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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:
Ramalamadingdongs · 20/02/2022 09:27

If he comes every time then it suggests you are good at sex. The fact you don't, suggests he's shit at it. If he thinks the sex is crap then how does he think you feel?! Oh wait... I doubt he's ever given it a second thought.

RedToothBrush · 20/02/2022 09:30

@Loopytiles

His behaviour is emotionally and sexually abusive, OP.
This

We’re in a pattern where I can’t argue or talk about anything difficult

Its not about the sex. Its the whole relationship.

He doesn't love or respect you. You have a total breakdown in communication.

You are just two people living under the same roof. Its not a marriage anymore.

loislovesstewie · 20/02/2022 09:30

BTW, if he has announced that your entire marriage 'has been crap' then I think you should just say 'fine, we'll get divorced' and leave it. Then tomorrow speak to a solicitor about precisely that.

loislovesstewie · 20/02/2022 09:31

And call the police if you are afraid of him.

Trueblues · 20/02/2022 09:34

@PermanentTemporary yes you’re correct. Nasty divorce and the porn

OP posts:
Ramalamadingdongs · 20/02/2022 09:36

What he's doing is trying to coerce you into sex. That's sexual abuse. He's punishing you for having an opinion about it. You've ended up apologising to him to appease his temper tantrum. Does he ever apologise to you?

PermanentTemporary · 20/02/2022 09:40

Yup. So, without excusing his behaviour one bit, he is terrified and ignorant. He has no idea how to talk about difficult issues and assumes that any disagreement means instant explosion. He has probably been unconsciously been expecting things to fall apart since your dc were born. That doesn't mean you should put up with any of this but given that you did say it was better before, it's worth trying to find a way for him to learn conflict resolution. If only because trying to co-parent with him in this way would be an absolute nightmare.

PermanentTemporary · 20/02/2022 09:43

I would also ask if one of your parents always gives in yo the other to keep the peace, if you were taught 'never let the sun go down on an argument' etc.

DrSbaitso · 20/02/2022 09:43

You need to stop thinking that all the apologising to him is doing any good. It isn't making him feel better towards you, it's just proving, to him, that he's right that everything is your fault and he doesn't need to do anything. It isn't even giving you any moral high ground, for all the good that would do anyway when you're married to a man like this.

He isn't going to change except to get worse yet as he gets older. And what are your kids going to see?

RedToothBrush · 20/02/2022 09:45

Btw, stop it with the apologising. You don't need to. You have done nothing to apologise for.

Everytime you apologise it fuels his sense that hes right because hes seeing an admission that you are wrong (this isn't the case - you are doing it to try a please others)

Rewis · 20/02/2022 09:57

After he has finished take out a vibrator and take care of yourself right there next to him.

Okay...so he is not the type of guy that can take feedback? Also he does not care about your pleasure? Do you tell him that you haven't cum yet? Have you had a conversation what works for you or does he nor care?

DrSbaitso · 20/02/2022 09:57

Your only reward for all this unwarranted apologising is him continuing to use it as a reason to blame you for everything until you kick him to the kerb or die, whichever comes first.

Snog · 20/02/2022 09:57

I think your DH is right, your entire marriage has been crap - FOR YOU.

You deserve so much more than this rancid bloke OP. Kick him to the kerb.

inheritancetrack · 20/02/2022 09:58

Instead of taking his criticism of your sexual appetite, I would,tell him, you would get more if you were better at it. That should shut him up

TibetanTerrah · 20/02/2022 09:59

Every time you apologise you're handing him yet another stick to beat you with. Stop.

GabriellaMontez · 20/02/2022 10:00

@PermanentTemporary

Yup. So, without excusing his behaviour one bit, he is terrified and ignorant. He has no idea how to talk about difficult issues and assumes that any disagreement means instant explosion. He has probably been unconsciously been expecting things to fall apart since your dc were born. That doesn't mean you should put up with any of this but given that you did say it was better before, it's worth trying to find a way for him to learn conflict resolution. If only because trying to co-parent with him in this way would be an absolute nightmare.
As someone who co parents with a twat. This is amazing advice. Even if you end up apart.
Hen2018 · 20/02/2022 10:05

@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. !!

What a silly post.
billy1966 · 20/02/2022 10:05

OP,

He is hugely abusive.

Do you actually want this to be your life and the lives of your children.

Your life sounds truly awful.

Flowers
TatianaBis · 20/02/2022 10:06

The dynamic feels like you see him as the one in charge. If you upset the man in charge, no matter how much of a twat he is being, then you apologise to keep the peace.

You’re stuck with a man who is not very bright, impossible to communicate with, anything you say is framed as being your fault, and to top it all he’s crap in bed.

I really don’t see the point of continuing with this OP. You only have one life is this how you want to spend it?

TatianaBis · 20/02/2022 10:10

He has no idea how to talk about difficult issues and assumes that any disagreement means instant explosion

Yes but I think he also has no control over his own behaviour generally - every discussion turns into an emotional explosion. He’s probably like that with other people too.

Trueblues · 20/02/2022 10:46

It’s incredibly hard to change this “he’s in charge” dynamic because he will just happily ignore me for days and walk around the house whistling happily and chatting to the kids and having a great old time. He’s made it blatantly clear he doesn’t need or want me in his life and how uninteresting or unimportant I am to him, his well-being or his happiness but when I point it out to him then he takes offence because I’m his wife and he married me. I’m literally out of options here.

OP posts:
Trueblues · 20/02/2022 10:47

He seems to delight in proving to me just how “bad” my behaviour is and how in control of everything he is.

OP posts:
Jewel52 · 20/02/2022 10:48

Had to have counselling with my ex before we separated and that made me understand that sex is an indicator of how everything else is in your relationship. And moved me away from feeling solely responsible for my family’s happiness including keeping my ex happy in bed even when he was being a shit husband and dad. Please don’t let this drift on as it only escalates.

DrSbaitso · 20/02/2022 10:49

@Trueblues

It’s incredibly hard to change this “he’s in charge” dynamic because he will just happily ignore me for days and walk around the house whistling happily and chatting to the kids and having a great old time. He’s made it blatantly clear he doesn’t need or want me in his life and how uninteresting or unimportant I am to him, his well-being or his happiness but when I point it out to him then he takes offence because I’m his wife and he married me. I’m literally out of options here.
No, there's one very obvious option and I can't see what you would lose by taking it.
MondayYogurt · 20/02/2022 10:55

@Trueblues

He seems to delight in proving to me just how “bad” my behaviour is and how in control of everything he is.
Yeah it's almost as if he truly, deeply hates you and revels in causing you pain as much as possible.

One way to stop him enjoying himself quite so much would be to leave him.