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Relationships

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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:
LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 23/06/2026 19:43

OMGDidYouSayThat · 23/06/2026 14:31

Hmm, ok so you (as a woman) are the judge of whether i'm a nice guy, well according to most of the posts on here no men are nice guy's so i have no idea how that is ever going to work. We are all the same apparently.

You only picked out what you wanted to pick out as well, and you spun it into something it wasn't:

  • you just told a PP that she's a "manhater" simply because she disputed you. No i called her a manhater because that's exactly how she comes across
  • you called a woman who is clearly avoiding sex with an obnoxious transactional coercive sex pest a "very spoilt wife" No i suggested that maybe she's spoilt due to the fact that he seemed to think 'money could buy him love' and made excessive purchases.
  • you told the sex pest OP that he should "make [his wife] pay her own way" as punishment for her not wanting to fuck the sex pest. No again that's taken completely out of context, nowhere did i suggest that not spoiling her is a way for him to carry out his seedy plans. It was a suggestion so he could determine whether she loved him or his money.

You should argue less and listen more.

The real Nice Guys already know this.

aquashiv · 23/06/2026 19:49

Wow, you come across as very controlling. Why are you urging your son to belittle his mother? It would take too long to explain why your wife doesn't want to be treated as a thing to serve you.

JJWT · 23/06/2026 20:02

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.

Pendants... hilarious typo, given the context 🤣

TheIdlerReturns · 23/06/2026 20:05

I'd go for the movie route as she suggested - and no lingerie. Sorry, but spelling does matter and yours is so bad it's impossible to know what to make of this really long thread.

worldshottestmom · 23/06/2026 20:19

I can only assume you were drinking at your wine bar when you wrote this. Jesus Christ.

I understand the sentiment you have here, but you have repeated that she "makes no effort", only referring to her not dressing up for prearranged sex every two weeks. Nothing is less of a turn on than "its time for sex again". Ugh. Have you considered all her effort is put elsewhere? Raising the kids, doing housework, working?

She said she wanted to watch a movie together. So do that. Not every woman wants to be wined and dined and dress up 24/7. You sound very, deeply superficial in this regard. 'I bought her a new ring, a diamond necklace, nice holidays' - when did you last ask her how her day was? How she's feeling? Just nothing of substance to this relationship by the looks of it.

You spent so long talking about your wealth and success that I have no idea what kind of person your wife is other than she likes to be on her phone and you and your kids taunt her about it. Can't say I blame her for wanting to escape when this is the reality of her life. You should absolutely spend one on one time with your partner, but you seem to have no connection beyond diamonds and cars. It is no surprise.

Please do divorce her so she can escape this nightmare that she no doubt feels trapped in.

dollyblue01 · 23/06/2026 21:02

Well I’m a woman and I’d be happy if my fella did all this , I like sex thou so maybe that’s the difference , I like a
man who makes an effort and puts abit of thought into things.
She sounds like she likes your money but not time with you.

You could maybe try going out for date night and see if she makes an effort to put her phone down and talk to you, no assumptions for sex, just a relaxed night and see if that makes any difference , if not I’m guessing you need a chat to see where she’s at.

BoredZelda · 23/06/2026 21:06

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

Yes, I think you have.

Megifer · 23/06/2026 21:08

Dude why does your 13 year old son ask his mum why she doesnt have sex "date night". Thats beyond weird.

SeaLettuces · 23/06/2026 21:10

dollyblue01 · 23/06/2026 21:02

Well I’m a woman and I’d be happy if my fella did all this , I like sex thou so maybe that’s the difference , I like a
man who makes an effort and puts abit of thought into things.
She sounds like she likes your money but not time with you.

You could maybe try going out for date night and see if she makes an effort to put her phone down and talk to you, no assumptions for sex, just a relaxed night and see if that makes any difference , if not I’m guessing you need a chat to see where she’s at.

I like sex, too. But I wouldn’t like it with someone who thought he was buying it with a car and jewellery, and whose immediate response when I’m not getting out the lingerie for a ‘date’ in a home wine bar in the basement is that I’m having an affair.

TheDevilWears · 23/06/2026 21:52

I’m sorry OP but I have the right ick. The idea of a formal ‘date night’ is so pressurised - at home or otherwise. Do you flirt with her every day? Do you send her flowers for no reason? Do you WhatsApp a song on a Wednesday that made you think of when you first met? Do you tell her what an amazing wife and Mother she is and how very proud you are of her? I’m guessing no. What you want is for her to turn it on, on your schedule, to meet your needs. Maybe move away from the diamond and car grand gestures and think about your daily interactions. Maybe think of her as an equal contributor and what she brings to your marriage rather than what you’re paying for … hair, holidays. Manage your expectations, find out what her love language is and consider trying to meet her needs rather than your own … in a body stocking.

BravasPatatas · 23/06/2026 21:55

dollyblue01 · 23/06/2026 21:02

Well I’m a woman and I’d be happy if my fella did all this , I like sex thou so maybe that’s the difference , I like a
man who makes an effort and puts abit of thought into things.
She sounds like she likes your money but not time with you.

You could maybe try going out for date night and see if she makes an effort to put her phone down and talk to you, no assumptions for sex, just a relaxed night and see if that makes any difference , if not I’m guessing you need a chat to see where she’s at.

I like sex. Love it, actually and have it regularly. I don’t like the idea of feeling pressured to have sex because my husband had bought me a car and diamonds though. And I dont like the idea of dressing up in lingerie for sex when my teen kids are wandering round upstairs! We’re all different, and it seems the OP’s wife doesn’t like the situation either. She has said she’d be happy just watching a film together, so maybe they could try that?

Marycontrarygarden · 23/06/2026 21:56

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

Oh and paragraphs for God sake.

Thepossibility · 23/06/2026 22:13

You don't want a date night, you want a scheduled sex night. And expect her to appear dressed up, urgh.
I'm feeling very appreciative of my DH who is happy to spend time with me watching a movie, drinking wine and eating snacks on the couch and wearing whatever is comfy. Sex if we feel like it.
If he expected me to appear all dressed up for him (in our home!) for a scheduled sex night there would be a lot less sex!

Thepossibility · 23/06/2026 22:18

Actually the idea of DH making the kids go to bed early so we can get dressed up and sit at our kitchen island (no bar here), dressed up, drinking wine is hilarious to me. Haha fuck that.
Do you actually want her dressed in lingerie sitting at the bar too? Hahaha.

NewGirlInTown · 23/06/2026 22:20

She doesn’t want to have sex with you and thinks you are arranging ‘date nights’ for that reason.

croydon15 · 23/06/2026 22:52

Stop making such effort OP, watch a movie with your DW is that's what she wants and tell her how her lack of interest has made you feel
You could also try counselling if she's agreable
Ignore the nasty comments as it is quite usual on MN.

TheClocksFast · 23/06/2026 22:56

I’d be willing to bet that she has gone off you - completely!

She doesn’t want a date night or sex or probably anything much from or with you. Sounds like you’re on the periphery of her life and that’s where she wants you to stay.

Sorry, but this is what I’ve taken from your post. Forget about the date nights and stop thinking that a load of presents and money is going to get you the closeness you want.

You probably need to sit down with her and have a very frank talk about the situation you’re in and what the possibilities are for the future.

JLou08 · 23/06/2026 23:11

If you loved her you could value and enjoy time relaxing together without it having to be some big event and her dressing up. I'd find your 'effort' overwhelming to be honest, a date night every month or so is fine, but most nights I want to put my pj's on and relax, that sometimes involves smuggling up with my DH and them moments are so much nicer than a night sat in uncomfortable clothes feeling like I need to be in flirt mode.
Not all women are turned on by lingerie, I'd guess the majority aren't. They do it for men. I much prefer it happening naturally (usually after them snuggles I mentioned).
It sounds like you want your wife to be preforming for you. It's probably making her feel pressured, overwhelmed and exhausted.
Are you looking for a way to justify having an affair?

Afterthefact · 24/06/2026 02:37

What's your relationship like?

I hate the 'date night' fiasco - what happens on a date night anyway?

What do you usually do of an evening when you're both at home?

When you go out to restaurants isn't that more like a date night or do the children go as well?

Were there problems in your marriage before her birthday, & the expensive gifts you've given her?

Does she work and have her own money - is she independent?

It doesn't sound like a very happy marriage but maybe there's more to it.

If your wife had written a post about how date nights are really awkward, what do you think she'd say about your relationship?

Zabradan · 24/06/2026 11:23

Marycontrarygarden · 23/06/2026 21:56

Oh and paragraphs for God sake.

'for God's sake'

INeedAnotherName · 24/06/2026 12:54

OMGDidYouSayThat · 23/06/2026 12:38

Where in that post have i spoken out of turn about women? Maybe i'm not 'Special Enough' as you say but i'm smart enough to know your a man hater and i can't imagine you ever keeping a man with that attitude. You read the bits you wanted to read and didn't take a wider view based on all of the content.

Edited

Wow.

Perhaps you should re-read the posts. Or maybe we are all man haters here because we expect men to pull their fucking weight at home.

OMGDidYouSayThat · 24/06/2026 17:06

INeedAnotherName · 24/06/2026 12:54

Wow.

Perhaps you should re-read the posts. Or maybe we are all man haters here because we expect men to pull their fucking weight at home.

What have the posts got to do with men pulling their weight at home? My wife is disabled so if i didn't pull my weight we'd be in trouble. And if you read my posts you'll notice i only referred to one person as a man hater as that is how she came across, it has also been decided that i'm not a 'Nice Guy' categorically by 2 individuals purely on the basis of several posts...genius.

Deadringer · 24/06/2026 17:27

Some women would love being surprised with diamonds and fancy cars, and would be happy to dress in sexy lingerie in 'exchange'. Your wife is not one of those women. She wants to curl up on the sofa watching a movie with you, in comfort. Neither of you is in the wrong, though you sound like you feel entitled to your wife dressing and behaving in a certain way, not just because you treat her well financially, but because other women were happy to do it for you.
Your wife has made her position clear, she does not wish to engage in these date nights, so either she isn't really interested in you, or she isn't interested in the stuff you want to do. Talk to her and find out how she feels, perhaps you can reach a compromise.

Marycontrarygarden · 27/06/2026 21:36

Zabradan · 24/06/2026 11:23

'for God's sake'

Edited

Oh fuck off

Spaghettimonsta · 28/06/2026 09:34

She just sees you as a cash machine. Dump her