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, no sex and being horrible

179 replies

WhatToDoNowPlease · 06/12/2018 22:20

I've been debating posting for a while, I have AS so I'm not sure what is usual in a relationship.

Background first as it's relevant, a bit long though so I'm sorry. I will try and condense it.

I met DH at 15, started dating at 16 and we married when I was 29. Since getting married we now have two little boys, aged 2 and 6 months.

Before DS2 was conceived, we were working on our relationship as around 2006 DH's sex drive plummeted and it has been a huge issue. We would talk about it and he always had a reason (tired from driving to uni to see me on weekend, stressed with first job, money worries, etc).

Whenever we talk it ends with him promising to work on things but nothing ever changes. We have been to counselling which I found humiliating (when asked what I found attractive about him I answered. When he was asked he just sat in silence and stared ahead until she dropped the subject) and pointless. Most sex felt like duty sex and not fun at all. We did try out seeing another couple around that time, wasn't for me and DH was put off by having to look at another man, however he was fine with the female half of the couple. She would occasionally come over and he was all for doing stuff when she was there which I found incredibly hurtful. Anyway, we stopped that and are still friends with the couple.

DH broached the idea of getting married, he said that things would be fixed by the time we got married. They were not, he said we would work on things during the honeymoon, Nope. Then said by Christmas. Nope. During this time decided to start trying for DS1 in the January, I guess mistakenly thinking lots of sex would fix things. However we had sex twice and I had a positive pregnancy test less than 2 weeks later. Barely had sex during pregnancy until about 8 months when it was extremely difficult as we had no experience of adapting around the bump so we gave up.

After DS1 was born we slept together 6 weeks pp and then not for a long time. When DS1 was 10 months old I decided enough was enough and threw all of my effort into fixing things. We had a mishap, I took the morning after pill within 24 hours but DS2 was already conceived. DH furious that I was pregnant (I was not happy either, I was still on maternity leave and I was scared) and told me I should terminate the pregnancy. I did not do that as I already felt protective over baby.

I had hyperemesis, no sympathy even when I was hospitalised. He had to be convinced to call 111 and to take me to an appointment as I was too weak. He ignored my vomiting and would keep a conversation going with me while I was throwing up and get cross when I asked him to repeat himself as I couldn't hear him. He was ill towards the end of the pregnancy and tried to stay in bed after throwing up once and was angry when I said no as I was heavily pregnant and needed help with the newly walking toddler and still vomiting multiple times a day.

During pregnancy I found he had been chatting to a friend who was a prostitute and checking on her via FB messenger after her clients had left. He had apparently been friends with her for 5 years and just decided to hide the friendship from me. I was very upset, especially when I saw the conversations where she told him to leave me and that I should have aborted DS2.

During pregnancy DH was increasingly horrible to me. No sex since DS2 was conceived at all. Apparently I don't lose my sex drive even after having babies so it isn't that I've refused. During labour I was woken in the night by mild contractions and asked him to put the TENS on my back and he was cross, told me I wasn't in labour and to shut up as he was tired. Eventually he was convinced into helping me. During the labour I was distracting myself (homebirth, DS1 at nursery) and was browsing on the computer during contractions. He told me to fucking shut up during a contraction which was upsetting. I took myself off into the bathroom and stayed in there until DS2 was about to be born and called him in as I hadn't called the midwife back. He didn't believe me and tried to get me to stand up and go to the pool, swore when I didn't move out of the way quickly enough to let him in and repeatedly told me I was not giving birth until he could see DS2's head. He delivered DS2, called maternity unit and they said to call ambulance to be on the safe side. He did and the ambulance man asked him questions, he didn't know the answer as he had just wandered off and left me and DS2 on the bathroom floor. We were fine.

Since DS2 he has been increasingly horrible. He's called me fat, a bitch, lazy, stupid, selfish, refused to have much to do with DS2 but kept taking DS1 out away from me and wouldn't hold DS2 so I could spend time with DS1.

He went out to lunch with a new friend of mine and didn't tell me. When I had evidence he just denied it, then got angry with me for 'snooping'. Her car has been outside the soft play place he went with DS1 so he knows this would have badly upset me. He also took her to A&E to help her for an entire day, when he has never done that for me without complaining about the inconvenience to him. He was surprised that I didn't fancy him taking DS1 out to a theme park with her for a day without me.

Given the background above, would you think that the sex situation could ever be salvaged or have all the other issues completely eclipsed that issue and mean there's no coming back from this? I just think that if the sex situation was resolved then other issues would become minor.

Yes, I know I shouldn't have married him, I did because I loved him and wanted to be with him and believed him.

OP posts:
user1499173618 · 07/12/2018 09:48

Your marriage is deeply, fundamentally flawed and abusives. You must end it.

adoggymum · 07/12/2018 09:51

Oh OP😞 reading this makes me feel heartbroken for you. Not only does he clearly not care about you and your wellbeing he doesn't care about his children either! What kind of man leaves his wife and newborn son on the bathroom floor after giving birth? You could have had a haemorrhage and died and he wouldn't have known!

Please leave him; there are so many great men out there who would love to be with you, and your children.

Sending hugs xx

Safeandwarm · 07/12/2018 09:53

He did call the maternity unit when he realised ds2 was being born but we were in a queue and ds2 had been born by the time they answered.

Op no, that is not acceptable, he ignored hours of labour and treated you badly during. Then when he ‘realised’ (he already knew), he finally did the very least he could possibly do to help.

I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I don’t understand how you can be defending him.

Safeandwarm · 07/12/2018 09:58

I don't think I would want to live with anyone else while the children are small. you don’t have to, you don’t have to meet anyone else until you and the kids are ready.

Also, he may want Ds1 half the time, that doesn’t mean that’s what he’ll get. You are the primary career.

Wordthe · 07/12/2018 10:03

he used to make me feel so safe and happy and cared for
This is deliberate HG Tudor calls it 'the golden period' he lavishes attention on you and makes you feel wonderful
it's love bombing and the purpose is to bind you to him so that you tolerate the abuse that comes later the contrast between the two causes you a lot of emotional pain and he feeds from that pain it makes him feel Powerful it 'fuels' him

he knows (either instinctively or consciously depending on his level of intelligence).... He knows that the chief reason you stay is that youre always hoping you'll get back to this golden time.

He knows that you're a good decent kind person who tries to see the best in people and always believe that they can change for the better.

He knows that this means you will stay and put up with his abuse.

TinselAngel · 07/12/2018 10:05

I don't buy a man being close friends with a prostitute he's never met. And him going out with your friend is not how things normally work in a relationship.

Whocansay · 07/12/2018 10:15

No. This isn't worth one last chance. He is a disgusting excuse for a human being and has abused you horribly. From what you have written it seems he is now beginning to emotionally abuse your DS2. Why on earth would you think you and your children are worth so little?

Figgygal · 07/12/2018 10:17

What an arsehole! Just leave him and improve your life

maplebaconbun · 07/12/2018 10:17

I nearly wanted to cry about your last labour story. What a cruel man. He doesn't want to leave because he enjoys having control over you and so you can take care of the kids when he isn't bothered. If you're not going to think of yourself , at least think of your DS2. He's already vile to him and he's just a little baby. Imagine how it will be as he grows older . Do you really want to expose him to this kind of emotional abuse his whole life? This can easily escalate OP to physical abuse as well. Most men start abusing their partners during pregnancy and it doesn't go away.

It's not about the unplanned pregnancy or the sex. It's about him using those things to control you because he's just a horrible person. I would personally take the kids and leave as he is an abusive person. I would think about the future safety of you and the kids.

Do you have any family or friends separate from your husband that can support you? Show them this thread.

I hope things get better for you Thanks

Applebloom · 07/12/2018 10:25

Op this situation is soul destroying you want it to 'work' with a man who doesn't give a shit about you.
You've tried counselling this man had nothing to say
Marriage helped not one but
Bringing dc into this has turned this man who didn't like you it seemed into what he is now- resentful of ds2
Your dc deserve better than this ds2 deserves to live with the one parent who adores him
both dc deserve a even if it's a single present loving parent.
This man will never be or return to that man you wish he was.
How He treated you during labour should and would be the final straw to free yourself of this utterly vile man.
Sex will not fix this he doesn't want sex with you I'm sorry and he's certainly not going to risk more unplanned dc to resent
And why risk that scenario yourself.
Their is nothing to save here only yourself and your dc

Penhaligon · 07/12/2018 10:30

I would say the sex thing is the very least of your issues. I got half way through and thought "Why are you with this man?".

I had Hyperemesis and it was one of the worst things I've been through (and that's saying something!) and my DH was so kind and supportive.

I had an unplanned home birth too and again he was so concerned and hands on.

This man treats you with so little care and respect. Having sex with him won't change that.

He's not a good role model for your boys and it seems as though he is looking elsewhere. I couldn't live like this. Get out- you deserve so much more and so do your boys!

winkingdemon · 07/12/2018 10:40

He says it's not DS2 but it must be.
No it mustn't be! It's him!

He is awful. He is emotionally abusive to you and your son. He has endangered both you and your son numerous times from what I can gather in your post.

I agree with PP that sex really is the least of your worries. If you won't leave for your sake, do it for your children.

PulyaSochsup · 07/12/2018 10:48

So sorry this has happened to you. I don't have time to read the full thread but as a human being it makes my blood boil that this is happening to you. Please show yourself and your little boys some compassion and get away from this manFlowers

MaryPoppinsUmberellaHandle · 07/12/2018 11:07

OP, I understand your need to keep everything the same. However, you need to do the right thing, which is to take a step back and find advice from people who have experienced this, and who are there to help you.

You have started to justify, and maybe do a little backpedaling, in relation to his behaviour of you. He couldn't tell the ambulance staff anything because^^ you had to get on with labour in a different room. I'm astounded.

You've clearly been conditioned, and have a skewed perception of relationships, however, would you be happy for your Son's to treat their partner like this? Would you be happy if your Mum was being treated that way by her partners? Would you want your sibling to treat their partner the same way? The answer should be no to all questions.

It's such an upsetting thread and the worst I've seen on here for a long time.

Thanks
Wordthe · 07/12/2018 11:11

He is all about humiliating you and putting you down
he resists breaking up because he enjoys humiliating you and putting you down it makes him feel better and more powerful

He sounds extremely cruel so probably lacking in empathy and therefore could be very dangerous

I think you should think carefully about making a plan to get yourself safely out of this situation

this is damaging you
you cannot repair it or make it better

Tattletale · 07/12/2018 11:31

OP. I'm not trying to be nasty by saying this as you seem so ground down already. However, your DH is, to my mind, already looking for an affair (if he isn't having one already). He will eventually leave you without a second glance. He is a nasty man. Please do not waste your life waiting for him to be the husband you want and deserve. Also, your husband is currently your sons main role model. Do you want them to grow up and be like your husband?
Are you close to your mum? Can she offer any support?

Wetdressinggownsleeve · 07/12/2018 11:35

To be frank, he sounds like a nasty cunt.

ittakes2 · 07/12/2018 11:47

Does he have AS too? If you have diagnosed AS you need to go back to the doctor and ask for some help/support. I also have AS and this is not NT behaviour on his part for anything.

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 07/12/2018 11:50

You have spent all your teenage and adult years with this man. You're used to how he treats you. But as an outsider reading your account, your relationship sounds terrible. Most people wouldn't put with half of it.

I'd be considering ending this. There's no point sitting him down for a make or break discussion because you've already tried that several times. Telling him you're splitting up unless he changes will just get false promises and a quick reversion to type.

You have loads of time to build up a happy single life, and parting now will be less traumatic for your DC. I'd be gone.

WhatToDoNowPlease · 07/12/2018 12:16

It is very hard to read the replies. They make me feel stupid and small. I know that isn't the intention.

I have a couple of friends I could tell. I'm not close with my family although they would help if I asked. I would feel uncomfortable discussing it with them or anyone. I'm a fairly private person.

DH likely is somewhere on the spectrum to pp who asked.

What do I do if I can't afford to pay for a divorce beyond the initial fee? Let alone get a solicitor. He earns 3 times as much as me and would find the best representative he could.

What if we start divorcing and he realises and is normal again? Maybe he's depressed?

I imagine it's frustrating to read my replies as I find it frustrating reading some other relationship posts where the op keeps justifying things.

OP posts:
Wordthe · 07/12/2018 12:20

You are not stupid you were just trusting and caring, your instincts told you that something was wrong and you have reached out to get help

you are not stupid you have been targeted by a manipulative and abusive person but now you are starting to see the ways that they have controlled you

Many people in these situations never see what's going on even when those around them are trying to help them

you're not stupid, he is a bad man and you couldn't see it because you're a good person

Wordthe · 07/12/2018 12:21

You need to let go of the hope that he will become normal
he has damaged you too much and you will never be able to trust him or feel safe with him

Sethis · 07/12/2018 12:28

What if we start divorcing and he realises and is normal again? Maybe he's depressed?

I can't address the divorce because I have no experience of it, but I'm sure other posters will be along shortly to offer some good advice. However I can address this.

Depression does not make you treat other people worse than a pet. I mean, imagine you had a dog and it was giving birth to puppies in your house. Would you be screaming at it to shut up, and complaining about how much work it's making for you? Refuse to call a vet until you see the puppies coming out? No?

He has treated you worse than an animal. That isn't someone who's depressed. That's someone who's utter scum, irrespective of anything else. He isn't going to snap back and "be normal" again. You've seen under his shell, and it's rotten. Whether the shell covers it up again or not, it's still there.

Please be brave and talk to any friends or family that you can. Tell them what you've said here. The way he has acted is not your fault, and it's not your children's fault. It's on him, and him alone.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 07/12/2018 12:29

I would think that your DH is actually nowhere on the ASD spectrum at all; he targeted you and deliberately so. He is an abusive person who saw you as someone to further exploit.

People with developmental disabilities are more at risk for abuse than the general population. People on the autism spectrum often have a strong desire to be socially accepted and have difficulty reading emotions and social situations, and therefore may miss important cues that something is not right. When presented with a difficult situation which requires fast thinking, they may not be able to make the right choice quickly. They struggle with generalization so each situation they get into is treated as a unique one. They may have no concept of personal boundaries or other people’s.

He is certainly not a good role model of a parent to his children and he is no decent H to your own self.

There is help out there for you from the likes of Womens Aid (0808 2000 247) and the Rights of Women on 020 7251 6577. Today they are there until 2.00. They can and will help you leave your abusive husband.

Nanny0gg · 07/12/2018 12:29

My mum made horrendous choices that have been rather damaging

Well this explains a lot.

Find yourself a counsellor.
Ring Women's Aid for advice (you are being abused, it's just the bruises don't show)
Get your ducks in a row. You're married so you have joint assets.

Then leave.