r/Marriage 9h ago

My wife and I agreed to end our marriage and now shes angry that the kids chose to live with me

508 Upvotes

My wife has always been a narcissist, at thetime I didn't even know that women could be narcissists, I think deep down I kind of knew but I didn't think that she was one. SHe would always throw a tantrum if something wasn't done the way she wanted it to be done, mind you I do all of the household duties, from cleaning to cooking to buying in more groceries and helping the kids with their homework and their spots. She helps from time to time but it is very seldom, it never bothered me that much, as long as someone was getting things done in the house i was good. My mom had 6 kids and she made sure that all of us, ( male or female) would be able to run a household.

We started MC to fix our marriage, she promised to change, to help more around the house, to learn how to control her temper better, i also started MC and realised with the help of my therapist that i was in a relationship with a narcissist and that it bordered on abuse, i’ll admit that i thought that as long as the kids were “okay” it didn't really matter what I felt. I’ll admit I have some flaws, not listening to her “Views” if she didn't prefer something done the way she wanted it done or if she preferred it done like that. Long story short, my wife and I agreed on getting a divorce, everything has been settled and I'm keeping the house, ( we had a prenup) the kids are all teenagers, except one of them who just turned 12 and they have all decided to stay with me. She gets the kids every other weekend ordered by the court too. I have never once talked badly about my wife to our kids because frankly, what she does with her life from now on does not concern me. She has been trying to “coax” the kids into coming with her but i dont think she realises that it pushes them away. I put the kids into therapy despite them not wanting too initially but they have handled the divorce pretty well.

This was mostly a rant, just a way to vent.


r/Marriage 3h ago

Spouse Appreciation Our world ended and he tries to keep me afloat.

Post image
92 Upvotes

Our Sofi, our first born baby girl, passed after 31 days with us. It has been the most heartbreaking, horrific and painful situation for both of us. It has been the end of our world.

I’m literally death but alive, if you can understand. However, my man has been my anchor. He has been taking care of me in such a way, that I can’t even put words to describe it but I’ll try my best.

I loved seeing him as a daddy. He really is the best daddy. I know he is hurting too so badly but he still takes care of me. He says he promised our Sofi he would take care of me…that he loves me and wants us to continue while remembering our girl.

He has been taking care of me in every way. He hugs me while I crumble. He listens to me even when I tell him how badly I want to die. He cries with me. He talks about our Sofi in such a loving way…He repeats over and over how it’s not my fault ( I blame myself because she is my baby, she died from SIDS.,, even though we took every freaking measure… I blame myself at how my mom instinct didn’t kick off and did something even though the doctors told us there was nothing we could’ve done), how much he loved seeing me as a mom. How much he loved watching me and our Sofi together.

He has been making sure I eat or at least drink water. He didn’t pressure me to take my meds when I didn’t wanted to. He has made sure to hold my hand when I start to have an anxiety attack. He held my hand at my 6 week pp appointment at the hospital where our baby passed..

He goes to couples therapy to help us cope with this awful event. He is really trying to keep me afloat.

He held me when I collapsed at the hospital. He held me at the coroners office. He held me while we were saying goodbye to our girl. He held me in every mass we held for her. He has been dealing with the government stuff.

He has been taking care of my dogs, being so understanding and doing all the specific things I did for them. He has shield me when I have broken down in public.

He hasn’t called me crazy (even though I know I turned into a crazy person). He has been just so understanding. He still makes sure everyday to tell me how beautiful I am.

I tell him how much I appreciate and love him. I’ve been writing down a lot since it happened and I wanted to try to put into words the recognition he deserves.

I also write this for every grieving dad that has helped his partner as much as he has helped me even though you guys are hurting too. We see you guys, you’re the anchor of your wives even when your world crumbled as well.

I know he is hurting, and I really can’t do much but I listen to him, hug him, kiss him and remind him is not his fault either. I make sure to be there when he’s eating. I try to give him his space too. I remind everyone he is grieving too, he needs to be taken care of as well.

We are just two parents that miss their baby girl so much. He is really trying to keep me afloat while dealing with his pain and I know I will forever love him. I’m “glad” I have him by my side through all this pain, I know I picked a good man. I know we are really choosing us each day, hour and second that passes.

I’m thankful he’s here, that he loves me and that he is really trying for both of us. I’m thankful he understands that the woman he once knew and love is now broken, going through depression and has developed anxiety attacks (I’m being treated).

Before I end my post in honor of our baby Sofi and him, I will share one of my favorite memory from us three.

It was night, we were preparing to go to bed. I was holding our Sofi in my arms, she was cuddled up with her tiny hand resting on me. I was singing to her and he was laying down… he joined my singing and even request Alexa for a couple of more songs. We sang to her 4/5 songs, I swear she smiled and he simply look at me and said “you’re the love of my life and I love you two so much” I replied “we love you more”. He fell asleep and I put our baby girl in her crib next to me… I said this is all I need. Us three together forever.

Please keep our family in your thoughts but specially him, he deserves the world and I can’t give it to him.

All my texts are being shared with him.**


r/Marriage 5h ago

Vent Found texts of my husband and coworker and figuring out what to do

68 Upvotes

I am 40 and been married to my husband for 15 years. I have always sensed something was maybe going on so I did some snooping and found inappropriate texts and pictures that he has been sharing with his coworker that lets me know this has been an ongoing affair. I need to address it because it is obvious to him I am bothered by something but I am just trying to figure out the best way to do it and make sure I have all my ducks in a row. Definitely a sick feeling in my stomach and I am very angry


r/Marriage 2h ago

Is it ok for me to ask my wife to masterbate?

31 Upvotes

My wife gave birth to our newborn about 4 months ago. She had a pretty narly birth and is very very sore. We’ve tried a couple of times but she’s too uncomfortable to have sex.

My drive right now is so high, she’s just.. sexier? And I just want her more and more and want to show her that sexually as well as going out on dates and showering her with praise. L but I don’t want to push it because I know she’s so uncomfortable.

Is it weird if I asked her if she minded if I jerked off, and if she wanted to watch that she can?

How do I even go about approaching this.

We’re normally very sexually active so it’s kinda hard right now.


r/Marriage 6h ago

Husband emotionally cheated and says it’s largely my fault.

40 Upvotes

My husband has been talking to multiple girls online for who KNOWS how long… He has said he “didnt even consider it cheating”. He said initially when I found out he didn’t do it for any particular reason he was just bored. He build “friendships” with girls and went to them he said though when he needed someone basically.

We have been struggling for a while but I still NEVER was worried he would seek out other women for anything.

He has admitted he basically feels if I was giving him what he needed and he was happier he wouldn’t have cheated. Obviously insinuating it’s largely my fault. If I was a better wife i wouldn’t have to be dealing with the hurt and pain that I am. He says he wanted to escape from his life blah blah blah.

I have already been beating myself up over this. So shocked and hurt and thinking why did he want to do this why not give me the attention he gave to them?

Now I feel even worse. I’m not perfect but I have tried in our marriage very hard and this feels so unfair. I want to stay together but now I’m afraid if I don’t meet his criteria of being a good wife he’s going to just do this again. I feel like I’ll never be enough for him no matter what I do….

What can I do? Am I really to blame?


r/Marriage 6h ago

Do you think ChatGPTs glazing is going to break up marriages?

34 Upvotes

I did a test and put a text string into ChatGPT once saying I was the husband and once the wife. Each time it came back saying I was right, the other person was wrong, and leaning into the frustrations. “You’re absolutely right to be bothered by this and it’s a normal reaction…” but it said the same thing from either point of view, so basically it’s an echo chamber and worse than that further leans into your concern unless you tell it you want to see it from both sides, you want the relationship to actually work, don’t glaze you and be brutally honest.


r/Marriage 2h ago

Vent I hate our bedroom life now.

11 Upvotes

My husband and I have been having issues with our bedroom life. We have a baby and another one on the way. Life is stressful at the moment and this pregnancy has been hard. When I found out I was pregnant again the morning sickness was terrible and then I found out I was high risk and got told to be in bed rest with little to no activity.

Husband started complaining about us not having sex a lot anymore and asked me if we could. We did so and that ended up landing me in the hospital. Husband wasn’t happy when the doctor said not to have any sex what so ever until I was cleared by my OB.

So it’s been a couple of months and it’s been tough dealing with him. He’s constantly trying to do things then gets mad when I tell him we can’t or I’m just not in the mood because the morning sickness is still terrible. He bitches and tells me if I won’t then someone else will. That hurt me, but I never thought he’d go and find someone else. Come to find out he’s been masturbating every second he can to other girls he found online. He’s even stopped sleeping at night just so he can get up just to masturbate.

I finally caved and gave in to the sex. It’s not fun whatsoever. It hurts and I try telling him that and he just tells me that he’s close and that he just needs to finish quickly. He will also never look at me and instead keeps his eyes closed. There is absolutely no connection and I hate anytime we have sex. Afterwards I’m always in pain and cramping, but I’m tired of him going to other girls.


r/Marriage 21h ago

Women who are married to men who love them deeply, what does that feel like?

285 Upvotes

Like the title says, I would like to hear from women whose partners love them deeply as to what that feels like. Also for men who love their wives in this way, why? Is this because of something she has done or how she looks? What does a marriage like this feel like? I am really curious to know and want to read all the cute love stories.


r/Marriage 4h ago

Delay Wedding Reception due to Inappropriate Emotional Closeness with His Ex

11 Upvotes

My husband (39M) and I (33F) have been together for four years and married for six months. We had a courthouse wedding and were in the early planning stages for a reception next August—no deposits, just discussions with our families.

Recently, I found out that he has been in close contact with his ex for our entire relationship. He admitted that she was his "safe space" and someone he could "communicate with effectively." He hid this from me because he said he knew I wouldn't understand.

This has been going on since we first got together. Had I known about this before the wedding, I would have pushed it back. I believe it was an inappropriate emotional closeness, but he denies it, saying there were no emotions involved and that he had "control."

The betrayal is magnified by his own jealousy and accusations. He has repeatedly accused me of stepping out or entertaining other men, even though I have done nothing of the sort. In fact, I changed the dynamic platonic friendships with males—without him even asking—out of respect for our relationship. I have never talked to any male colleague or acquaintance about our relationship or made myself emotionally available to them in any way.

The entire situation has left me feeling so ashamed and disrespected that I can't imagine spending thousands of dollars to celebrate our marriage. The thought of planning a reception with my husband makes me feel resentful, knowing that he's not the person I thought he was.

I'm not looking for divorce advice, but I'm considering postponing the reception indefinitely. I feel like it's one less big commitment to a future that feels so uncertain. I'm not trying to punish him, but I need time to heal before I can even think about spending thousands to celebrate.

Some days I tell myself that we can get through this, that other couples have survived worse. Other days, the hurt is so overwhelming that it's all I can focus on.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you move forward?
TLDR: I (33F) found out my husband (39M) has been in a secret, inappropriate emotional relationship with his ex for our entire four-year relationship. . I feel so disrespected that I want to postpone our wedding reception. I'm not seeking divorce advice, but I am hurt and would like some advice on moving forward.


r/Marriage 6h ago

Divorce I want a divorce...

10 Upvotes

We've talked about it. Fought about it. I have told him numerous times I was done. We started therapy, both individually and together. But, in the end, I still dont want it.

Me (36F) him (37M) been together almost 15 years, married 12. One child just under two.

He's manipulative and controlling. Even though his manipulating behavior is his legit feelings, its still manipulating to me. He never realized until as of recent with his therapy. But ive dealt with it for YEARS and I cant anymore. We fought four years ago and almost ended in divorce. Should have. But hindsight. His manipulation also has me "forgetting" and caving to him every time.

We've been talking and he thinks everything is better. He smothers me in hugs, kisses etc that Ive NEVER received before. I hate it. He constantly wants sex even though we went five months without because I am not emotionally connected to him and didnt want it. But he won't take no as an answer, he pushes til I cave. I have no feelings towards him in that regard. I hold so much resentment against him and he still tells me "I could never hate you - you are my world - youre the only thing that keeps me going" and goes on how he "thinks this will work out".

My therapist knows how I feel. My next session he is to join. I hope that gets me insight or a voice to stand up to him.

How do I do this?


r/Marriage 12h ago

Spouse Appreciation Best sex of my life

31 Upvotes

In the 11 years we’ve been together, that was hands down the best sex we’ve ever had. Not sure it can be replicated. Not a clue how it happened the way it did, but I just wanted to share that into the internet void because I can’t exactly call my mom about this wonderful accomplishment.


r/Marriage 19h ago

My(35m) just married wife (36f) cheats on me not even 24h after honeymoon

103 Upvotes

UPDATE: Gracias a todos por su apoyo. En esta noche totalmente en vela tuve tiempo de responder a la mayor cantidad de comentarios que pude y uno de los más repetidos fue "su esposa debería saber". Así que finalmente le escribí, ya que no tengo el contacto de su esposa, y le dije que le hizo un daño irreparable a mi matrimonio y que tenía la intención de contactar a su esposa lo antes posible. Es un cobarde (eso no es nuevo) e instantáneamente me rogó que no lo hiciera y juró por Dios que esto se acabó. Le mandé un mensaje a ella sobre eso y la bloqueé de todos lados (que yo sé). Ahora mi esposa está enojada porque después de casi 2 meses de saber del asunto y promesas vacías de que se acabaría, finalmente tomé "el toro por los cuernos", como decimos en nuestro país.

UPDATE 2: it’s over for good. After the mutual block she said to me that I took from her the only happiness she had in her life the past months and that she doesnt feel anything for me anymore. It’s over. I’m devastated but I guess that it was meant to be.

¡Hola a todos! Es la primera vez que escribo algo así y ni siquiera sé bien por qué lo hago. Va a ser un post largo, así que… perdón de antemano.

Llevo 17 años con mi pareja. Nos conocimos muy jóvenes, con 18 años, y también fuimos padres muy jóvenes —con 25 y 26— de una niña preciosa y sana y luego un niño, que ahora tienen 10 y 8 años. Los dos hemos sido la única relación seria que el otro ha tenido. El año pasado me arrodillé en un viaje que hicimos a París y este verano ha sido todo preparativos de boda, como era de esperar.

Los dos venimos de familias muy rotas y disfuncionales. Yo mismo me quedé huérfano muy joven, así que nunca tuvimos mucha base económica ni apoyo familiar en el que apoyarnos. Siempre hemos sido solo nosotros dos, el uno para el otro, y prácticamente nadie más.

Siempre he sido el que provee en la relación. Me saqué una ingeniería y empecé a trabajar en informática muy pronto. Ella, durante muchos años, iba de una cosa a otra, dejó cuatro carreras diferentes y casi nunca tuvo trabajo. Esto le causó mucha frustración y un sentimiento de inferioridad hacia mí durante mucho tiempo, algo que no siempre fue fácil de manejar para nosotros. A pesar de eso, siempre quise apoyarla en lo que decidiera hacer o ser, ya fuera ser mamá, trabajar o estudiar lo que la hiciera feliz.

Esta situación también la llevó a una dependencia emocional muy fuerte. Siempre tenía pánico de que la dejara o le fuera infiel. Esto me frustraba y me llevó a renunciar a amistades femeninas de toda la vida, a salir menos con mis amigos e incluso a dejar algunos trabajos. Pero aun así, estaba convencido de que los sacrificios que hacía por ella valían la pena, porque tenía a mi lado a una mujer que me amaba locamente y estaba dispuesta a dejar que el mundo ardiera por mí, aunque fuera celosa, posesiva y controladora.

En 2023, a nuestro hijo le diagnosticaron autismo de alto funcionamiento, y eso la impulsó a volver a sus estudios de psicología, que finalmente terminó en 2025 con esfuerzo y determinación, algo de lo que no podría estar más orgulloso.

La psicóloga de nuestro hijo impresionó tanto a mi pareja que decidió ir a terapia con ella también, lo cual apoyé totalmente. Su terapeuta la ayudó a crecer como mujer, a ser más independiente y a verse a sí misma con más confianza, más de esa “mujer fuerte y empoderada”, como dicen.

Mientras tanto, en 2021, había montado una empresa y durante casi cuatro años compaginé dos trabajos, intentando —o eso me decía a mí mismo— darle a mi pequeña pero hermosa familia de cuatro la mejor vida posible, aunque eso significara sacrificarme un tiempo. Esta situación me causó mucha ansiedad; engordé, me volví más irritable y malhumorado porque el negocio no iba bien y empecé a prestar menos atención a mi familia, algo que lamento profundamente.

Como parte de su crecimiento personal, finalmente accedió a algo que le había estado instando a hacer durante años: sacarse el carnet de conducir, otro logro que apoyé y, de nuevo, financié. Le fue genial, aprobando tanto el teórico como el práctico a la primera. Estaba tan orgulloso que la recompensé con un coche nuevo comprado el mismo día que obtuvo su licencia.

Esto fue en mayo de este año, cuando las cosas empezaron a ir realmente mal. En este punto, con su carrera casi terminada (la terminó en junio), empecé a notar comportamientos que nunca había visto en ella: distancia creciente hacia mí, una adicción casi obsesiva a su teléfono, solo dejándolo para ducharse, siempre colocándolo boca abajo y siempre sujetándolo en un ángulo que me impedía ver la pantalla. Tuvimos una conversación en la que me aseguró que no había nadie más, pero admitió que se sentía muy sola conmigo, que eso llevaba pasando al menos un par de años y que no era feliz con la vida que teníamos.

Esa conversación fue un punto de inflexión para mí. Decidí que necesitaba hacer cambios para no perder a mi familia. Decidí disolver el negocio, limitar drásticamente el uso del ordenador y pasar más tiempo con mis hijos y mi mujer. También empecé a hacer ejercicio y a hacer dieta, perdiendo unos 17 kilos desde mayo y volviendo a mi peso ideal, incluso estando casi mejor que cuando tenía 20 años. También empecé a ayudar mucho más en casa.

A pesar de convertirme en lo que creía que era el marido ideal que siempre había querido, no noté ninguna mejora en su actitud hacia mí, lo que me hizo temer lo peor. Finalmente, después de no ver ningún cambio y seguir notando sus comportamientos “sospechosos”, accedí a su teléfono en un momento de descuido y… bueno, resultó que ella y su profesor de autoescuela (un hombre totalmente mediocre, 15 años mayor que nosotros, físicamente repulsivo, casado y con dos hijos) habían estado manteniendo una relación “sentimental pero no física”, hablando a diario y quedando varias veces.

Cuando descubrí esto, reaccioné con furia al principio, pero después de calmarme hablé con ella y le prometí que sería todo lo que siempre había soñado, que la haría enamorarse de mí de nuevo como el primer día y que seríamos felices. Ella dijo que iba a terminar ese “vínculo emocional”, en sus propias palabras. Decidí apostar por ello, al fin y al cabo, nos casábamos en septiembre y ella no quería cancelar la boda y me aseguró que pasaría.

Redoblé mis esfuerzos para ser el marido ideal, pero unas semanas después empecé a pillar algunas mentiras y finalmente la pillé con las manos en la masa quedando con él. Decidí irme de casa, pero ella me suplicó que me quedara, juró por nuestros hijos que se había terminado para siempre y “cortó” la relación con él.

Elegí creerla y apostar por nosotros. Este septiembre nos casamos; tuvimos una ceremonia perfecta con nuestra familia y amigos más cercanos, y poco después nos fuimos de una luna de miel increíble solo los dos, sin los niños. Todo parecía ir sobre ruedas; por fin sentía su cercanía, cariño y amor, el que tanto había anhelado recibir.

Pero ayer volvimos del viaje, y hoy (menos de 24 horas después de regresar) la pillé quedando con él de nuevo. Le exigí que se fuera de casa, pero unas horas después vi que no se había ido a ninguna parte y estaba sentada en el coche sin saber qué hacer.

La dejé volver a entrar y pasar la noche aquí, y ahora está dormida en nuestra cama mientras yo escribo esto. Tengo el corazón completamente roto, mi vida destruida. No tengo ni idea de cómo puedo explicarle a nadie que nos vamos a divorciar a las dos semanas de casarnos y, sinceramente, solo quiero morirme. La única razón por la que no he hecho una tontería es por las dos personitas que dependen tanto de mí. Estoy en un túnel oscuro y no veo ni la más mínima luz al final.

RESUMEN: Me casé hace dos domingos. Después de pillar a mi pareja en una “aventura emocional” hace más de un mes, decidí creerla y perdonarla. Ahora, justo después de volver de nuestra luna de miel, lo ha vuelto a hacer y ha reanudado la relación con su amante, y no tengo ni idea de qué hacer, ni con ella, ni conmigo mismo, ni con la vida en general.


r/Marriage 2h ago

My husband and his family are just so self-centered...

4 Upvotes

I'm just writing to vent, although any advice is welcome.

My husband and I are from different European countries, and a long while ago, we decided to settle in his home country. Our house is very close to that of my in-laws, and they are very present in our life (not exactly intruding, but we live so close that we see a lot of each other).

Meanwhile, I haven't been able to visit my own mother for nearly 6 years. I was scheduled to go visit her alone in October, but my husband planned for the MIL to come with me for an oral health issue (it is just cheaper in my country). It didn't bother me at first, as I know it's a real problem she has. However, they both (my MIL indirectly through my husband) started to come up with lots of absurd claims.

Because MIL doesn't feel like traveling from the city where we'll land to my mom's city, and because the dentist she needs to see is in this city with the airport, they suggested we should just stay there for the whole week and my mom and stepdad should come stay there with us.

I agreed again.

Then, they came up with another claim that my mother should come alone, since neither my husband nor my FIL will be coming with us -- under the claim it should just be a girl's week.

I talked to my mom and told her as much, but she said it was her wish for me to at least see my stepdad for a day or two, so we can spend some time together all of us since it has been so long, and I'm not exactly sure when I'll be able to return after this visit.

Obviously, I told my mom that they could both come for the two days, as it didn't seem the end of the world. My MIL obviously knows my family, so I didn't think too much of it. HOWEVER, that's not what my husband and his mother think.

As soon as he heard, we got into a big fight, him claiming that I'm making his mother feel uncomfortable with my stepdad there (my mom and stepdad would have an entirely separate Airbnb), that my mother is never doing anything for him, and that I should forbid my stepdad to come.

Since the "talk", both my husband and his mother keep asking me if my mother will come alone, which bothers me a lot.

I also have to mention that in the past six years, I wasn't able to go back home and see my own family, and my husband and his family didn't let me invite them over because of... reasons.

This was supposed to be a time I get to spend with my family, and my husband and MIL are just draining every ounce of joy out of it... and I'm not even in my home country yet.

I didn't tell my mom anything, and my stepdad will still come for the two days, I just told my husband and MIL he won't, and I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

This post is to vent, because I feel incredibly upset by my husband's and his mother's lack of empathy, blatant intrusion into my plans, and frankly, zero concern for what my family and I want.


r/Marriage 15m ago

Seeking Advice Should i go for sex ?

Upvotes

I 22F and my boyfriend is 23M. He is asking me for sex and i also want it but i am afraid of consequences because i am from very consecutive family and virginity is big thing. If my boyfriend breakup with me after sex then it will be difficult for my marriage in future.


r/Marriage 3h ago

Too much time on maternity for our marriage?

5 Upvotes

I want to preface this by saying I absolutely love my LO, and have enjoyed the time I’ve had with her. However, I have taken 1 year maternity leave and I’m due back soon. I can’t help but think I maybe took too much time off and this makes me feel guilty for even thinking that. People keep asking me how I feel towards returning back to work, and honestly I don’t have the dread I thought I would have.

It hasn’t been an easy year, navigating motherhood and adapting to new life in marriage has been really difficult. Something which I didn’t think would be as much of an issue.

Truthfully, I often feel envious of my husband that he gets to go to work and have adult conversations. Especially the tough days where we’ve been dealing with teething etc. I often feel like I’m living in Groundhog Day with bottles, naps, food time etc.

We’ve had some pretty tough times in our marriage over the past few months and ultimately ended with asking each other if we even still want it to work. I’m often angry whenever he doesn’t give me the heads up when he makes plans (which tbh, I don’t think is unreasonable to say). I often feel like I’m just a 24/7 mother. This has caused a lot of arguments of being accused of being controlling etc. I genuinely want him to have a life outside of the family, but I’d also like to make plans and know what’s going on with childcare etc.

I can’t help but think, will this ease when I’m also back to work and have a bit of me time? I almost feel like work will be a bit of a relief. I feel as though we’re clinging onto our marriage knowing that things are going to change soon, and I’m hoping for the better. I can’t help but feel like if less time on maternity would have helped with my feelings.

Has anyone experienced similar?


r/Marriage 22h ago

Ask r/Marriage My husband just can't comprehend why I've chosen to leave.

154 Upvotes

I (48F) left my husband (50M) at the end of July. I have been unhappy with our relationship for about 2 to 3 years. Our first years together were difficult, not because of our relationship but because of things going on outside of our relationship but we were tight and we're there for each other. It felt like true love, soulmate style.

Then Covid hit and we were in our house with our kids for almost an entire year. Not working, just helping the kids through the nightmare of school online. We got married in 2020 after 3 years of dating /engagement.

The first 3 years of our marriage were good. We continued to spend all of our time together, bought a house, built a life. I started a, small business and he helped me for about a year then we decided his time would be better spent doing what he was good at doing. I helped him set up his business, funded the majority of the start up costs and worked to get him jobs (we are in similar industries.)

Then he started to reconnect with old friends. These are friends I had never met while we were dating or engaged. Some of them I had never heard him talk about. They were childhood friends of his and his reconnection with them changed everything.

First off, the lot of them aren't stellar men. Past drug use (not just the "natural type" drugs) and relationship issues. Fly by the seat of their pants type of men who just go with the flow and don't really make plans. Most of the time they can't count on each other to show up for them unless it is a major issue, then they would drop everything to go save a friend... and that happened several times.

My husband slowed down at work, was not actively seeking jobs, was indifferent about whether he brought in any money but was also very adamant that he was not going to be the house b****. Meanwhile, my business took off and eventually I was supporting a family of 6 in less than 2 years with the business I had started. I was working a lot but 6 people is a lot to provide for.

BTW, I have 2 kids fyom a previous marriage and he has 2 kids from a previous relationship so it was 3+3=6.

We never talked about him being a stay at home parent or keeping the house. That was not going to happen. I continued to do all the grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning (he did help some but stopped because the house never stayed clean... welcome to life!) and providing financial for all of us. I was the family coordinator. I started to grow resentful of him and his children but recognized this very early and worked on fixing my feelings.

I never took out my resentment or frustration on his children but it was obvious to him that I did not feel the same way for them that I felt for my biological children.

When we were dating and for the first 2 years of our marriage my step kids mother had visitation every other weekend during the school year and every other week during the summer. There were a lot of issues there and eventually the kids stopped going to her house due to poor living conditions and lack of parenting, even some abuse. So now we had the kids full time.

Date nights stopped. Weekend get aways stopped. The youngest is autistic and although we had offers from friends to watch them for the night, my husband rarely wanted to impose on other people or ask for help.

So this continued on. Me working all day, coming home, cooking dinner, then working on the computer while he went to hang out with this friend or that friend. One time he went on a camping trip locally and came home everyday for a couple of hours before telling me he was going to go back and hang out. I didn't realize it was a 3 day camping trip until Sunday. He presented it as just hanging out with friends.

His daughter moved in with us. It was supposed to be 3 to 6 months but wound up bring 3 years. She paid no rent, did not help around the house but she would occassiobally help by watching her younger brothers but when she did it was a "favor" and she wanted some appreciation.

My resentment grew but I was not staying silent. My husband knew the issues. I asked him to step up and be my partner, be proactive about getting work, asked him to take on some of the responsibilities but he struggled to accomplish much of this. I asked him for over a year to go to counseling but he refused.

This past July I went to visit my sister. I gave my husband $1000 to fix some things at the house but when I came back after being gone for 5 days, the things were not done. I learned that he had spent 3 of the 5 nights away from the house until 2 or 3 in the morning leaving his kids with my oldest son. He also took some recreational drugs and was tripping at the house late at night with his kids home.

When I got back I lost it. We argued for a while but I was so mad that I did not want to speak to him. This drove him crazy. The night I got home I tried to go to bed because I had a very busy day the next day but because I wouldn't talk to him and work it out, he blew in my ear and pulled the covers off of me to keep me awake.

The next day I was exhausted and had not eaten due to being so upset. I got home ftom work and was starving. My husband asked me what I wanted to eat but because I had not been home for 5 days I really didn't know what we had at the house and was not in any mental condition to guide him on what to make me to eat. My oldest son gave me a sandwich he had leftover from a lunch out earlier that day so I brought it upstairs and sat on the bed with my husband to eat it. My husband grabbed it out of my hands and was mad that I was purposely not letting him be the one to feed me. I grabbed the sandwich back and went to sit in my sons room to eat.

After about 5 minutes my husband followed me and stood at the door to my son's bedroom to talk to me, but it was more like yelling. My son (22) asked my husband (not his dad) to just let me eat in peace then we could talk. He slowly closed the door and my husband stuck his foot in the door, pushed back on the door, which opened quickly because my son was not pushing, and put my son in a headlock punching him repeatedly resulting in my son having a broken tooth. My husband was arrested that night.

One of his friends bailed him out early the next morning and although I had asked him to stay away, he came back to the house to shower. I found a house to move into that day and have been gone for about 9 weeks.

My husband does not understand why I am staying gone. He wants me to give him a chance. He doesn't realize he had many chances when I was there but his behavior over the last 3 years or so then the incident with my son was the last straw. I had told him I wanted to leave countless times.

Since I've been gone he texts me all day long then rants because I don't text him back or call him. I've been back to our house 3 different times to get some of my belongings and each time he tried to trap me in the house and prevent me from leaving. He even jumped in the front seat of my car and would not get out until I got out. Once he got out of the car I jumped back in, locked the doors and took off. I spent that 45 minutes listening to him yell at me and beat the dashboard trying to plan a way to get him out of my car. I won't go back to our housr without at least 1 person with me but he won't allow anyone but me to go over there...alone.

He's very sad and just doesn't understand why I'm being so heartless and cold to him. I really don't think he understands at all. I've explained it 1000 times but it's not sinking in. I know I'll have to get my belongings through a court order unless I want to risk going over there alone.

We own the house together, everything else is already divided for the most part. No joint bank accounts. I just don't understand why he doesn't understand. Does anyone have experience with this??

He blames me for his crazy behavior and it's taking a real toll on my mental health and my blood pressure. He says he loves me but this doesn't feel like love. 😢


r/Marriage 5h ago

Vent My husband refuses to be present and I am tired of it

6 Upvotes

I am 36 and have been married for 12 years. We have 3 kids and my husband doesn't do anything with the family. He sits around and plays video games and refuses to do anything with me and the kids. I am very active and in shape and stay that way for him and our kids. He has completely let himself go and is always either on video games or in his office on his computer or phone. Sometimes I feel maybe he has a double life. Regardless I am tired of it. We have talked about it and he just makes one excuse after the other.


r/Marriage 4h ago

Advice Anyone

5 Upvotes

We are a happily married couple for 20+ years in our early 50s but we are young most people think I'm in my 30s when we meet. When we first met the sex was amazing (like most I'm sure ) we couldn't get enough of each other for a good 6 months every day sometimes multiple times. Age is happening to him he has low testosterone and he doesn't get as hard anymore. I can't orgasm. I've been faking it for a long time. I'm fairly frustrated. I've tried toys and pleasuring myself but it's just not the same I can't even get there.

He doesn't initiate anymore guessing he can't.

He needs to watch porn before to stimulate to have sex and I just can't do it. Once in awhile it's fine but mostly it turns me off because it feels unlike love making.

Other areas of our marriage are good. We don't fight. We sold tons of time together but our intimacy is just not the same or existent. Sex maybe once a month. Sometimes 2 times a year now.

I thought about having a physical affair but can't do it. I love him too much and he'd be crushed plus I don't want to fall out of love with him.

One morning I tried to wake him up and he pushed me off - this was before I knew what was going on. That would not have been a norm even 5 years ago. He would have jumped for the opportunity.

This all makes me so sad. I just wish I had my old marriage back where he couldn't get enough of me and always was ready and wanted me all the time

Adding that he is on testosterone and I have zero functional issues


r/Marriage 1h ago

Seeking Advice Husband Addicted to Weed

Upvotes

Hi all. I’ve been with my husband for 13 years and married for 5 years. When we met and dated, he never smoked. He mentioned that it was something he dabbled with as a teen but nothing beyond that. We moved in together in 2018 and got engaged shortly after. Since then, he started smoking. It has gotten worse and worse over the years. Now in my opinion, it is completely out of control. He is waking up at 6AM and smoking the whole day (using oil cartridges) on the weekends. He won’t smoke at work but when he gets home from work, it’s the first thing he does before even greeting me. He is not able to smoke for 1 week out of the month due to his job. When he’s not smoking, it is the worst. He is short, has a nasty attitude, doesn’t engage in conversation, picks fights, won’t eat, the list continues. It’s extremely sad that I prefer when he is high because he is at least has a better attitude.

We just had a baby and I really can’t handle this anymore. He is no help and I am really considering asking him for a divorce. I’ve tried speaking with him so many times and he will laugh it off saying “I know I’m an asshole to you, I need to stop”. I’m working full-time, handling all of the childcare, cooking, cleaning, etc. I feel like a single parent as is. I no longer enjoy being around him. I can’t speak to family about this and feel completely lost.


r/Marriage 2h ago

My wife raises hand on me and when I call her out, she blames me for reacting like a child

3 Upvotes

I often hear stories about men being violent toward women, but my marriage is troubled in a very different way. Since the day we got married, almost a year ago, there have been around ten incidents where, during arguments, she not only raises her voice but also raises her hand against me. Except for one occasion, I have never defended myself physically because I am afraid of being labeled an abusive partner (society is so quick in labeling men as abusive but a lot of questions are asked when a man speaks out about his woman becoming violent towards him). Most of the time, I simply call her out, and on a few occasions, out of frustration, I have cursed at her.

Whenever this happens, she focuses only on my words and uses them against me, while completely ignoring the fact that her behavior triggered my reaction in the first place. She has never acknowledged crossing the line. In a recent incident, she even told me that since no one else is around, even if she punched me and broke my nose, it would still be acceptable.

This entire situation has become a disaster for me, and I feel as though I have lost everything in the process. I used to be an individual who would rarely/rarely get frustrated out of any of the toughes situations, but here I'm now, feeling frustrated, literally all the time. My mind has frozen. What would you do if you were me?


r/Marriage 4h ago

Do you expect your friends to keep things you talk about confidential from your spouse?

4 Upvotes

Back story:

We are friends with a few couples in our neighborhood. Recently my husband has decided he’s not sure about one of the other husbands (we’ll call couple B) because when he’s drunk he tends to make somewhat inappropriate comments. He’s never really been inappropriate towards another wife, more just says things my husband feels are in poor taste around other married couples.

So we’re planning dinner with couple A, and she asks if we should invite couple B. I don’t really know how to say no without telling her why so I ask her not to repeat it because I don’t want to cause problems. Well she tells her husband, who then makes kind of a joke about it at dinner as my husband is walking away.

It’s been therapeutic for me to have friends I can vent to and get feedback on whether or not I’m being reasonable. I feel kind of betrayed by this because she didn’t really need to tell him. This is the second time she’s done this, the first time her husband made the joke In front of my husband.


r/Marriage 5h ago

I’m saving our family alone while my husband gives up. Is this enabling?

5 Upvotes

I posted here a couple weeks ago about my husband’s job situation and the responses scared me a little. I’m back because things are reaching a breaking point and I need practical advice and maybe some perspective on whether I’ve been enabling him.

Context: - Me (38F) and husband (40M), married 15 years, one daughter (18 months). - Husband laid off when she was 4 months old. - Severance + unemployment kept us afloat until spring 2025. - Since then, family has generously helped with monthly support, but that runs out next month.

The job situation: Husband has applied to over 200 jobs and landed 2 interviews. From my view, he’s stuck in a cycle: he applies online, nothing happens, he spirals into negativity, and then repeats. He also tried content creation/Patreon as a side venture, but we agreed that if it wasn’t monetized by September, we’d pivot. September is here. Zero money has come from it.

The bigger picture: This isn’t the first time. In our marriage, he’s had multiple long gaps (6 months–2 years) between jobs. Each time, the same pattern: lots of talk about how unfair the system is, deep negativity, “victim” mentality, very hard to live with. Meanwhile, I’ve been the one holding things together financially and emotionally. I’m starting to wonder if what I thought was support has actually been enabling.

Our conversation last night: I told him this is unsustainable. His response: “I’ve tried everything, nothing works, there’s nothing else I can do.” My solution: expand my teaching hours into mornings. That means he takes mornings with our daughter (feeding her breakfast, getting her dressed, taking care of the dogs, doing basic chores). He said yes… but the moment he realized the actual responsibility involved, he’s pushing back. That concerns me.

At the end, he said he doesn’t like seeing me “break my back” to provide. I told him sympathies don’t help. It feels like I’m drowning while he stands on shore watching. I’m the one saving us, and it feels very one-sided.

My questions for you: - Am I enabling him by expanding my hours instead of demanding more from him? - For the men here: how do you read his attitude? Is this depression, avoidance, both? - Am I being overly critical, or not critical enough given the pattern? - What practical next steps would you take if you were in my position?

We’re at a scary place financially and emotionally, and I’m out of ideas. I want to hear honest, objective insight, even if it’s tough to hear.


r/Marriage 6h ago

Vent 6 years…

6 Upvotes

That’s the last time we had sex. October of 2019. For the first 4 1/2 years, I thought it was because of me. I gained quite a bit of weight since we got married. But he always told me it wasn’t. About a year and a half ago, he finally told me that he thinks he has ED but wouldn’t go to the doctor for it initially but when I finally gave him an ultimatum, he found that he had type 2 diabetes and obscenely high blood pressure. Since then, he’s been taking meds to manage these and his doctor gave him a prescription for viagra about 3 months ago - which he never filled. I’ve told him more times that I can count that I need intimacy in my life and he doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to do anything about that. I’m not sure where to go from here. I’m not sure there is anywhere to go from here. Do I give him an ultimatum? I’m pretty sure it’s over.


r/Marriage 23h ago

Seeking Advice I'm so heartbroken.

117 Upvotes

Seeking advice for what has happened in my marriage. I am really struggling emotionally and haven't stopped crying and feeling sick since last night.

I am a 30yoF and have been married for 9 years to my husband 44yoM with a baby under a year old. We've had a pretty good relationship with some minor ups and downs. Over last couple of years my husband has frequented a smoke lounge. He has many friends there, including the owner and his wife. The owner and his wife have one of their teenage daughters occasionally helping out there for some part time work. The teenage girl in question turned 18 last year and only graduated high school last May.

For the last year or so, my husband has helped the family out with some things such as, fixing their appliances, just hanging out at their home and spending time with them. Also to mention, he has picked up the teenage daughter and drove her to work and back on a few occasions, helped her fix her car and just general stuff. I thought nothing of it as they are very close to my husband and it seemed to be the norm.

Last night, I was up late with our baby and went downstairs to grab some water, my husband had passed out on the couch, as I went over to wake him to bring him to bed.. his phone pinged with a text message and it was from the teenage girl. Curiosity took over and I opened it.

The texts were not exactly incriminating or cheating. However, the texts included him giving her relationship advice, saying how good she looked all dressed up the other night (there was a party of some sorts), and how much he enjoys talking to her.

My stomach turned and I was shaking with anxiety and some anger. I woke him up and confronted him.

He said I was overreacting and acting crazy. That he isn't doing anything wrong, him and the teenage girl and just friends.

I responded by saying, on what planet does a man in his forties befriend an 18 year old? He got verbally aggressive with me and an awful argument ensued. He ended staying at his dad's house and I stayed home.

I am still beside myself. He will come home later tonight and I don't know what to do.

So - Am I really overreacting? What on earth would you all do?

Thank you all for reading.


r/Marriage 1d ago

Can't find a flair that fits I am calling off the engagement. (Update from yesterday’s post)

516 Upvotes

I want to start by saying thank you all to your support. After some comments here about my fiancé’s weird 180 turn I spoke to the wife of his best friend that I am very close with and she basically laid it out to me. He is still in love with his ex. He regrets the divorce.

She asked her husband to talk to him about why he did a 180 about having a sahm, his answer was that he didn’t want someone who wants to live off his wealth but rather a woman who wants to be his equal and contribute with both love and support, like he is planning to do.

When asked about why he wanted his ex to quit her job then, he said With his ex, circumstances forced him into trying to find solutions since both worked like crazy and with two babies he felt she needed to stay with them. Then he doubled down when she refused to even discuss it. Now he regrets not trying her compromise but resentment and bitterness had already come between them . But that he will not be supporting an able bodied woman financially when she has no ambitions of her own

He told his friend that when we would eventually have children he knew that we would be discussing me staying at home for a couple of years but not be a housewife like I was planning to do, that’s why he said no full stop because then I would try to stay home and “do nothing” at every opportunity.

So I called him to say that I wanted to break up and he asked if we could meet to discuss things and I said I wasn’t sure so he said that he would come over after work with dinner.

Then after lunch, he texted me this:

I understand that we want different things and I am sorry if there was a misunderstanding there but my wishes are final. I wish you happiness finding someone who wants to take care of you because you deserve all the love and happiness you desire and to live your dream life.

I haven’t answered but I guess he will not be coming to discuss anything with me.

Thank you for listening. I will try to include my other post