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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

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:
Branleuse · 08/12/2018 23:55

You havent cocked anything up. Sometimes relationships end. The train comes to the end of the tracks.

Sethis · 09/12/2018 01:00

You haven't cocked your life up. If I'm reading the timeline right, you're what, 31? That's like peak time for finding someone that's REALLY right for you to settle down with. If anything, getting out ASAP is the best possible thing you could be doing for your future. Get away from this pitiful excuse for a human, take some time for yourself, relax and enjoy your freedom, and then when you're ready, you can find someone who treats you like the way any man would treat the woman he loves.

I know it's really really hard - it felt like I was losing a part of my body when my GF of 8 years broke up with me. At that point I'd been with her for a third of my life. It gets better. It only gets better.

Repeat to yourself, if you can, "I'm not an idiot, he's the asshole. I'm not an idiot, he's the asshole" and try to get some rage simmering, because it helps to dilute the pain and sadness. Rage and anger are goal-focusing emotions that spur you on. Sadness, regret and depression offer nothing helpful. If nothing else, of course you have your kids and the better life that they have in the future without this filthy person damaging their souls.

WhatToDoNowPlease · 09/12/2018 11:31

I've been thinking about ds2's birth and was looking at messages about it. Just noticed that he literally just said baby is here and he delivered him. Nothing about me, his mum had to ask how I was.

I've barely slept, just going over and over things in my head. I've been reading threads on here about lovely things their DH does, or the thread about partners coping in labour and how supportive they were.

The more I think, the more shit I feel. It's just completely rubbish.

Even last night when I asked him to plug my phone into the charger as he was right next to it, he just said I could get up and do it. When I did stand up he then plugged it in. Lots of tiny petty things.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 09/12/2018 11:37

he treats you with contempt.
There isnt any going back from that.

Nanny0gg · 09/12/2018 11:50

2019 will be a new start and a new life for you and your DCs.

I know it may well be hard, but I'm absolutely positive it will be worth it.

No one should be treated the way he treats you.

robindeer · 09/12/2018 12:07

Oh OP, you poor thing.

Sometimes the choices we make as teenagers stalk us long into adulthood. I had a relationship that lasted far, far longer than it should. I was the same age as you, the age gap was the same. I agreed to things I would never even contemplate now because he presented them as normal.

It's been years and years since then and I can see so clearly with hindsight what was right in front of my face at the time. I also struggle with the idea that I wasted a lot of time but let me reassure you that I am very happy now. I feel like a different person. The difference between our situations is that my ex would have never treated me the way your husband is treating you. For all of his faults he would have never spoken to me with contempt, or refused to help me in a medical emergency.

I hope you can find the strength and support to change your life for the better.

Flowers
Wordthe · 09/12/2018 12:13

all those tiny petty things......little darts that he keeps throwing at you making little wounds to keep you weak and keep you in your place

Keep waking up and seeing what's really going on

You were just naive as are most of us when young
I am appalled at how naive I was in my 20s
We all live and learn🙂

Notcoolmum · 09/12/2018 12:14

OP I’m so sorry you have gone through this. His treatment of you when you were pregnant and in labour is so upsetting to read. As aomeone said on here you would show more compassion to an animal.

I’m so pleased to see you stop making excuses for him and come to realise what an awful relationship you are in. Leaving will be tough but believe me, you will look back and be so pleased you made the break for you and your children. X

Tombakerwasthecurator · 09/12/2018 13:39

My exh was like this when dc4 was born and it just got worse. Calling dc names and then ignoring him. Happily divorced 12 years now. Wasn't easy as i was a sahm.

WhatToDoNowPlease · 14/02/2019 12:57

I've been thinking about this thread a lot as I always want to know what's happened in a thread I've contributed to.

DH is aware of the thread and thinks I've exaggerated or made things out to be worse. Fine, that's his opinion. He's started going to counselling on his own and says it's helping. I do not think there's much difference really. It's too late and I don't care or have the energy to make it work.

I've looked into finances and from January 2020 I should be fine I think. I don't think he thinks I'm serious as he's refused to engage with any discussion regarding the children. He has taken a little more interest in ds2 but I still do all of the actual care alone.

I'm hoping it can be as amicable as possible for the boys and we can be flexible so they see us both as much as possible and we can be in the same room together without issue.

After reading the meme thread, I have found a song that perfectly describes my feelings and has really cheered me up Grin

OP posts:
Servalan · 14/02/2019 13:41

Hi Op

I've only just come across this thread. I am so, so sorry. What you've been living with is not acceptable in any way.

It sounds like you've processed some things and have been building up strength and distance and are less accepting of being treated badly, which is great.

Did you go to CAB in the end or phone Women's Aid? Have you gone onto the maintenance calculator to work out how much child maintenance you would be entitled to? A further year is a long time to wait in this kind of emotionally abusive type of set up (and it is abusive. Well done for not letting your H minimise it)

(BTW, withholding sex and affection was a tactic that my emotionally abusive ExH employed with me and it crippled my self esteem. Funnily enough, now I'm in a healthy relationship, my sex life is great. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him).

I wish you all the luck in the world. You deserve far, far better Flowers

NorfolkRattle · 14/02/2019 14:37

WhatToDoNowPlease

None of the behaviour you describe sounds like depression. Someone can be deeply depressed and wouldn't dream of being unkind, dismissive and yes, abusive, to you and your baby the way this man has been.

The thing that made me personally wonder "Is this man on the spectrum?" when I was reading was what you said about you vomiting and him continuing to talk all the way through and not understanding that you couldn't hear him at that point. (My MIL who is on the spectrum does something similar when someone is having a coughing or sneezing fit, she just carries on talking!)

The main point here is, your husband is behaving abusively. Nothing excuses that. Even if he IS depressed, that's no excuse. I'm not easily shocked (I grew up in a home where there was a lot of abuse) but your post shocks me. I'm so sorry. This has gone on a long time and you have made LOTS of efforts (counselling, which your husband wouldn't engage in), swinging (which you didn't like but you felt it might help), etc etc. The problem here really is not sex: your husband shows you contempt and a complete lack of respect, and your baby too. (And he is showing a terrible example of human behaviour to BOTH your little boys.)

Please contact Women's Aid. They are brilliant. Tell them what you have told us. (Maybe print out what you have written here and take it along to them?).

WhatToDoNowPlease · 14/02/2019 15:45

Yes, I've looked into all financials, I'm in the south east so nursery and housing is expensive. Even for a two bed house I'd need shared ownership properties and renting a teeny flat is even more expensive than a mortgage for that at around £1k a month. It's definitely not feasible to go anywhere yet with nursery fees for two.

I have told DH this and he hasn't really said anything. I guess thinking I'm not serious or will change my mind. The only thing that would change my mind would be a massive personality change sadly, and I don't think that is something that will happen.

OP posts:
NorfolkRattle · 14/02/2019 22:54

Lots of abusive men start abusing their partners when the partner is pregnant. And from then on, it gets worse. Pregnancy seems to enrage men like this, and the way your husband behaved when you were in labour illustrates that perfectly. He treats you with contempt, stop trying to excuse him!

You write "it's been just over a year of this unpleasantness" which sounds like you are telling yourself "This isn't as bad as it could be. It might just be a phase." Marriages and relationships go through some difficult times but what you have described is ABUSE. And that is never acceptable.

Anuta77 · 15/02/2019 03:30

WhatToDoNowPlease,
Based on what you describe, you will be better off without him 100 %! There is nothing to save there. NOTHING.

I don't know if you have already made the decision, but this is not good not only for you, but also for your boys. You still have your whole life ahead of you, don't waste it. Embrace the future, the unknown. Search for articles about self-esteem, happiness, listen to music you like, ...Concentrate on yourself and your boys.

Even if there was massive personality change, there are some things that can not be forgiven. You simply deserve better.

I'm not from the same country as you, but contact any possible help organisation, whatever can help you move on.

All the best!

NoArmaniNoPunani · 15/02/2019 03:50

Why can't he leave the house?

Nc1548 · 15/02/2019 04:55

@WhatToDoNowPlease, it would be a good idea for you to ask for legal and financial advice. Both here and in real life. Hopefully everything will be nice and amicable but more often than not it isn't and it's good to know where you stand.

AgentJohnson · 15/02/2019 05:34

Op you also need counselling because you haven’t stayed with this man for as long as you did without reason and the most compelling reasons had nothing to with him and everything to do with you.

Candace19 · 15/02/2019 06:25

@WhatToDoNowPlease

You ask 'what to do now please' ......leave him! Life's too short for all of that shit. He doesn't love you (sorry) and I fail to see what you love about him (from your post). He doesn't see you as a priority or the kids so why make him yours ? Come on girl, he likes the kerb, so kick him to there!

Candace19 · 15/02/2019 06:29

Ooops didn't read thread. Good job @WhatToDoNowPlease you're making steps in the right direction.

Cliques · 15/02/2019 07:05

I would be wary of planning to be flexible and amicable with a man like this.

Like you I’m autistic and got together with exh very young. I missed a plethora of red flags because I tend to apply my own motivations to other people’s actions - and I’m nice. So when he did horrible things I assumed it was a mistake, or there must be a good reason, because I wouldn’t have done it that way.

After I left him (which took me far far longer than it should have because I kept hoping he would change, he would promise the world, and do nothing) I wanted to build an amicable relationship. He used this opportunity to abuse me more and mess me and the dcs around. If I was flexible, he would insist I cancelled my own plans to work around his. If I said no he told me I was damaging his relationship with his kids. He would bring them back early to ruin my plans, pick them up late (knowing change throws me).

It was awful. Really awful. All I had wanted was to build a friendship so we could be the best parents, but all he wanted was to punish me for leaving him. We have a court order now, it is fixed. I only allow changes if they genuinely don’t affect me or the dcs (they also need routine etc).

You are a reasonable and kind person, he isn’t. It’s so important to look at what he does and not what he says. His actions are not kind or supportive.

Decide on your boundaries. If you want to be flexible, then decide what that means and what you will accept or he will walk all over you.

Nursery costs should be shared between you, but you might need a court order for that. Have you checked to see if any benefits might pay towards fees too?

Oh and if it helps, I have a lovely dh now. I never realised that relationships are supposed to actually be mutual, and when people say they are work, that doesn’t mean they are supposed to be work all the time! I thought I was being sensible not believing in a Disney love, but I went too far the other way. My expectations were way too low.

Best of luck

WhatToDoNowPlease · 15/02/2019 07:56

@NoArmaniNoPunani we can't afford for that to happen, I couldn't afford the mortgage, let alone food, bills, nursery, etc and he is sleeping on the sofa at the moment. He earns nearly 4x my salary but with maternity leave and having the children so close together there is no spare money. When I go back to work the amount I earn daily doesn't even cover nursery fees so we are actually worse off by me working.

I will consider counselling if I ever decide to have another relationship in the future.

OP posts:
NoArmaniNoPunani · 15/02/2019 07:59

Are you sure you wouldn't be entitled to help from the government for nursery fees. Child tax credits?

Chocspreadandpb · 15/02/2019 08:14

Do you think you could ever really forgive him for any of this?

WhatToDoNowPlease · 15/02/2019 12:29

I am entitled to help but it won't cover both of the nursery fees well enough for me to cope. I've investigated thoroughly and only quitting my job would work and then only for a short while as I burn through the house equity on rent which gets rid of any house deposit for the future.

OP posts: