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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

I think my marriage is over

28 replies

princessspotify · 17/11/2023 08:43

Morning all. I'm just posting for some advice. Spoken to friends irl but could do with some opinions from people that don't know us.
For context I've been with Dh for 19yrs and married for 10. We have 2xdc age 14 and 11. Both of us just about to turn 40.
This past year we have grown apart. Dh likes to drink most nights and ends up falling asleep on the sofa. Sex life has dwindled. I got a promotion at work and threw myself into that plus I took up an online degree to further my work opportunities.
It all came to a head in October when i was working over a weekend and asked him to do the food shop. He decided to drink beer and watch sport most of the weekend. I became angry and told him I wasn't happy and things needed to change. Later that night he came home and said he didn't think he was in love with me anymore and the spark had left our marriage. He said he wanted out and was going to leave. I was devastated and stayed with my parents for a couple of nights just to get some space.
When I came home he told me he missed me, he was sorry and that he had been hasty in saying it was over. He has also completely denied that another person is involved. We agreed to work on our marriage. Try to have some date nights etc. He has even cut down on drinking and we're sharing a bed. I've been making an effort suggesting things to get us back on track but he doesn't seem to be doing the same. He just tells me things were said and he can't switch back on. I feel like I'm in limbo
Fast forward to last night and we had been a bit flirty and I asked him to come to bed with me. He said no and I was a little crushed. When he did come upstairs I tried to talk to him about it and he just said he's not there yet and then slept in my sons room. This morning he came into our room and gave me cuddle and said sorry. I just don't know where I stand. My head is spinning.

OP posts:
Tiredbehyondbelief · 17/11/2023 19:23

The premise is that book is that men are very sensitive to shame. Everyone understands that men are physically stronger so the society expects that men will moderate their strength when in company of women. What women don't realise is how much damage they can do with their words. The book a written by a couple of family therapists: a man and a woman. There is a list there "How to shame a man without trying ". The book also describes what men do to drive women away. The full title is "Why Women Talk and Men Walk or How to improve your relationship without talking about it". I really liked that book. There are others on Amazon. My other favourites are 5 Languages of Love and Surrendered Wife (the last book is VERY controversial. However it did me good to stop criticising my husband for his annoying points no matter how much I felt he deserved to be told what he was doing wrong). I hope it helps

cassiatwenty · 17/11/2023 19:54

@Tiredbehyondbelief It's so refreshing to read a thoughtful an intelligent comment on Mumsnet that actually makes you think and teaches you something new.

There's just so many thick posters out there with all their LTB tripe (as if it's the easiest thing in the world) or immediately blaming everything on another woman.

Life is more complex than that. Relationships are also there to teach us how to relate to each other healthier.

There are so many situations in life where it's impossible or very hard to leave, and even if it were, we would still need to navigate moments in between.

So thank you for actually commenting with something different x

Whataretalkingabout · 18/11/2023 00:40

Yes, thanks @Tiredbehyondbelief . I second Cassiatwenty .
Definitely food for thought.

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