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

Love DH but not in love - don’t know if I’m just expecting too much

60 replies

WhenIsItTooLate · 10/09/2021 10:50

Been with DH 10 years, married 7, 3 children (9, 5 and 3).
The relationship has had its ups and downs - lots of downs in all honesty, he’s changed a lot; the first few years we were together he was probably bordering on emotionally abusive. But he recognised it and has made a big effort to change, it’s been a long slow process but he is much much better now.
Last year in lockdown 1 I nearly left him - I struggled massively and he was so so unsupportive and horrible about it. I’ve never felt so alone. Took the children to my mum’s for a fortnight but did go back after a long conversation. However I don’t think this ever really got dealt with - life just gradually got back to normal and we just carried on.
Before this year (so for the children’s entire life to date) I was pretty much the sole parent. DH worked all hours all the time (by choice) and I felt like I was constantly trying to make him engage with the children/the family unit against his will. For the vast majority of our relationship he’s been someone who lives in the house and pays the bills rather than an actual partner.
He has always been adamant that he was only ever doing it for us, he wanted to spend time with us, etc etc.
Last year we moved into the ‘forever’ house. Surprisingly (I didn’t think it would happen), he has dropped his work hours, is now home at a normal time (still leaves in the morning before the children are up), and is much more engaged with the family and domestic stuff. He makes dinner most nights and will put the younger ones to bed. This is by far and away more domestic contribution from him than has ever happened before.
In theory things should be better than ever. But it turns out I’m holding a massive amount of resentment towards him which I can’t seem to move past. We also had a week off together this summer and it turns out we have nothing much to say to each other any more. His version of connecting with me is to show me stupid stuff on Instagram (I’m not even on Instagram and have zero interest). A lot of conversations end up with him speaking to me like I’m an idiot. Sex is rare and I don’t really want to do it tbh.
DH is a good person but likes security, safety, planning ahead and sticking to the plan and I feel like I’ve given up any chance of spontaneity, adventure - he doesn’t want those things. I love change and adventure and a bit of considered risk taking. Any attempts to introduce the topic of making life a bit more interesting have been quickly shut down.
I’ve been massively busy for a few years and have recently had a lot of changes which have resulted in me having more time and brain space than I have done for a long time. And I’m looking at my life feeling trapped and bored and totally flat. Its such a cliche but - I do love him but I’m not sure I’m in love with him any more. However, even telling him this would totally devastate him, let alone leaving - it would ruin his life. He is a good man, he loves us all and he’s totally happy with the status quo. I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
TakeYourFinalPosition · 10/09/2021 16:07

how can I screw up everyone else’s life just because it’s what I want?

Because you deserve to be happy? Because your children deserve to have happy parents with healthy relationships for them to model their own future relationships on?

I don’t think you can say that you love him, you’ve avoided all the questions around that. Maybe if you sit with the idea that this is a convenience thing now for a bit, you’ll be able to tell whether that makes it easier for you and gives you “permission” to stop pushing for it being something else, or whether it’s not actually convenient for you and you want something more?

Notonthestairs · 10/09/2021 16:12

I'd put your relationship with him to one side for a bit and focus on your own interests - what do you do beyond wrangling 3 quite young children? Do you get time to pursue your own interests? Have you made friends in your area?

Am also intrigued by your reference to wanting a bit more risk - what do you mean by that?

I think things can get very meh when you've got 3 kids to keep busy and happy and you've ticked a few other boxes (new house, new area). That's not a reason to settle necessarily but also something to keep in mind.

ThePlantsitter · 10/09/2021 16:13

If you want to leave, you should leave, but honestly it doesn't sound like you really want to yet. I echo someone upthread who said relationship counselling might be a good idea so that you can communicate how you feel/how his past behaviour has changed your feelings for him. How he responds to this stuff might give you your answer.

I don't think leaving when you've got 3 small kids is a small undertaking, but to carry on as you are you need to offload all these negative feelings that have built up as a result of his behaviour. Offload them onto him I mean!

WhenIsItTooLate · 10/09/2021 16:21

But if you're actually looking for confirmation that it's OK to leave because you can't stand the sight of him and your life is crap...

It’s not crap Grin I have a lovely life but he’s not really part of it iyswim. I have a great time with the kids, friends (most of whom he’s never met as historically he doesn’t really like doing anything social), I have a whole lovely life I’ve built without him in it (and he’s not been funding it while I’ve sat on my arse, he makes far more money than me because I do all the school runs and childcare, I had a couple of years off when the little ones were really tiny but worked before that and have been back working pt since my younger kids were 2 and 1). And this year for the first time he’s actually willingly involved himself in that life. And it should feel nice to have him around and it just…doesn’t. I’d rather spend a day at the beach with my friends than my husband.

Am reading and absorbing everything, especially the love/convenience question. Lots of food for thought, thank you all!

OP posts:
ThePlantsitter · 10/09/2021 16:29

I do also think that over a ten year marriage you're going to have times where you feel a bit meh about it. It's meant to last a lifetime; how could it be otherwise? I don't mean that people should never leave marriages by the way. Just that you shouldn't expect to be in love with your H all the time. I think in your case anger and hurt has eased into meh and these things can usually go back to something a bit more passionate if you both want to work at it.

susiespice · 10/09/2021 17:35

I know what you mean when you say you love your husband but not in love with them. I wonder if that's normal for a long term marriage? Would be interested to hear how others feel

BeachDrifting · 10/09/2021 17:41

I’d recommend finding something you can do together on a weekly basis. An activity. Tennis/badminton/etc not cinema. Something you just have fun doing. Try it. It’s worth a go before you walk away

BrendaBubbles · 10/09/2021 17:43

So your DH wisely prefers stability and security, helps look after the kids, cooks, works hard for long hours to pay for your 'forever' home.. but when he tries to engage with you, you disengage, and you don't want to have sex. It sounds like you have checked out of the relationship.

CheekyHobson · 10/09/2021 21:44

He SCREAMED at me, went off the handle, said I couldn’t look after anything, I should be more careful, etc etc, didn’t speak to me for a couple of days.

That's not bordering on emotional abuse, it's outright and quite hard core emotional abuse.

Screaming at someone for a mistake/an accident is emotional abuse. Hyberbolic criticism (surely you can and do take care of many things successfully) is emotional abuse. Punitive silent treatment is emotional abuse. I'm pretty sure if you put some time into a) learning what emotional abuse really is and b) thinking back over similar incidents with your husband, you'll be shocked to realise what you've unknowingly been dealing with.

It's no wonder you are finding it hard to forgive your husband for belittling, ignoring and failing to support you for years on end. The incidents you describe are called 'emotional ruptures' and though they can be forgiven if the person who caused them fully admits, apologises, stops the behaviour and works to make amends for them (at a minimum), sometimes even all that doesn't make up for the loss of trust, attraction and intimacy that emotional ruptures lead to.

The simple fact is that once those elements of a relationship are gone, there is absolutely no guarantee you will be able to re-establish them.

You say you love him but it actually sounds more to me like you're saying you love him because you feel an obligation to keep the family together and would feel guilty or like a 'bad person' if you just said to yourself, "You know what, he treated me like I didn't matter for years, and actually, no, I can't get over that. I'm allowed to not want to continue this marriage."

It's actually not surprising that you're only starting to be able to process the abuse AFTER it has (mostly?) stopped.

Because when abuse is underway, the real-time consequences are that you live in a state of constant self-doubt, you're so overwhelmed by managing responsibilities that shouldn't be yours alone that you don't have time to pause and reflect on what the hell is actually going on, the constant criticism means your self-esteem is in the toilet so you stop expecting or hoping for anything better, your voice is ignored so the only 'control' you have over the way your partner treats you is to not do anything they don't in the first place.

When the level of abuse recedes, or your kids get a bit older and you have a bit more time and some emotional distance from the abuse, you start to be able to look at it a bit more objectively and realise... "Hang on. Okay, I've made some mistakes, like all humans do, but actually, the way my husband has reacted to those mistakes was waaaaaaay worse than the mistake I made in the first place... and yet I took most of the blame."

Sounds like your husband has made a life where he has happy, but it's come at the cost of a large amount of suffering on your part, which he ignored and denied for years while he was focused on pursuing his own vision of a 'happy family'. But it's not your vision, and never has been, despite you trying to tell him this.

The reason you're frustrated is because you are not in a genuinely loving relationship. A genuinely loving relationship involves two people each communicating their desires and each accommodating and supporting the others'. It sounds like for years, it's been all about you accommodating and supporting your husband's desires, and him refusing to accommodate yours. No wonder you feel resentful.

CheekyHobson · 10/09/2021 21:46

they don't like in the first place

crystalspiders · 10/09/2021 21:55

I would maybe go to marriage counselling. It does sound like he’s trying to make a change, and the resentment may be something you can work through. I do agree with others that you need to find your own hobbies.

SuperbLyrebird · 10/09/2021 22:01

but still no general day to day help like some people do (grandparents who take kids for weekend sleepovers and that sort of thing), which I would have plenty of if I were to move back. Which would also mean my job options would be massively increased (my mum works school hours, term time so would be amazing to have on hand and would happily do pick ups etc) plus it’s a much cheaper area so financially I’d likely be fine

But your DC need their dad, not their gran. And I wouldn't count on her wanting to be "amazing"

You chose to have yet another baby with him 3 years ago so he can't have been that bad. He actually sounds good to me (and I have a lovely DH so I set the bar high). I think it's yourself you are dissatisfied with - have a think about what you can do about that without spoiling the lives of four other people.

Best of luck.

CheekyHobson · 10/09/2021 22:08

I'm going to make a few guesses.

Did your husband have a difficult childhood, possibly involving abuse?

Did you grow up in a family that was fairly normal but emotionally distant? Did your parents have high expectations of you in regard to academic performance or being a 'good girl'? Were your parents much stricter than your friends' parents?

When you and your husband first met, did he give you the impression that he really enjoyed the same kinds of things you do? Socialising, travelling, wanted to have a close family? And yet over the years, it became apparent that he was not actually all that interested in those things?

Is your husband condescending towards or clearly not interested in the things that interest you but expects you to show interest in his interests?

EarthSight · 10/09/2021 23:09

@WhenIsItTooLate

gannett I suppose it comes down to intentions…he’s never been intentionally horrible…in the earlier years he was just lacking in control of his reactions/emotions. He is better now but likewise he tends to react quickly, eg if I make a suggestion he doesn’t think is practical he’ll be really cutting and just shut me down instantly and act like I’m stupid for even thinking it. He does usually come back and apologise but obviously by then the damage is done. It’s been a lifetime of it and even though he tries really hard and tries to improve all the time I just feel like it’s been constant hard work and I’m just bloody tired.
I suppose it comes down to intentions…he’s never been intentionally horrible…in the earlier years he was just lacking in control of his reactions/emotions

Does he behave this way in front of other people, in front of his boss or colleagues? If he doesn't, you need to radically re-think him as a decent, honourable man. We all behave in a different, more honest way with the people who are closest to us, but if there is a large discrepancy, it means he can control his emotions, he just doesn't want to, doesn't respect you, and it unafraid of the consequences of not doing so .

I've read about your comments about him speaking to you like you're stupid. Do you think that this, and what you describe above are totally unconnected?? I think it's pretty likely that the reason why he can't seem to control his emotions (apparently) and the reason why he makes such comments is because he thinks you are dumber than him, and that usually leads to disrespect. That can then lead to full-on snearey arrogance and contempt which then leads to abuse, so watch out for that slippery slope.

Without knowing more about you, he sounds like the dominant one in this relationship who has the last say. The unmovable rock who decides what you do and don't do as a family, which might be further underpinned by him feeling a sense of superiority or entitlement because of being the main earner (I assume). I'm glad you're not having much sex because this is not a good situation to be having sex in.

I just feel like it’s been constant hard work and I’m just bloody tired

Yes, because you're probably doing a lot of emotional labour. It's great that he's reliable, but he also seems to suck the joy and spirit out of your life.

Your dynamic isn't unusual. I'm not sure this describes you, but it's not uncommon to have a woman who is sparky, active, fairly joyful, enthusiastic, spontaneous with a man who is more seriously, likes his routines, predictability, doesn't really know how to emotionally connect very well, not particularly talkative and harsher. An unmoving grump, basically who wants his pipe &slippers decades before his retirement.
On top of that, he's more neurotic than you which probably has required a lot of soothing over the years, and he also doesn't seem think very highly of your intelligence. Not good!

Leaving him won't magically make all of your dreams come true, but I think what you want is someone that you can be around where you don't feel deflated (it sounds like he just pops your balloons all the time, so to speak). You want someone that's present, interested, who's supportive and encouraging. I'm not sure if you realize this now, but you also need someone who respects you a lot more.

WhenIsItTooLate · 10/09/2021 23:18

CheekyHobson good guesses! You’re pretty spot on Shock

Did your husband have a difficult childhood, possibly involving abuse?
Yes, very

Did you grow up in a family that was fairly normal but emotionally distant? Did your parents have high expectations of you in regard to academic performance or being a 'good girl'? Were your parents much stricter than your friends' parents?
Yes to the first two, no to the strict. The polar opposite in fact - I had almost no boundaries and was mostly left to my own devices

When you and your husband first met, did he give you the impression that he really enjoyed the same kinds of things you do? Socialising, travelling, wanted to have a close family? And yet over the years, it became apparent that he was not actually all that interested in those things?
Yes and no. We used to do stuff together, even after DD1 we still did a fair bit but only as long as it suited eg I’d love to have a party, it’s never happened ever in 10 years because he starts tutting and shaking his head every time the topic comes up

Is your husband condescending towards or clearly not interested in the things that interest you but expects you to show interest in his interests?
Again, sort of - he quite often ignores me in favour of his phone when I’m trying to chat to him. Hence I’ve mostly given up and don’t really chat to him any more. But he also doesn’t really expect me to show interest in his stuff either.

I will just point out as a few people have said it that I do have lots of my own interests - I have a pretty full life (with the kids in tow for some or all of it!), it just doesn’t really involve him. He’s not interested in any of the stuff I’m interested in and vice versa (this is partly on him and partly on me as a fair bit of the stuff we originally had in common I’m not so into any more - music was always our biggest shared ‘thing’ and I just stopped being so much into it once I had a couple of kids).

I think it's yourself you are dissatisfied with - have a think about what you can do about that without spoiling the lives of four other people.
This is my worry. I can’t work out if this newfound space is allowing me to take stock and see things clearly without all the usual distractions or if I’m just bored and looking in the wrong places for a change.

OP posts:
EarthSight · 10/09/2021 23:20

@SuperbLyrebird

but still no general day to day help like some people do (grandparents who take kids for weekend sleepovers and that sort of thing), which I would have plenty of if I were to move back. Which would also mean my job options would be massively increased (my mum works school hours, term time so would be amazing to have on hand and would happily do pick ups etc) plus it’s a much cheaper area so financially I’d likely be fine

But your DC need their dad, not their gran. And I wouldn't count on her wanting to be "amazing"

You chose to have yet another baby with him 3 years ago so he can't have been that bad. He actually sounds good to me (and I have a lovely DH so I set the bar high). I think it's yourself you are dissatisfied with - have a think about what you can do about that without spoiling the lives of four other people.

Best of luck.

*have a think about what you can do about that without spoiling the lives of four other people.

Best of luck*

The way you've written that makes you sounds unnecessarily condescending, judgmental and flippant. I think your intention was to shame the OP and put her on the naughty step.

(and I have a lovely DH so I set the bar high)

.....so you need to trust my judgment here which nobody can actually verify.....mmmmmk!??

Good for you!! Jesus, get over yourself.

I know where you're coming from - it's dangerous to blame others for your dissatisfaction without first looking inward and it can ruin families, but her post is more complex that this.

WhenIsItTooLate · 10/09/2021 23:23

EarthSight you’re EXACTLY right. Absolutely uncannily spot on, that’s exactly it! He’s not even 40 yet and he’s at the pipe and slippers stage already.

It's great that he's reliable, but he also seems to suck the joy and spirit out of your life.

THIS is it in a nutshell. I feel like I’ve lost all my spark and all my joy.

OP posts:
EarthSight · 10/09/2021 23:23

@SuperbLyrebird

EarthSight · 10/09/2021 23:26

I discovered early on that it was better to assume he wouldn’t be around and then be pleasantly surprised if he was

This is pretty sad OP :(

Do the kids like him when he's around? What's the atmosphere like when he's with you all?

SuperbLyrebird · 10/09/2021 23:28

The way you've written that makes you sounds unnecessarily condescending, judgmental and flippant. I think your intention was to shame the OP and put her on the naughty step

Well, you have completely misread my tone. Fortunately, the OP did not.

so you need to trust my judgment here which nobody can actually verify.....mmmmmk!??

To be fair that's true of all of us on here. Nothing can be verified.

Good for you!! Jesus, get over yourself

You sound awfully rattled. Maybe start your own thread and people can help with whatever is making you so ... unhinged.

WhenIsItTooLate · 10/09/2021 23:43

Do the kids like him when he's around? What's the atmosphere like when he's with you all?

They do, he’s really good with them - again, has worked hard on becoming more patient and tolerant over the years - he used to be very snappy and impatient with them but he’s much better now. He does all the rough play, chase, stereotypical ‘daddy’ games that they love. He still gets snappy with them about some stuff when it’s not called for though (the other day the younger 2 had had a bath, were making pictures with stamps and he shouted at them for getting ink on themselves) but it’s rare now. He can’t really cope with all 3 on his own though - it’s only the last few months that he’ll do the odd couple of hours to the park etc with them all together and even then he’ll avoid it if he can. It’s hard work apparently Grin

OP posts:
WhenIsItTooLate · 10/09/2021 23:48

When I write it all down like this it sounds really shit Sad but it’s all true. The biggest thing he has going for him is that he really loves us all. This is his dream, family, house, pipe and slippers, sit on phone all evening. He comes from a good, loving place and is always motivated to get better - he’s done a lot of work on himself.

Truthfully, if I could do it without hurting anyone, I’d like to be out of this marriage. Daunting as it is to be on my own with the children, I feel like I’m looking down the barrel of a lifetime having my spirit squashed out of me and it can’t be worse than that. But it feels so awful and like he’s worked so much and I’d just be throwing it all back in his face Sad he’d be utterly heartbroken. And I am a bit worried that the grass is always greener and I’d regret it 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Casxy · 11/09/2021 00:23

I wonder if almost all long marriages end up with a more sociable woman and a more stay-at-home husband: after 30+ years, mine has but it works for us.

It does sound as if you are wondering what you want from life. What I have found is that you don't get that from anyone else. Changing partner is not a short cut to working that out, and in fact you may be overlooking that the emotional stability your dh gives you is what enables you to dream big. Perhaps you could talk about what you like doing and what he likes doing and what you like doing together and then find a bit of compromise that involves some alone time, some just going along with what each other wants as well as great times together.
It would be boring if you both liked all the same things. Also people change - they can be tired for years and then perk up. Its not better or worse to want to be at home with slippers, just another part of a rounded life.
Wishing you luck.

ferando81 · 11/09/2021 01:08

Your talking to the wrong people .You need to be communicating with him -even if it is painful.Possibly show him this thread and see if he changes ,he has tried in the past .If he can’t ,then you have a decision to make .
Are you one of these people who will always be unhappy about something?Some people are like that and don’t even realise .Don’t mean to be cruel but nobody has it all

Newgirls · 11/09/2021 08:24

Great posts. Long term marriage isn’t easy. But knowing some of my single friends in their 50s that isn’t easy either. Finding a match is proving tricky. Not impossible of course but the men out there might be very like your husband too