Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

AIBU not to want sex every three days?

65 replies

Feelingvulnerable · 03/12/2016 22:59

Ok so for a little background - Been with my DH for 20 years, married for 14 and have two teenage kids. Things aren't always easy and he can be emotionally abusive at times without really realising it I think. (I've been known to sit in the shower crying because of something he's said.) We've had some great times but about two years ago something happened between him and our DS (who was 16 at the time) and it really opened my eyes to the sort of person he is and I didn't like what I discovered.

Any way, we had a big chat recently about what was wrong with our relationship, because it's been deteriorating slowly for two years and we really have nothing in common. We agreed to giving our relationship a go and see where we are in a years time. My issues were centred around his attitude, insensitive comments and what had happened two years earlier (I can't move on from it), his issues were around me not being affectionate with him, not enough sex and not doing anything together (he rejects all my suggestions and only offers up sporty suggestions, which I'm not in to). Now I've never been a tactile person, I'm not one for public displays of affection, never have been and he's known this for 20 years. So the idea of being more touchy feely with him is a hard one for me but I'm trying. I'd be happy with sex once a week wiith cuddling in between days but he can't cuddle without sex.

So to the issue here, he always expects sex every three days, that's when he starts to get angsty. He sulks if I'm not in the mood, ill or physically can't. He's even pulled the duvet off me in a strop before because I said I didn't want it. The most we have ever been without sex was after our DD was born, he waited a full two weeks before pushing me to start having sex again. So forward 15 years and he still gets all touchy feely every three days. In between days he goes to bed about 9, I like to go up a bit later as I'm a bit of a night owl but only about 10/10.30. Over the years we've been in a cycle of him feeling hurt if I say no and sulking, me feeling guilty if I don't feel like it or am ill. It's exhausting. However recently I'm struggling with this more than usual, we aren't doing so well and I don't always like the things he says, sex is very mental with me. If he says a shitty thing then I don't exactly feel like making love to him but he doesn't get it no matter how often I tell him, he just sees it as rejection. Says I don't fancy him and sulks. When he sulks he ignores me, gives me one word answers and makes me feel guilty as hell.

Surely every 3 days is a lot? Especially after 20 years together? Sorry didn't mean for this to be so long

OP posts:
JohnCheese · 03/12/2016 23:51

Oh God OP, this sounds horrendous. Christ. 2 weeks after delivery?? ShockSadAngry

I'm sorry for you going through this. I think you know it yourself, he's a total shit and a pig. On this snapshot alone I think you need to LTB.

JohnCheese · 03/12/2016 23:54

Someone upthread mentioned couples counselling. Not in a million years.

Minnie747 · 03/12/2016 23:56

What and actual prick! I wouldn't want to have sex with him either Flowers

Ohdearducks · 03/12/2016 23:57

I'm so sorry OP you don't deserve this from him, he's a sexual bully (to put it lightly) and an emotional abuser. Flowers
Can I ask what he did to your son? From your reaction it sounds like you should have left him 2 years ago.

Ohdearducks · 04/12/2016 00:00

Yes forgot to say 2 weeks after giving birth! That's physical abuse if not coerced sex/rape. It would have been clear that you were not recovered or even ready for that! He's using sex to bully and control you.Angry

Feelingvulnerable · 04/12/2016 00:03

I think Pinkie has the measure of it, it's sometimes easier! That sounds awful said out loud. TBH I've been thinking about how I could leave for the last two years but there's always an excuse in my head. The kids, money, lonely etc. I think I've really needed to hear your harsh words. He's away at the moment and it's lovely, such a different atmosphere

OP posts:
ravenmum · 04/12/2016 00:05

Have a little think about which of you it is that's not being affectionate enough, and where you would like to be in a year's time if he wasn't around.

Feelingvulnerable · 04/12/2016 00:06

I'd rather not say what happened with DS but you're right I should have left 2 years ago. Let's just say it was enough for angelina

OP posts:
bloodyteenagers · 04/12/2016 00:12

Hold onto this moment that he is away. How wonderful it is and how you are free to go to bed without being pushed into having sex.
Use this to get the strength to leave him.
Not going to lie, it won't be easy. However, in the long term it will get easier and you And the children will feel so much better without him under the same roof.
You have taken a major first step and you have spoken about it. Yes it's anonymous, but this is how things change from making small steps.
The next small step is to start gathering all ID and financial documents.
You can also contact woman's aid who are incredible. But if that seems too much you can of course get lots of support from here.

Ohdearducks · 04/12/2016 00:13

Can you use this time while he's away to start getting your ducks in a row? call women's aid and get some RL support.
Do you own a home together? What about finances? Start making plans to leave while you have the chance.

ravenmum · 04/12/2016 00:13

How lonely do you feel now?

AnyFucker · 04/12/2016 00:18

So, 2 years ago he was abusive towards your son ?

And you stayed ?

Justaboy · 04/12/2016 00:21

Feelingvulnerable no wonder you don't feel like sex with a manchild like that. If you really don't want to leave him then the only thing that might work is to see if a therapist can re-educate, no rather just educate him on how to treat a woman but i think it sounds like he's past that now. As others have said savour the time he's not there and making you feel crap.

JustStoppingBy · 04/12/2016 00:24

Nope not unreasonable couldn't agree more. Sounds like a total tool. My DH was the same during my pregnancy which wasn't his fault just totally had no libido which he knew but didn't stop the every 3 day train. The predictability of being pawed at not exactly a turn on either. If that's him and he won't change then why spend another 20yrs in misery? I feel for women sex is more about mind than body so when the OH has been a pain no amount of foreplay will make you not want to deck them

Feelingvulnerable · 04/12/2016 00:28

So, so right juststoppingby

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouse · 04/12/2016 00:28

Lonely?

I couldn't be more lonely on my own than I'd be living with him.

Feelingvulnerable · 04/12/2016 00:29

Yes anyfucker I stayed, I don't know why and I've struggled with that decision every day since. I feel so guilty

OP posts:
SENPARENT · 04/12/2016 00:31

Don't put up with this crap any more. This is emotional abuse.
Contact Women's Aid:
www.womensaid.org.uk 0808 2000 247
They will help you to start a new life without this arsehole. You deserve better than this.

AnyFucker · 04/12/2016 00:32

You didn't even stay for anything good Sad

Feelingvulnerable · 04/12/2016 00:33

I like my own company, I can easily entertain myself and my kids spend time with me (they go to their rooms when he's home). I know I'd be fine on my own. I do everything, I run the house and the bills so I know where everything is and know I could cope. So why do I stay? The idea of leaving him has gotten easier recently.

OP posts:
ravenmum · 04/12/2016 00:39

Since my ex left I've actually spent a lot less time on my own. Set yourself up with some hobbies, go out looking for friends and you might find yourself wishing you had more time to yourself. (If the kids are old enough you could start working on that bit tomorrow. )

ravenmum · 04/12/2016 00:41

What are the suggestions he rejects?

PickAChew · 04/12/2016 00:41

This getting easier thing is something to grasp with both hands Cake

Maverickismywingman · 04/12/2016 00:42

If the idea of leaving him is getting easier, then get your affairs in order. Just to be ready.

notbankinonit · 04/12/2016 00:47

I was put under immense pressure to have sex 2 weeks post partum, and I did it to keep the peace. He was drunk. I left him eventually. Never once regretted it. Sometimes I wake up it the night with a feeling of utter misery and when I work out why, it's always because I've dreamt that I had to go back to him, or I'm still with him.