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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to feel uncomfortable with what's going on?

525 replies

Girlonatubetrain · 31/03/2017 13:31

Ok, so will try and keep it brief,

So the background
A woman and her family moved into our street a couple of years back and have since then, become very good family friends. Our DHs get on well, kids in same school, help each other with childcare etc.

End of last year, DF had an affair, her DH knows since the new year and they have been trying to save their marriage. She is unsure she wants to stay in her marriage but her DH loves her and they are trying to fix things (she has told me this week she is still unhappy to I’m guessing the marriage will end). The OM is out of the picture now, from what she says.

DF claims that the stress of her unhappy marriage and the resulting affair have caused her to have a nervous breakdown. She is on anti-depressants. I have spent many an hour listening to her being upset with her life in general and do regard her as a good friend, who needs people to lean on.

And my problem –
My DH has his own business very close to our homes. I work from home quite a bit. Over the last couple of weeks, whenever I’ve popped in to see DH when on a lunch break etc, she has been there. I have even offered to drop her home when I leave and she has said, she’ll hang back for a bit. It sounds ridiculous, but my DH even has her preferred brand of beverage there for when she visits, but not mine!

I spoke to DH about it last week as I feel its crossing a line and am very uncomfortable about it. DH reassures me there is nothing to worry about. He then started to tell me about how she’s just going through a mental rough patch and how she’d msgd him the other morning that she was struggling to get out of bed!

Everytime I pop in to visit, which is max twice a week and only for 10mins at a time, he makes out he is really busy and doesn’t really speak to me but just gets on with his work. So how can she always be there if he is ignoring her in the same way? So can only assume, when she’s there, he has time for her?

I get that she is having a hard time at the moment. I also understand she needs support and friends. It may be that she is just using him as an emotional crutch like shes used me the last few months. But . . . . I still feel that they are crossing a line and I am unhappy about it. To know they are spending so much time together (& that’s just the ones I know about) and now to know that they are PMing each other rather than the group chat with the 2 wives and 2 husbands on it, doesn’t sit well with me . . .

I love my DH and do trust him, but still feel very uncomfortable about the whole situation. DH and I have since fallen out since the start of this week because of this and are barely on speaking terms.

Im sure his reason would be I haven’t done anything wrong, I’m just supporting DF and DW is blowing it into something bigger.
But AIBU to feel this way? What do I do?

OP posts:
Softkitty2 · 31/03/2017 15:39

She asks you to look after her kids so she can go see YOUR husband. I mean common! Nip this in the bud.. Your husband probably likes the attention too.

Just the fact you are uncomfortable with it should make your husband put a stop to it.

Also, why don't you tell your 'friend' to just stop it. I think some home truths are needed to be said...

Moanyoldcow · 31/03/2017 15:39

Just read the updates - I agree with everyone else - your husband is culpable too.

Lochan · 31/03/2017 15:40

Expat is right, after than last update I'd go no contact with her (and demand DH did too).

And I'd tell her DH why.

Laiste · 31/03/2017 15:40

What?? You were babysitting her kids while she was fawning over your DH??
Shock

What did you say OP?

Laiste · 31/03/2017 15:41

Sorry, x post with a million.

But what did you do/say?

ImperialBlether · 31/03/2017 15:41

I think she's an attention-seeking woman who has found a sympathetic ear in your husband. She's unhappy in her marriage, sees your husband is/was a good husband and thinks "I'll have him, then."

You are a fool to give her any sympathy now. I feel for her husband and I feel for you - those two are clearly on the brink of an affair and you are minding her children while she does it!

JustSpeakSense · 31/03/2017 15:41

YANBU

This needs to stop now, I would be having a very firm talk to both of them, and to her DH.

You need to end this immediately it's very inappropriate.

Laiste · 31/03/2017 15:41

I'd have gone fucking mental under the circs.

IloveBanff · 31/03/2017 15:42

The last update has made it clear why the OP's husband is always too busy if the OP calls in. He wants to put the OP off calling in to his work place.

FixItUpChappie · 31/03/2017 15:43

Even if nothing is going on, your DH should have the emotional intelligence to respect your discomfort at the situation. Your friend should find a therapist and leave your husband (who she has a "crush" on Hmm) out of it.

expatinscotland · 31/03/2017 15:44

Your H is just as culpable. You need to stop all this tip toeing round. First I'd tell my H, 'You are having an emotional affair. What's more, you're trying to gaslight me about it and minimise. That's a crock of shit and I don't deserve that. You stop all communication with this woman now, and prove it, or you need to pack a bag and get out because I won't put up with someone who has affairs.'

He responds with anything else besides, 'Sorry, you're right' and there's your answer! Any other answer is the same as, 'I prefer her to you.'

pigeondujour · 31/03/2017 15:45

Wow. I'd be absolutely fucking seething at all this. I really wouldn't be at all friendly with her if I were you. Don't give her the chance to pity you and your kindness in her head (or, worse, out loud to your husband). You've got everything she wants. Keep it that way.

KindDogsTail · 31/03/2017 15:46

Quite apart from how he is disregarding you, your DH is betraying his friend (the woman's DH) and must know he is.

DanDanDanDanDan · 31/03/2017 15:48

Why would you upset your partner to have a private relationship with someone you apparently don't even like that much. It's pointless at best

Wineandrosesagain · 31/03/2017 15:48

I'm amazed you didn't hand back her kids and tell her to get her backside out of the office. I would tell your husband that it is unacceptable for this behaviour to continue and if that is what he wants to do then he can pack his bags. I would also go straight to her house and tell her and her husband that the friendship is over, and why.

I think it may be time to make some plans and get some legal advice.

miserableandinpain · 31/03/2017 15:52

Can you reverse it and ask him how he woukd feel spending time with her dh after he had cheated on his dw and was always visiting you at home/work with his preferred beverage and messaging. Bet he wouldnt take to that too kindly.

ProfessorPickles · 31/03/2017 15:53

I can't believe you had to look after her kids while she was with your DH!
I also think 2 hours 4 days a week is ridiculous, calling in for an hour every other week I'd say normal but that is way over the top!

MollyHopps · 31/03/2017 15:55

Good luck with the talk OP. In your heart I think you know something is blooming out of this.

I would be very, very pissed off if my "friend" was seeing my DH at work without telling me.

miserableandinpain · 31/03/2017 15:55

I would deffo mention something to her dh also. Its not fair on him either!

Fishface77 · 31/03/2017 15:56

If you have a messaging group then I would put on there
Hi all
I'm writing this message so there is no confusion.
I want x to stop going to DH office and to stop messaging him so often.
I feel it is inappropriate.
You may say there is nothing going on but this doesn't sit right with me.
Obviously I will be distancing myself from you both as I feel my friendship has been taken advantage of.
All the best
OP.

Then leave the group or wait for responses but bring it out on the open. Don't allow her or DH to minimise your feelings.

Fl0ellafunbags · 31/03/2017 15:56

I hope you left her kids with her when you found her having a cosy chat with a your husband

FixItUpChappie · 31/03/2017 15:56

Yes, your "friend" is not a friend OP - no reasonable person spends 8 hrs a week at someone else's husbands workplace. She should be told to firmly sod off.

ImperialBlether · 31/03/2017 15:58

The 8 hours is a guess. I would set out to find out how many hours it actually is.

ComeOnSpring · 31/03/2017 15:58

Why is she even at his office. It really is crossing a line.

Be careful OP.

Dustyroad63 · 31/03/2017 16:02

She's no friend. A real friend wouldn't do that. How can you even speak to her calmly and babysit her kids while all this is going on. No way would I entertain this situation.
You sound such a lovely lady and they are both taking the piss.