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What do I do when my husband ignores me?

182 Answers
Last Updated: 05/11/2022 at 11:40pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Clinical Social Work/Therapist

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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
April 17th, 2016 6:00am
Conversing is very important in a relationship. Talk to him about how you feel when he ignores you..
Anonymous
November 22nd, 2017 6:38pm
Let him be and do the same
HeartfulJewel38
April 21st, 2016 7:34am
I write him a heartfelt and positive note to remind him that I am behind him and that I love him. That way, he can read and react privately and hopefully will ignite a spark to talk or cuddle.
CallMeAlex
June 6th, 2018 12:00pm
Keep the conversation open, talk to him, explain your feelings, communicate, that is the most important thing to do.
Anonymous
May 27th, 2016 5:39am
Just before I got married, my male friends organized a bridal shower for me. During the shower, they have set up a game where each one presented a gift and a marital advice with that gift. One friend gave me earphones with an MP3 player and he said that I should just listen to music when there are times when men would just want to be left alone and given their space. It is nothing personal, they would just to have their own space sometimes and definitely would not want their wives to take it against them when they do this.
allnaturalUnicorns70
July 7th, 2016 6:24pm
There are lots of ways of dealing with it. You can fight him or demand attention (not usually effective). You can try and understand why he is ignoring you (what's going on in his mind or his life, what is he feeling). You can come straight to him and try and speak in a compassionate way and bring your concern to his attention. Another option is to just be polite to him and live life as best as you can without his attention.
Anonymous
February 14th, 2019 12:49pm
I try to stay calm and approach him to ask what’s wrong and that I feel that we haven’t been talking as much. Or ask him if he is ignoring me directly. Give space. Sometime I cook up his favorite meal and talk to him when he is in a happy mood. Communication is very important. Sometimes giving space and time to my spouse really helps him approach me instead of me asking him. There are times when he has time to think all by himself and realize that he may be ignoring me or not giving me attention and then he brings it up himself and tells me what’s wrong or why he was behaving the way he was behaving.
Anonymous
May 9th, 2018 10:20pm
Try to speak to him about it and ask if there is something he wants to talk about, it is possible he might be very stressed and didn’t mean to ignore you
Danny7629
May 2nd, 2020 6:36pm
I always think that one should resolve these type of issues with more love, attention and care. It could be a husband ignoring or it can be a wife ignoring. Either case, all you got to do is to give them more love and provide them a chances to return back to you. Try to find ways to get the attention back but donot try too hard. Cook for them their favourite meal, or give them a head or foot massage. Many times, the spouses ignore because they are tense with something else. Show them that you care. Sit with them even though sit in silent. Tell your spouses the things that you enjoyed together. This ignoring is temporary. Just be there for you other half.
richyShiny39
April 24th, 2020 9:12am
Whenever your husband ignores you this may mean either he is ignoring you or maybe he doesn't even know. Maybe you should say are you ignoring me I just haven't felt like we've been on the same page lately and ask him in a non convention way maybe I'm wrong but it feels like you're ignoring me and if you would like to know I miss us having time together and if you would like to do something can we arrange to do something such as and then throwing the blank of what. If he doesn't answer that question then maybe you should consider if your relationship is not working out right now and then go from there.
sunshinesparkles2468
April 8th, 2020 3:24am
try to find time to spend with him, tell him how he is making you feel and explain to him what you two can do together to try and overcome this obstacle, if you dont find that talking with him i helping and or he isnt replying. see if there are any reasons as to why he would be acting this way. if none of those options have worked you could always try to do couple therapy. it is possibe he is going through something and doesnt feel like he wants to speak right now. that can always be a possibility.
Anonymous
April 5th, 2020 7:26am
Talk to him. Communicate with him because more often than that, it can be a small misunderstanding that may lead to unnecessary confrontations and petty fights. If he's ignoring you, he has a reason and there's no better way to find out other than talking to him about it, see how he feels, why he feels that way, and talk about it. Come to a solution together instead of creating assumptions in your head that will cause distress. Your approach towards him will matter a lot so think about it. Having a civil conversation would be the ideal way to go. After all, all relationships have ups and down.
CalmCourage
March 5th, 2020 11:40am
I would bring it up with him. One little communication tip I learnt was to say 'I love you and' then you say what you are struggling with - in your case your husband ignoring you. The crucial word is 'and' not 'but' because that makes it seem like your love is hanging on it. But if you guys have a chat about it in a adult way where you are both understanding each others view points then things will change for the better. Hope this helps and you guys get a chance to talk to each other, try the 'I love you and' see how that works for you.
sereneMusic8330
February 28th, 2020 7:27am
Before jumping to solutions, it might be better to first take care of your emotional well-being and tend to your feeling of being ignored and hurt. You can use sites like 7-cups to express your feelings in a safe space. The pressure you feel about the situation will lessen. You will feel better about yourself when you know having your feelings is okay and valid. This will also enable you to avoid reacting in the heat of the moment and fueling the fire. Once you feel more safe and supported, I'm sure you'll be in a better place where constructive ideas for dealing with your situation could just come up on their own.
Anonymous
May 11th, 2022 11:40pm
Try to just get him talking. Maybe ask him what is going on in his own life, such as what is happening at work. Maybe he isn't in the mindset to listen, you could also try asking him when a good time to speak is. Try reconnecting with him somehow by doing something he likes to do with him, even if you might not enjoy it too, he will appreciate that you did something that he likes to do with him. Or, you could also try a new adventure with him, maybe there's somewhere you both would like to go. This would give him a chance to open up. One other suggestion is to talk about past happy memories, remind him of why he loves you and where your love for eachother came from.
CreativListener
June 13th, 2018 12:08am
If my husband ignores me, I give him space initially. When we've reconnected, I will address it directly by starting with, "There's something that has been bothering me lately. I feel that sometimes you ignore me and it hurts my feelings." This can open up an opportunity for discussion. Based on what he says, I can offer validation for how he is feeling and then respectfully ask how we can work towards a solution for him to give me the attention that I need at a time he feels he is able to give it to me.
SpaceDino
January 30th, 2020 5:07pm
I think it would be important to get to the bottom of why your husband is ignoring you. It might be related to your and your relationship but it could also be entirely unrelated and something personal he is going through. We can't get very far on the basis of speculating and hypothesizing. Better to engage in open communication so you know what is going on and can act accordingly. Let your husband know how being ignored is making you feel and voice your needs going forward. Maybe he also has needs that he hasn't felt able to voice. Through open and honest communication, try to find a way to move forward and reconnect.
AdmirableGrace
August 23rd, 2019 5:11pm
You could have a one-on-one talk with him. Maybe he's avoiding you because he has pressure from work? Sometimes men need the space to think and relax. Allow him that time. However, if you feel something else is going on, it's better you confront him about it. Hear him out as to why he's treating you like the way he is. Maybe something you have done offended him? Talking about it might clear out the misunderstanding that is going on. Be patient with him too. Tell him how you are feeling gently. Give him the time so that he opens out to you about it. I hope everything will go well for you. :)
Anonymous
June 24th, 2018 8:42pm
This is hard. I am sorry you are going through this. Sometimes, spouses take each other for granted, not necessarily on purpose but life happens. Is it possible to tell your husband "I feel this way when you ignore me" or "I would love to spend some quality time with you." Dealing with a spouse, if you can tell him how xyz makes you feel in a non-accusatory way and open up a dialogue as to why he has been ignoring you, it might help move your relationship into a better place. Is it possible he is stressed at work? Stressed about bills? Could he feel unhappy for some reason? Opening up a dialogue in a non-accusatory way may shed some light on what is going on and get you to a new place of feeling like he pays attention to you.
AnnieBE
June 27th, 2019 6:04pm
It depends on whether or not he’s approachable. If he is, try talking with him about how you feel when he ignores you. You might say something like: I feel (blank) when you ignore me. You’re taking responsibility for your feelings Instead of blaming him for them. It doesn’t mean it’s okay to ignore you. Whether or not he pays attention to you, is his responsibility. You are in charge of your reactions. It can be helpful to find friends and other support systems where you feel your voice is heard. In the process, you might find new and effective ways to ask for your husband’s attention as a result.
Jackxist
May 6th, 2019 5:47am
Try thinking of ways you could deal with this situation, Maybe come up with a solution or an idea that will benefit both of you. It is best for you to come up with your own answer as I am unsure of the situation you are in and you are more of an expert on your life than I am and It would be the best for both parties if you both come up with a solution on your own. Try thinking why he is ignoring you and use that information from what you think to come up with a suitable solution.
Anonymous
April 29th, 2018 6:41am
Ask him about it, however if he still ignores your I suggest giving him some space until he either calms down or he talks to you from his own side.
Anonymous
July 25th, 2018 11:44am
Try to speak with him about it. Maybe he's thinking about something else, he struggle with something or he's just bussy.
Blink182andNirvana
October 19th, 2018 4:33am
Communication is key. Does he know he's ignoring? Is it possible he doesn't realize? It's important to tell him how he is affecting you and how it makes you feel so you can work towards fixing it together. Sometimes we hurt each other without realizing. Without communicating how you feel and letting him know what he's doing, you can resolve this issue or feel better. Alternatively, he could be ignoring you because of something going on in his mind. Maybe he doesn't know how to open up and ask for help or a listening ear when he needs. Sometimes they need the help.
Ana4hear
September 4th, 2018 8:04pm
I pamper myself. As I understand everyone needs a personal time for themselves, if it happens with my husband and he ignores me, I try to use this time for myself. I watch television or read a book, I like painting so depending on the time and my mood also I choose my activity. Sometimes I go for a walk. I spend time with my son. If the ignorance is bothering me a lot sometimes I send him messages on mobile what hurt me, sometimes I share it after the situation changes. I also share the bothering events with my in laws if necessary.
jessicajessica
August 15th, 2018 11:19pm
It's always hard when your partner isn't available to provide you with the physical and emotional support you're looking for. When you feel ignored, the first thing is to evaluate the way you're asking for the other person's attention. The goal is to ask for what you want in a way that the other person is able to hear and respond to. Consider this example: Your friend hasn't seen you for a while and wants to have a night out with you. "You're never around when I want to hang out! Why don't you like to go out with me?" "We haven't seen each other for a while." "I miss you! Let's get together this weekend." Which would you rather respond to? The first one is obviously problematic because it starts off with blame. The second one is also wrong because it states the problem but doesn't give the listener a solution. The last one is the best- it outlines the problem (I miss you) and provides a solution (let's get together). When your partner ignores you, start with an "I" statement and end with an offered solution: "I've had a hard day and I'd like to talk about it with you." "When you get home from work/school, I feel ignored when you don't come and say hi to me." "I'd like it if we could just hang out and talk more often. Can we try to schedule a time every day to catch up?" The next step is to accept their response. Everyone's personality is different, and your partner may need quiet space without talking in order to process their day. Your partner may not realize you feel ignored. When you both have different needs, you as a couple need to be able to compromise to meet both of your needs. This happens especially in the context of dealing with stress or a fight. Usually one person wants to talk about the stress or process after the fight, while the other person prefers to manage stress or fights by separating and isolating until they feel in control of their emotions. It's important to recognize that both ways of dealing with difficult situations are valid and positive. Neither is better or healthier than the other. You need to understand the way you work as well as the way your partner works. He may not be able to engage with you in the way you want when he's feeling stressed or overwhelmed. You may need to accept his need for space and isolation while he manages his emotions. But he may need to stretch himself by engaging and processing with you after he's had some space to reflect. That's the nature of compromise with a relationship.
Anonymous
July 19th, 2018 12:07pm
Every relationship is different- but trust and open communication seem to be essential for a healthy relationship. Perhaps you can talk calmly about how you feel ignored. Perhaps your husband doesn't eve know you feel this way! Perhaps they do not know what you need in order not to feel ignored. You will not know unless you tell him how you feel and open a healthy and calm conversation about it.
Sweetieangel
August 2nd, 2018 4:30pm
You love your husband much more when he ignores you show your love no one can give love what your love
AprylFools
April 26th, 2018 12:38pm
Try speaking to him calmly and air your problems onto him. You need to gain his attention for this, sit down and tell him that he is making you unhappy with how he acts.
Katheryn
July 18th, 2018 5:04pm
I'm so sorry to hear that your husband is ignoring you. There are many things you can do, and only you know what the best course of action would be. However, it seems like it might be important to examine his motives. Is he ignoring you as a way of punishing you? Is he ignoring you on purpose? Does he ignore you all the time or after a fight? It sounds like a course of action might be just to talk about it with him, when he is not in a bad mood or ignoring you. You could try letting him know how his ignoring you makes you feel and try to understand his motives behind it. There may be a better way for him to express his emotions rather than ignoring you and he might be open to finding it.