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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

DH has told me that our entire marriage has been crap

227 replies

Trueblues · 19/02/2022 19:29

As in sex.
We’ve been married for more than a decade. We have two kids. Last night I was minding my own business watching a movie. He comes and decides to watch with me. There’s a scene where the characters get hot and steamy. He pipes up that we “used to be like that before we got married”. I was a bit shocked to be honest because although sex has dwindled the last few years due to lack of empathy, communication, leading to lack of connection which puts me off, it hasn’t always been like that. So I said “we’ve had hot sex since we’ve been married” he says “when”? in a nasty tone. We had a daytime quickie initiated by me about a week ago. He came, I didn’t but I thought we’d had a good time while we were doing it. I said “last week was pretty hot I thought” “not really” he says. Then he says “we just need to do it more” I dropped it at that point because there’s a history of this kind of conversation escalating and I’ve learnt to not argue my point if he’s upset me. It gets me nowhere but I’m really hurt and deflated. I feel like giving up to be honest. The issue with the “we need to do it more” is that I now don’t. He always gets his jollies but never finishes me off. I’m always left high and dry and after this conversation I’m left wondering what’s the point. What I want to be able to do is actually have a conversation with him about it but I can’t because he’s going to shut me down and we will get nowhere. Im wondering what other people would do in my position?

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 20:01

Name a movie where the couple are in their 40s, have two kids at home, can't easily get a babysitter and still have this type of sex.

If he wants to live in fantasy land, thats he is always going to be disappointed.

Real life aint like that.

Trueblues · 19/02/2022 20:04

It’s really made me feel shit and deflated to be honest. I’m actually really giving in bed. I always give a blow job and get really amorous. Sex is one thing I’ve always thought I’m good at. Now I’m feeling about two inches tall to be honest

OP posts:
Trueblues · 19/02/2022 20:05

The issue is now I have no way to approach or reopen the conversation.

OP posts:
EezyOozy · 19/02/2022 20:05

Don't feel bad; he's a selfish cunt. It's not you it's him!

girlmom21 · 19/02/2022 20:05

@Trueblues

I’m wondering what people would do now in my position? How would you approach a conversation about this?
I'd say "you know you were complaining about crap sex? Well you haven't helped me finish since X. It doesn't exactly turn me on when you're so selfish.

I can't have a conversation with you about it because you get aggressive so unless you work on that things won't improve."

mugglenutmeg · 19/02/2022 20:06

He's frustrated and doesn't understand why you've gone cold, if he really wants to fix the sex life he needs to be open to working on the rest of the relationship.

Foreplay starts long before you get into the bedroom, kindness, affection, effort and teamwork is fucking sexy, men often don't seem to get that.

You need to be honest, and open without pointing fingers and blaming, you need to work on this together. And maybe after some work on the relationship a dirty weekend away and some new sex toys?

MaryStuart · 19/02/2022 20:07

@Trueblues

It’s really made me feel shit and deflated to be honest. I’m actually really giving in bed. I always give a blow job and get really amorous. Sex is one thing I’ve always thought I’m good at. Now I’m feeling about two inches tall to be honest
Oh op, it’s really not you. I’d defo not be so giving, if you’re not getting anything in return (ie an orgasm). Plus he then gives you shit comments like you’ve experienced. It’d be no more sex from me. Nada.
user1481840227 · 19/02/2022 20:10

@Trueblues

The issue is now I have no way to approach or reopen the conversation.
Why not?
arethereanyleftatall · 19/02/2022 20:11

@Trueblues

It’s really made me feel shit and deflated to be honest. I’m actually really giving in bed. I always give a blow job and get really amorous. Sex is one thing I’ve always thought I’m good at. Now I’m feeling about two inches tall to be honest
It's not you, it's him op. 100%.

Stop thinking about whether you are good in bed for him, and focus more on whether he is good in bed for you.

NEVER let a complete arsehole make you feel like shit.

Holothane · 19/02/2022 20:11

I had this with my ex he was crap never listened to me said I was frigid, well I soon just lay there he got the message I hated sex with him. Selfish man it’s always the woman’s fault never them.

ShallWeTalkAboutBruno · 19/02/2022 20:12

@Trueblues

The issue is now I have no way to approach or reopen the conversation.
How about ‘I was thinking about what you said earlier about sex and actually I think you’re being really unfair’.
sadpapercourtesan · 19/02/2022 20:12

It hasn't even occurred to him that he's actually shit in bed, has it.

You can tell a lot about a man by how selfish he is in bed.

cansu · 19/02/2022 20:15

Mugglenutmeg the op doesn't sound like she has 'gone cold' Why on earth should he expect sex like in a bloody film! He is not a considerate partner himself. Unbelievable.

Beancounter1 · 19/02/2022 20:17

@Trueblues

The issue is now I have no way to approach or reopen the conversation.
You have no need to re-open the conversation. Just divorce him.

Or not - it is up to you what you do with your life.

sadpapercourtesan · 19/02/2022 20:20

I'd reopen it by saying "I've thought a lot about what you said about our sex life. I feel that you've had your say, and been listened to; now I'd like to have mine, and I want you to listen."

Then explain that he's a selfish, unimaginative lover who routinely doesn't even notice that he's satisfied himself and rolled off, leaving you in the lurch. Explain that a selfish lover is a very, very unattractive thing. That the longer it goes on, the more your knees snap shut at the very thought of him. Ask him what he plans to do about it.

RedToothBrush · 19/02/2022 20:20

If you cannot reopen the conversation, the problem isn't your sex life.

mugglenutmeg · 19/02/2022 20:26

'You have no need to re-open the conversation.Just divorce him.'

What a stupid thing to say. Fgs this is the side of Mumsnet that is so useless and toxic. Ridiculous comments on an anonymous persons whole life and relationship.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 19/02/2022 20:27

He came, I didn’t but I thought we’d had a good time while we were doing it. I said “last week was pretty hot I thought” “not really” he says. Then he says “we just need to do it more”

Yeah nothing would make me want to shag a man more often than him telling me sex with me is shit and sneering about a recent time... what nasty person.

The irony too of him saying all that when you're the one not getting an orgasm during sex while he does!

He doesn't sound like a nice person to speak to you like this OP.

What I want to be able to do is actually have a conversation with him about it but I can’t because he’s going to shut me down and we will get nowhere.

This dynamic cannot ever create a happy, healthy relationship. Ever. It requires you to ignore your emotional needs over his wants in order to keep the peace. That isn't love OP, it really isn't.

This doesn't sound like a sustainable relationship and I would be out.

Elieza · 19/02/2022 20:28

Has he complained about the lack of sex before?

arethereanyleftatall · 19/02/2022 20:33

@mugglenutmeg
If you think that it's acceptable to be utterly selfish in bed, to say cruel things to your spouse designed to make them feel small, to never listen to your spouse, to not care about your spouse's feelings, to shut them down when they try to talk, to be entitled enough to think that your spouse is simply there for your own pleasure...then you have an incredibly low bar. Thankfully, an ever growing number of women won't tolerate this nonsense any more. Still far far too many do though.

romany4 · 19/02/2022 20:34

I'd be direct with him and ask him if he'd want more sex if he never had an orgasm.

No way would I be having sex if I never got to finish. What's the point?

turnaroundtime · 19/02/2022 20:37

Remarkable isn't it that the one who always cums but never satisfies the other is the one complaining that sex is crap. He needs some home truths OP

EarthSight · 19/02/2022 20:44

He always gets his jollies but never finishes me off

Grim. He's selfish and entitled. His idea of good sex probably comes from porn.

NinaDefoe · 19/02/2022 20:44

Well it sounds like he’s a bit rubbish in bed and is trying to put it all on you.

Does he really think that insulting you will make you want to do it more often with him?

Why does he want more if the sex is rubbish?

Samanabanana · 19/02/2022 20:48

So he can't make you orgasm but he's telling you you're crap in bed? Pot, kettle, black springs to mind!