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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Upset about DH seeing friend....

136 replies

felicityheather · 24/05/2019 16:51

DH has just gone out to see a friend of his and I'm almost distraught. We welcomed our DS into the world this Sunday and apart from a quick pop to Tesco's this is the first time he's left us alone.

I'm not upset because he's leaving us home alone. It's one of his oldest friend's 30th birthday today and he's having a bbq. I suggested we all popped by for a short visit or DH could go alone for the afternoon to see his friends and I meant it.

However he said he'd rather stay home with us as I'm still recovering and pretty tired.

Now however he's going out to see another friend that I'm horribly jealous of. This friend I have never heard of until about four months ago and now they catch up all the time. She's been struggling with some mental health issues and my DH has been supporting her through this. My DH has also been having some mental health challenges lately and I think they help each other a lot in this way. Initially my DH told me she wasn't keen to meet me, I think due to her anxiety? Even though her fiancé was keen for the four of us to have dinner. There were a couple of incidents a while back which made me uncomfortable. She 'popped in' once to talk to my husband, obviously upset and they stayed talking downstairs for hours while I was sort of forced to stay out there way. She was there from when I got home from work until after I went to bed. DH said she needed to talk about her mental health and problems in her relationship. A couple of weeks later she rang my husband in the middle of the night, walking the streets, suicidal. He went out looking for her and brought her back to stay in our spare room for the night. I fully appreciate that she needed support and I was happy that she had it. But all I can say is it made me uncomfortable that she is this close with my DH and in my home but we've barely exchanged names and she doesn't want to get to know me. I now feel so uncomfortable that I don't want to either. I have been honest with DH throughout and explained how I felt. I have no concerns that he is up to anything malicious but I can't trust her and feel uncomfortable that she seeks this deep friendship with my husband to discuss her problems with her relationship. I'm deeply hurt that he wants to see her and I don't know why. I hate everytime I see a message from her pop up on his phone.

He's done nothing wrong and he's been nothing but honest. He knows how I feel and he could easily have said he was gong to the BBQ or whatever. But I'm so upset. He didn't want to leave us home alone to see his old friend on his 30th. But he wants to see her for a coffee.

I don't want to take away a friend from him. I don't want to take away someone who I think he chats to about his anxieties about being a new father. I don't want to mistrust her or feel this jealous or upset. I'm sure hormones are playing a part in why I feel so hurt.

OP posts:
7yo7yo · 24/05/2019 18:06

They are on the cusp of an affair.
It’s not what you want to hear when you have a 5 day old baby but that’s how I’m seeing it.
Sounds like they’re already having an emotional affair. It’ll be physical soon.

KissUntilTheyDieOfRabies · 24/05/2019 18:06

Whilst I can understand her anxiety about meeting you, I do think it's rude.

I don't think it's wrong to have close friendships and see it as a strength to be able to form real, proper friendships with a good level of appropriate intimacy, and I do believe friends should have your back. But that doesn't mean I would be happy with this situation at all.

biggarbagetruck · 24/05/2019 18:07

I'd text him now and tell him to put his wife and child first and get his arse home immediately or to not bother at all and find his shit on the doorstep.

At best he's being a self centred disrespectful pig, at worst it could be an emotional affair. It's not like they've been in a close, long standing relationship that was firmly in place when you met him. You say that she wasn't mentioned at all at the start.

It's really inappropriate and shows a total lack of respect towards you op x

ChocoholicsAsylum · 24/05/2019 18:10

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Nearlythere1 · 24/05/2019 18:10

OP, i know you dont want to be "that person" but you have to demand he not see her, for the sake of yourself, your marriage, and your baby.

calmpuppycrazykids · 24/05/2019 18:12

Congratulations on you new baby.
Honestly if my Dp left me five days after giving birth to go and see a female friend who needs my Dp help because of her anxiety he would have been taking his bags with him.
What about your mental health you've just had a baby and need your husbands help for the well being of your mental health im sorry about his friend but you and your baby need him more.

Ravenesque · 24/05/2019 18:15

I agree with @BarbedBloom , although I'd go further and say it is an emotional affair and frankly they make me even angrier than full on all of the sex affairs because the person having the emotional affair can act all upset because "I'm not having an affair"! A friend of mine split up with her partner because she was seeing another woman. She told me it was okay because she didn't sleep with her until she split up with her partner. Like fuck was it. Her partner knew things were not right, my friend was distant, she avoided partner, everything was turning to shit and her partner had no idea why.

Sex is sex and can be full on I love you or pretty much scratching an itch with someone you lust after. Sometimes an affair that is all about the sex can hardly be felt by the person being cheated on. An emotional affair will always be felt by the person being cheated on. And it hurts.

Does he want to go further with her? I don't know, maybe. Probably. She definitely wants him, if she didn't then she'd be happy to be your friend as well as his. YANBU and he needs to stop seeing her in any and all one on one situations and right now he needs to get his arse in gear and come home to be with you and his new child.

BrienneofTarthILoveYou · 24/05/2019 18:23

Congratulations on your new baby Op. These early days are so special and you should be resting and snuggling with your baby, not worrying about where your DH has gone. He's totally out of order. IMHO, you need to sit him down calmly when he comes home and explain how you feel and that you want him to stop seeing her.

If she is suicidal then she needs an ambulance, not your DH, so that she can get the professional help she needs.

I like the pp's suggestion to call him and ask him to bring you dinner home by 7pm as you're busy with the baby. No drama or upset in the call, just clearly state he needs to come home, then just take it from there. Good luck Op - hope he sorts himself out and sees sense! Thanks

ANewDawn10 · 24/05/2019 18:24

It is amazing how they have manipulated the situation. Op went upstairs in her own house and left them to it as she felt she was intruding. He has gone out looking for her walking the streets, or they could have just met up for some time alone and then he even go this woman to stay over at their house! And now 5 days after the new baby hes out on a date with her.
Mh as if ! Then why isnt her fiance sorting her out.
Sorry op, you might not want to hear this but they are doing something awful right under your nose and in your face. Time to get angry about this and do something about it.

ilikemethewayiam · 24/05/2019 18:25

Any woman that came into MY house and treated me like I was irrelevant would make an enemy of me! I would not accept this friendship unless she made an effort to get to know me and showed me due respect. That said he is out of order putting her before you. That is not a good sign OP whether there is anything going on or not!

BanditoShipman · 24/05/2019 18:27

Friends dh did same when she was in late pregnancy and then Once baby was born and onwards for about 4 years. He would get phone calls middle of the night when the lady in question needed ‘rescuing’, and he would go! 12 years on it has nearly driven them to divorce, it’s not still continuing but friend can not forgive where her dh chose to spend his time when he should have been with her and their son.

Think you need to explain how you feel and why, good luck xx

Coyoacan · 24/05/2019 18:29

I'm actually pretty angry on your behalf. You have a newborn baby! He shouldn't be tending to the needs of another women, he should be with you!

No similar experience, but I remember a minor fight I had ten days after giving birth reducing me to floods of tears.

This is a time when he should be pampering you, not putting you in an impossible situation.

MyInnerAlto · 24/05/2019 18:30

I think I would be sitting him down when he comes home and saying, 'This friendship isn't right, DH. She seems to be suddenly looming very large in your life. She doesn't want anything to do with me. She is asking you for support that it isn't appropriate for you to provide, and that you're not qualified for. You're turning your natural priorities - your wife who has just given birth to your child, and your oldest friend - upside down in favour of spending time with her. Your mind and attention are elsewhere, and they should be with our new child and our new family. If you continue this friendship, it will damage our marriage. I'd like you to stop seeing her.'

His response will tell you a lot.

Blueeyesdarkhair · 24/05/2019 18:34

He needs to remember he has a wife and a new born child and that you are his priority not a friend who’s been back in his life 4 months.
I agree with a PP who say they are in the cusp of an affair - sorry OP.

BrienneofTarthILoveYou · 24/05/2019 18:35

Very well put @MyInnerAlto - @felicityheather you could use this as a script, if that helps.

tolerable · 24/05/2019 18:36

congratulations on the birth of your baby. I dont mean to dampen your spirits-but absolutely advocate "go with your gut".If your not happy ,your halfway there cos "hes a listener".i dont think yabu-he is

Snowfalling · 24/05/2019 18:40

I like Myinneralto's wording. Measured, calm and reasonable.

I second pps who say this is not the time to swallow your feelings, you need to let him know you will not tolerate her behaviour any more. She's already trying to make herself a priority over his wife and baby. This strange friendship needs to end. Don't negotiate, she's bringing too much drama into your lives. The last thing you need is her MH issues around you and your new baby.

Xyzzzzz · 24/05/2019 18:41

Why isn’t she sharing with her fiancée? What does he have to say about all of this?
So sorry op, it’s a difficult situation for you.

felicityheather · 24/05/2019 18:42

Thanks for the advice and concern.

I sent DH a text asking him to come home as I was upset. He's come in very sheepish. Before I said anything he immediately said 'I'll stop seeing her' so I think he at least realised his mistake. I've explained my upset and told him I think his priorities are misaligned at this time. He agreed and I also said he needs to suggest some alternative methods of help to her because he is enabling her behaviour right now. I refuse to demand he Stop seeing her. I would rather he realised things are not right and took appropriate steps. He knows he's hurt me. I hope that will be enough.

OP posts:
BettysLeftTentacle · 24/05/2019 18:44

Well done OP. So he said he’ll stop seeing her, let’s hope he sticks to that. Don’t encourage him to make any suggestions though, you’re sending him mixed messages.

AnyFucker · 24/05/2019 18:45

So....let him follow through and stop seeing her

When she contacts him again (she will, because I reckon your husband has been rather enjoying being Her Hero) do not relent.

sincethereis · 24/05/2019 18:49

That’s good news. You are clearly not being unreasonable. She clearly has mental health issues but she needs to see a professional rather than rely on your DH.

Don’t demand they stop seeing each other. That’s easily twisted into “controlling” and often pushes them together. It’s better if he does it on his own accord. Smile

Beautiful3 · 24/05/2019 18:50

Congratulations on your new baby. At first i started off reading your post, thinking YABU. Then towards the end I think YANBU! Your husband's priority should be his wife and new born child. His friend should be leaning on her family/friends and finance. If she turns up at your house again don't stay out of the way, sit down with them. It's your home too! I think it's strange that your husband's over involved. If someone told me they feel suicidal, I would call the police/ambulance. Some of this may be attention seeking behaviour.

Miniloso · 24/05/2019 18:52

Brilliant. Well done. She has a fiancé to support her and needs to get professional help.

HollowTalk · 24/05/2019 18:52

That's great news. Now both of you can enjoy your lovely new baby and forget about her.

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