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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

Is this the end?

12 replies

DrKnickerbocker9 · 28/05/2020 13:56

So huge backstory here. We were together as teenagers, grew apart as we got to early twenties went off and did our own thing. I had a baby with a man who disappeared when I was pregnant and who had never been in my sons life.
Me and my son (now 6) lived alone until he was 4. By this point DP was back on the scene. He’d never really left we had always been close friends. I became unexpectedly pregnant so he moved in. All was fine.
Now I’m prepared to take some of the blame here as I did it all first time around on my own I had certain routines and liked things done a certain way with DS and then DS2 who came alone so we argued quite a lot whilst I was breastfeeding. I suppose I thought because I had a partner this time it would be easier but he’s of the kind that when he’s been at work all day he likes 20 minutes to himself when he walks through the door etc and I can’t deal with that. When I’ve been in my own with the boys all day I need a break when he comes in at 5.30, house clean, tea on the table etc.
Since I became pregnant with DS2 sex has been virtually non existant. I virtually have to beg him. He says it’s because it’s not high on his priority list. He’s not bothered by it and to be fair to him he’s never been bothered but not as bad as he is now. This morning I discovered he had given our 18 month old son piriteze (6+) in the night instead of piriton. His excuse I didn’t notice I was tired and it was dark. I flew off the handle at him. And everything that has been playing in my mind for the last 2 years came flying out. He thinks I’m unreasonable. I admit I am at times when it comes to modelling behaviour in front of the children, ie he doesn’t use a knife at mealtimes. I ask him too and he rolls his eyes at me. I ask him on his way up the stairs if there’s a pile of washing to be taken up can he take it. Yes he says. Does he? No. Just little things like that that all add up. But the sex thing really upsets me. I feel unloved and unwanted. I feel we become emotionally and physically closer when we have sex and he doesn’t see it like that. He thinks I’m obsessed, I’m really not. Once a fortnight would be fine!! I’m not asking for it twice a day. He hasn’t initiated sex in at least 2 years. It’s not normal is it?
I also find him short and snappy and fed up with my 6 year old. Who he says he loves as his own but I think when DS2 came along he definitely makes it clear that he is the favourite. He never has any praise for DS1, will play with him etc but on his terms and if DS2 gets in the way (tries to get attention) while he’s playing with DS2, poor DS1 gets told off. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

OP posts:
DrKnickerbocker9 · 28/05/2020 13:56

God that was long!! Sorry!! I feel a bit better just writing it all down so I’m not expecting replies!!

OP posts:
NoMoreDickheads · 28/05/2020 14:25

he’s of the kind that when he’s been at work all day he likes 20 minutes to himself when he walks through the door etc and I can’t deal with that

If it's genuinely just 20 mins then I think that's completely reasonable, virtually everyone would want a cup of tea and a bit of a sit down etc when they get in. If someone didn't let us do that, many people would be pissed off.

Obviously if it really isn't 20 mins but a lot more then it isn't ok. Home life doesn't sound good to return to, though.

He thinks I’m obsessed, I’m really not

No, I don't think you're obsessed. I of all people can understand someone not wanting sex, but if he thinks there's something wrong with you wanting it at all, then I'd say he has some sort of hang up/negative attitude to sex.

The being snappy with DS1 is not ok.

DrKnickerbocker9 · 28/05/2020 14:49

Really? Ok I’m prepared to accept I’m being unreasonable about him wanting 20 mins. I don’t get that when I finish work at 3.30, I’m straight into picking the children up, tea, bath and bed. I don’t get my break until the boys are in bed Sad

OP posts:
Teacaketotty · 28/05/2020 15:16

I agree that 20 mins to yourself when you’ve been at work all day isn’t unreasonable. I do think you are pretty hard on him by the sound of it, lots of people forget to pick up washing etc. If he doesn’t want to use a knife then he doesn’t have to. It sounds like quite a tense atmosphere so sex probably isn’t unlikely to be a priority but of course is important.

VettiyaIruken · 28/05/2020 15:21

20 minutes is fine but why do you go on to do dinner, bath and bed?
He could have half an hour then do one of those things.

Tbh you don't sound compatible. But the worst thing is that he treats your son as less than.
That will, does, fuck up a child.

hellsbellsmelons · 28/05/2020 15:24

If it's genuinely just 20 mins then I think that's completely reasonable
I'm surprised by these responses.
As soon my ExH used to walk through the door I would hand our DD over as I needed a bloody break from it all.
And OP has 2 to deal with all day.
He's at work, sitting down, having cups of tea, breaks, lunch, talking to adults etc....
OP doesn't get a 20 minute break - why should he.
I just don't get that.
Unless he has a massive high power, high pressure job where he doesn't get a single minute to himself to even eat or drink!?

People do not 'forget' to pick up washing when going upstairs when someone has literally just mentioned it!

IPityThePontipines · 28/05/2020 15:27

I also find him short and snappy and fed up with my 6 year old. Who he says he loves as his own but I think when DS2 came along he definitely makes it clear that he is the favourite. He never has any praise for DS1, will play with him etc but on his terms and if DS2 gets in the way (tries to get attention) while he’s playing with DS2, poor DS1 gets told off. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

You get rid, that's what you do. It's odd this has come at the end, when it's the key issue. Maybe because it's a hard thing to admit.

OtterBe4 · 28/05/2020 15:29

You sound hard work and controlling, calm down ffs

DrKnickerbocker9 · 28/05/2020 15:30

@IPityThePontipines It’s come at the end because I wanted it to be mainly about whether I was being unreasonable or not. It is a huge issue and causes lots of arguments. He doesn’t see he’s doing it. Or he will say he just doesn’t have much patience whereas I work with children so I must do. My 6 year old can be testing at times but I think he’s the same as any other 6 year old!

@hellsbellsmelons this is exactly it. Exactly. This is what I mean.

OP posts:
DrKnickerbocker9 · 28/05/2020 15:31

@VettiyaIruken Because I finish work at 3.30 and he doesn’t finish work until 5.30. And when he gets home his tea is ready for him so he eats that then has his 20 minutes to himself taking the dog in the garden and sitting on his phone etc while I crack on with bath time. I just find it unfair. And to be honest by 5.30/6ish I’ve had enough of the kids!

OP posts:
DrKnickerbocker9 · 28/05/2020 15:33

@OtterBe4 Ok that’s what I wrote the post to find out. Thanks.

OP posts:
WendyHoused · 28/05/2020 15:39

The 20 minutes is reasonable - for introverts, a small decompression time can be essential for coping. DS1 used to have melt downs as a little kid until I realised that letting him have a quiet half hour after school before having friends over etc really benefitted him.

I applied it to DH, too - leaving him for a short while after he came in from work - and it made a big difference in how engaged he was for the rest of the evening.

By all means give him his 20 minutes, but then HE puts the children to bed.

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