life within a marriage and she doesn't want any kind of physical contact with you, why not ask her to leave?

Lilypad15 · 31/05/2015 14:57

I feel like some people are being a bit harsh. If a woman had come on here and said her husband never wanted sex, everyone would totally sympathise. It seems because it's a guy, he is just being letchy and assuming his wife should bow down to his every command. I agree that sex is important in a relationship and being constantly rebuffed or rejected does hurt whether we admit it or not. At the end of the day, it's a form of intimacy and closeness. Of course, I am in no way saying that women (or men) should be forced to have sex with their partner out of duty. If it has been going on for a long time and you have spoken to her about it and she still doesn't want to sleep with you, I think it's time to call it a day. I definitely wouldn't advise joining dating websites etc while you are still married. It's easy to assume that she wouldn't be surprised that you went elsewhere but it would cause a whole heap of problems.

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 14:58

julio, did you miss the bit where I gave him that same advice ?

although I wouldn't say he is having "no sex at all" going off the op....it just isn't enough for him

TurnItIn · 31/05/2015 15:02

Oh dear. Well I was preparing for a battle of wits but I see one of us is unarmed.

Keepithidden · 31/05/2015 15:03

Hello Jimbo, I'm in a similar situation, but a few years down the line. I posted a couple of years ago and a couple of times since, have a search if you feel inclined.

The advice I got was similar to that you've received, and despite following it and more my situation hasn't improved. It's depressing, and soul destroying. I have no advice to offer, DW doesn't want to communicate is reluctant to go to counselling and seems pretty happy with the status quo. I've tried coping strategies, but I'm coming round to the idea that a split may be on the cards. Though this isn't financially viable without me moving out and leaving DW and DCs in the family home and me being in a bedsit/shared house (I'm not going to uproot the kids). It's not a pleasant future, but looking roseier each time I visit Rightmove.

DW doesn't work per se, is a SAHM I'm FT employed, I come home bathe the kids and we share bedtime, I'm generally doing household stuff until 9pm she's on the computer from 8ish until 11/12. It doesn't feel a fair split, but I know she's tired. Babysitters have been vetoed and minimal family/friends support to reconnect, no holidays for seven years. So it's not surprising we're just friends now.

Don't go down the affair route without her agreement, the thing that keeps me going is that I still have my self respect by not cheating. Self confidence, esteem and image are zero, but at least I haven't lowered my own moral standards!

Housework split, time apart, time together etc. are all approaches that have failed for me. I still don't know why we are in this situation and my sexual frustration has been eclipsed by frustration at lack of communication, so at least that is one positive.

I like to come on MN and vent every so often too, it's cathartic.

Sorry that was a bit long and with little advice, but at least you know you're not alone!

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 15:04

TurnItIn arf

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 31/05/2015 15:04

Purdie, I'm guessing you missed the history lesson on Ada Lovelace then? Hmm

meandjulio · 31/05/2015 15:06

[shrugs] anyfucker I wasn't picking up your advice, just your line about not enough sex. Eight times in five years is not exactly the same as no sex at all, you're right, my mistake. Still suggests they would both be happier apart.

AnyFucker · 31/05/2015 15:06

KIH I respect your moral stance and I still think you should end your marriage