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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

He's handsome, a high earner... but

105 replies

Coastingit · 01/11/2020 21:47

Married for 11 years. 3 beautiful children. Zero sex life. WWYD?

Never a real sexual connection but a real life goals one - together from pretty young. Both uni educated but now me a SAHM and him a high earner. Wasn't how I saw my life going but...

I could be happy with our situation if I felt loved and valued. And I don't. We have mutual friends and a lovely social life and a lovely house in a lovely area.

But. I feel defensive, I feel self protective, I feel like I'm not being myself. He's sarcastic with the kids. He has no sexual interest in me, he watches porn and if I even hug him it's a suggestion that I want a super energetic multi position fuck. Which, realistically neither of us want or can be bothered with. I ache for a real emotional connection. He works 16 hours a day leaving me to deal with the kiddos who are very young and needy.

We went away this wkend for our anniversary, first night away in literally years. Haven't had sex in months. We both got drunk after naice meal. In hotel I drunkenly snoozily realised he was wanking into my arse cheeks. Finished and wiped it off, rolled over and went to sleep. I was shaking and upset, started to cry and then felt angry and had a go at him. Next morning he remembered and said sorry then hid his head. We didn't discuss it and nothing else was said, now he's being his usual emotionally distant self and I feel really upset by it. I feel like he probably does it regularly when I'm asleep (he works late and I'm regularly asleep before him).

Am I being over sensitive on this or is it fucked up? I'm really upset by it. I don't know what to do. I feel violated, basically.

OP posts:
IdrisElbow · 01/11/2020 23:05

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

time4anothername · 01/11/2020 23:05

a sarcastic father can cause a lot of problem to DC's self esteem - surely this was not one of the shared life goals you speak of? You say you had a real life goals connection but you never saw yourself a SAHM, it all sounds very confused and very sad for you, if you now develop trouble sleeping your physical health will suffer too.

DeeCeeCherry · 01/11/2020 23:09

You'll go to Relate but I bet there won't be a discussion about his porn obsession and wanking himself over your arse cheeks whilst denying you sex.

He will be in total denial. & He doesn't sound very talkative. He doesn't open up to you, does he?

You're better off going to counselling on your own to explore your feelings and how you want to progress. Joint counselling is for later, if you choose. Bear in mind he may not agree to counselling and even if he does go, may resent it.

In your shoes I'd also want to know what kind of porn he's addicted to. See if you can find out.

Put yourself first . That's what he's doing.

Civilhelp · 01/11/2020 23:10

I’ve never been married ,but this sounds terrible op I’m sorry you deserve better.

Coastingit · 01/11/2020 23:11

Haha I have no idea what Narnia gay is, but I know he is heterosexual and attracted to women.

I'm drinking too much. Once the kids are in bed, a bottle of wine. Maybe every other night.

So that's another pressure on DH. Not an excuse but it's something else in our relationship.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 01/11/2020 23:13

I think this is more multi faceted than just this (which is out of order)

You aren’t happy you are a sahm you never meant to be - trapped I assume by the fact his job comes first and he works hours that means nothing for you. You get nothing from his emotionally either

billy1966 · 01/11/2020 23:14

OP,
Sounds awful.
He sounds awful.

I think counselling on your own would be great.
Also what about returning to work.
I think you need to reclaim some on you.
Organise some solid childcare and get back to work.

Decide what you want and plan for it.

I really don't think it is in the best interests of children for mother's to stay in awful marriages for them.

Flowers
MadameBlobby · 01/11/2020 23:14

In hotel I drunkenly snoozily realised he was wanking into my arse cheeks

Oh my fucking god. This is utterly vile. You poor thing x

AnyFucker · 01/11/2020 23:15

A Narnian Gay. In the closet ? (wardrobe)

I don't know about gay but he is abusive no matter what his sexuality is.

SirVixofVixHall · 01/11/2020 23:16

I thought gay too, when you described the frantic multi position sex. A close friend had a similar experience with her partner , he wasn’t attracted to her, but could make himself have sex her with her if it was impersonal and hectic. She found out that he had a long term boyfriend on the side.
So there is that, but the sexual assault is the thing that is really impossible to get over. Relate is not advised for abusive relationships.
You sound defeated, but relationships really can be better than this.

MadameBlobby · 01/11/2020 23:17

@ikeadaimcake

I think sexually assaulted is a bit of a reach ladies..unless you actually feel that way then I apologise x
The fuck?!...

He violated a drunk sleeping woman. He has probably done it before. How the hell is it NOT assault?!

BathTubGin · 01/11/2020 23:18

@Coastingit

Haha I have no idea what Narnia gay is, but I know he is heterosexual and attracted to women.

I'm drinking too much. Once the kids are in bed, a bottle of wine. Maybe every other night.

So that's another pressure on DH. Not an excuse but it's something else in our relationship.

Are you sure?

Doesn't want sex with you (a woman)
You describe him carrying out an unwanted sexual act (maybe repeatedly) that could be seen to be more homosexual then heterosexual.
What kind of porn does he watch? 2 men and 1 woman? Just men?

mrwalkensir · 01/11/2020 23:21

My v DH worked similar stupid hours for a long long time and it was knackering with 3 children. But we both have always loved each other's company and fancied each other (even when way too tired for years to make the most of that). You can't just marry for goals unless you have a fighting chance of getting on. Would recommend getting out whilst you still have the energy. And don't feel that you're failing - three great children is a massive achievement in itself. (and re the violation thing - the wanking is just a symbol of how he treats you as an object). You're young - run! He's not adding any quality to your life

BathTubGin · 01/11/2020 23:27

Never a real sexual connection but a real life goals one - together from pretty young.

Just read that bit.
So no interest in sex with you (a woman) even when younger?

ConquestEmpireHungerPlague · 01/11/2020 23:34

Your marriage sounds over to me. You are miserable. He doesn't sound much happier. I don't suppose the kids are either. You're drinking enough to make yourself seriously ill in fairly short order. The wanking over you thing is beyond awful and not normal. I don't think I would bother with couples counselling tbh. He sounds like he needs some, but I think I would not make that your problem. Just make some onward plans, you'll feel so much relief once you face up to it.

SentientAndCognisant · 01/11/2020 23:41

Christ you don’t need counselling I despair of mn sometimes
you need a husband who doesn’t assault you by wanking into you without your consent.
He’s sarcastic to your children
Distant to you unless he wants sex that’s emulating what he sees on screen
You have no mutual connection

This is really broken relationship
He is not treating you well, he’s not a good husband

Do you have any monies of your own if you need to go
Anyone to confide in? It’s a lot to contend with on your own

TableFlowerss · 01/11/2020 23:44

End it OP. Seems like you’re stuck in a rut and have been for years. By the sounds of it you’ll be financially secure so that would hopefully make your decision easier.

You can’t live like that. It’s not about how attractive you’re perceived from the outside, it’s about how attractive you find each other.

Sound like habit and none of you are happy. The connection needs to be there emotionally and sexually of it won’t work.

Good luck OP

TiersTiersTiers · 01/11/2020 23:49

Who cares if he is handsome and a high earner - both quite shallow IMO.

He sounds and behaves like a weirdo. Not good.

I would rather ugly, works hard and earns money but is caring, loving, and not a sexual weirdo who thinks it's ok to assault his wife while she sleeps - non consensual wank into her ass cheeks....

That man is NOT a catch.

TiersTiersTiers · 01/11/2020 23:51

I'm another that thinks he is gay

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 02/11/2020 00:13

WTAF did I just read with all the "he is gay" comments?! Anyway...

OP it sounds like this latest incident is a bit of a straw that broke the camels back? I don't blame you for feeling violated. He did violate you. He assumed you were asleep and chose to use your body in a way that he probably assumed you would not consent to if awake. That fits the legal definition of sexual assault. But although the law may be black and white, emotions are not, and the decision on what to name an incident within a relationship can only be your decision.

From what you have said, I think you will inevitably be leaving this man, whether soon or later. I can hear that you feel a duty to give everything from your side to try to save things with counselling. I did the same before leaving my husband. I felt I owed it to our dc to try.

caringcarer · 02/11/2020 00:26

My first husband fell out of love with me after about 10 years. It just took me several more years to realise it. I divorced him and worked to provide for our 3 dc. Eventually after a difficult divorce he started to co parent with me. I sometimes thought only seeing his DC every other weekend and on other week once in week but not overnight and 3 days at half term etc made him appreciate them more. When we were married he worked very long hours and was not patient with them but after divorce he took them out more and seemed to enjoy spending time with them. I entered new relationship very wary but one day realised new man was nothing like ex. I was buying a new TV and only had s small car. TV in large box and when we got outside TV would not fit in car. I knew very well my ex would have shouted at me and called me stupid but I was so impressed when new partner suggested I go for coffee and sit with TV and he drove my car back to his place and drive back with his bigger car. It suddenly dawned on me my ex looked for problems and blamed me whereas my new man looked for solutions and never made me feel bad about my self. After we had been going out for 2 years he asked me when I fell in love with him and laughed when I told him when I got TV size wrong. Both were high earners but very different in character. I wish I had left when he fell out of love with me instead of trying and trying to please him.

user686827 · 02/11/2020 00:26

I can't believe there is more than one person on here denying this was sexual assault. If absolutely was sexual assault. You should leave him for this violation alone. I'm another one though that thought 'He's gay' from just your first post. From the way you've never has a sexual connection, from the description of his sex style, that he watches so much porn, that he came in your arse cheeks while you slept? Maybe he doesn't even know himself. Check his porn history.

SpongeWorthy · 02/11/2020 00:49

But. At what point do I say it's over

When you don't feel comfortable sleeping next to him because he violated you sexually and made you feel unsafe.

Sorry, but this is such an unhealthy dynamic. He is treating you incredibly poorly as if you are a faceless, identikit object for his sexual desires. Not his wife and the mother of his children. He's vile.

thosetalesofunexpected · 02/11/2020 01:01

Hi Op your husband even though you say how handsome, and also to outsiders looking In would consider even feel bit possible envious of what looks like almost perfect family life style,

But you know your marriage is just keeping up appearances, its like charade a sham of marriage,
Why do you feel a need to keep up the charade going?
Don't keep the charade going because of what society/religious family ties thinks expects of you as a married woman,

Trust your instincts you clearly felt violated by your husband, that is because you were ,your husband disrespful used you like a like a some kind of sex toy, he objectified.
He disrespected you, by taking advantage of your vulnerability being tipsey,drunk he just assumes cause your his wife that it his own marital right and your obligation to go along with flow and fufil his sexual needs regardless if its consentual or not,even innocent hug,which should be a loving gesture, is by him thought of as being sexual encouragement of some kind, no wonder you feel emotionally violated,
Your husband has a very old fashioned misonigistic sense of what marriage is about, which is quite frankly worrying and alarming.
Your husband has deep seated issues, and sexual addiction such as porn is notoriously quite challenage to change that kind of behaviour, without the help of relevant therapy..
I feel tempted to say to you find a way if poss to get space to think on your own with clarity about your options,can a trusted family member or trusted friend in your social bubble able to babysit for you for a while on a regular basis?so you can have a break from needy family demands then?

The fact is he is aware very much of his behaviour sexually is very off not acceptable ,as he said sorry and burried his head in bed.

If you are thinking along the lines of trying to salvage this marriage would he willingly be interested in getting help for his sexual addiction with porn? and actively attend these therapy kind of sessions or is he denial or can not be arsed bothered with this idea?
would he consider marriage counselling activately without having to be persuaded, you having to nag him regularly to keep up this going?
Its a bit of a gamble a hit and miss whether this marriage is really worth rescuing really isn't it,

Did he feel just a bit squirmming embarassment and just said sorry like a knee jerk reaction just cause you caught in the act and pointed it out, or was it bit more than that?

I can see why Op you feel confused ,Change feels, scarey like a leap of faith into the unknown, (but its also signal of refreshing opportunities aswell ,an opportunity to discover yourself too,

Embrace change,many women have tread that path before you,

Also take care of yourself, mediation is beneficial good thing to get into,its free it can be done at comfort of your own and it only takes 10 to15mins and it well known to give people sense of clarity.
Walk in nature good for relieving stress,listen to good music.
Do have a home made health spa pamper session at home or visit a health spa
Have a holistic therapy session, such as hot stone massage etc
Get into creative arts any kind you do not have to be perfect at this its not competition and it does not have to be painting it can be anything creative it will feel like active mediation and will help you to relax and have a bit of fun, and bit of escapism,
The thing is doing taking part in your favorite part in something you enjoy will help you to find yourself and be more cofindent to take the leap of faith overcome your personal fears as it feel like a bit like mini adventures,like that old saying
nothing ventured ,nothing gained

Instead of just thinking I have been married for just over a decade, clinging on for dear life,by your grip of finger nails
Think of the there was a time also when you coped, thrived done well on your own merits,long before you got married, you did this once before you can do this again too

Also worries me his scarastic attitude towards your children, you know yourself that this is not healthy role model of marriage for your children to see,
So either way you need to demand change for yourself for your children not to view your kind of kind of relantship marriage in such way that they think its normal and when they grow up into adults end up unconsciously going into recreating dysfunctional toxic relantships of their own.
Best of luck Op

matchingsocks · 02/11/2020 01:05

I'm really intrigued as to what life goals you consider more important than love, respect and happiness?
An Audi? Bifold doors?
Get away from him OP. You deserve more than him.

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