Is it normal to start feeling like friends? Not sure if I should bring it up.

[Ontheice]

It is early days with my boyfriend , 8 months in.

I have 4 children and he has met them as I’m a totally single parent. My children are also older 12, 14 , 15 and 17.

Recently, I’ve felt like we are more like friends rather than a couple but I was thinking that maybe that’s what naturally happens? I haven’t had a relationship in 11 years so it is all very new to me.

I was considering bringing it up but not sure if I will look a bit silly or needy. We haven’t had sex in about 2 weeks because I was on my period and then he was at mine for the last few times and it’s a lot harder when we are at mine rather than his because of the kids!
He did bring up the lack of sex (both have high sex drives) so I’m wondering if it’s because of this, or if it’s just natural to fall into friendship and not that much romance.

any advice or wisdom please?!

2 weeks with reasons for it....sounds like the 2 of you are frustrated rather rhan friends?

I think considering you have so much going on family wise it's going to obviously take an extra effort to keep mojo going in this starling relationship,

Such as could you older children babysit sometimes for a while for e.g a few hours , so you can get out on a date night restaurant meal or a picnic or just visiting pictures cinema?

Could a good friend keep on eye on younger teenager children, for you?

And you both return the favour in some way?...

Could you stay overnight at a guest house either locally or further afield somewhere?

Also even though you are a couple it's still important to have own interests hobbies aswell,
So you have something else to bring into a relationship mix aswell,
Helps the relationship not to get into a stuck,
And you retain your own self identity, not just like part of clone or a simese twin joined at hip as a couple, which obviously is claustrophobic stiffling overwhelming Needy...

Aswell as its lovely to have a shared common interests as a couple,

I think if you are both open minded why not vist Adult only Shop or Ann summers shop instead and buy something Adult treats to spice things up in bedroom.

Why not save up to stay overnight or for a couple/few days somewhere that you like both to go to

Where is your family and his family to help out in regards of grandchildren or are they too old for that kind of doing ect?

Definitely frustrated! We cuddle at night but during the day there’s not much touching / holding hands but maybe I’m expecting too much!

I think you’re right that we have slid into not doing much as a couple like going out. We always say that we will watch a film at the cinema but for some reason or another, we just don’t end up going!

I have many hobbies , so when we aren’t together, I’m always doing something - he doesn’t really have hobbies.
i like the idea of staying at a guesthouse / going somewhere - I will ask him what he thinks!

Adult treats- we do have a nice sex life, both quite open so when I’m at his, we do have fun!

I have childcare available to me so that’s not an issue, but it’s just easier for him to come and we all just chill - but it’s not helping with the romance!

OP, at 8 months in and having to chill with a family of 5 on a regular basis might put s damper on any romance. Having to spend so much time in the company of your kids, might make him feel as though he is playing " family " rather than romantic partner of only 8 months.

Maybe you need to make a point of spending more time out together.

Agree, although it’s more his choice than mine! I have a very active social life, I am always out and about - I do a dance class, book club, running club , and judo whereas he prefers to stay in.
but maybe I need to talk about us spending more time ‘out’

thanks