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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to have ended this friendship. In this awful way?

78 replies

ItsAllOverTheFrontPage · 06/09/2013 10:32

I think I may be ripped apart here. But theres always the hide thread option I suppose.

To start, Im having the lowest time of my whole life. I have a child with serious health problems, and my DH has just left. This was amicable though, he hasn't just ditched us.

Im dragging myself out of a depression, Im really alone where I am, I get very very little sleep because of DC's health issues, I cant work for the same reason, I have no family near by to help.

Generally life is a really, really massive ball ache and Im just about keeping my head above water.

I have a close friend who I have known for some years. We both had one child each at one point and we'd meet up regularly with and without the children. We then got pregnant at the same time, we were happily pregnant together, had the tiny babies, she struggled a lot and we used to meet up a lot. She said herself more than once that she really relied on our meets in the early days for keeping her sane.

We are nearly 3 years on and her life is dandy now which is great, eldest at school, little one at nursery, she works a couple of evenings a week, so is around for the kids in the day, but generally gets to put her feet up when the kids are at school/nursery, or catch up on house work etc. (her words not my assumption).

Because Im pretty much on my own all of the time, when things are really bad with the youngest, I sometimes use fb to vent. It doesnt happen often, but things have been very very tough the last two weeks with my youngest and its clear to see that Im on my knees.

Said friend has no text, not called, nothing.

Prior to this Ive suggested meet ups several times which she can never do.

She will never initiate a meet up or text/call to see how we are, its just me that initiates anything.

Anyway, last night we had a monumental fall out.
She fb PM'd me and simply said 'you havent posted on fb for 9 ours, are you ok?????'

I said ' are you taking the mick'

She said 'yup'

Im afraid I went postal. I was so mad, I said its clear to see Im having a shit time, that Im using fb as a crutch and she is mocking me.

I told her to fuck off. Twice.

I have apologised for swearing at her, for this I was totally unreasonable.
My emotions are like a rollacoaster at the moment but this is no excuse.
But I said Im not sorry for being angry.

I cannot seem to see anything clearly at the moment. Im lost between trying to get my children and I through a very very recent break up, trying to stay sane between my poor childs health problems.

Was I BU for being pissed off? I have effectively ended the friendship.

I know I was being childish telling her to eff off, I totally lost control of my emotions for a minute. That I know.

OP posts:
H2Ointolerant · 06/09/2013 12:45

YANBU. I'm a 24/7 carer for a DC as well and think she deserved a few extra fuck offs. What a cow.

I go the other way and never post anything on Facebook and don't try to meet up with people.

A few people showed they were real friends when things got tough, but tbh most don't want to hear about it.

H2Ointolerant · 06/09/2013 12:46

Agree with Roses - the few people I feel really comfortable with are in the same boat. How could the others truly understand? I wouldn't wish it on them actually.

blueballoon79 · 06/09/2013 13:44

I'm really sorry to hear what you're going through op. I am a single mum to two disabled children and have recently gone through a break up too and I know full well how hard, lonely and isolating it all can be.

Your friend sounds hopeless. I'm not surprised you got so mad at her, the least she could have done is text you.

I never believe anyone can be so busy that they can't help out a friend in their time of need.

I see she's deleted you from Facebook as well. Well good riddance to her!

ItsAllOverTheFrontPage · 06/09/2013 13:52

Thanks BlueBalloon, yes to lonely and isolating, exactly that. Its not a pleasant feeling is it? My DC is registered disabled too, although you cannot 'see' his disability all of the time.

Im feeling less sick and sad now, its just a case of accepting it.

Thanks all for not jumping on me, I really expected a grilling for the 'fuck off' thing.

OP posts:
quesadilla · 06/09/2013 14:03

I think YANBU, she was being tactless at best and probably quite spiteful and I don't blame you for being hurt.

But I think Quintessential also has a point: while you're clearly having a hard time and no one can blame you for it, spilling everything out onto social media in that way is likely to be fatigue inducing for many people and some of them will think you need to get a grip and that you're not doing yourself any favours. It sounds like a bit of a compulsion and I can sort of understand as I sometimes have to restrain myself from doing this.

It does sound like you need some support and you should probably try to go about finding some in a more private way.

As to the friendship, I think you need to work out whether it means enough to you to salvage. I think you could do it if you wanted to just by explaining your stressed situation and apologizing for being aggressive.

On the other hand you may feel that she has been pretty unsupportive and write her off. Which would be a totally reasonable response.

I do think FB is not the place to vent about this stuff though.

ItsAllOverTheFrontPage · 06/09/2013 14:15

I havent vented on fb for months and months, please dont think this is something I do day in day out all of the time.

Its just been the last 2 weeks.

But yes, its not the place.

OP posts:
IfYouLeaveMeNow · 06/09/2013 14:17

YANBU. She sounds like an arse.

SunshineSuperNova · 06/09/2013 14:22

YANBU. She sounds hideous.

There are usually people around here in the wee small hours, it might be worth posting here if you'd fancy a chat?

Flowers
LittleMissGerardButlerfan · 06/09/2013 14:23

I think someone has already mentioned Homestart, a volunteer comes round for a couple of hours a week to give you help and support, and it sound like you could use some of that.

You can refer yourself, here is the website homestart

Please have a look, the website explains it and gives you details of who to contact.

Good luck I hope you can find some support.

MissMuesli · 06/09/2013 14:50

How old is your son OP? Only because when he is two he will probably eligible for 15 hours free 2 year old funding due to being disabled and you being a single mum/ low income.

Peachy · 06/09/2013 14:50

Have sent you a message about FB Sn support.

Homestart is good but there are criteria and often a waiting list. We did have a volunteer for a while (and I worked for them years ago) and it stopped the isolation.

Generic support is essential: people don't need the same diagnosis as your child- we have 3 with disability, but I have many friends with all sorts of diagnoses and lifestyles and it can really be so very useful.

lougle · 06/09/2013 14:52

How 'South' are you? Perhaps there might be some of us local to you? I know what it's like to feel isolated by circumstance. DD1 has SN and several of my friends had babies around the same time as me. It's hard seeing their children as 'typical' junior age children whilst DD1 is a 7 year old toddler Smile

pigletmania · 06/09/2013 15:44

She does not sound like a good friend wanting you for her bad times and not being there for you. Sounds as though she does not care, and her response has just confirmed that. I would delete and move on

pollyblue · 06/09/2013 15:52

Going on your OPI think, for her, your friendship had run its course and usefulness. You had helped support her earlier in the friendship but, for whatever reasons, she is not able to support you know is a similar way.

I think you reaction to her FB message is understandable, especially as it was the first contact she'd initiated in a while. If she was still a close friend it might read differently, but in your shoes it would've seemed to me that she was just sticking the knife in.

Hope you are able to find some good RL support OP.

springytufty · 06/09/2013 15:52

I'm probably coming in a bit late here but I think relationships are a bit like accounts in a way, over time: put something in and you can take something out. Your 'relationship' with her has left your account in the red for a while: ok, it can go like that sometimes... but she can't then make a huge withdrawal ie sneering at you when you're down. You were there for her when she was down, she's not returning the favour.

Unfortunately, people whose lives start evening out, not too many dramas, can leave behind those who are on a roller coaster. Fair enough if she cba but don't then snipe.

So you can tell her fuck off from me. To the far side etc.

YWNBU imo

pollyblue · 06/09/2013 15:52

sorry - support you now, not know..

expatinscotland · 06/09/2013 15:55

Block her. She's not a friend.

Ezio · 06/09/2013 16:09

OP You might not fancy this, but have you tried using your frustration to do something creative.

Like, write poetry, write a blog, start a thread for people with similiar issues, write a book.

Just something to focus all that frustration on.

SlobAtHome · 06/09/2013 19:16

Exact same thing happened to me OP.

In the end I am glad to have gotten rid.

TheLightPassenger · 06/09/2013 19:18

yanbu, a real friend should have been more caring once she realised you were distressed and had been having a rubbish time.

appletarts · 06/09/2013 20:16

When I most needed a friend, when my ds was very sick, my best friend avoided me. I finished the friendship. They say at times like this you find out who your friends are and that is so true. I got support from the most unlikely people and have made some true life long friends. Maybe it is a lot to take, losing a friend at a time like this but I think it often happens at times like that. She's no friend to you. I hope things get better for you. My son made a full recovery.

springytufty · 06/09/2013 20:17

What a bitch, basically

ProphetOfDoom · 06/09/2013 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsLouisTheroux · 06/09/2013 21:39

RoonilWazlibWuvsHermyown Fri 06-Sep-13 10:58:19
I think she sounds like an arse. The casual "yup" would have made my blood boil. Its one thing to not be there for you but to then mock your posting on fb when it must be clear you are struggling? Nasty.

This ^

ItsAllOverTheFrontPage · 06/09/2013 21:53

Thank you. I have a tendancy to act, then beat myself up over it later.

This time round Im not beating myself up over it, but I really needed to hear these replies to know I shouldnt have to.

OP posts: