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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset friend has ‘abandoned’ us on holiday

540 replies

Abandonedabroad · 12/09/2018 22:20

My mum has kindly paid for me and my two year old DD to go on holiday to Majorca for my birthday present. I’m a lone parent on a low income and haven’t had a holiday abroad for years nor am I likely to be able to afford one for several more so it’s a huge treat and I have been looking forward to it for many months. My mum has paid for the accommodation for me, DD and a friend and flights for me and DD so friend only had to pay for her flight. I invited one of my best friends to come along. I’ve known her for 13 years, trust her completely, have been on holiday with her before and have never had so much as a cross word let alone an argument with her. She adores DD and is great with her.

Friend wanted to hire a car which I wasn’t bothered about, but she was keen and I offered to go halves but she said she was happy to pay for it as she was getting the holiday free. On that basis I decided to bring DD’s (big, heavy) car seat as it seemed tricky to book one for the hire car and after getting advice on here seemed a better idea overall.

We flew out two days ago. DD had never been on a plane before and was tearful and clingy so it was a huge help to have friend there and would have been a nightmare without her.

We’ve all three of us been suffering with a cold/chesty cough thing since being here but not incapacitated and everyone has been up and about and functioning ok.

Today friend went out for a few hours and on her return announced that she was feeling too unwell, the bed wasn’t comfortable enough and she was going home. I was just in shock and tried asking why but friend just kept repeating she felt ill and was leaving. I got quite panicky and angry and we argued but she’s gone. She took the car seat out of the hire car, brought it up to the apartment and left in the hire car.

I’m just in shock. There’s eight days left of the holiday, I’ve got more luggage than I can carry and I’m on my own with a two year old.

No other friends can come out at short notice.

My boyfriend can’t leave to come here as he’s housesitting. He called my friend to try to figure things out and she said she felt terrible but she had to be by herself and had been dealing with stress building up for a while. I feel bad that she isn’t feeling good but I’m hurt and angry that she’s left me in this situation. I haven’t heard from her since she left this afternoon.

What the fuck do I do? I’ll have to get a taxi to the airport when the time comes but not sure how to book one, it’s a small town and my Spanish is not great.

I would come home early but a) my mum has paid for this and would be really upset so I’m going to have to brave it out and say I had a brilliant time so as not to hurt her feelings and b) leaving early doesn’t actually solve any of the problems of carrying all the stuff and dealing with DD on my own on the plane (she has already informed me several times that she does not like the plane and isn’t going on it 😐) so I might as well stay till the end.

I’m just so bewildered and shocked and perhaps I am being selfish if friend is having some kind of crisis but I just don’t feel like speaking to her again after this

OP posts:
Goldengates · 20/09/2018 17:37

Hope you got home OK op

Abandonedabroad · 21/09/2018 11:22

Hello, back safe now!

No, friend’s seat was empty and they let me check in the other bag. DD was good as gold and people were helpful but despite all that it was very stressful when trying to push the trolley with the big suitcase, both bags and the car seat as well as pushing DD in her buggy. The worst was when we got to Bristol airport - I had to carry her a long way down stairs etc before we got to baggage reclaim and once there had to find £2 change for a trolley whilst simultaneously trying to stop DD get mown down by other people and stop her putting her hands in the trolley store/rail mechanism thing! And of course I couldn’t get the luggage off the carousel until I waited for the buggy to come round so I could secure her in order to lug the rest off, and then trying to push the loaded trolley and buggy simultaneously again. There’s no way I would ever travel again on my own with her with that amount of stuff. Luckily my boyfriend was waiting for us in arrivals and got us pizza and wine for the evening. Not heard from friend which I thought I might have done but oh well. So glad it’s all over now! Thank you to everyone who commented with advice and support, it really did help and make me feel better. Flowers

OP posts:
Doingreat · 21/09/2018 11:28

Glad to hear you're back home safe and sound. It must be a wonderful feeling. You handled things really well in difficult circumstances. Your partner sounds lovely.

HSMMaCM · 21/09/2018 11:28

Look at what you achieved. It's good for us to do something which challenges us. You've done it and succeeded. Well done.

Motoko · 21/09/2018 12:03

I can imagine how awkward it must have been trying to steer a trolley and buggy. Still, you managed it, and now it's behind you, and you have some nice memories of spending the time with your DD.

Well done! Sorry if that sounds patronising, it's not meant that way, I'd have been the same as you, and was very nearly in a similar situation when my kids were small, so I understand exactly how you felt when she pissed off.

Thanks for updating us.

Skyejuly · 21/09/2018 12:04

I cant believe people are suggesting yoir friend wasnt aware of reality with a toddler but surley she knew what it would be like? I cant believe anyone would be so stupid to agree to go but not have an idea.

Glad you are home ok :-)

ContessasGulagSpaDay · 21/09/2018 12:09

Well done op!

I hope you got a couple of pictures of you and DD together in Spain - if so I suggest you get one printed and stick it on the fridge at her height so she can see it and remember her fun holiday. 'Mummy and DD went to SPAIN!', that sort of thing. Embed the memory and she'll never know you were freaked out but will remember it as he time her fab mum took her to Spain all on her own (well you were for most of it)!

Elephant14 · 21/09/2018 12:14

I think you've been so calm OP, very well done! Glad you are home safe. Early on in the thread I posted that the selfish cow "friend" should definitely be told to fuck off to the far side of fuck.

Just wanted to remind you of that suggestion!

Cagliostro · 21/09/2018 12:24

Aw well done OP. Glad you are back and you have lovely memories of your adventure. And how lovely that your DP has been so supportive too :)

Beeziekn33ze · 21/09/2018 12:50

Glad you're back and DD was a happy flyer this time.

Branleuse · 21/09/2018 13:11

That airport palaver sounds like a nightmare but you did it!!

InsomniacAnonymous · 21/09/2018 13:17

Oh you must be so relieved to be back home! Enjoy your pizza and wine. Flowers

CookPassBabtridge · 21/09/2018 13:21

Airports are a pain with young kids. Well done OP!

IrmaFayLear · 21/09/2018 14:19

I remember travelling with dd in pushchair and wheelie trolley and was faced with lifts out of order at Gatwick Express. I said in despair to the world in general, "We've been Daleked!" and a gentleman said, "No, you haven't been Daleked!" and picked up the pushchair with dd in and carried it down the (many, steep) stairs. I was sooooo grateful.

Mummyoflittledragon · 21/09/2018 14:35

What a relief for you to be home!

FinallyHere · 21/09/2018 16:32

Ah well done , I'm very impressed you managed it all. Stories to tellDD in future years.

RainbowsArePretty · 21/09/2018 17:32

Well done OP travelling with a little person and that much luggage is a challenge!

alifromtheforest · 21/09/2018 17:35

Well done you! I'm in awe. Dealing with all the emotions and being strong enough to power on through. I'm tough but I reckon you're even tougher 😉

Hopefully you're having a lovely weekend (well, pre weekend!) with your dp.

And I seriously hope that you drop your friend. What she did to you is unforgivable.

MachineBee · 21/09/2018 17:42

Well done OP. Enjoy your happy memories, forget the bad ones )and your ‘friend’). Love the idea of the pic on fridge for your DD.

CassandraCross · 21/09/2018 17:53

Glad you're home safe and sound OP, and well done for navigating all that luggage and the little one. You will be far better prepared for the next time (if there is oneGrin) you travel alone with your daughter, you also know that you can and will handle any travel curve balls that are thrown at you in the future.

Let your friend come to you, don't bother chasing her just file it away as one of life's unwelcome little surprises.

All the best to youFlowers.

MsHomeSlice · 21/09/2018 19:03

really glad you made it back safe and sound!

and would love for some of the pp's who thought you were making a fuss to come right back and explain how easily they could have managed toddler/buggy/bag/suitcases and a trolley just so we all know for the future ;)

Hope your friend really knows how badly she has let you down! Don't be too kind hen she comes slinking back with her excuses for leaving you in the lurch.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 21/09/2018 19:09

OP I know exactly what you mean!! Bristol airport is a nightmare for stairs, they seem to take you down a flight then up a flight for no apparent reason. Must have been a real struggle.

You have been amazing through all of this, onwards and upwards now!

sunsunsunsunsun · 22/09/2018 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsGideon · 23/09/2018 17:25

Has your friend been in touch OP?

flowergrrl77 · 23/09/2018 18:43

The luggage carousels and waiting for buggy etc sounds just like some horrifying memories I’ve repressed for years! Used to fly fairly often with an disabled and autistic toddler and a baby! I cried at so many airports it’s unreal!

I’m glad you’re home now, I hope your friend is ok and that you hear from her soon!