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I don't think my (28F) husband (34M) likes me anymore, he just doesn't know it. (by Sparky)

 Sparky (0)  (29 / M-F / Massachusetts)
16-Oct-20 1:55 am
I don't think my (28F) husband (34M) likes me anymore, he just doesn't know it.

My husband and I have been married for 3.5 years. We have 2 wonderful daughters - a 2.5 year old and a 12 month old.
In the past, my husband has a great husband and a wonderful father - but has become very detached lately. He spends a bunch of time playing games on his phone while home and doesn't spend any "quality time" with us.
I recently brought this up with him and he told me "I will try to do better" - which is what he always says to any issue I bring up. He never wants to talk things out and never makes an effort past those words. I have to actively work to talk and resolve issues for both of us as he doesn't. He just expects I'll break down and do it. As a result, I make changes and he doesn't.
For one day, he stopped being on his phone. But then again tonight, I was playing with 2.5 yr old and he was with 12 month old. When I approached them, he was in the corner on his phone and 12 month old was playing herself and couldn't get him to engage. After we took the girls to bed, he sat on the couch and zoned into the TV. I tried to just talk to him and he wouldn't respond because "well I didn't hear a question." He picked up his phone and started playing again.
He has gone through cycles of this in the past but it's just getting worse and lasting longer. I truly fear he just doesn't want to be around us. I have considered that he is burnt out at work and being dad all the time. I took care of the girls without help for 5 days so he could get things done and still nothing. I try to set things up to do (hiking, activities) and he doesn't engage or care to bring up his own ideas. His family is going on their boat for the weekend and I told him to go while I kept the girls and worked on winterizing put house. Just to take a break. I've had a hell of a job that's put strain on our relationship so I'm leaving it in part to reduce that stress for us - among other reasons.
He insists he doesn't know what I'm talking about or why I think he's unhappy. He won't make any effort. He hardly looks away from his phone to see me or the girls playing. It's clear to me but I don't think he knows? I recently had a miscarriage and he was unphased (not a hiding his feeling issue - genuinely not caring). He is also quitting the nicotine pouches he was using so I considered this as a reason - the games are taking the place of the nicotine. It doesn't explain why he just doesn't care anymore.
I don't know. I'm at a loss. I want our marriage to work but I feel like I am the only one trying? I'm trying to give him space while also creating bonding moments - but no buy in from him. I feel like he's giving up on us and is so detached already he just doesn't realize it. I don't want to force him to talk more or make him feel like he's doing everything wrong. I just want him to be present with us. What else can I do to make him like me again?
TL;DR: My husband is not engaging with me but doesn't seem to realize it, what can I do to help us?


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