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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

Dead end relationship?

27 replies

roastdinner346 · 01/01/2026 11:05

I feel really bad for even writing this, but I haven't really got anyone to talk to.
I've been with my boyfriend for just over 5 years.
He's a good man, he works hard, it's just I'm really struggling with our relationship.
I'm 40 and he's 48. He lives with his mum, I don't think his mum would be able to cope living on her own. He has one grown up daughter.
I live with my 2 children.
I see him 3 times a week, always involves me going to his on an evening for 3 hours when he's finished work. I see him sometimes on a weekend when his family are over.
We don't go anywhere as a couple, we've been out twice, and that's because I bought tickets to the events.
He's got no desire to go out, he does work hard in the week, and he says his weekends are family time.
Sorry for being really graphic, but we don't even have sex, and never have done really. I think we've had sex 4 times altogether, and last year we didn't even do it once.
This was messing with my head, making me feel so depressed, and thinking I was the problem, that he didnt want sex because im overweight or unattractive. Obviously I asked him a few years ago why, and he gave some excuse, but a few months I asked again, as it was really making me feel like rubbish, and after a big row he finally admitted that its because he doesn't last long. Which to me, isn't a problem, I'd just like the closeness, but now it's 5 years in, he's never seen me fully naked, and even if he did want sex, I wouldn't have the confidence to even do it.
I'm just feeling fed up with the whole relationship. I don't want to go round for 3 hours, just so he can have a blow job. He'll use his hands on me, but it just doesn't get me off. I don't want to go round just to watch whatever he picks.
Its getting to the point where I've been making excuses not to go round, and I hate that I've been doing that 😪 I don't want to go round just so he can have oral.
He doesn't make any effort to come round mine, he does work hard, and struggles with various health complaints, but it annoys me that he's too stubborn to see a doctor.
He could go to the doctors about his pain, and the PE problem, but he just won't.
And the worst thing I'm struggling with, is that I used to fancy him rotten, and I just don't feel like that any more.
I have spoke to him about the issues, but he honestly can't see the problem.
We're just like good friends, with benefits (for him anyway).
In my heart, this isn't going anywhere, it never will.
He is the kindest of men though, I know he'd do anything for me (apart from going to the doctors, obviously). I'd destroy him if I ended it 😪
I'm just not sure what to do, I'm just not happy any more.

OP posts:
Thelifeofawife · 01/01/2026 21:22

OP I think you already know the answer. You’ve been making excuses to not see him, you know this isn’t making you happy and it’s not what you want.
He has been really selfish. You’ve been with him 5 years but he’s using weekend for ‘family time’ - who is that exactly, because by now it should include you!

Given that you’re not getting anything out of it, walk away.
If you feel too mean to just walk away, simply stop contacting him and let him chase you, if he does and you go around, don’t give him a blow job (ever again), and he will soon contact you less - it will naturally faze out.

You’re still young and have no ties with this man. You could meet someone in a few months who wants to see you all of the time and makes you feel desired again 💐

Hollyleaves · 01/01/2026 21:30

BeenThereBackThen · 01/01/2026 19:04

I got a definite ‘ick’ just reading about your relationship, sorry.

No future plans, no doing things together, minimal effort from his side. You go over for 3 hours to see him and give him an oral and a free ‘girlfriend experience’. Whilst he halfheartedly fumbles with his fingers and is content with your dissatisfaction. Eeew, sorry.

He sounds like not a kind man but a man who can’t be arsed. I bet his PE is due to excessive porn use between the times you come round. He sounds like a slob tbh and deeply unattractive overall.

Cut this nonsense, you’re 40, take 6 months to heal and find someone who appreciates you amd actually wants to be with you and do things together. This guy is a waste of your time.

This. Trust me there is a lovely decent man out there you will treat me more then equal, who will desire you and have great sex WITH you and put you first, he will also make your love, and enrich your and your children’s lives. Text him and say - Hi John. On reflection I need to have space and end this relationship it is not working for me. I’m going to take some space and wish you all the best going forward in 2026.

Block him and do 6-12 of counselling, get yourself fit and healthy and work out what you what to do hobby wise - like history got to your local history society join clubs and activities or a running club.

I promise you / there is someone else don’t settle for crap out there. Only settle for some who makes your life 100% better than being single. And single should make you happy.

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