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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Overexcited 'friend' and baby

168 replies

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 10:14

Long-time lurker looking for advice.

Background, as to not to drip feed: DD is 6 weeks old, first child for DH and me. My family lives overseas and we like them, DH's family lives 45min away and "it is complicated". We go NC when MIL goes full-on narc but otherwise, have a polite visit every 4 to 6 weeks or so. They are not allowed to babysit and never will be.

While family support is limited, we have great friends who support us and are our part of our family. DH's "childhood" group of friends includes one woman, let's call her Abby, who became part of that group because she used to be BFFs with DH's best friend's girlfriend. I say used to be, because best friend's girlfriend hinted to us that she has outgrown the friendship but doesn't quite know how to deal with it. Abby is 28 but has never quite gotten past the teenage "we are going to be best friends for ever and ever" stage, which means she is not noticing the otherwise difficult to miss signs that the friendship is on its last legs. Not my circus, not my monkey, and naturally, we are staying out of this.

Abby has been babycrazy all her life (you can see where this is going) and wants nothing more than to get married and have children. She only ever had one boyfriend in her early 20s, which lasted for a couple of months. She does not date casually, which obviously is a perfectly fine choice but I imagine it makes it more difficult to find someone. When DH and me got together, I sensed some slight jealousy but decided to ignore it. I knew that DH asked her out once but nothing came of it because she seemed unenthusiastic and he didn't want to pressure her. Even if they did have a thing in the past, I wouldn't care, so really no reason for him to lie and she confirmed his story. When we got engaged, her response was "He asked me out first", eventually followed by "congratulations". I am not easily threatened, so at my end I just find it mildly annoying.

DD's "godparents" (we have an outing non-religious name for them) are DH's best friend + girlfriend and my best friend + her partner, who live a few hours away.

The Situation: We always used to have gatherings at our place, as most of that sub-group of our friends works in the city we live in, but lives just outside of it. It the most practical option. Now that DD is here even more so. We also want her to build a relationship with her godparents, as these four people really are like family to us.

The issue is that as soon as Abby hears someone else is here - even if it just DH's best friend stopping by to say hello and have a quick pint with DH on his way home - she will be over like shot and trying to babyhog (which we stop). She thinks she knows what sort of mental stimulation DD needs because she is a primary school teacher (I have a PhD in Developmental Neuroscience...still don't think I know what is best for someone else's child). She keeps talking about all the things she will do differently when she becomes a mother (like be a SAHM - which just isn't for me and that apparently makes me a substandard mother Hmm). She gifted us mountains of Disney stuff, although we have repeatedly told her we have got everything we need and want (she is really into Disney - I have no strong opinion on Disney but I am slowly getting to the point of hating it...). All of it plastic (toys) or high in polyester (clothes), which I don't really want to have near a newborn in these masses. Breastfeeding in front of people (in my living room, discreetely) was apparently something "she had always expected of me", because of my promiscuous past. I told her I am glad she knows that sexual exploration can make a woman more confident and comfortable in her body, and recommend she gives it a try.

And of course, there is the judgemental look and silence when we do something in relation to DD she does not approve of, and generally ruining the mood. The bottom-line is that she is probably jealous of me/us/"the life she could have had" and cannot hide it well. Normally I would just repeatedly put her in her place but I am lacking sleep.

The Question: Would I be unreasonable to ban Abby from our house? At least for a while?

I honestly have to ask. We usually have an open door policy. My hormones haven't quite calmed down yet and I don't have any shared history of "going through good and bad times together" with her, so I am not sure if I am being unfair. Neither does DH, technically, but I don't want to rip "his" group of childhood friends apart. DH feels similiarly but hopes that his best friend's girlfriend will finally cut Abby off, so that we don't have to do anything. He would support me either way but I am not sure if banning her might not be a little over the top?

OP posts:
HennyPennyHorror · 23/09/2019 10:18

as soon as Abby hears someone else is here - even if it just DH's best friend stopping by to say hello and have a quick pint with DH on his way home - she will be over like shot

How is she hearing this? Social media? If so, stop that immediately and she won't know.

mummmy2017 · 23/09/2019 10:18

Tell her that this is your home, your child, but if she finds that hard to deal with maybe she should not come over so often.

AGermFreeAdolescent · 23/09/2019 10:20

Why does it have to be a big deal? You don’t have to “ban” her, just don’t let her into your house. If you don’t want to be gifted with things, don’t accept the gifts. I don’t think YABU but this line Abby is 28 but has never quite gotten past the teenage "we are going to be best friends for ever and ever" stage jumped out at me because the whole post reads like a teenage drama imo.

WipeYourFeetOnTheRhythmRug · 23/09/2019 10:21

"Breastfeeding in front of people (in my living room, discreetely) was apparently something "she had always expected of me", because of my promiscuous past. I told her I am glad she knows that sexual exploration can make a woman more confident and comfortable in her body, and recommend she gives it a try."

This doesn't exactly cover either of you in glory, and it doesn't sound like you're friends. Can't DH see her on his own out of the house?

MrsMozartMkII · 23/09/2019 10:24

Don't invite her over, don't let her in. She'll only take as much as you allow her, so stop allowing.

She can come when you invite in a group situation if you want, but only if you want.

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 23/09/2019 10:27

Do you have to actually ban her? How is she hearing that people are at yours?

It's tricky in friendship groups, but she's not actually yours or your husband's friend and she's being really rude to you and about you in your home.

I don't love confrontation so I'd probably just try to step back from her so as not to cause an argument. Like if she messages to say she's coming round, say it's not a good time. I'd tell your actual friends what she's been saying (substandard mother and the comment about breastfeeding –wtf!) and let them know that you don't want her around right now. If she kicks up a fuss, I'd repeat what she's said back to her and say you don't need that kind of energy around you right now.

NoSauce · 23/09/2019 10:28

How does she find out if someone is visiting? That needs addressing pronto.

GetUpAgain · 23/09/2019 10:32

I had a person similar to Abbey when my first DC was a newborn. I realise they had mammoth problems of their own but decided to prioritise myself and my child, because all 'Abbey' wanted to do was use my family to make themself feel better.

Just drop her. Don't invite her round, if she turns up, stand in the doorway and say it's not a good time. Awkward as hell but it has to be done.

Good luck and enjoy your lovely baby.

Windydaysuponus · 23/09/2019 10:32

Quote some popular mm phrases.
'No ' is a complete sentence.
Sorry that doesn't work for us.
And my favourite which if isn't popular then should be. ..
FUCK off.
Your dh needs to be the one to say you aren't available /busy /already have guests /. Block her on sm for starters.
She is way too invested in your lives.

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 10:35

She tries to see DH's best friend's girlfriend (let's call her Emily) every other day. If DH's best friend is here, Emily sometimes drops by and will tell Abby that she won't be home because she might be at our place, depending on work. Sometimes it comes up in a group chat or in conversation about something else. Until now, nobody really felt the need to hide that we were hanging out.

OP posts:
Runningonempty84 · 23/09/2019 10:36

So much drama. Sheesh.
Sounds like you both like being characters in your own soap opera tbh.

Why not just invite other friends over without broadcasting it, and then Abby won't know? No need to be a drama llama and "ban" her...

mankyfourthtoe · 23/09/2019 10:37

Make yourself untaggable on Facebook etc. Ask friends not to share they're at yours. Lock the door and turn off the bell. Put a sign on the front door saying baby is asleep don't knock.
And send out a text to all friends saying the usual policy of open door has had to be suspended due to the new baby. Please ask before you pop round or it might not be convenient.
(And ignore your phones and the door)

mankyfourthtoe · 23/09/2019 10:38

And pull her up on what she says.
Did you know it's rude to criticise a new mum/dad on how they're parenting, and give her a good look!

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 10:41

To those mentioning I am not treating Abby as a friend: she is not my friend. She is, by extension, DH's friend. His friends are welcome in our home and I like most of them. Others, I tolerate. I don't feel it is - normally - my place to choose who he can and cannot be friends with.

With my friends and the friends we have in common, I would have a grown-up conversation and get it sorted. I am not afraid of confrontation. Any attempts to have that with Abby ended in her "knowing better". Which brought us to where we are.

OP posts:
HugoSpritz · 23/09/2019 10:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Teddybear45 · 23/09/2019 10:44

At 28 it’s normal to want to see your friends everyday or every other day - setting up a family isn’t the normal thing to do by 28 any more and it’s possible she has no idea what to do with a friend circle who has mostly settled down and have kids. I doubt it’s jealousy - I don’t know many 28 year old women who would be jealous of a friend with a kid. If you don’t want her around then you could just not share stuff on social media, or invite her to things - she would eventually get the message. It’s probably better for her to get new friends who are at the same stage of life she is at.

Chamomileteaplease · 23/09/2019 10:45

If Emily is the one letting Abby know then Emily must be asked to stop telling Abby she is going to your house surely?

Tell everyone to keep their mouths shut!

Ask Abby to text first if she wants to come round and then when she does tell her it's not a good time. Each time.

Ask Emily to hurry up and lessen her bond with Abby. The slow plaster method is actually more cruel. Abby needs some new friends.

unfortunateevents · 23/09/2019 10:47

It all sounds like a ridiculous amount of angst over nothing much. None of you sound like you like her very much (including her supposed best friend) so I'm not clear why she knows so much about whatever everyone is doing. With a 6 week old baby I am also surprised at how much visiting seems to be taking place from anyone. Just tell your mutual friends that you are finding her overwhelming and people should refrain from letting her know when they are at yours. Don't issue direct invites to her and if she tries to be invite herself, be unavailable.

AryaStarkWolf · 23/09/2019 10:48

Breastfeeding in front of people (in my living room, discreetely) was apparently something "she had always expected of me", because of my promiscuous past.

I would have told her to get out of my house if she said this to me.

Ban her, your DHs BFs G/F will probably be relieved too

Nofunkingworriesmate · 23/09/2019 10:48

The comment about you being promiscuous and linking that to Breast feeding would be enough to ask her to leave and not be invited back! How does you oh think that’s acceptable!!!???

saraclara · 23/09/2019 10:48

And send out a text to all friends saying the usual policy of open door has had to be suspended due to the new baby. Please ask before you pop round or it might not be convenient

I'd just send that to Abby. And keep your social arrangements from her. Definitely tell Emily not to let her know when she's at yours.

Notgoodatchoosingnames · 23/09/2019 10:48

I would echo what @HugoSpritz said. Just mention to DH's BF & GF that you'd rather they didn't tell her when they are with you as her constant opinions and judgement on your parenting are doing your head in at the moment.

ChicCroissant · 23/09/2019 10:49

You just need to say no, it's not convenient for you to visit tonight. No need to make it a total ban - that is a bit drama-llama to go from having her round at the drop of a hat to a total ban. There is a middle ground!

saraclara · 23/09/2019 10:49

And God yes, if she'd made that comment about breastfeeding to me I'd have sent her packing. And I'm the most conflict averse of people!

Witchinaditch · 23/09/2019 10:51

*@AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken
“I told her I am glad she knows that sexual exploration can make a woman more confident and comfortable in her body, and recommend she gives it a try.”

What a brilliant response! Well done! I bet her face was a picture.

She was way out of line for saying anything about you breastfeeding in relation to your sexual history. Neither topics have anything to do with her! Good for you OP. She’s not a friend she’s a self serving idiot and time limited with her will be for the best. I’m not sure banning her won’t just cause more trouble than it’s worth but maybe just cooling the friendship- she sounds like the worst kind of know it all!

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