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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

My husband rarely spends time alone with me...is our marriage sustainable or over?

5 replies

WelshSinger3 · 01/05/2022 13:23

Hello, I'm a woman in my late 20s and my DH is in his 30s. Been together 5 years and married for 3 years. We have a 4 year old DD together who will be starting full time school in September. My husband has got learning difficulties, he works part time for the rugby club and is starting his apprenticeship in coaching sport. While I on the other hand are studying part time with the Open University and hoping to start work part time in september. I moved away from my family to be a family with my husband and daughter. I was isolated from my mum and her family during the pandemic and now it is almost over been able to reconnect with my family.

Most recently my DH's elderly nan came out of hospital and needed to be cared for at home. When my husband is not working he goes to his nan's to care for her which is not a problem but it has taken a toll on his health recently.

The issue is that my husband and I rarely have time alone together. Our sex life is non-existant and when we do get intimate which is very rare my husband is too tired to do anything. We rarely sleep together because our daughter wakes up screaming or crying in the middle of the night. The last date night I remember was when our daughter was a few weeks old and back then we had my SIL helping. Since then, we've only gone to the awards evening held at the rugby club (that for me doesn't count as a date night).

He isn't a guy who does romance, he doesn't buy me flowers or surprise me with gifts apart from birthdays and anniversaries. All I want is for us to be able to go out on date nights again, to get that spark back in our relationship like we had when we dated. I want us to be intimate again. But the trouble with date night is that if we ask SIL she's doing it for money and not out of love. I ask my mum she is happy to do it but she lives away from me.

I have talked with him about these issues when we had an argument about it and the word divorce slipped through my lips without thinking. At the end he says he will try his best to accomodate my wishes but I feel like i am talking to a brick wall. I just don't know what to do for the best. Anyone else been in my position before? Any advice on this would be appreciated thanks.

OP posts:
Hont1986 · 01/05/2022 15:25

It sounds like when your husband isn't working, he's caring, or (barely) sleeping. Surely there are times when you've felt exhausted yourself since having the baby, when date nights and sex are just the furthest thing from your mind?

I don't really see the problem with the SIL btw, sometimes you have to pay for babysitting.

LetitiaLeghorn · 01/05/2022 15:45

We used to pay for a babysitter. Pretty certain she didn't do it out of love.

It's hard to get back pre-baby life, especially when one of you is tired and stressed, and it often needs good planning. Are his leaning difficulties pertinent to the problem?

CheeseBoard2022 · 01/05/2022 15:48

Sounds like he has a lot of on plate right now. Are you helping him with the caring of his nan?

I don't think he's being awkward with you he's just struggling to have the energy to do anything.

Have you tried booking a babysitter? You can't expect family to do it.

DowntonCrabby · 01/05/2022 15:52

Life is really hard at this stage with a young child, work/study and caring responsibilities on top.
It’s really normal for everyone to feel knackered and as though they’re each other’s last priority as everything else is so much more pressing.
It’s not by any means over if you still love each other and want to try.
Sound him out about relationship counselling, it will still be beneficial even if you ultimately decide to split.

Try and make some time for just the two of you, for a special meal once your DD is in bed or out if you can get a babysitter. Reach out to anyone you have IRL for support, honestly most family and friends would happily babysit for an evening to help a couple out.
Flowers

Catlover1970 · 01/05/2022 22:38

Why is a 4 year old screaming and crying in the night?

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