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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my friend keeps undermining my marriage?

207 replies

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 12:47

I don’t know if I’m explaining this properly, but it’s got to the point where I leave conversations with her feeling really irritated and slightly put down, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m overreacting or if it actually is as off as it feels.
For context my friend got married 2 months ago and I've been married 5 years, but even before that she’s always had a bit of a “know it all” streak. Recently though it’s turned into what feels like constant, subtle digs at my husband and my relationship.
It’s never outright rude, but it’s very consistent and always framed as a comparison. For example, I mentioned my husband wants to buy me my dream bag when I give birth, and she said “I find that really weird, it would be nicer if he bought you gold.” Not awful in isolation, but it’s the tone.
I said he’s going away for a month for work because he’ll be getting paid double, and she immediately said “I can’t believe he would leave you when you’re pregnant.” I explained I encouraged him to go as we need the money and I’m fine, and she just gave me a look and said “my husband would never do that.”
She does this a lot - frames everything as “my husband would never…” or implies her relationship is somehow stronger. She was talking about being worried about her in-laws and I said sometimes they say things when your husband isn’t there (as that’s happened to me), and she said “well they know my husband is my best friend and I tell him everything so they wouldn’t dare.” It just felt like a dig, as if to suggest me and DH aren’t close?
What I find odd is she’s actually told me quite negative things about her own husband (e.g. him not wanting her out past a certain time), but then she reframes it as “protective” and uses it to make comments about mine like “I know your husband is less protective” or even “maybe your husband isn’t as dominant” when I mentioned a disagreement I had.
It’s that kind of comment that really doesn’t sit right with me. It feels quite undermining and honestly a bit disrespectful, but because it’s said in a casual way I don’t know if I’m making it into a bigger deal than it is.
Another example that didn’t sit right with me... before she got married she told me she struggles with anger. I opened up and said I used to as well, and therapy really helped me, especially early in my marriage as I had to learn to handle disagreements better (my husband has always been very calm and patient).
Instead of engaging with that, she kept insisting she “wouldn’t have that issue” because her husband is amazing and she only has issues with her family. It felt like she completely missed the point and turned it into another comparison about husbands, which is something she does a lot.
It’s also the fact it’s so frequent now- almost every conversation ends up with some sort of comparison or comment about my husband/relationship.
AIBU to feel like this is actually quite off behaviour? Or am I being too sensitive?

OP posts:
Morepositivemum · 02/04/2026 12:52

it might honestly be nothing at all to do with you and she might just be the type of person who automatically goes against the person she talks to, which sounds weird but I know a few people who you might say ‘god its cold’ and no matter how cold it is they’ll insist it’s not so cold, or you might say oh my kids did this nice thing, and she’ll say ‘do they do this though? Mine do that’. My friend said recently of one ‘she’s like donald trump, everything has to be right or the best!!’

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 12:52

NewIdeasToday · 02/04/2026 12:50

If you want to continue to be friends with her, I would just stop sharing so much personal information. For example, why does she need to know that your husband is earning more while he’s away for a month? Or that you had therapy? There’s no reason to share info which can just be turned against you like this.

I mentioned he's earning more away as that is the entire reason he's going away. And the reason I told her he is going away is because I asked her if she could drive me to an appointment as it would be on her way to work

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 02/04/2026 12:52

I think you’re being too sensitive. I also suspect everything in her garden isn’t as rosy as she makes out and she’s maybe justifying controlling behaviour as “care” or feeling unsure generally.

Bristolandlazy · 02/04/2026 12:51

You aren't being too sensitive, but even if you were, if you're not enjoying her company why do you hang out with her? Personally I would send her a message telling her how she makes you feel and that she frames many of her replies, comments in a competitive way. Look for new friends. She's insecure, if she has children she'll get even more annoying.

NewIdeasToday · 02/04/2026 12:50

If you want to continue to be friends with her, I would just stop sharing so much personal information. For example, why does she need to know that your husband is earning more while he’s away for a month? Or that you had therapy? There’s no reason to share info which can just be turned against you like this.

MyBrightPeer · 02/04/2026 12:50

I think it’s coming from a place of insecurity. I would grey rock it - or deploy the phrase “nice for you, not for me” until she gets the message.

She doesn’t sound that fun to be around though, is this someone you actually want to be friends with?

canisquaeso · 02/04/2026 12:49

I’d bet anything she’s miserable in her marriage lol