Last week I invited readers to 'Be Miss Info for a day' and answer the following question:
Dear Miss Information,

promotion

Nine months ago, my wife gave birth to our son. He's great, and although it can be a lot of work at times, I feel we've got a good handle on parenting. But one thing's not going so well, and that's our sex life. While my sex drive has stayed the same, my wife's has dwindled to nothing. I've tried talking to her about it a couple of times, but she always acknowledges it, says she doesn't know why, and she'll work on it. Yet nothing changes. Our frequency is very low, usually once every other week or less. And she's clearly not into it when we do have sex, which kills the mood for me. I've tried everything I can think of to help — setting a good mood for sex, more foreplay, more oral, more toys for her and even getting out of the house for dates on occasion, but nothing is working. She says she doesn't even masturbate anymore. I'm at the end of my rope here! I need help before I go out of my mind, or do something I might regret later — like cheat on her! — Frustrated New Father

First prize winner is Zach, a FILF who won me over with a suck-up compliment in his cover letter and a salt-of-the-earth approach:   

Dear Frustrated Father,
As a father of three, I've been there, done that. I'd like to dispel some illusions for you: after kids, things never ever get back to "the way they were." This is true sexually, socially, botanically, any way you can think of. Get used to it. The books say take her on dates, foreplay, all that sort of thing. Bah. All the dads I know have had very similar experiences, with almost no exception.

Focus more on the idea that you're a dad, and think long term. You will hopefully have this family for fifty years, so a dry spell of one to two years should be kept in perspective. Only you are in control of your behavior. No lack of sex can force you to cheat. Own it. If it's worth betraying your wife and baby for sex, well, you may as well divorce her and find someone new.
Also, realize you are getting some sex, and you should be beating your dick like it owes you money. Your balls are not going to fall off. Keep talking to your wife, but lower the pressure. Pressure only builds resentment and takes away from any urges she may have. Maybe you can have more quickies/blowjobs. Not ideal, I know, but again, think long-term. Your new life (and it's a whole new life) can be fulfilling and sexually gratifying, but if you wreck your relationship before it has a chance to bloom, it's hopeless.
 


Second prize goes to Carmen, bullet-point aficionado and patron saint of sexually frustrated spouses:
Dear Frustrated,
Congrats on your new baby. Sympathy on your lack of action. The doctor usually gives you a green light after six weeks, and it can take a while longer to get back into a routine, but nine months is too long. It's just too long.
And don't listen to the people who jump to blame you: you're not helping with the baby enough. You're not giving your wife space to "just be." You're putting too much pressure on her. We both know you're not. You're not the problem. You're a good husband and father, and you didn't sign on for this celibacy bullshit. I would calmly but firmly lay it on the line: honey, it's been however many months, and it's not working. We need a proactive plan of action:
  • Make an appointment with your doctor.
  • Make an appointment with a therapist.
  • Schedule a getaway without the baby.
  • Try a 'sexual enhancement' drug or cream (provided she's not nursing).
  • At least agree to oral and/or manual sex more regularly, with some degree of enthusiasm required.

And, when/if all else fails:

  • Let me seek fulfillment elsewhere.

If she's really not into it, she'll be relieved that the pressure's off her to perform. Either way, someone has to tell her that motherhood is not a "get out of sex free" card.
Third prize winner is Deborah, who somehow makes being selfish sound sensitive. Genius!
Dear Frustrated New Father,
I don't have to tell you that caring for a new baby is exhausting — doubly so for your wife. But it sounds like you're focusing strictly on her sex drive, which may be making the situation worse. It's putting pressure on her to 'perform,' making her feel guilty, and stressing her out. Who wants to have to 'try harder' to be in the mood for sex?

What's wrong with gently asking for a handjob, blowjob, or something else the two of you did back in those heavy-petting days that made your toes curl? Most people like to please their partners; she undoubtedly wants to please you. Don't feel as if you're 'cheating' her by not giving her an orgasm — sometimes people don't need that kind of pressure, especially when they're not feeling well! Being able to please our partners, and know that we are pleasing them, is quite satisfying in and of itself. More importantly, it keeps the good feelings between the two of you going.
Thanks and big smooches to everyone who entered. We'll be doing this again in the not-so-distant future. You're aces, all of yuhs.
XOXO,
Miss Info

 

Previous Miss Info

©2007 Erin Bradley and Nerve.com

Commentarium (18 Comments)

Jul 26 07 - 8:50am
ea

I thought that the first answer was really, really good. But the second one (and the third to some degree) is ridiculous. Motherhood is exhausting. Your body is a wreck too, hormone-wise. Who knows how much this guy is contributing?

Jul 26 07 - 9:31am
CC

With all respect, how long can you use hormones and exhaustion as an excuse? You want to say 6 months? Okay. So what's this woman's excuse for withholding sex for almost a year? A baby doesn't switch off mom or dad's sex drive. And I cannot imagine why anybody would be expected to 'do without' for a longer-than-reasonable time. Sex is, if not *the* most important thing, among the most important things in a relationship. Period. End of story.

Jul 26 07 - 12:49pm
CN

As a father of two, the first answer is dead on. The other two answers you should throw out. The other two answers do not reflect real life experience.

Jul 26 07 - 2:09pm
LT

Um, why is nobody talking about breastfeeding? Doesn't breast feeding release hormones that decrease the sex drive. So, CC, that's "how long" a woman can use hormones as an "excuse"--as long as she's breast feeding. And we don't have that info on this woman, though 9 months is not too long.

(All I'm saying is, Dan Savage would've at least MENTIONED breast feeding and hormones.)

Jul 26 07 - 8:49pm
PD

The first answer was ok, the second two were heartless. Does no one know anything about how hormones affect sex drive? For both men and women, testosterone affects sex drive. This new mother has gone through a terrific hormonal roller coaster, and if she is still breast feeding, she is still on it. Breast feeding suppresses estrogen release and inhibits ovulation. Since the ovaries make half of a woman's testosterone, it would be logical to assume that if her ovary function is being suppressed by breast feeding she would have less testosterone....thus less sex drive. Many women also experience vaginal dryness while breast feeding because of decreased estrogen levels. These are common problems. I'm sure the wife wants to please her husband, but sex without any desire is not fun. Maybe he should be a little more appreciative of the sacrafices she is making to create and feed their child and use his right hand a little more until her body goes back to normal.

Jul 28 07 - 6:08am
EG

The answer that won 1st prize is excellent. The second answer from Carmen is appalling and I can't understand why you've even published it.

Jul 28 07 - 8:27am
SMS

Kudos to all the winners! AWESOME advice from them all. In comparison, my reply was a lame duck. Doh! I am SO NOT worthy!

Jul 29 07 - 6:38pm
et

10 gold stars to the first guy--funny, well-written and totally sensible.

Jul 30 07 - 8:47am
SV

Here\'s a solution, don\'t have babies! Pay someone else to have it for you, use genetic engineering to make sure baby is as good as it can be, like Gattaca (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/).

Aug 10 10 - 8:42am
admiral obvious

it's very important that the guy's wife is still fucking him every couple weeks. he needs to get over the fact that she's not into it the way he wants her to be and be grateful for what he's getting--some guys have to go for months. cool husbands will understand that sometimes you have to wait until she's ready to get down again. if she loves you, she will. I don't mind waiting months for my wife because we have an amazing marriage even when dry and the sex is always totally mind-blowing and worth the wait. Not putting any pressure whatsoever on her because I am patient enough and kind enough not to be a dick about it probably helps. But having a great marriage is what's most important. Dude should work on the marriage and understand that sex is the reward he gets for doing the damn work, not some necessary precondition for him to stop being a selfish jerk.

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