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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To cut its "friend" out of my life for good

90 replies

Peppapigsbitch · 13/04/2015 09:00

In a nutshell "D"F is my oldest friend, our families know each other well and we were both born and bred in the same area. We lost contact a bit during the ages of 16- 18 because we both went to different sixth for, colleges etc. We still kept in touch and had the occasional night out etc we just weren't in each other's pockets all of the time.

I had my DD 20 months ago and she's been very involved with her and is also very involved with DSD when she's here. She's babysat for us in the past etc.

There's a pretty big back drop to this, she has done/said a lot of things to seemingly cause trouble in the past, all of which I've let slide as I don't think she's been particularly happy since she split from her long term BF 3/4 years ago. She's since been to university, got a good degree and a good job, she's done very well for herself and worked hard for it but she knows this and is very cocky about it. She always has to be the best. She has a lot of qualifications in childcare and I always felt that she thought she was better with them than I was.

When DD was 3 weeks old she told me that my MIL had said "she doesn't have a clue what she's doing" "D"F came straight back and told me what MIL had supposedly said. For a new first time mum who had a 3YO DSD to deal with, a partner who is a farmer and was out from 5am until 11pm at night, only coming back for meals (which I had to cook) because he was making hay, who had seen ever hour for the past 3 weeks because I was trying my best to BF a colicky baby this was like a red rag to a bull. I just broke down. I rang my mum in tears and absolutely went through DP about MIL. My mum and DP both rang "D"F and asked her if MIL really had said this and if so why the hell did she tell a vulnerable new mum. MIL denies to this day that she said any such thing.

I let this slide as I thought that it had perhaps gotten lost in translation.

There's a lot more prior to this too but I'll probably end up drip feeding sorry as I want to get to recent events.

I was round at "D"F's house the other day and her sister was there. There were a few pots in the sink so I thought I'd wash them up for her. "D"F went on to say "oh tidying up, your favourite job keeping your house so spotless". This was a very sarcastic comment, my DP is a farmers no works long hours and who does nothing around the house, we've been calving and lambing for the last two months so it's been all hell and no notion, All I've had time to do is put washing on, cook and wash plates up as we need them. There has been hay and straw, bits of wood from the log burner etc all around the house and yes it has been a mess because I simply haven't had time to do much! I'm on top of it now as we are through the thick of calving named lambing so I'm not needed as much. Anyway her parents have recently bought her this brand spanking new house, which is spotless compared to our ramshackle farm cottage. I just said "oh you should've seen the mess it was in at lambing time" to which "D"F's sister said "oh yes I know, I've seen pictures." "d"F went bright red and I pretended I hadn't taken much notice but this translates to me as though "D"F (who kept DCs occupied a couple of times whilst we were absolutely rushed off our feet) has been taking pictures of our house in the mess that it was and showing them to people, yes admittedly it was a mess but bloody hell, we were all up at stupid and clock and not in bed until about 11am. I feel so humiliated buyt not surprised really as it's the sort of thing I could imagine her doing

OP posts:
Peppapigsbitch · 13/04/2015 12:17

It's taken me such a long time to accept that my home will never be immaculately clean and some days after I've hoovered, thoroughly cleaned everything and it's back to how it was in the space of the day I just think why did I even bother cleaning in the first place. At the end of the day the cows, calves, sheep and lambs are our livelihood. A good lambing and a good calving pays the bills - they are our bread and butter so f**k the housework, in the grand scheme of things it's completely irrelevant.

OP posts:
mrsmeerkat · 13/04/2015 12:21

Country homes are beautiful peppa. I bet it is truly lovely. She's a bit strange now isn't she..

Mochamum · 13/04/2015 12:33

Peppa - I've said it earlier in the thread she is jealous. Personally, I wouldn't confront her just back off and let the friendship run out of steam. be busy - if you run out of excuses meet her for a coffee/drink/pub meal - on neutral territory and you can make an excuse to leave when you want to. The reason I say don't confront is she will deny it and it could end in an unpleasant argument. If then you bump into her months/years down the line could be very awkward. if you have just been polite and backed off you can always be civil if you do see her.

There is good advice on this thread.

eddielizzard · 13/04/2015 12:35

sounds to me like she's jealous. i would move on, really. one needs support from one's friends.

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2015 12:41

what are you going to do Peppapig?

Peppapigsbitch · 13/04/2015 12:42

I think you're right, she's very jealous, it's no secret that she's quite into DP. She's quite blatantly told me a load of lies about him too. It's a good job that we're so open with each other because she could've caused a lot of damage between us if we took what she said to heart

OP posts:
AuntieDee · 13/04/2015 12:42

I sympathise having helped out in several lambing seasons now. A good friend would have tidied up a little for you if they thought you were struggling, not spread gossip. Having a messy house due to being a total slob and having a messy house due to having other priorities and not being able to find time to do both are worlds apart.

I'd cut her off after explaining that you were struggling for a few weeks and instead of being a support she kicked you when you were down :(

AuntieDee · 13/04/2015 12:44

PS - although I know how much hard work it is I am very jealous of your life. Being a farmer's wife was number one career choice for me. Instead I ended up with a stupid career which interferes with outdoor times :(

Whatisaweekend · 13/04/2015 12:57

Yowsers!! What kind of person tampers in someone's marriage by telling lies like that?? I would have given her the heave ho at that point. Honestly she keeps the friendship so that she can intefere, lie and make up and spread gossip, purely and simply because she is jealous and wants to make herself feel better and possibly cause you trouble. She is clearly a very sad person but this sadness has turned into malice. Steer well clear.

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2015 13:30

I am shocked you have to ask us, and you have been friends for so long. If this were a toxic relative, you would certainly not be unreasonable to go NC with them.

minouwasminou · 13/04/2015 13:34

What a poisonous little person she is.
Six years ago I got rid of someone v similar and the utter relief I felt as I walked away from the final convo was huge.

She is no friend at all to you.

Just be ready for a backlash. Might be better to gradually fade her out. I tried to do this with my so-called friend but she cornered me one day and forced my hand.

It didn't go well after that.

CrabbyTheCrabster · 13/04/2015 13:34

She's a fucking bitch. Dump her and don't look back.

Peppapigsbitch · 13/04/2015 13:39

I don't know whether to confront her with all of this (dying to say something about the photos) or just say nothing and gradually block her out of my life by ignoring messages, calls etc.

I've just spoken to DP and he's said perhaps she's taken photos of DCs in the house that she hasn't put on FB but shown to her sister, IDK, what do you all think? I wouldn't put it past her to do something like this, she's often made comments about the house "oh "Pete" works so hard on the farm but he's got the worst house out of his siblings"

OP posts:
Reddragon116 · 13/04/2015 13:39

Who needs enemies with friends like that and all that sort of stuff :P Move on and put some yummy pics of DP on facebook :)

loveareadingthanks · 13/04/2015 13:40

Dump her.

The fact that she went bright red when it came up shows she was guilty of something. If they'd been innocent pictures of the kids which happened to be a bit messy in the background wouldn't have made her blush. She's been bitching about it behind your back.

She's made up lies about your DP to stir up trouble. She probably made up a lie about your MIL to stir up trouble.

You do not need a 'frenemy' in your life.

P.S. I've been in farmhouses and they are all very practical, very messy, and very lived in. They never look anything like 'farmhouse homes' you see in Home and Garden or on the TV where they are no longer connected to farming. Your home is part of your workplace. Don't be ashamed of it, it's absolutely normal! A friend is either thick as two short planks, or a bitch, to not understand that.

HeyDuggee · 13/04/2015 13:46

End of day, if someone whipped out their phone to show me the state of your house, I wouldn't pay as much as attention to the pictures as thinking what the fuck is she doing taking photos of someone's house while they're not there and showing it to others... It would be a reflection on her character, not your mess.

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2015 13:47

Look op, this isen't the only thing, she is shit stirring, and highly toxic, and has tried it on with your dh, and said nasty things to your little DSD about her dad. She looks down her nose at you. I personally would phase her out, stop replying to her texts, delete and block her number and e mail. Keep being busy. If she corners you, then tell her the truth, yes it will go down like a lead balloon, but has to have the consequences of her actions. She is a nasty and horrid and adds nothing to your life.

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2015 13:48

Going by your thread and what you have said about her, I would not put it past her to take photos of your house to show people who untidy and messy it is, and have a general gloat.

MoustacheofRonSwanson · 13/04/2015 15:14

HeyDuggee totally agree. Suspect that on some level this is why D'F's sister let slip about the photos- word to the wise about soemthing she is uncomfortable with.

I once bumped into an old school 'friend' with another one of her friends- one who I had heard many intimate details about second hand. That lady said something like "yes, I've heard a lot about you, maybe we should get together onetime and compare details about C like she talks about us". C went bright red and I never felt that comfortable telling her any personal details after that, so the friendship fizzled out (and eventually died with a small push).

Nayville · 13/04/2015 15:21

Either phase her out of your life or tell her what a massive dick she has been and cut the friendship dead that way.

You do not deserve that vile treatment Op

Nayville · 13/04/2015 15:25

Jesus Christ I didn't see the bit about her trying to muscle on on your DP !!

Absolutely get rid of this bitch

I am so angry on your behalf Peppa

Strokethefurrywall · 13/04/2015 15:25

I would confront her. Don't let her question why you're letting the friendship go, tell her in no uncertain terms.

Bitches like this need to be called on it, she's an utter cow.

timelyreminder · 13/04/2015 16:28

Move on gracefully and don't look back. Arguing won't change how she is. Enjoy finding new friendships with people who treat you well.

Aeroflotgirl · 13/04/2015 16:36

I would just move on quietly, if she asks you why you have cut her out, I would be honest with her.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 13/04/2015 16:37

Dump her either quietly or in a blaze of glory but do dump her. And watch both your back and DH's back.