A One-sided Relationship
My husband of twelve years is becoming very distant, non-communicative and unaffectionate towards myself and our children. There is very little communication between us. I feel I give to him all the time and he takes and doesn’t give back. There is no romance anymore, and sex just feels like another chore to me. I feel we are headed for a breakup. I know we need counselling, but I think we have gone beyond that. I feel unhappy all the time, lonely and depressed (there is no other woman involved).
It is never too late for counselling. Sometimes there are underlying things going on in the relationship. Sometimes its drugs, sometimes pornography, sometimes a deep woundedness, lack of communication tools, etc. If nothing else the partner who wants to grow can find ways to get on with their life, even if the partner isn’t interested and sometimes it may be best to break up. It is good to explore all the options with a counselor before papers are filed
. Some couples don’t understand the cost of going through with a divorce and when they find out what it was going to cost, they begin to put in more work.
im in the same thing you going thur im on yahoo pm me and we tailk [email address removed] i love to chat
Dear One-sided relationship,
I was where you are a few years ago. My ex- hubby became extremely distant and did not seem to want anything to do with me. In fact, at one point he shared that he would buy this one truck for himself and when I said it would be for us. He got this very perplexed look on his face. I would encourage you to ask him to go to counseling. If he doesn’t chooose to go, go yourself. It can do wonders. Sometimes we need reminders about how great we are. Anyway, good luck. Keep us posted. Chris
I need some support..my husband is having various affairs on me
Sunset, Would you like to talk a mentor? They are always available and there is no charge. They can really help to talk through issues. All you have to do is submit your questions here
My significant other of 12 years, and I, have not had sex, of any kind, in almost 2 years. When my college age daughter became pregnant, he just shut down and said we couldn’t spend the night together. I thought this would wear off but it hasn’t. Because of all the stresses involved with this, I let it go but it’s beginning to take its toll on me. He won’t discuss and I don’t know what to do.
My husband was distant the minute we got married, and we’ve only been married a year and a half. I recently found out that he is addicted to pornography explaining why he no longer turns to me for physical needs. I am on the brink of insanity. He promises to get help but his actions don’t add up to his promises. Some nights it’s all I can do not to take our 4 month old and leave, I can’t live with him, I can’t live without him, I am starting to wonder how I can live…..
Hello Eva and Diana,
God bless for your patience. I can understand your feelings and desperateness. Do pray about the prolems u are facing. Surely God will answer ur prayers. I shall be praying for u. Do talk to a mentor, it’ll help u see thru things that are bothering. God bless u. Amen
My husband was like that for 7 months while he was having an affair,until he just got up and walked out the door left me with nothing and all the bills and is now with the woman he was having an affair with. we have to keep praying God to help us. i didn’t really see it comming. try to get help for you both if you can and just keep loving him.
I also am in the same situation. I have been together with my husband for seven years and I dont think Ive ever been happy. I refuse to do anal sex as it hurts and I dont like it and opur sex life gets progressivly worse. I know he has a porn addiction and is now playing secondlife online and is cleary having cybersex as i check his email. I am severly overweight and he will not touch me when we do have sex we both dont enjoy it. I miss my husband and being close with him he has agreed to go to couselling for me and doesnt believe he has a problem. I am just wondering if i should bother he does absolutely nothing around the house for our child or me its completely onesided and I am fed up and lonely
I just found out my husband has been cheating on me with multiple women this weekend. I’m four months pregnant and afraid (I have to get tested). My husband has been going through a lot, having trouble finding work and then he found a job and was let go after a couple of months. I found out I was pregnant and he wants nothing to do with the planning for this child. I need him the most now and I find out he’s carrying on relationships with women online and from previous job positions. I even think one of the women is a Christian. I’m very distraught after confronting my husband and he refused to talk about it. It’s like he wants me to divorce him as if this would release him from any wrong doing or something. I don’t believe in divorce and I’m very hurt and embarassed because the one time I took a chance on someone I thought truly loved me – turned out to be someone I’m beginning to see is not so nice. I don’t know what to do.
Nameless,
I am so very deeply sorry for the pain that you are going through. I would imagine that you are very scared and very angry. I have no answers for you to fix it all. I can tell you that in Him anything is possible. I think of my marriage (20 years) even a few years ago and it was a nightmare. Now, I cannot believe how blessed I am in my husband. Lots of forgiveness and lots of time changed things but most of all His grace. I will pray for you and your family. Be careful and be safe. Remember you are never ever alone.
I have a similar situation. My boyfriend is significantly older with a 12 year old son. In the past few months, I have seem to fall to the wayside & get ignored a lot. His son is number one & he makes that obvious. Things he’ll do for other people he won’t do for me. It just seems like he doesn’t have time for me unless it’s convenient for him. I don’t know what to do. We never go out as just a couple & everything is starting to drive me crazy. I love the guy & I’ve made changes for him but it’s like he just doesn’t see it. He’s a firefighter so his schedule is kind of messy. I give him attention & then drop hints for it in return (ie massages) & he either ignores it or says ‘I told you I’d buy you one but you said no.’ Just lost … can anyone help?
I am into a relationship with my boyfriend for the last 1 and a half year. Initially for 10 months, he loved me passionately, was not able to bear any ignorance from my side. Then he got transferred to Chennai…From that time his attitude is totally changed. He does not care to call me or have no plans to meet me. Not happy in his office, may be that is the reason. I have asked him the reason of his beahviour but he says he will marry me but need some time, he asks me to keep patience. He is not getting job anywhere in North. Have started feeling that his luck has changed. Don’t know what to do.
Sometimes I think that he finds me responsible for his not getting any better job. I loved him passionately, he admits that but says that due to change in situation I cannot give time to you.
Radha,
I am so sorry for the pain that you are going through and for the doubts that you are living with. I want to tell you that you are precious, truly a treasure. A man who is blessed enough to have your love and love you the same way would do anything to be with you. He would not want to be anything but to be with you. He would not risk you for anything, not a job not anything. Even if he could not be with you he would call all the time and have many plans for the future. What I read when I read this is a wonderful woman who has to let go now and be open to the man who will go anywhere and do anything just to see her smile. I know that it is hard but it is best to see things as they are,simple and clear. This is just my feeling. I will keep you in my prayers today. Remember the love of our Lord will bring you everything you need.
IVE BEEN WITH MY GF ON & OFF FOR 10 YEARS I WANT TO MARRY BUT CANT DUE TO THE SEX IN OUR RELATIONSHIP. I LIKE IT MANY TIMES A WEEK SHE LIKES IT A FEW TIMES A MONTH AT 1ST IT WASNT LIKE THAT, BUT SHE WOULD ALWAYS STOP DURRING, THATS WHAT MADE IT OFF & ON I’D GET TIRED OF HER STOPPING SO I STARTED LOOKING, FOUND GREAT SEX BUT NEVER LOVE LIKE I HAVE FOR HER. I KNOW MOST WOULD SAY U DONT LOVE HER THEN, I SAY I DO. YES I USE ONLINE PORN, TOYS ECT.. TO TRY & KEEP ME COOLED DOWN BUT AFTER A 3 WEEKS OF NONE I TEND TO GO LOOKING, NOT THAT I WANT TO BUT I ALMOST FEEL I HAVE TOO.I FEEL THAT SHE DON’T CARE & THAT I MIGHT BE TOO MUCH FOR HER, WE HAVE A KID TOGHTER & I HATE THAT THE REASON HE MIGHT NOT HAVE A MOM & DAD IN THE SAME HOME IS BECAUSE OF OUR SEX LIFE. IVE ASKED HER TO GO TO COUSELLING SHE SAYS SHE DOSNT HAVE A PROBLEM, I HATE THAT ITS LIKE THIS BUT IT IS, HELP??
Dear The Guy,
You’ve asked her to go to counseling which is fantastic. If she won’t go, you may find it helpful to go by yourself. A counselor can give you some great tools to put to work in your relationship. She may see you going and see how much you want the relationship to work and be willing to come with you later. If she does not, you’ll still be better informed about what you can and cannot live with. It sounds like you have something worth fighting for. I don’t know where you are, but there is a list of US counselors by region here that might help. Also, take a look at the comments on this article and you’ll see that, sadly, you are not alone in your situation. Whenever there’s an imbalance in desire or need for sex it affects your whole relationship. If you’d like to talk privately to a mentor, you can use this form to submit a question. The mentor would contact you by email to discuss your situation and offer resources. It’s free and confidential. Sometimes it helps just to have someone to talk to.
Claire,
Thanks so much for the link to the counseling. I have been looking for a long time for a Christian counselor. I went to the link and found somewhere that is just 20 minutes from me! Thank you so much. The Guy, I wish you well and hope that you follow Claire’s advice. What you are describing is actually pretty common. I hope that you put the needs of your child above your own and are able to make it work. Your son is worth everything and worth doing anything for, don’t you think? Take care.
I feel for you.My husband is doing the same thing.I just had a c-section with our son and almost died.I’m suppose to be on restrictions,but he does’nt care.He’s become distant,and i feel worthless.I have 3 kids,and sometimes i think divorce would be best!
I know how you all feel about being alone. I want to reply to the ladys who said they are with guys who they are not married to. Please if you ever listened to anyone listen to me!!! DO NOT EVER MARRY SOMEONE YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT CANNOT BE WORKED OUT,DONT MARRY SOMEONE WHO IS WITHOUT CHRIST!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I HAVE!!!! DONT DO IT!!!
I married a guy that my first sight of was attracted to but as i would pass by him at work i noticed he had a smart mouth on him and would be critticle and judgemental. At the time i thought “I dont like you your a jerk.” Oh how i wish i had stuck to my instincts! I later got drawn to him as my family hasnt been close and i missed and wanted a family of my own. Oh he was sweet and charming and would take me out and spend money on me and made me feel special.
Now its like i married a male version of my mother.(i love my mother but didnt have a good relationship with her as she was abusive)He refuses to acknowledge my feelings my ways of seeing things ect.. He has shamed me infront of strangers and his family. I have been compared to other women in and out of bed. I have been compared to his neice as she is old enough to have children and has her own exersize business and is blond and leggy and in great shape. He told me i was old and had a big butt unlike her. He will not own up to any of his verbal abuse. I have been stood over in an attempt to intimidate me, and even had a punch thrown at me. Please ladys dont marry an unsaved man you are just asking for all kinds of heartach and trouble. On top of it all I have female problems and have been verbally abused and dressed down as he cannot get his sexual needs met the way he desires. I have been subjected to repeated calls and texts when i go anywhere with anyone even our sister in law. The church was no help and assumed without asking me that I had an std(which i dont have) I feel isolated and alone as he is good at just letting people see the side of him he wants them to see so when i say anything in my own defense they believe him as he is very charming and minuplative.
Cherry,
I am so sorry to hear about what you’re dealing with. Do you think your husband would consider seeing a counselor with you? If not, have you thought about maybe going on your own? It could really help. If you’d like to talk to someone right away we have mentors available free of charge. You can use this form to contact a mentor any time. You should hear back in a couple of days.
There is also a really great article here Does Your Marriage Need Help? that you might find useful. I don’t know where you are located, but here is a huge list of marriage resources in the States and the companion version of marriage resources in Canada. This is not an easy situation you’re dealing with. You don’t have to do this alone.
I have been a christian most of my life. I tried to do all he right things including not dating non-christians. However, I found that even so called christian men wanted sex. During that time in my life, I would end the relationship with anyone that did not respect my standards. However, after time. I got tried of waiting until marriage. I was 40 years old when I made that decision. I fell in love with a very wonderful ful non-christian man. He was my first. Did the guilty go away no! However, we are now engaged, and after 4 years started I noticing a change. He did not want sex as much. Finally the truth came out that he had a problem with depression. It is really strange because for the last months I recommitted myself to Christ and have been pleading to him to help me overcome this part of my life, and now this. Why am I writing because although I am trying to wait until marriage, I am concerned that this maybe a problem in our future marriage. He says he wants to get counseling, but has not made any steps in that area. I love him dearly, but I do not want to be in a loveless marriage. I feel guilty for feeling this way, but its the truth. I will say that God’s way is the only way. He gave us his word to guide our lives. I need much prayer, and it is nice to know I am not alone.
I have been married seven years and it is a blessing to know I am not alone. Going to counseling by myself now which is a blessing by itself but porn is truly an epidemic and it makes you feel small, insignificant, and unimportant. His kids are more important than I am seems to me. They feel they have the right to say things that are totally inappropriate. His exwife flirts although she is remarried but I am supposed to trust although it seems to me he can so whatever he wants. Can’t go against mans will.
Dear Sherry,
You are so right about porn and I am so sorry you are having to deal with that. I am glad you are seeing someone that you can talk to. I hope that helps you overcome the feelings you are having. Remember that you are important and do not allow this evil to rob you of your worth. You are so much more and all of the rest of it is just an illusion. It is very hard to be in a relationship where there are children with someone else. It is a lifelong tie that will always be there. His children should be the most important things in his life. Having a father is one of the two relationships that shape children into the people they become. I hope that you can join him in nurturing them and support him. Remember that you have your own will and you can make your own choices. God loves each of us and in Him we are all precious.
It appears to be every where who can you talk too! Married awhile both Christians so I thought until he moved in with another woman unsaved and seriously bipolar for real and he began to profess his love for her. He returned home but not really he seems to be grieving and there is no sex he said he can’t perform withe stress between us but he called me her name in the moment but he wasn’t thinking of her. I ask him to leave and go back to her but he won’t leave but nothing changes somebody tell me why?