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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU in thinking we should just chuck him on the streets and let him fend for himself?

286 replies

Kateallison16 · 16/08/2016 14:59

Backstory

DP has been friends for a really long time with "B". They used to work together until my DP got a job with a new company.
Now B has no family in the area and the ones he does have do not want anything to do with him. B split up from long term partner a couple of years back and has been on a spiral ever since. In the last few months he has lost his job (through not going in) and as of yesterday, his home.

B was staying with DP and myself for the last week when this happened as he had no money for food, so we were feeding him and buying him smokes until he benefits came through.

Well, B did not get his benefits on the day they were due, or the days after. Instead of chasing it up like a normal person he just "would do it later" but of course, later never came. So his landlords, tired of bailing him out and waiting for rent have kicked him out. He had no formal agreement with them so fair enough, whatever.
He was round ours when he got this call (DP was still at work) and he just carried on playing xbox....
I didnt understand how he could be so calm so I forced him suggested he call his landlords and find out whats going on.
So he did and they confirmed he needed to collect his stuff as soon as possible, including his paperwork (that he needs for his benefits).
My partner then comes home and B explains whats happened to him.

My partner and I discussed it and agreed B could stay with us for a few months until he finds his feet, providing he sorted out his benefit money and worked hard at finding a new job.
Me and DP living in a one bedroom flat with our DCat, so its not an ideal arrangment as B would need to sleep in our living room.

We are a few years younger that B and have our own problems. We both suffer with stress and depression/adjustment disorder ever since we lost our daughter a few years ago, had cancers and chemo and lost fertility... we are not your average 24 year olds and already live with a lot of stress. We are quite happy in our little bubble how it is and this is going to add a lot of stress on us. We dont have any savings and at the moment live paycheque. BUT we are of course willing to do this for a friend in need.

So, it gets to about 7pm last night and we start discussing how all this will come into being and making plans. B decided that would be a great time to go to his friends house and get high.

Now DP jumped on him and said "come on mate, you NEED to collect your stuff and paperwork so you cant get your money sorted first thing"

B said "Oh yeah I know man, but I just need a night to de-stress. Once night and I will be on it first thing tomorrow"

So after about 15mins of this he goes to his friends house, with a promise to collect his stuff and paperwork and have it sorted by morning ready to call up and chase after his benefits.

Morning comes, I havIm home from work today and have spent my day budgeting in an extra person to shop for and also ringing shelter to find out where he would stand on getting housing benefit as a lodger.
I give him a call, he tells me he has not got his paperwork or anything yet but will be round by 12 with his stuff, so we can sort through it and find him space in our home.
So I spent the rest of the morning finding him his own chest of draws and room for his things. It gets to 2.30pm and I give him a call, only to find he has been smoking weed all morning and has done nothing all day. He will "be round for dinner or whatever".

No. Fucking hell no.
Ive spent my day off chasing round after him, making room in our home for him, spending our hard earned wages on his ciggies, food and toiletries all for him to not even help himself.
DP said last night he wouldnt stand for this, and I know he will not. But I dont think he would see him on the streets either.

I know in my heart this is how it will be. He wont sort his money out for ages/if at all. He wont bother looking for work and he will nip and get stoned every few nights while we support him.
He is not our child. He is not our stay at home wife. What they hell are we doing?

My dp is going to be livid with him. I personally want to stick a hot poker up his arse to make him get up and sort his life out.

So, wise women of mumsnet, am I totally unreasonable to want to nip this in the bud before its even begun?

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 19/08/2016 21:49

hope you remembered to take his key off of him or it may be best to change the locks.

Kateallison16 · 19/08/2016 22:10

Thank you ladies!
Yeah keys all taken back, I dont even believe there was a bill to be honest.

He didnt take us putting him out well and resisted all he could while blaming us/ my DP for being shitty friends, raising his voice and being a total scummy prick. The whole situation lacked dignity but had to be done.

He may be on the streets tonight... Hope it bloody rains. :/

Im not really feeling the whole nice person thing tonight and feel a bit petty.

OP posts:
MrsHathaway · 19/08/2016 22:33

You are not shitty friends. You've given him a week's free board and lodging, not to mention cigs advice and support for his difficulties. It's not your fault he sent what money he did have up in sweet smoke.

He's simply incapable of taking any responsibility for his own life. Since it can't be his fault, it must be ... his father's! his friend's! the friend's partner's! the weather! the economy! the alignment of the planets!

QueenieBob · 19/08/2016 22:39

I agree with MrsHathaway, he needs to man up and sort himself out. You were prepared to put yourselves out for him in many ways & share what you have and he totally abused the privilege. Of course he wasn't going to like being told to leave, he thought he was onto a cushy little number (no disrespect to you). The fact that you feel bad shows what a lovely, caring person you are. You have no need to feel bad though, you did a good thing for someone who totally abused it. His bad, not yours.

expatinscotland · 19/08/2016 22:52

He's the shitty friend! Fucking pisstaking loser.

PersianCatLady · 19/08/2016 23:02

I stand corrected, Persian, although I was trying to give B the BENefit of the doubt and hope he had good intentions
Morally speaking I suppose you are right about prioritising debts.

There are people who try so desperately to keep up with all their debt repayments when they have been out of work for a good few months, have no chance of getting a job soon and only get £73 a week JSA.

Once they realise that they have to let it go and get a new basic bank account and speak to their creditors, it is like a weight off their shoulders.

With regards to B, I can see that you were trying to give him the BENefit of the doubt but honestly I don't think he really deserves it.

Masketti · 19/08/2016 23:16

The most important thing here is you and your DP are on the same page and backed each other up. Well done!

Kateallison16 · 20/08/2016 00:03

Smile I have never appreciated my home like I have tonight, it feels like a novelty!
I am just so glad its all said and done.
Thank you all so much again, I wont forget the help.
Lots of love, Kate & Mcfly x Flowers

OP posts:
Willow2016 · 20/08/2016 01:19

Well done you two, it would have been hard to have him argue with you/try to guilt trip you but you needed to do it for your own peace of mind, he doesnt care about anthing or anyone but himself and until he does he will just move onto someone else to leech off.

You can always say you tried and he wasnt up to the challenge of being a true friend.

Enjoy your space again and dont be drawn back into any conversations about it all with him, he will only twist it to make you feel bad.

Have a great weekend. Wine

DilapidatedGlamourpuss · 20/08/2016 04:06

You sound like lovely, genuine people. Enjoy your home again, and good luck to you both Flowers

tofutti · 20/08/2016 07:21

Good riddance! Smile

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