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

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:
NopeNi · 08/12/2018 07:50

Re-reading that makes it sound like I mean it was "your" mistake to have a second child and I didn't mean that at all! I just think the mistake you're making is hoping your husband will change, which is understandable but not realistic.

MattBerrysHair · 08/12/2018 08:04

Not that you can overlook any of the horrible stuff he's done, but if it was just the sex issue then I'd say that it's been a lot of years with no change and many empty promises from him. I would say that you have to accept that he either has a very low sex drive or doesn't fancy you. Either way, you won't have sex in your life and you need to decide if that is something you can deal with. I know many people would find it incredibly difficult and would find the lack of sex and affection unbearable and end the relationship. Other's may come to an agreement and find sex elsewhere, or just accept the relationship as it is. Having been in a sex less marriage I know I couldn't do it again and I'd leave, but that's just me.

All that's by the by though, and nobody could possibly overlook the other stuff you described.

category12 · 08/12/2018 08:25

If it was literally just the sex issue, yes, I'd recommend leaving. After over a decade, you have to realise this is his level of sexual interest. Sex is important (not important enough to override how awful he is to you tho).

Op, you have one life. Just one. Don't spend it with someone who treats you like this.

GinandGingerBeer · 08/12/2018 08:48

This is so upsetting, you obviously have very little support and are not ready to leave. He's abusing you because he can, pure and simple. I just wish you could see it, you really need a counsellor with a good understanding of AS to guide you through.

WhatToDoNowPlease · 08/12/2018 08:56

He does have a sex drive. Just doesn't involve me.

I am considering seeing cab to see what they say. Not as good as seeing a solicitor but would give me a small picture of what might happen.

To pp, I don't know why I'm not angry. I'm upset and disappointed but not angry.

OP posts:
MattBerrysHair · 08/12/2018 09:43

CAB is a good start. Getting knowledge about your options is the first step to making informed decisions.

Personally, having AS means I have to understand all the fine details about a situation before being able to make any decisions. I understand having to go back repeatedly to unravel each thread of a problem and the anxiety about making the wrong decision. You could set yourself the goal of getting as much knowledge about what life would look like without him ie, benefits calculator, social care, housing etc. Don't put any pressure on yourself to make any decisions right now, just get informed.

Also, as you are the type to need to understand the intricacies of a situation
the Lundy Bancroft book 'Why does He do That?' explains many types of abusive behaviour. Also I suggest doing the Freedom Programme online (I think it costs £12.00) is designed to help women who are in/have been in abusive relationships.

Again, you don't have to make any decisions right now, just get the information, read the books, do the course. Once you're fully armed you can weigh up your options and proceed from there.

Kristingle · 08/12/2018 09:46

My guess is that you are not angry [yet] because deep down you think it’s your fault. And that you try hard enough or wait long enough you can fix it.

So you feel guilty and sad instead.

Same as you know that he’s cheating on your but it’s too painful to admit it. So you accept his BS eg that he has a secret friend who is a prostitute who he chats to .

You are not stupid. You are just a woman who really REALLY wants to make it work for the sake of her children. Just like most of us.

Your ASD makes it harder for your to read faces and emotions and your lack of experience of other relationships makes it harder for you to know what’s normal. He is exploiting this to abuse you.

This isn’t your fault. It makes him a bad person. That’s why everyone is advising you to leave, because they care about you and your children .

I know this must be very very hard to read .

LoubyLou1234 · 08/12/2018 09:54

This whole thread makes me sad and angry. It's obvious OP you don't want change for you and your little ones but please read your post back. He isn't going to change in fact he will probably get worse. He isn't interested in you, he may love you in some way but he doesn't respect or care for you. He probably has already slept with other people or is definitely planning on doing so.

I get breaking up a family is hard but do you want your boys to grow up being treated differently, seeing how he treats you will damage them and probably their view of women. Do you want that? People in this forum will have been in very similar situations are and speaking from experience in many cases.
You don't have to do anything drastic right now but you should be looking into it without a doubt. If he finds someone else I do think he would go without a thought, he isn't happy in your relationship and neither are you. Confide in your family I'm sure no matter how distant or not close you are, they wouldn't want you to be unhappy.

Blackness78 · 08/12/2018 10:01

This is nothing to do with sex but everything to do with disrespect.

penisbeakers · 08/12/2018 13:37

Oh for goodness sake, OP, wake up. What is it going to take for you to see this?

consoleconfusion · 08/12/2018 13:42

The sex issue on its own is enough to leave, yes. And it's way down the list.

SandyY2K · 08/12/2018 13:49

This is terribly upsetting to read. I feel sorry for you.

I didn't get through your post. This man doesnt love you.

Penhaligon · 08/12/2018 14:09

I'm sorry that the replies are hard to hear. It's just upsetting to read how you are being treated and how little you think of yourself that you are putting up with it and minimising his behaviour. It's not okay.

It's scary right now because your options are to put up with his behaviour and perhaps be treated like this indefinitely or to leave, which is the great big unknown.

For me, I'd rather be alone with my lovely children that live in this environment. You deserve more.

WhatToDoNowPlease · 08/12/2018 17:18

You're right. Another weekend day ruined.

He isn't the same person I fell in love with. I don't like this person he is now and that's who he is.

OP posts:
MattBerrysHair · 08/12/2018 18:13

💐

chickenloverwoman · 08/12/2018 19:23

On my love I'm so sorry. My DD has ASD, and other stuff. DH and I are NT. So although I can't understand how you are thinking about this I do have experience of living with, and helping, an adult woman with ASD.
He is appalling.
It is not you in any way, it is all him.
You need to get away, with both your children.
Do you have a Social Worker? As a vulnerable adult you can call Adult Social Care and ask for an Assessment of your needs. They are legally obliged to come and assess your needs and help you.
Please, call Women's Aid and seek help as soon as possible.

chickenloverwoman · 08/12/2018 19:26

And. yes, you and your lovely children deserve so much more from life than this. Please reach out and get help. It's there, but you have to ask for it. Pm me if you want some support.

MamaVV · 08/12/2018 19:43

It’s so difficult to see perspective when you’re in a bad relationship. You make excuses and think there is no other option. I used to think this too and when I look back now I’m horrified at what I thought was ‘okay’. No one can tell you - you need to realise for yourself that you are worthy of love and respect. It’s highly likely that he’s having his sexual needs met elsewhere. Does he leave his phone lying around happily or is it always in his pocket and used discreetly?

KTD27 · 08/12/2018 20:02

What advice would you give your best friend knowing everything you know about how he treats you and what he’s been like?
Take it.

croprotationinthe13thcentury · 08/12/2018 20:15

He doesnt love you, he doesnt even sound that into you. He probably - like lots of people - is just scared of change and being alone. If another woman showed the vaguest interest in him he would be off like a shot, but I suspect that is highly unlikely as he sounds utterly vile.
If this is the kind of guy that floats your boat, however, you may as well stick around.

WhatToDoNowPlease · 08/12/2018 20:23

He always has his phone with him and always has, he's a software developer and always fiddling with gadgets.

I don't think he has met his friend. I made him show me their conversations and although they discussed me and things related to me in excruciating detail, there wasn't anything in there about meeting.

I will call CAB on Monday and make an appointment to see what they say. From checking benefits calculators, it seems that I wouldn't be entitled to anything and my entire salary isn't enough to cover both sets of nursery fees let alone bills. Perhaps that will mean a delay until DS1 gets nursery hours.

OP posts:
chickenloverwoman · 08/12/2018 21:10

But Your Husband will have to contribute

WhatToDoNowPlease · 08/12/2018 21:25

Yes, adding that in means I have a spare £30 a month after nursery fees. No money for bills, rent, food, etc. Hopefully I'm doing it wrong and will have more clarity after an appointment.

Nursery fees for just mornings for each of them (I work mornings) is approximately £1,700. I only earn around £1,200 before tax. I would be better off unemployed according to calculators.

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 08/12/2018 22:49

He doesn't want sex with you.

He doesn't want ds2.

He left you as you gave birth because he likes privacy for his phone calls. Seriously?!

He's having-at the very least-an emotional affair if not a physical one with other women. Wtf?!

WhatToDoNowPlease · 08/12/2018 23:27

I know.

I've really cocked my life up. Literally over half of my life he has been in.

Plan is CAB and depending on what they say may have to put plans on hold until nearer DS1's nursery hours. I guess then use the remaining time to focus on getting my tiny business to be a bit more profitable and collecting things for a new place (e.g. toaster, bedding, etc).

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread