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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

Can a relationship based on drink and sex work

27 replies

PJHB · 31/12/2022 13:36

I ask this because my ex and I met when I was at a low point. At first it was exciting and fun, he made promises of a good life. Within months I fell pregnant, he wanted me to have an abortion but I refused. Eventually he turned up at my door saying he wanted to live with me.
Once he was in things changed. As long as he was getting fed, had a roof over his head and had his creature comforts-plenty of sex - he was reasonably happy but boring, didn't want to do anything, go anywhere despite his promises. He had no interest in our son. I got sterilised because he wouldn't have a vasectomy- I was 35,he was 24, and things spiralled down hill for the next fifteen year despite my efforts to keep him happy sexually as well as in other ways.

We seperated and both remarried. I'm now with someone who is everything the ex was not - kind,generous, sociable,adventerous, the only thing is - I can't let myself go intimately, the ex is always there. Recently he has been back in touch,after twelve years, suggesting we meet for a drink and saying he's changed. Alarm bells are ringing as he's saying how unhappy he is with his wife and how he should have stuck it out with me. I'm having feelings of excitement, like when we first met and caution. What should I do.

OP posts:
Always4Brenner · 31/12/2022 13:37

Run and stay away from ex.

DifferentYearSameShit · 31/12/2022 13:59

For the love of god don't reply to your ex, he's an idiot who wants you or someone to mother him. Your life will continue to be shit if you let him back in

LlynTegid · 31/12/2022 14:08

Stay well clear.

Or just reply telling him how well your DS is doing.

KettrickenSmiled · 31/12/2022 15:24

Can a relationship based on drink and sex work

No, because it's not a relationship.
It's just 2 people enabling each other's drinking & having sex.

Your ex wasn't relationship material.
You weren't partners - you were his housekeeper, cook, & bedmate.
Look at how you've termed it yourself- he stayed so long as you kept him happy - which I'm assuming means you did everything for him, the baby & your home.

He's sniffing around now because he wants to use you for illicit sex.

the only thing is - I can't let myself go intimately, the ex is always there.
What do you think is at root of this?
Because your ex is a useless, feckless, cheating manbaby. Your husband treats you well, you are happy - what is missing, & why are you allowing thoughts of your stupid ex to derail an otherwise happy marriage to a decent man?

Forget about the ex, & book yourself in for some personal therapy based on why you feel you can't 'let go' sexually with your husband.

category12 · 31/12/2022 15:31

Are you mad?

Tuilpmouse · 31/12/2022 17:09

You'd be properly insane to get back with him.

Samedaysameshit · 01/01/2023 01:46

Go for itl
Wnats the worst that can happen!

Hillrunning · 01/01/2023 01:50

What should you do? Block this man from your life and go to therapy

HideyHoe · 01/01/2023 07:26

The ex is really bad news. Keep all communication strictly about the son you share and nothing else.
You like drama for some reason, work on that with a therapist? You have a good man now, you can't let go sexually that's your own thing to work on with a therapist. The man who gave you good sex wasn't good for you. He's still the same man.

dolor · 01/01/2023 07:49

Run AWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Devilledmeg · 01/01/2023 07:52

Hang on, are you in your 60s?! Surely you're too old to be that silly

Startwithamimosa · 01/01/2023 08:00

Always4Brenner · 31/12/2022 13:37

Run and stay away from ex.

This, 100%

CousinKrispy · 01/01/2023 08:04

Block your ex and seek out therapy. Hopefully the latter could help you develop the ability to let go and enjoy intimacy with your current partner as you work through why you accepted such poor treatment from your ex for years and years. Sometimes we can get in a rut sexually when we think we deserve poor treatment and struggle to be turned on by a partner who is respectful and kind. However there are ways of overcoming this, I feel like Relate used to have a book on the topic.

Bagsundermyeyestoday · 01/01/2023 08:05

Well the answer is no ... that's why he is your ex

LizziesTwin · 01/01/2023 08:08

You’re 62 grow up!

Limer · 01/01/2023 08:15

Can a relationship based on drink and sex work? No.

What should I do? Block this waster and focus on your current relationship.

supercali77 · 01/01/2023 08:57

Kindly, I cant believe this is even a question OP. You said you have an issue with sex, a hangover from being with him. You've acknowledged he was a shit partner and your current one is good. He is not the magic key to great sex. Your best option is to pay for some counselling, go and talk about it, talk to your dh and work through the hangup he left you with.

Anotheryear23 · 01/01/2023 08:58

Eh? What about your husband?

Vaccine001 · 01/01/2023 09:00

Get THERAPY NOW

Byfleet · 01/01/2023 09:04

You are not in your right mind if you are considering having anything at all to do with your ex. that includes ‘friendship’, sex or a relationship. Nothing good could possibly come of it. That is for certain.

GreenManalishi · 01/01/2023 09:10

What should you do?

Spend the brain space you're using thinking about this on finding a local therapist so you can spend the rest of your 60s 70s and hopefully beyond in a peaceful and productive way rather than pitching back to this disaster of a relationship.

pigonalipstick · 01/01/2023 09:26

Hang on, has he abandoned his son?

Zanatdy · 01/01/2023 09:29

Stay well well away from him. Work on your relationship if you’re not 100% happy. Getting back with an ex is not the answer. Far from it

PJHB · 01/01/2023 12:23

Thank you all for the good advice. A friend once told me that the ex had made me responsible for him. Reading your comments I can see what she meant, my son has no time for his father.

OP posts:
category12 · 01/01/2023 12:39

If I were your son, I'd be incredibly hurt and appalled if you went back to the father that treated him like that. That treated you like that.

I think you need to examine where the self destructive impulse to get involved with him again is coming from in counselling. You have trauma from this man.

Your responsibility lies with yourself, your husband and your son, not this awful man.