Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

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

Wife avoids planned date nights at home and I feel rejected

179 replies

DEREKR · 23/06/2026 07:08

Hi Ladies

Im a 49 yr old male needing some female advice. Ive signed up to this because i really need a womens advice here becauze im.all put of ideas. Ive been with my wife now 20 years shes 45, married for 13, and have two beautiful children 10 and 13. Im.quite.succesfull, so fortunate to plan overseas holidays, nice restaurants often, as well as live in a good suburb with all the usual perks. My.wifes birthday I surprised her with yhe new land rover discovery ehich I thinkshe appreciates. . Every week I try.organise a date night for us, with us having no family here, its hard to organise baby sitters , and my 10 yr old gets scared if we do. Fortunately ive 2 bars in my house, 1 is being a wine bar. So 2 months ago I suggested a date night st home at the wine bar. I showered, got changed in what she tells.me thinks I look nice in, nice bottles of red wine. I asked my 13yr old son to make sure they would both go to bed early that night which he did. Eventually she came down. I must add this. In her ptjamas, hair tied back, zero make up on. No effort at all. During this date I had pre arranged for her engagement ring to be delivered which needed a new clasp. It was a 1 carrat vs1 diamond, but id ask them to make it yo a 1.2carrat as a surprise. Anyway, I gave this to her as a surprise. The date night went fairly ok, and was good to talk with no kids around. I said we need to do this once a week or once every 2 weeks to be realistic. As parents kids lives happen and hard to get that break. 2 weeks later I organise it again. Baring in mind inbetween we go to restaurants in the week. This is alone time. This time the same, wine var, wine, and the diomand they took out the ring id had made into a necklace which I gave her that nightz so the proposal diamond she would still gave. Great night again. Now, this is where I need advice. The next time , 2 weeks after Id arranged date night, I sat waiting downstairs and she hadnt come downstairs. I waited half an hour thinking maybe shes getting dressed (the 2nd date night was same again, wore clothes she wore all day), so thought maybe this time she was making the effort. Eventually I go upstairs to see where she is, and she was lying on my daughters bedz in her pyjamas on Facebook which shes addicted to, and just casually said to mw"urrgh im coming now". To which intold ger dont even bother. If it was such an effort to come down and be with me, rhen dont bother. I got stood up in my own home on a date with my wife. Now that was 8 weeks ago. I told her im dine making all the effort for this marriage and have alone time, ajd rhe next date night she is organising. Its been 2 months now and not one single thing has she organised so we can be alone. My son has even asked her why she hasnt arranged a date night. I eventually sat her down and asked why. Het reply was "because yiull expect me to be wearing a body stocking or lingerie. Why cant we just watch a movie together". Now no where have I ever said that to herz but as a women, why would that be the issue. Other women before my wife, wearing sexy lingetie is a turn on for both parties and why wouldn't she want to wear it. Again, not having ever even mentioned it but why would that be the issue. And before you say shes got a complex, shes lost 10kgs, trains with me at gym everyday, in peptides, I oay for her to have her hair done every month, best shes looked in years, but why use that as an excuse. Am I wrong in thinking maybe there's another man. My son and I call her homescreen bwvause whenever we walk passed herz shes staring at her homescreen (obviously turns it off). Maybe im.paranoid about that hut mostly I feel so rejected and hurt. I orovide an incredible life for us snd rhe family. Overseas trips, there at every sporting even of my kids, I help with lifting, im a very hands on father and make so much effort to be with my wife but she cant even turn up to a dare nighr, snd when she has, zero efforts been made by her. More of an effort for her. Surely shes want to be with her hsubamd and have time out from the kids. Yes its at home, but its a "datennight " in our wine bar, just catching uo gor a cple hrs and laughing anf not being parents for once. Just the 2 of us, yet she makes no effort, even though 8 weeks have passed and the kids have even asked why she wont organise a date night. Shes so anti. So now ive closed off from her. I refuse to organise one and waiting for her to, yet I kmow now it will never happen. Any tips and advice here would be so grateful bevause im feeling so rejected. If she loved me surely she'd want to make an effort and arrange a datennight herself and to make up for standing me up, but water.off a ducks back for her. Im seriously looking into divorce. Well its there now in my head, where it wasn't before. Any assistance /advice ladies id really appreciate

OP posts:
LapisBlue · 23/06/2026 07:10

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Larrythecatforpm · 23/06/2026 07:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

cannynotsay · 23/06/2026 07:19

For someone so successful, you really do struggle to spell. Have you always been so supportive? She’s clearly switched off from the relationship but how long has it taken you to notice? How long have you been away for, sounds like she’s used to you not being there. She may also need down time too. Suggest couple counselling. Sounds like she’s depressed!

DEREKR · 23/06/2026 07:22

2nd person to mention spelling. Im very aware the spelling mistakes typed on my phone, and really didnt think its an issue spelling "because as becauze". Thats whats being picked up here, spelling mistakes. Maybe ive signed up to the wrong forum

OP posts:
Corryvreckan · 23/06/2026 07:23

Yet another man coming here to ask how he can get more sex.
It is the only interest they ever show.
Nobody pops in to talk about current events, tv, gardening, pets.
Nope. Just sex.

ThePM · 23/06/2026 07:23

I think this could all be lumped under “Women want connection, men just want sex.”

I personally felt my old knot in my stomach reading your dynamic: the man throwing money at a problem and expecting women to comply sexually. It’s absolutely horrible to be treated like a whore, especially when the man thinks he is a generous prince. Your comment that other women dressed up for you, so she should too is beyond grim - do you want to know the ways in which you disappoint her compared to her exes?

Do you know what women mean when they talk about connection? You talk that she should want sex with you, whilst having no sense of you changing to be someone with whom she would want to have sex with.

Reading this I get no sense that you are a team, or even a couple really.

Momrage · 23/06/2026 07:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Stella1366 · 23/06/2026 07:29

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Definitely the heat......

FieldsOfFields · 23/06/2026 07:29

Okay, so Mumsnet is a UK based forum and we are honest, brutally honest. You ask questions (calling us ladies doesn't really help you but I feel you might be in the US) and we tell you what we think. We don't filter.

My take? She is happy with her life, the disco car, the diamonds, her hair being done, she wants the money and life you provide, not spending time with you. I think you need a very honest talk with her about how you feel.

What you need to understand is this isn't some cheat code, do the right things, get the result you want. It is pretty much all materialist stuff you mention you pay for all these things then the result is date night which also suggests sex. Her turning up in her pyjamas tells you that she isn't into this date night. Does she ever spend time just one on one with you? Your children are not toddlers, they can look after themselves and be in other rooms to you. She is choosing Facebook. How much free time does she get? Is any of it spent with you, even watching a movie as she suggested. She is avoiding being alone with you.

I think you should suggest counselling to see if you can come together rather than just suggesting divorce right out the gate. Dh and I have been married for 27 years, he is my favourite person who I love spending time with.

The spelling mistakes make it painful to read which is why it has been mentioned. This forum has a Pendants' Corner where people can complain about lack of grammar and spelling.

EverythingGolden · 23/06/2026 07:29

She has asked why you can’t just watch a movie together. So start there. Couples counselling could be an option.

BurnTheWholeThingDown · 23/06/2026 07:30

You are talking about her as though she is a faulty vending machine. You’ve put your coins in and the sweeties haven’t dropped.

I picked up on the fact you and your son call her names. How grim.

NotAWurstToIt · 23/06/2026 07:30

If this is real then your approach is very transactional - in short “I pay for nice things and my wife won’t put on sexy lingerie!”

To break it down - you organised ‘date nights’ at home. Did you ask your wife what she wanted? What her idea of a date night is? Because this is all about you and what you want. You chose to dress up and expected her to, but she was at home and comfy in her PJs. To be honest, arranging a date night at home doesn’t show a huge effort on your part and you then had a strop and told her to arrange something. She hasn’t and when you asked her why, she’s clearly telling you - it’s because your expectations are that she’ll wear sexy lingerie. Instead of listening to her, you’re complaining and saying “other women dothat, why won’t she?”.

All you’ve written is about what you want, what you’ve bought ‘for her’ and what you expect in return. Try talking to and listening to your wife.

Gettingbysomehow · 23/06/2026 07:32

Corryvreckan · 23/06/2026 07:23

Yet another man coming here to ask how he can get more sex.
It is the only interest they ever show.
Nobody pops in to talk about current events, tv, gardening, pets.
Nope. Just sex.

Every single time.

Bridgewhat24 · 23/06/2026 07:33

I think you’re getting a rough ride on here op. It sounds like you are keen to reconnect with your wife as a couple.
However, you are also guessing and assuming how she might want to do that. I would suggest you start over by talking to her, at a time where she’s not tired, eg earlier in the day, and asking her how she suggests you get some couple time. This doesn’t mean sexy time.
For me, I’m interested in sex when I feel listened to, valued for who I am, not what I’m wearing. And compliment her. When you do get chats together, tell her how much you enjoy it. Try to lessen the guilt you may be inadvertently making her feel.

SadSong2 · 23/06/2026 07:34

Please ignore the obnoxious answers. You never mentioned anything about more sex. You want connection with your wife, and she is giving you the cold shoulder. I do not have actual advice, but to me, it seems she has checked out and in a comfort zone. You need to have a sit down with her and tell her how you feel. If you are unable to have a conversation on this topic, write it to her in a letter, explaining how her actions makes you feel. I wish you all the best, and that things gets better.

beAsensible1 · 23/06/2026 07:38

Watch a movie with her. Dress comfortably match her energy and see how that works. I couldn’t be arsed dressing up and putting on make up to sit down at the home bar.

why does she need to wear lingerie or make up for it to be special. Don’t bring this is up if she wants to wear it she will.

she’s told you what she wants start listening. Stop getting your kids involved and talk to her more as it seems you have a mismatch in expectations

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 23/06/2026 07:39

You have two bars in your house? Including a wine bar?

ButterflyLounge · 23/06/2026 07:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Hito · 23/06/2026 07:42

Your relationship has become transactional. Stop with the materialistic presents and start reconnecting on an emotional level. It may be too late. If so have the conversation about her emotional needs and seek counselling

ByWittyGoose · 23/06/2026 07:42

There is a cheat code
Treat her like a human

"Connection" you mean sex
"I fixed her ring" you want sex
"I make sure there's no family home and the kids are in bed" why no sex?

Maybe just chill with her and lay off with the pressured situations. She sees through it and its ICKY

BlueSlate · 23/06/2026 07:42

If this is real, that is one cold, heavy lump of stone of a 'relationhip'.

Where's the warmth, the love, the fun?

As someone else said, you can't just put coins (or in this case band new cars, in house bars and 1 carat diamonds) into the slot and get sex out.

likimagee · 23/06/2026 07:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Myfridgeiscool · 23/06/2026 07:43

Advice: stop thinking that because you have money and buy her stuff it means she should love you.
Women like men that show love with actions (not date nights where getting dressed up to please you is involved).

ByWittyGoose · 23/06/2026 07:45

Also, try being an attentive lover.
When it's transactional and for your benefit rather than both of you, then yes jimjams and Facebook is a much better use of her time. 😴

AbsoluteHoot · 23/06/2026 07:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.