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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU about "friends" gossiping about DD?

232 replies

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:21

I'm annoyed, but not sure if I should be, although I have certainly learnt a lesson here.

Went out for dinner with four school mums, that I have known since reception and our children are now in the last years of secondary school so for some time. We have always been open and honest about parenting, ND diagnoses, challenging behaviour, marriage up and downs. So my DD has started a relationship and although she is was 15 when it began, it was sexual. They are still together over a year later, and we are happy that's it's a supportive and loving relationship and of no concern. It was young to start having intimacy, but it was her choice and is doing everything the right way with protection etc.

Also we talked about our children going to parties etc, and drinking. Felt like an open sharing conversation over a curry and a drink or two.

Except I then find out one of my friend's husbands has been gossiping to another husband (of a mutual friend who didn't attend the dinner), about how my DD is engaging in underage sex, and what awful parents we are.

AIBU to feel like something said, if not in confidence, but at least in friendly trusting environment, is been used in this way? Would you say anything to your friend that passed this on?

OP posts:
meh2025 · 27/01/2025 14:18

Weddingbells6 · 27/01/2025 14:15

Here we go. 4 bazillion women shaming the woman for over sharing with friends she trusted and not the absolutely gross men that discussed it out of context. I would fuck all of those friends off tbh after I sent them a text telling them how naive they really are to be so shocked at a 15 year old having sex. Oh and I would also be taking a very close look at the social media of these ‘men’ and pointing out the inevitable fact that they are gross something like ‘I’m shocked your husband is so shocked by 15 year olds having sex when he follows sexualised content of women that look extremely young on…’ but I’m a petty betty so….

This will blow over, to me this is not even juicy gossip, typical teenage behaviour.

Edited

Nah, tons of people said the men were creepy.

And as the mother has now promised to stop gossiping about her own daughter to other people, she's apparently learned a valuable lesson.

BountifulPantry · 27/01/2025 14:16

I wouldn’t have told but I think you know that now.

For what it’s worth I don’t think it’s unusual for 15year olds to have sexual relationships and nothing to be ashamed about.

Weddingbells6 · 27/01/2025 14:15

Here we go. 4 bazillion women shaming the woman for over sharing with friends she trusted and not the absolutely gross men that discussed it out of context. I would fuck all of those friends off tbh after I sent them a text telling them how naive they really are to be so shocked at a 15 year old having sex. Oh and I would also be taking a very close look at the social media of these ‘men’ and pointing out the inevitable fact that they are gross something like ‘I’m shocked your husband is so shocked by 15 year olds having sex when he follows sexualised content of women that look extremely young on…’ but I’m a petty betty so….

This will blow over, to me this is not even juicy gossip, typical teenage behaviour.

NiftyKoala · 27/01/2025 14:13

oakleaffy · 27/01/2025 13:35

Probably these friends don't want their children to be having underage sex either, and are worried about their own children thinking it's ok.

It isn't that common, and most parents would be a bit ''eek'' if their sons and daughters were having sex so young with tacit parental approval.

I think this is exactly it. I'd be heart broken if my daughter was having sex this young. I definitely would not have told my friends.

pimplebum · 27/01/2025 14:13

I totally disagree with all of you , friends should have been able to share personal information in confidence and receive support and not judgement

the person who was out if order was the person who told you about the gossip
they were out of order, you didn’t need to know other people’s opinions

the7Vabo · 27/01/2025 14:13

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:40

I don't have close family, no one to share parenting concerns or the journey with - that was my mistake, assuming we were coming into this friendship with an understanding that part of being supportive means not weaponising what you have heard against your "friend". The friend telling her own DH, fine perhaps, we all do that to a degree - but then that man sharing it with another man as judging gossip? Why? Slow football weekend?

I am alone in finding two middle aged men discussing a teenage girl’s sex life as a bit hmmm.

hydriotaphia · 27/01/2025 14:13

This is a shame. I don't agree with the people who are being holier than thou about an OP. Sharing with friends that your daughter is in an adult relationship is not a terrible breach of trust imho, assuming she is not keeping it a secret. It is totally normal to talk to trusted friends about private issues and accept that they will be treated respectfully.

lunitunes · 27/01/2025 14:12

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 14:08

Thanks all for your very frank feedback and comments. I'll do better in future.

Probably go against the grain here but I'd say something to the friends and/or their DH along the lines of:

'Hmm, I know I shared this with you and I assumed in confidence from mum to mum.. a bit creepy for the husbands to be discussing about a 15 year old girl'.

The DHs are trying to shame you and your daughter with their gossip and really it's them that should be ashamed for talking about it

CashewGal · 27/01/2025 14:10

I don't think you've done anything wrong by sharing this information, when discussing the travails of teenhood, etc. Are we supposed to pretend we have no knowledge when our teen relationships are a conversation among close friends?
I similarly volunteered information about my son wanting his girlfriend sleeping over to a not-close family member, since we were sharing war stories. (Family member's reaction was- no way, my teens would never even ask that, while in fact I had let the gf stay over twice for event-specific reasons but wouldn't allow it as a routine thing.)
He also was 15 when they started but it lasted a year in a committed relationship so I didn't think it was shameful for anyone. Yes started early but they were loving and supportive and it was an overall good experience for them both (since broke up amicably). I wouldn't be surprised if family members gossiped about our lax parenting later though.

WoolySnail · 27/01/2025 14:10

meh2025 · 27/01/2025 12:43

People tend to claim men aren't as gossipy as women, but I have never found that to be true. There is something particularly ick about two adult men discussing a 15 year old girl's sex life though.

But please stop talking about your daughter's private affairs completely no matter who you are talking to. She deserves better.

Where I work I come into contact with a lot of men of varying ages and they are the biggest gossips going!

sallyannie46 · 27/01/2025 14:08

Spottydogtoo · 27/01/2025 14:02

You are wrong to have shared your daughter’s business. My own Mum used to do the same, share all my private business with her gossipy friends. Nowadays I tell her nothing and share nothing with her because she can’t be trusted.

Have you missed the several hundred times that the op has admitted she made a mistake and learnt a lesson?

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 14:08

Thanks all for your very frank feedback and comments. I'll do better in future.

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 27/01/2025 14:08

I don’t think you can describe it as an adult relationship. It’s a teenage relationship, although it’s a good thing that they are mature enough to use protection.

Best to keep quiet about it now.

BlondeMamaToBe · 27/01/2025 14:08

I wouldn’t be happy BUT under no circumstances should you be gossiping about your own child’s sex life.

You can guarantee if your friends have their own teenage kids they will hear about it and if they even vaguely know your daughter the gossip about her will spread like wildfire. I speak from having my own teen.

MellowCritic · 27/01/2025 14:08

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:36

She knows, has no issues with it as she's open with her friends etc and has not seen it as a thing to be ashamed of.

I'm yet to come across a single teenager who is happy to be spoken about so im surprised yours is ok with it. I also don't want to gloss over how vile the two husbands are talking about someone's daughters sex life... what the f has it got to do with them. This is why you shouldn't have said anything. You thought you was just telling your friends ... no you was telling their entire family. Did this really never occur to you and whilst I 100 per cent agree there's nothing for your daughter to be ashamed of and we shouldn't make our girls to feel like they've done something wrong, they should be allowed to talk freely, just remind them that ppl do judge, you don't need to be an open book about everything and we don't need to share everything with our mates.. our mates do repeat what we tell them ... and later on in life we might not want to be reminded of things we said or did when we were young.

FancyFran · 27/01/2025 14:07

Don't be surprised about men gossiping. I had a friend of a very close friend tell her husband my business. He stalked me on MN and then shouted the content of my post across a pub table. He is a nasty piece of work and to be frank no gentleman would discuss matters like this about a young girl.
I'd have a word tbh and tell him you find his interest distasteful.
Never trust school gate mums, competition still happening here and mine are 21 & 25!

EndlessTreadmill · 27/01/2025 14:07

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:29

Lesson learnt, it was shared in a oh my god, they are growing up so quickly...and I didn't share anything beyond the fact it was an "adult" relationship

Point taken, lesson learnt. But we have all had a habit of perhaps oversharing over the years.

Exactly this. This is a good lesson as I could imagine myself doing this. We have shared intimate details of our childrens from babyhood, I know about my NCT friends babies constipation problems, various health problems, bullying etc.... so can easily imagine we would talk about this. She shouldn't have shared with the husband, who certainly shouldn't be sharing more broadly.

You would hope if they are such old friends, there would have been more goodwill and kindness towards both you and your DD.
I would certainly talk to the mother, and think that would be the end of that friendship.

AsFunAsEnglishWeather · 27/01/2025 14:05

Everyone makes mistakes - and you didn't know it was one until these gossipy weirdos passed this around. I would be furious with them and definitely have a word with the spreader. Well done on building the sort of parent child relationship where your dd can be honest and open.

heyhopotato · 27/01/2025 14:03

Gossipygossip · 27/01/2025 12:36

That's what gets me. Why share?

You could ask yourself the same question.

Spottydogtoo · 27/01/2025 14:02

You are wrong to have shared your daughter’s business. My own Mum used to do the same, share all my private business with her gossipy friends. Nowadays I tell her nothing and share nothing with her because she can’t be trusted.

trivialMorning · 27/01/2025 13:59

Right well ideally never discussing kids sex lives is way to go.

However I had something similar with DS - an testicular torsion medical emergency which was a shock to us - and family DH parents happen to ring him and my Mum rang me - so we talked to them.

I assumed it would be kept fairly close lipped - didn't mind my Dsis with a young son being told as could affect them - was very taken aback to find IL and parents were discussing it with everyone and it hadn't occurred to them not to do this and not to then tell Ds and us what was said in response.

caramac04 · 27/01/2025 13:58

origamitiger · 27/01/2025 12:22

I wouldn’t be happy if I were your daughter - I think discussing your child’s sex life with your friends is really off.

I agree with this. It’s not uncommon for parents to do this. I’m sure your daughter would be mortified. A family member told me about their friends daughter being sexually active - so people do gossip - and I felt very uncomfortable knowing this. Not fair on the girl or her boyfriend.

MissUltraViolet · 27/01/2025 13:55

Your friends are gossiping about your DD’s sex life because you were gossiping with them about it.

They are wrong but you are worse.

Your poor DD.

YoungGunsHavingSomeFunCrazyLadiesKeepEmOnTheRun · 27/01/2025 13:53

Workhardcryharder · 27/01/2025 13:42

It’s not the same and to pretend it is comparable is unfair.

You're right, gossiping about your daughters sex life is much worse.

BarbaricYawp · 27/01/2025 13:52

I don't think you did anything wrong tbh. This is a group of mum friends who you've been sharing stuff from the sharp end of parenting with for well over a decade. I think discussing your children with each other in this way is OK and it should be understood that this stuff isn't gossip fodder. That said, in this kind of situation, I consider "pillow talk" between your friends and their DHs to be completely normal, and I wouldn't share anything I wasn't happy to go that far. The villain of the piece to my mind is your friend's DH, who turned it into gossip by telling his mate. And as a pp said, two grown men discussing a 15-year-old girl's sex life is pretty revolting. I'm also quite surprised anyone finds it that interesting/shocking/"salacious" really. I think it's pretty normal in the scheme of things, albeit a parenting issue to be thought through and dealt with carefully - which was presumably the real point of the conversation.

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