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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

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:
Jvg33 · 19/02/2022 21:30

Urgh. Instead of complaining he should spend time researching and implementing.

TurquoiseDragon · 19/02/2022 21:32

@pollygartertidywife

It's a real thing. After children female adults go off it.. simple biology. We are in built to not be interested whilst rearing young ...

You need to ' fake it till you make it' if you are that interested in keeping him interested. If you aren't then move on. It's a pretty stark choice .

For most it includes a fairly consistent period of non-child contact . ie kids with grandparents or other carers ... weekends away and child free but theme choices ... most divorces happen when kids are young and mums focus is on her new loves... (children) .. simple biology. !!

He's shit in bed, gets his jollies and doesn't care about OP getting pleasure in return. No amount of faking is going to change that.

And in this case, faking would be counter-productive, because it'll lead him to think there isn't a problem.

Your post comes across as patronising.

MrsWooster · 19/02/2022 21:33

He’s criticising the sex to pick a fight (it sounds fine for him, albeit shit for you) and I’d be wondering why he wants to pick the fight-is he cheating and wants something to be a ‘reason’ for problems in the marriage..?

PurpleFlower1983 · 19/02/2022 21:35

Tell him he needs to up his game! Why would you want to shag someone more who doesn’t care about your needs?

PancakesForever · 19/02/2022 21:40

Why is it men never fail to understand they reason most women don't have more sex with them is because they're shit in bed???

nanbread · 19/02/2022 21:42

The only conversation you should be having is "I'm getting a divorce".

He doesn't care about your sexual pleasure.

He is mean and hurtful towards you.

For some reason, you feel like you can't "argue your point" of view with him because he will shut you down, betraying an absolute lack of respect for you.

There's a lack of empathy, communication, and connection with him as well.

Indeed, what IS the point?

EmbarrassingHadrosaurus · 19/02/2022 21:43

@pollygartertidywife

It's a real thing. After children female adults go off it.. simple biology. We are in built to not be interested whilst rearing young ...

You need to ' fake it till you make it' if you are that interested in keeping him interested. If you aren't then move on. It's a pretty stark choice .

For most it includes a fairly consistent period of non-child contact . ie kids with grandparents or other carers ... weekends away and child free but theme choices ... most divorces happen when kids are young and mums focus is on her new loves... (children) .. simple biology. !!

I'd be interested in the evidence for that stream of assertions and particularly an evidence base that is free of confounders such as men who don't consider it their role to share the childcare responsibilities or day to day activities.

If we were just swapping anecdotes and opinions, I don't find it at all strange that women aren't sexually attracted to man children who don't behave like adults.

nanbread · 19/02/2022 21:45

All the orgasms in the world (yours,not his) aren't going to magic him into a nice person

Paganfreya1988 · 19/02/2022 21:49

Perhaps you are both a bit in a rut, I am not taking sides, but if both parties are willing, save a special time for you both, no rushing about, no kids. Perhaps start off either on a date night, or make a special meal. Run a nice bath with candles, bubbles, if no bath, do the same with a shower, however both of you in the bath or shower, sexy right. Wear some sexy lingerie, get some handcuffs, a bit of role play, let me massage you with essential oils. Don’t make it all about him, both do some touching etc, so that way, he has to wait, but gives you time to be ready for your orgasm . Both parties have to work at it, and for your husband not to take you for granted. Good luck

AnotherSillawithanS · 19/02/2022 22:01

Op, you need to communicate!!
Tell him he can't leave you high and dry.

Piglet89 · 19/02/2022 22:03

Perhaps start off either on a date night, or make a special meal. Run a nice bath with candles, bubbles, if no bath, do the same with a shower, however both of you in the bath or shower, sexy right. Wear some sexy lingerie, get some handcuffs, a bit of role play, let me massage you with essential oils.

Is this a joke?

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 19/02/2022 22:06

He sounds like a shit so ultimately you'll probably need to put up with a shit sex life or leave him.

Otherwise if he is a decent person you say 'I've been thinking about what you said the other night about improving our sex life. I'd like to feel like you want both of us to finish. If finishing makes you too sleepy to join in then I'd like us to think of ways to switch this up. I'd like to her your thoughts' etc.

Tiddlesthecat · 19/02/2022 22:10

I would have put it right back on him and said that, yes, he is indeed crap in bed and doesn't care about your pleasure. He's implying that this is all your fault somehow and not his!

Tiddlesthecat · 19/02/2022 22:12

@Paganfreya1988

But if she has to cook him a meal, surely he has to do the washing up?!

WetLookKnitwear · 19/02/2022 22:14

Be blunt and simple and tell him what you told us. What have you got to lose?

He can either solve the problem or carry on whining about his big blue balls.

Whatliesbeneath707 · 19/02/2022 22:15

Buy him the book "She comes first" by Ian Kerrner.
You do need to talk to him about this, or else it will grow and divide you.

lottiegarbanzo · 19/02/2022 22:17

...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.

Your mistake was not saying the first part out loud but instead saying something defensive, as if you're responsible for providing hot sex on tap and willing to accept insults about its absence, which he could easily knock down.

Why didn't you (and why don't you) say 'yes, I used to enjoy sex with you but for the last few years it's dwindled due to lack of empathy and communication, leading to lack of connection, which puts me off.'

Leave the ball in his court.

DrSbaitso · 19/02/2022 22:21

After children female adults go off it.. simple biology. We are in built to not be interested whilst rearing young ...

Maybe you're not, love. Although I've found that anyone who describes women's biology as "simple" isn't very au fait with it.

LuluBlakey1 · 19/02/2022 22:28

I can't think why you might want to stay married to him. Do you?

PermanentTemporary · 19/02/2022 22:29

Please get some couples therapy if you possibly can. He's completely useless at any form of connection. His statements make no sense, he upsets you, he insults you and demands things from you and he is making no effort. And if you try and have your say it 'escalates' (what does this mean BTW?)

The relationship is at risk of ending if you can't find a way to talk to each other. Given that you're married and you say it was once good, I would say to him that things can't go on like this as you are unable to say anything real without him flying off the handle. It could be better than this, because it was better before.

tkwal · 19/02/2022 22:29

Since he wants more, I'd suggest you be as Frank with him as he was with you. Not necessarily verbally but maybe you could bring out a little battery powered friend next time he finishes before you and if he asks why, tell him. He must think he's God's gift to have the nerve to treat you the way he does

AcrossthePond55 · 19/02/2022 22:29

@WetLookKnitwear

Be blunt and simple and tell him what you told us. What have you got to lose?

He can either solve the problem or carry on whining about his big blue balls.

this

You have nothing to lose. He's already said your sex life is crap because he doesn't 'get enough' 🙄. So you tell him it's crap because he doesn't bring you to climax therefore you don't want more sex. If he gets all shitty about it, then his sex life is still crap, but at least now he knows why. The ball will then be in his court to improve things by making sex enjoyable for you, too, so you want more yourself. Assuming you'd want more in the first place if he was more caring of your pleasure, that is.

And if he gets really shitty or nasty about it after you've told him, then that will show you that it's time to call it a day because he has no respect for you.

TatianaBis · 19/02/2022 22:31

@Trueblues

I’m wondering what people would do now in my position? How would you approach a conversation about this?
You say: the reason it’s crap is because a. you’re bad in bed and b. your personality puts me off.

If the above points weren’t true you might get more sex.

Phobiaphobic · 19/02/2022 22:34

@RedToothBrush

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

Clue: he's a bully.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 19/02/2022 22:37

I can only assume @Paganfreya1988 and @pollygartertidywife didn't read the OP in full.

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