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AIBU?

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Am I not taking a hint from a friend or AIBU

157 replies

bbsamsmam · 20/04/2017 10:45

DH and I are very good friends with another couple, we both grew up with the guy from primary school and he moved 3 hours away when he was 16 but we've stayed in touch since. We got married, he married a girl from where he is now and we both have young children, they're god parents to our eldest and vice versa, we've been on big holidays together, go away for weekends together ect (you get the picture) all was the same until last august we were all talking about booking a big Christmas holiday to the Caribbean. They are a lot better off than us financially but we try our best to keep up when they want to be a bit more extravagant (but do say no if we can't go) so went along looking for holidays with them. We told them from the start our budget was about half of what there's was and that I'm big on xmas so would fly any day Boxing Day or afterwards but didn't want to be gone for xmas day, time wise didn't matter to them so we agreed to try to find a happy medium. It took weeks of back and forthing when they came up with a holiday that was more there budget than ours and which also flew 3 days before Christmas and didn't get back until after the new year. DH said that Christmas was a deal breaker for me but he liked the hotel they found so would look for other dates and get back to them. I spoke to her 2 days later to arrange a day out meeting with the kids and I said we can finally get this holiday sorted as well and she was like oh... he's already booked ours? Did I not know? She was under the impression that when he spoke to my DH about the deal he found that he told him he was going to go with it but that's not how it was left our end. Anyway my DH got a bit peed off and said for me to make my excuses for the meet up as he was annoyed with them. We eventually met up child free a few weeks later for a night out just the 4 of us and there was no atmosphere or tension or anything, everything was fine but that's over 6 months ago and we haven't seen them since? Which is very unusual! I send her kids little gifts all the time, sent a big Halloween hamper as I felt bad I wouldn't see the girls to give them any sweets, sent valentines gifts and cards to the girls (which we usually do for each other's kids) but received nothing for my DCs, sent her youngest a birthday present, let her know it was on its way and when I checked to see had it got there she said oh yes we did receive a rocking horse a couple of days who but didn't know if it was from you or someone else who said they were sending something. I speak to her every other week at least and try to arrange a meet up but there's always an excuse. I spent £45 on an egg hamper for her kids at Easter and she sent a little egg each for mine. I'm not being ungrateful at all, if it had been that on its own I wouldn't have even noticed but with everything else it's stood out to me.
The only thing it could be other than the holiday is Christmas presents. They sent mine presents before they left but I haven't sent theirs yet as they're much too big and heavy to post (a big Costco doll house and all accessories for it) which is why I've been so desperately trying to arrange a meet up to give it to them! But I think it was the holiday that kicked it all off as normally we'd have met up loads before Christmas. I didn't get a birthday card which I always do, Yesterday was our anniversary and they always send flowers and a card and this time they didn't even send a text. Its not about what they're not sending, if they would agree to meet up it'd put my mind at rest that everything's okay but what's bothering me is that's right now it's all one sided. It's their anniversary in 2 weeks and normally I'd send flowers and a card but am I just making a fool of myself pushing myself on them when they're looking very disinterested in us? But then I don't want to seem petty for not doing what I'd normally do in case there's other reasons for their distancing themselves from us? I'm upset about it as they are our closest friends and DH is getting more annoyed with them and telling me not to bother but I'm not like that? What should I do? I don't want to out and ask them if there's a problem as I know they'll say no regardless? AIBU to be thinking like this?

OP posts:
GwenStaceyRocks · 21/04/2017 19:35

Your DHs met up. After that meeting, there was confusion about the holiday that resulted in your family not going on holiday with them, and your DH telling you not to meet them. It sounds to me like something has happened between the DHs. I'd be asking your DH what it's all about. (And I'd courier the presents).

wibblywobblywoo · 21/04/2017 19:40

Could she be avoiding you due to your pregnancy??

Confused I don't think it's catching............

BigFatGoalie · 21/04/2017 19:42

Go over there and ask her.
Like adults.

cherish123 · 21/04/2017 20:06

£45 on Easter eggs? Valentine gifts? 🙄 My husband says I am extravagant but that's a whole new level. Just have it out with them.

Lovelymess · 21/04/2017 20:27

You sound like you're trying to but their friendship. Just stop. Let them contact you

pennypickle · 21/04/2017 20:37

Wow! I stopped reading after you had sent over generous Easter gifts and a rocking horse?? Who does that??

ShakyMilk · 21/04/2017 20:54

I'm amazed that people are saying text/email her/arrange to meet. Just pick up the phone and ask what's going on. Doesn't have to be confrontational at all, but you are clearly upset about, so either ask or forever wonder...

Bluebell28 · 21/04/2017 21:03

I think your friendship with them has evolved and diverged as friendships often do in life. They may just want to start having holidays by themselves as a family and need some space. I would not take it personally .

Lovingit81 · 21/04/2017 21:09

You sound lovely I wish you were my friend! You sound generous and caring and I can totally understand why you are hurt. I would have it out with her and ask what the problem is. Via text if that makes you feel more comfortable plus calling might be a bit much in the situation. I have had friends back down and go quiet and it's awful. The truth is it's probably nothing to do with you. There might be a million and one things going on with them at the moment. I wouldn't send any more cards or presents. Best of luck x

Purplealienpuke · 21/04/2017 21:29

Really couldn't be arsed with all that 'mines bigger than yours' bollocks!
Fuck em! Live your own life by your own means.... they don't seem to want to maintain the relationship

KermitRuffinsTrumpet · 21/04/2017 21:40

I don't know if this has been asked and I know I'm missing the point somewhat but I'd really like to know what a £45 Easter egg hamper looks like Shock

bigmac4me · 21/04/2017 22:17

I don't know if this has been asked and I know I'm missing the point somewhat but I'd really like to know what a £45 Easter egg hamper looks like

LOL LOL- you've made my day Kermit - yes, I wonder???

bigmac4me · 21/04/2017 22:18

I don't know if this has been asked and I know I'm missing the point somewhat but I'd really like to know what a £45 Easter egg hamper looks like

LOL LOL- you've made my day Kermit - yes, I wonder???

KermitRuffinsTrumpet · 21/04/2017 22:24

Grin bigmac

Nice to make a strangers day Smile

KermitRuffinsTrumpet · 21/04/2017 22:30

*stranger's

Obviously Blush

Booboo66 · 21/04/2017 23:17

👀 Place marking as I'm dying to find out what the outcome of this is. You sound lovely OP.

befuddledgardener · 21/04/2017 23:29

It might not even be about you though. Maybe she organises all the gifts but is going through DH relationship issues or is feeling a bit diwn/overwhelmed.

befuddledgardener · 21/04/2017 23:29

Also get the blokes to hand x heart to heart

befuddledgardener · 21/04/2017 23:30

Have a heart to heart

emmyrose2000 · 22/04/2017 02:12

I don't think this has anything to do with the presents (though like many others I'm rather WTH? at the idea of the amount and expense of some of them).

It sounds to me as though the Christmas trip was the catalyst. Either they were annoyed that you weren't willing/able to go for the full time, or there were some crossed wires between the husbands in terms of communication.

I have to say, if I was OP and had been talking about taking a trip with someone and then I discovered that they had gone ahead and booked it I'd be really pissed off. I'd be asking them why they didn't mention it to me before actually booking. But maybe they had mentioned it to OP's husband and he failed to mention it to OP. But if that's not the case, and they simply did book anyway, without mentioning it to OP's husband, then I think the OP is the one who has the "right" to pull back from the friendship.

Of course, there could be something else entirely driving the friends' behaviour. If I were OP, I'd try one last time, and if the answer wasn't a honest concrete reason, I'd write the friendship off. Any further attempts at keeping it going are obviously one sided, and frankly, making OP look embarrassingly desperate.

alwaysthepessimist · 22/04/2017 07:14

Is she jealous of your pregnancy? Did she want more and is unable? You need to meet her and ask outright, be honest with her about your feelings and ask her to be honest too.

adamharriet · 22/04/2017 08:04

This happened to me too. I've been ghosted by my 'best friend'. I truly have no idea why. It's hurtful and confusing. We were best friends from the ages of 4 to 40 and suddenly the excuses started on why we couldn't meet up. I did ask if something was wrong but was told a definite "no" and then felt a bit silly for asking. However, it's been almost 2 years with no contact now and i have absolutely no idea why. It's sad. I think you've been dumped. Very sad.

Howlongtilldinner · 22/04/2017 08:28

adamharriet exactly why I don't do 'best friends'

llangennith · 22/04/2017 09:05

OP they probably value your friendship but don't want their holidays constrained by your budget. They wanted that particular holiday so they booked it. You can remain friends without spending all your free time together.
Get the Christmas presents to her asap and take it from there.

TheWindowDonkey · 22/04/2017 09:20

I'd just turn up at their door and speak to them. You have been friends for so long you surely just oop in if you are around anyway? No way would I leave animportant friendship to just dwindle away. You'll know by their reaction where you stand. You are all grown ups. Talk abt it and get it sorted, even if its just to agree you've drifted apart.

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