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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be unsettled by this - new friendships

140 replies

Limoncellosunshine · 17/08/2019 07:31

I might be being totally unreasonable in which case some advise on how to get on with it would be good if I am being.

So DD born last year did NCT, had high hopes but it was a mix of odd people, people not on my wave length and some bitches!! The whole group messaging and Facebook thing left me exhausted and anxious and frankly took the shine off what should have been a wonderous time. This is apart from one lady who was blinking great, similar tastes and outlooks, and we naturally gravitated towards each other and saw each other frequently - all lovely. Now whilst we have lots of shared interests she is one of these people who having a baby has changed significantly (I mean I know it changes everyone but there are degrees) and outside of her DC she isn’t up for doing much none baby socialising - wine, shopping, cinema etc. In fact she has stopped drinking since having DC. And is also very very frugal ( this can be quite annoying at times as doesn’t have to be DP is not sense it’s her upbringing) That’s all fine though as she has other lovely qualities. However I still really like and need to do all those things a baby hasn’t changed me as much I would say!

Anyway early this year I met another group of Mums through a baby signing class in the village!! Absolutely lovely, we all get on like a house on fab and I feel like it’s turning into such a nice group. We’re all at a similar place in life have v similar tastes/interests and outlooks and enjoy or want to enjoy a friendship that doesn’t revolve around our babies and have had several nights out already with lots of great banter. This has been like a breath of fresh air to me. Most of my older close friends are dispersed across the country and now have their own circles where they are and although I moved back to my home city a few years ago and have made friends via certain connections they’ve not been easy friendships and there’s been a bit of what I call teenage bs, being invited sometimes and not others, jealousy etc. You get on don’t you but I have found the lack of a good circle hard. Anyway this group has been such a tonic and always come away from meet ups feeling fab!!! And it feels like such a lovely dynamic. Whereas I really like this other friend sometimes all we talk about is her baby’s routine and I come away yearning for a bit more adult chat and feeling flat.

Sorry that was a long scene set. FF to now, had my DD’s Naming Day party, invited friend from initial NCT group and the baby signing group. Somehow my NCT friend has given the impression that she’s a bit of a Billy no mates. Not the case she’s lived and worked here all her life and has lots of friends and networks and even though we saw each other regularly she was often off with other groups or friends that were also on mat leave or worked PT - no invite extended to me. Which I never expected it to be. My friends from the new group have now suggested I invite her to things - a BBQ one is hosting and a play day lunch. I didn’t think she’d accept but she has and it’s really unsettled me. I might be being a d*ck but I’m worried that it will change the dynamic and that I’ll be pushed off to the peripheral with her and will have to almost baby sit. Whilst she is lovely she is not as upbeat and outgoing as those in this group and doesn’t have a yearning to have a life outside of her baby, her partner never attends events - bit of a lads lad and things like the BBQ I want to be able to take my DH and go to as a family (partners have been invited to the BBQ too). I’m worried that will change and spoil things before it properly got started when I might finally have found a friendship group that makes you feel like they should. I also don’t want them to feel sorry for her, I.e struggling Mum with not many friends - this isn’t the case at all. She even sees a couple of the others from the NCT group as well occasionally whereas I don’t see any of them. Am I being a cow? What do I do??

OP posts:
selavy · 17/08/2019 09:23

Wow OP, you really are coming across as a nasty cow. It baffles me that people can make such a big deal out of absolutely nothing - I think you need some perspective in life or other things to focus on.
Go to the bbq or don’t go.
Take your DH or don’t take him.
Talk to this woman or not.
Live and let live - god it must be so exhausting to overthink things to this extent.

Binforky · 17/08/2019 09:25

I dont really know what to say about the whole friendship group thing as I don't really have any friends as I'm the boring one who cant go out and socialise.

From another perspective when I was with my ex I was like this and it was mainly because he wouldn't have the children or if he did kept calling me to come home and used them to control me. I obviously wouldn't tell my then friends that so they thought I was just into babies and I got left by the wayside. I wanted to socialise but as I say once I had children my ex changed and I lost everything. Now I cant go out as I'm a single mum with no support but my then friends left long ago.

notsohippychick · 17/08/2019 09:26

Why does it annoy you that she no longer drinks?! Just because she doesn’t drink doesn’t mean she’s a anti social alien. Strange way of thinking n

Binforky · 17/08/2019 09:26

Oh he also never attended anything either so I was on my own with the kids alot.

theWarOnPeace · 17/08/2019 09:27

They’ve invited her because they like her. It’s not your job to police the whole situation. If everyone else finds her as dull as you do, I presume she won’t get another invite. I really hope that’s not the case, though. It can be so hard for some mums to navigate their new ‘identity’ as a parent, especially without support from partner or other friends. If the partner does nothing then no wonder she doesn’t drink, as she alone has responsibility of the baby. Our children are older, and only one of us at a time really has a drink, in case something happens.

Leave her be. You’ve got no business being huffy about friends naturally gravitating towards each other. You’re not being left out or anything, and if that’s what you’re worried about then don’t. You can’t stop everyone from living their lives just in case it goes in a direction you don’t like.

It would be like expecting your DH to have no female colleagues, in case he had an affair. Friendships change and evolve. People change and evolve. Some can go through all different phases, baby/marriage/crisis/distance, and still be standing together at the end of it all. Some drift apart or make new friends. This is all normal, and I’m not sure you are understanding what friendship is all about.

GreenTulips · 17/08/2019 09:27

I didn’t know why I was feeling so strongly or particularly want to be feeling like this.

It’s because you want to spread your wings and have a good natter and this woman will possibly be disappointed you aren’t glued to her OR you’ll feel like you are being a cow and this will have a dark cloud effect on the evening.

SinisterBumFacedCat · 17/08/2019 09:28

You lost me when you mentioned her not drinking anymore. How sad that this is such an inconvenience to you.

user1493494961 · 17/08/2019 09:31

You do sound a bit intense about your past and present friendship groups. You liked this woman well-enough before you met the new group. It's only an invite to a bbq and maybe she will blossom in different company. If the baby-signing class is still running you may have new people joining, which could change the dynamic anyway.

katewhinesalot · 17/08/2019 09:31

I don't like mixing friends either.
The invite is from them so she had to forge her own relationships with them - or not. Just do your own thing with your dh. Ignore her no more or no less than the other people. Certainly don't babysit her.

Boysey45 · 17/08/2019 09:32

I think its not very nice that's she didn't invite you to things with her friends ever but has not joined your friend group.Its sounds like your not keen on her anymore. I'd just leave her to it and certainly not babysit her. Shes a grown adult so should be able to hold her own anyway.

Let the others decide if they want to be friends with her.I think you would be better off with some single friends without children as well. Then they wont be talking at all hopefully about babies/kids etc.Dont just limit yourself to this group join other things as well.

NoNoNoOohmaybe · 17/08/2019 09:40

It all feels quite intense from your op like you were quite isolated and down for a long time and this group helped to get you to a point where you felt "you" again. When you talk about the change in dynamic are you worried you'll be left in the place you were before?

I recognise some of those feelings myself when I was on mat leave, so I was quite surprised when you said their all nearly 2. Do you work? Have you got other hobbies or non-child related groups?

Friendships ebb and flow, I think you're over thinking this one bbq. Talk your dp if that's what you'd like to do. Talk to your friends, all your friends as you would naturally. Maybe realign your thinking to this is a great way to see all the people I care about.

Then spend some time unpicking why this has become such a big deal.

Clarabella77 · 17/08/2019 09:41

Is your friend from NCT ok? The fact she had changed so much may suggest she is struggling a little with her new role, maybe she has lost her identity a little.

Maybe it's your role as her friend to support her and not expect her to entertain you. By extending your group invites to her she is maybe comfortable just being included and doesn't expect babysitting or handholding but simply welcomes the chance to get out of the house.

It's difficult when you drift apart from friends but try to be kind and empathetic. In time she may revert to the fun person you remember.

MyOtherProfile · 17/08/2019 09:44

Sounds like you're in a nice warm welcoming inclusive group. And now they've been warm and welcoming to your NCT friend. Sounds like they spoke to her themselves and wanted to include her. This may be just what she needs. Surely one person won't dominate and change the dynamics so much that the group switches to discussing nappies instead of whatever your more interesting stuff is? Isn't it more likely she will start to find more stuff to talk about and hopefully come out of the baby blur herself?

I do think you are overthinking this. You can welcome her and be kind and it will only reflect nicely on you.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 17/08/2019 09:49

I suppose I do find her quite boring now the baby bubble is lifting.

So you got what you wanted from the friendship and now you’re ready to chuck her for others who suit your needs better. What with that and the judging (that she’s “frugal” when in your opinion she doesn’t need to be, despite their finances being precisely none of your business) you sound like hard work.

LizzieSiddal · 17/08/2019 09:55

What were your friendships like when you were at school Op?

I recognise your anxiety as to what may happen, but you are way over thinking it all.

I moved around a lot as a child, went to 5 different primary schools and so found making friends very difficult. I’m the same now as an adult. I much prefer small friendship groups and actually don’t like to be there if they mix as I get so anxious and I don’t know why! However I withdraw from the situation rather than imposing anything on my friends.

Did you make friends easily as a child?

KaySarahSarah · 17/08/2019 10:00

I have a friend a bit like you OP.

It is never nice to feel like a pawn in someone else's social life. Frankly I find it a bit childish, lots of talk of "dynamics." Far too complicated imo.

flashdancer19 · 17/08/2019 10:05

Yeah you're a cow.

messolini9 · 17/08/2019 10:06

I feel like something easy has turned into something difficult

Only in your head.
So stop over-thinking it, enjoy the new friendship circle AND your existing baby-friend.
Let your DH decide for himself if he wants to attend.
It is entirely possible for all these people, & you, to enjoy each others' company.
Have a good time!

AntiHop · 17/08/2019 10:07

You sound judgemental and you're over thinking things. Why are you her friend when you don't like her very much? You're judging her for being careful with money and for not wanting to go out and get drunk. Why are you obsessed with people from the baby signing class not making any new friends?

My dd is 4 and I made a real effort to make friends when I was on mat leave. I met some really nice people at various classes. I made an effort to help other mums get to know each other, inviting people along to get togethers etc. That's what a kind person does.

Limoncellosunshine · 17/08/2019 10:08

@theWarOnPeace no they’ve invited her because they feel a bit sorry for her which - I’ve said this, this is part of why I feel awkward! This is not a true reflection. She has lots of different groups of friends especially locally as she has lived here all her life and was always out and about with various people (me inc) on mat leave.
and has a support network - sister a couple of streets away, always offering to have DC. Yes her DP is a football bloke, which is not ideal but he’s not terrible, and would happily have DC. It’s just she doesn’t want to do that which is absolutely but I like a bit of break every now and again which I don’t think is so bad. Maybe it is?!?

@SinisterBumFacedCat that’s not my issue it’s her issue I’ve spent a a disproportionate amount of time talking to her about this and telling her she can still go out without it.

OP posts:
cornish009 · 17/08/2019 10:10

All of this seems very childish to me. Rather like a group of school friends rather than adults, mothers as well. I don't think I could be bothered with any of it, and have to admit the words "friendship group" give me the shivers, but not quite as much as "dynamics" does. I've never had a friendship group since school, and most certainly have never had a dynamic. Why can't everyone just do what they want to do, don't do what they don't want to do, be friends with the people they get on with, stop analysing everything to death and just "be". I have realised I must be an anti social cow but I honestly couldn't be bothered with any of this!!!

Raver84 · 17/08/2019 10:14

Re read you op. It's awful. You sound like you 14 excluding girls from school
Absolutely horrible and I hope they all see through you.

Limoncellosunshine · 17/08/2019 10:14

@NoNoNoOohmaybe very much the case. I went back 4 days, it was impossible, needed to be full time really (logging in on a night and over the weekend) but just didn’t want to have 0 time with DD so have been a stay at home parent.

OP posts:
Limoncellosunshine · 17/08/2019 10:17

@Raver84 I haven’t excluded anyone!!!! I’ve extended the invites but doing so has made me feel super anxious about it all.

OP posts:
AcrobaticCardigan · 17/08/2019 10:18

I get where you’re coming from OP. You value her as a friend, but both of you do your own thing too and now she’s encroaching into your other friendship group, while maintaining her own social life outside of your friendship. You are worried that you’ll now have no space outside while she still has her own other social life outside of your friendship! It sounds like she was angling for an invite too, by laying it on thick that she has no friends, when this is not the case! Some people just have to be involved in everything. I get why you’re feeling a bit put out, but try & see it as a positive thing that your friends all get on and become one big group! It sounds like she has limited time, with being so busy with DC and other friends too, so she probs won’t accept every invitation. Also the fact that the group are so welcoming to one of your friends, says that they value you very highly too! Xx

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