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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

Is there anyway back from the ick?

8 replies

WhiteWineLover · 24/01/2022 10:28

I’m sure this has been done a thousand times…

Been together nearly a decade, got married quickly (had known him for a long time), three children quickly… sort of always known I’ve settled (I don’t think we’re best friends nor do we really laugh a lot together) but he swept me off my feet in the beginning and I’ve always felt he’s ‘loved me more then I love him’. I think that’s put him on the back foot from the beginning really, as he is probably aware of that. So I think that’s made him insecure and worried about losing me the whole time. However because of that he’s been quite possessive, jealous and bordering controlling without really intentionally meaning to (I almost feel sorry for him even though I also hate it).
Anyway his sex drive has always been huge with me (not with previous partners). I’ve never had a huge sex drive although we did have sex a lot in the beginning (I think that’s a pattern of mine) but I actually cannot bear the thought of having sex with him now (felt like that for as long as I can remember). I have been honest with him over the years and said “I so wish I felt as strong as attraction as you do” which personally would be enough for me to end something if I was him, but he really just doesn’t want to let me go.

We are starting marriage counselling this week because I’m worried about our arguing affecting the children & I want to try and resolve our differences and issues for their sake & ours. But part of me is worried there is no point if I will never feel that attraction to him. Is it possible to ever get over the Ick?! I’ve said to him I think he could have an amazing sex life with someone else, but he just wants me.
Aside from all that financially we’d both be absolutely screwed if we split…which is why I’m hoping there is someway back from this but am I fooling myself. Thanks for reading xx

OP posts:
AnotherSillawithanS · 24/01/2022 10:31

No

DiscoCloud · 24/01/2022 10:48

I'm in the same boat. So unfortunately no advice.

BornIn78 · 24/01/2022 10:54

Sounds like you don’t want to be seen as the ‘bad guy’ who ends the relationship but you’re dressing it up as ‘he doesn’t want to let me go.

I actually think what you’re doing to him and the things you’re saying to him are really harmful.

And no, not really. Just end it. You clearly never really wanted to be with him pretty much from the start.

Fatherliamdeliverance · 24/01/2022 10:54

This doesn't sound like the ick to me, it sounds like you've never really been that attracted to him (i get the impression maybe there was a brief first flush when you got together but nothing really lasting).

I'm no expert but it feels like if you wanted to try and stay in the marriage, and resolved the control etc then it would be a question of building something new, rather than trying to get back to something that was never really there.

Fatherliamdeliverance · 24/01/2022 10:58

But I agree with bornin78 it sounds quite toxic. You're open that you don't really want him (extremely hurtful to hear), and he is clinging on and resorting to controlling tactics (not condoning this). This is all because you both know you'd have practical difficulties if you separated. Perhaps look closer st how to work out how to separate as comfortably as possible.

TurkeyRoastvBubbleandSqueek · 24/01/2022 11:11

Please do him a favour and leave now.
I think you have treated him awfully. He will get over it, hopefully much quicker than you expect him to. You were selfish marrying him, selfish having children with him, and now selfish staying with him because you don't want people to realise that you have been predominantly the bad guy in this relationship.

WhiteWineLover · 24/01/2022 11:16

Thank you all. I do agree that staying with him is hurting him. Over the last few years I feel I’ve tried to leave - I’ve hurt him a lot by saying I’m not massively sexually attracted to him & I don’t love him as much as he loves me, & I’ve said our behaviour is not teaching our children how a relationship should be. But we’ve always managed to come back from it because he’s been so upset or because he still is physically attracted to me and in love with me he doesn’t want it to end, & he really does not want to be separated from the children - understandably. So I guess yes, I’m being cowardly because I don’t want to hurt him even more (which I understand is causing us both more hurt in the long run).

OP posts:
WhiteWineLover · 24/01/2022 11:22

@DiscoCloud

I'm in the same boat. So unfortunately no advice.
Sorry to hear you are in the same boat
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