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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Feeling hurt by old friend. AIBU/WWYD?

121 replies

Beaubeagle · 29/04/2017 15:20

Bit of background. My exh and I split up after 16 years together (9 years married) when I found he was sleeping with a work colleague (prior to this we had a very good marriage and everyone, including myself, was shocked) We subsequently divorced and he is still with OW. They have our 3DC EOW & 4 weeks per year hols, and although I know the importance of having their father in their lives, the fact that the OW who distroyed my family gets to play happy families with my DC absolutely kills me.

DF is someone I have known since nursery (30+ years). We lost touch during our teens but got back in touch around 9 years ago. We don't see each other that often but have 3 or 4 days out together every year, plus occasional nights out with partners (I'm now remarried) and we frequently FB message. She is my oldest and one of my closest friends.

DF only knew Exh through me. A couple of years before we split, Exh got DF's partner a job in his firm. They didn't work directly with each other but saw each other in passing and we would have occasional nights out as a foursome. Neither my Exh or DF's partner work for the same company anymore as both left some time ago now.

It has come to light recently, via FB, that DF and her partner have being seeing ExH and his OW socially. OW is now listed as a 'friend' of DF and frequently comments on DF's posts, making it obvious that they are more than just acquaintances.

I feel very hurt that DF of years saw everything I went through because of this woman but now she is friends with her. I've not said anything to her because I can't obviously tell someone who they can and can't be friends with, but aibu to feel betrayed and upset? DF has messaged me to ask to arrange a night out with our partners but I haven't replied because I don't know what to say. The OW took my husband, plays 'mum' to my children and now has taken my friend too. Sad

Would you lose an old friend because of OW or should I just accept that she can be friends with whoever she likes, even if it does hurt?

OP posts:
cafenoirbiscuit · 01/05/2017 10:27

Ouch - that must've hurt, I'd be equally upset. It's her loss, imho.

balence49 · 01/05/2017 10:58

Feel for you op. That's a shit mate right there. Take a break from Facebook . Eat chocolate, drink wine.

SallyGinnamon · 01/05/2017 12:40

Flowers for you.

Yes, she can be friends with who she likes, but I don't get why she'd want to be. I'd never really be able to stomach somebody who did that.

Also my friend's husbands are just that. An appendage of my friend! If my friend drops them, then so do I!

I can see it's tricky for her with your ex having got a job for her DH, but my DH is perfectly capable of having friends in work and out without there being any need for me to meet or befriend their wives.

So no. By my definition she isn't a friend anymore. It sounds like your exH is more useful. I hope for her sake that Karma doesn't bite her.

Bobbins - I'm lying. I hope it does!

user1493022461 · 01/05/2017 13:17

and now has taken my friend too

She has taken her, you've given her away. You can't have been that close if you're so willing to stop being friends with her.
I'm surprised you are remarried when you so clearly haven't moved on at all.

LemonCurdles · 01/05/2017 13:42

user your all heart love Hmm

kittybiscuits · 01/05/2017 13:56

User are you the OW? You seem pretty callous.

SallyGinnamon · 01/05/2017 14:48

I can't see anywhere that the OP has remarried user.

LadyPW · 01/05/2017 14:56

2nd para of OP Borders

LittleCandle · 01/05/2017 15:05

I can remember how astonished and horribly hurt I was when I confided in a friend that XH had just admitted he was cheating on me. I had told him not to come back and needed a shoulder to cry on. She patted me on the back, then told me that he had done nothing to her, therefore she was still going to be friends with him. Our friendship cooled off incredibly rapidly after that. I would be keeping my distance from her. Who can say if she inadvertently might pass on things you would rather OW did not know?

WhisperingLoudly · 01/05/2017 15:16

User really?! Hmm

OP friends are supposed to enhance your life not make you feel bad. Do what you need to do but don't be to feel like you are somehow responsible for the loss of the friendship

Hushabyelullaby · 01/05/2017 15:18

user well aren't you a ray of sunshine! What a lovely, understanding, friend you must be Hmm

I'd feel the same as you Beaubeagle she obviously has no clue how she has hurt you, and if she does she doesn't care. You don't need 'friends' like that

TheElephantofSurprise · 01/05/2017 15:32

The OW didn't destroy your marriage, OP, your then-husband did.

You have a reasonably polite relationship with your ex and his new partner, despite your resentment of her role in your then-husband's life. You cope with your children going to her, regularly. If your children can associate with her, why shouldn't your friend, whom you see one-to-one only four times a year? Not only that, you have remarried. How is your ex-h, his life, his relationships, anything to do with you at all?

I think you are being unreasonable, OP, in lots of ways. Firstly, in expecting your friends to have nothing to do with a woman because she is in your ex's life. Secondly, for rushing into a further marriage - it's only three years since you and the ex split up? Thirdly, for making a fuss about who other people associate with. I could go on.

Leave it. Find new interests and new friends.

SallyGinnamon · 01/05/2017 15:37

Ok. Missed the remarriage bit.

But I'd still consider both my Friend's exH and his OW to bit a bit shitty so keep to politeness only.

And I'd side with the innocent party, the OP.

Lostmysignal · 01/05/2017 16:19

I'm so sorry this has happened. It must be awful. I'd react in the same way as you op I think. If you did want to remain friends could you block ow on fab and then you won't see her comments on your friends posts? X

Lostmysignal · 01/05/2017 16:19

*on Facebook not fab!

LadyPW · 01/05/2017 16:25

Elephants are sensible animals. I'm agreeing with the surprising one above.

kaitlinktm · 01/05/2017 18:49

You cope with your children going to her, regularly. If your children can associate with her, why shouldn't your friend?

Not a fair comparison - the children have to see their father and therefore the OW too.

In a similar situation, what worried me was that the "friends" were socialising with both me and my ex and his new wife. I had confided some worries to these friends and I was on pins worrying in case they inadvertently let slip some personal stuff. It didn't feel safe socialising with them in the same way. They had a perfect right to be friends with my ex - but that didn't mean I had to like it. Maybe you would say I OUGHT to have liked it, but - hey - feelings don't work that way and it is not very empathetic to think that they do.

I stopped initiating stuff with these friends and they didn't bother with me for a couple of years. At least it showed me which of us they considered more important. They got back in touch when my ex moved abroad - hmm.

AtrociousCircumstance · 01/05/2017 22:16

And this friend has been the OP's friend since early childhood. Her allegiances should be with the OP. Of course the friend can see who she chooses but she has been disloyal. If I were the OP I would reassess the friendship too.

Some people don't quite 'get' loyalty.

ittakes2 · 01/05/2017 22:38

I think you owe it to both her and yourself to at least talk to her about it. I think you said you have remarried - maybe she thinks you are OK about things now. Lots of people have different approaches to break ups etc. My friend lived with her boyfriend on the top floor of her house, her children lived on the middle floor and her ex-husband in the basement and they were all very happy! If after speaking to her she doesn't understand your hurt then you need to consider rethinking your friendship unfortunately.

TheweewitchRoz · 01/05/2017 22:55

Oh Op, I'd feel exactly the same as you - that's truly shit Flowers

kaitlinktm · 02/05/2017 09:29

OP has spoken to her Ittakes - she said she could be friends with whoever she likes. Doesn't seem like she cares about the OP's hurt does it?

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