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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:
dollydaydream114 · 23/09/2019 11:32

When the topic came up, she said she was very enthusiastic but expected DH to ask one or two more times. Why, I really do not know. Emily mentioned way back that Abby seems angry that DH was now dating someone who was not a hot mess. The white lace dress she wore to our wedding ("the" chi chi london dress) was the point at which even I admited she was probably jealous.

Wooooaaaah, OK, yes - that's the problem right there.

This woman is not your friend. She has always had a crush on your DH, she didn't want you get married, she's making nasty comments about your 'promiscuous past' and she's constantly telling you you're doing it all wrong as a mum to a new baby. She can throw all the Disney shit at you that she wants, but she still won't be a nice person.

I think you - or better still, your DH - needs to have a word with the people in your friendship group about not letting Abby know when they're going to be at your house. From you've said, it sounds like Emily at the very least also finds her a bit stifling and would be glad of a bit more time away from her.

As for the unwanted gifts - just don't use them. Take them back and exchange them if they've got the tags on or just put them away for the charity shop or stick them on eBay. If she never sees any of them being worn or used, she might get the picture.

With regards to the unwanted baby advice, I would flat-out tell her that it's not her place to criticise your parenting and that this is your baby, not hers, and therefore she doesn't get a say in how you and DH care for her. I do think you need to be quite blunt about that. To be honest, if she'd said to me what she said to you about breastfeeding in front of people, I'd have told her to get out of my house.

The fact that she won't date casually, expected to be asked three times before she said yes to your DH's date offer and has strong views on working mums and 'promiscuous' behaviour makes me wonder if she's had a very religious upbringing? She sounds like someone who has read one of those bloody awful dating advice books that tell you to play hard to get all the time to be rescued by a Prince Charming. I'm not surprised she's single. She sounds awful.

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 11:39

Oh, she thinks anyone who does not enter marriage as a virgin is more or less promiscuous. It is a low bar and me not being assamed for having dated widely and not being ashamed about that is apparently peak promiscuous. Don't quite get why this allows her to get judgey but in the end, we are just very different people.

Definitely too exhausted to love the drama.

How often it happens? Once or twice a week on average. I don't mind having people here spontaneously as long as they don't mind that the place is a mess atm and I am decidedly not going to wear a bra (H&M bf tops are heaven). Plus, they often help, e.g. by taking the dogs for a walk, takingout the recycling, or doing a load of dishes. Helping DH with DD while I shower for more than 5 seconds.

The open door policy will stay, I don't see why we should exclude people we want around because of someone I don't want around and DH, at best, has mixed feelings about. We will, however, tell peopleto not mention that they are here. I am not sure how well this is going to work but it is worth a try.

OP posts:
krustykittens · 23/09/2019 11:40

I would stop the open door policy of your home for a start. It's not the pub, just because other people are there, doesn't give anyone who knows them the right to pop round. She's not actually a friend of yours, so doesn't have carte blanche to be there, not that she realises it. Criticising your parenting is plain rude and as for the comment about your breast feeding, that is unbelievably rude! Exlain the situation to your friends and just say you don't want your home to open to everyone all the time now that you have a baby. Unless you and your DH have invited someone, they shouldn't be there. Your very close friends will now they are always welcome because of your relationship with them. You don't have that relationship with 'Abbey', she is taking the piss.

DartmoorDoughnut · 23/09/2019 11:41

Wow she sounds exhausting without a newborn in the picture!

I agree with others, just say no to her if she turns up.

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 11:42

@dollydaydream114 She is Catholic but very mix-and-match about which aspects of Catholicism she follows. More religous than most people we know but that is a very low bar.

OP posts:
TruthOnTrial · 23/09/2019 11:48

I wouldn't stop the open door policy at all if its working for you and everyone's pitching in too, it sounds lovely.

Is this because everyone has to be telling everyone what they're doing all the time? How? If not on fb or similar? Its weird to be texting to say, oh I'm at so and so's. Whats the matter with people. Talk about oversharing!

Drum2018 · 23/09/2019 11:48

When she arrives unannounced just tell her it's not convenient and close the door. You don't need to let her in. Tell her to text if she plans on dropping by again so that you can at least be forewarned and tell her it doesn't suit. That would wreck my head. She's not your friend, your Dh seems indifferent and hopes Emily ditches her, so neither of you are going to miss out on a friendship if you stop entertaining her.

TruthOnTrial · 23/09/2019 11:51

With the revolving door approach, she would feel relaxed and welcome to be part of what everyone else is doing at your house.

However, she's not welcome, and you've not told her she's been overly offensive and no longer find her comfortable to have around, or in your home.

So until you do, I imagine she'll keep coming. Wink

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/09/2019 11:52

Haven’t you got a dishwasher?.

L0bstersLass · 23/09/2019 11:52

What about when she turns up, saying, 'sorry Abby, so and so is over right now, and we're catching up with them, so it's not convenient to have you over right now. We'll let you know when it's your turn. Bye now'. . .

This.

Notajogger · 23/09/2019 11:53

The reality is these people are not your family. They will come and go and may not always feature so heavily in your lives. It sounds like it has the potential to become stifling and unhealthy over time.

This. Also like a pp I disagree with @Teddybear45 comment - I don't think it's normal at all for people who are nearly 30 to be seeing each other daily/every other day. No one I know of around that age does that - people are way to busy with work/life/partner/family/other friends to be doing that! Once every month or two seems common.

I don't know how you're putting up with so many visitors when you have a 6 week old!! You must be very tolerant!

Tonnerre · 23/09/2019 11:54

Tell Emily to stop letting Abby know she's at yours. If Abby turns up, tell her it's not convenient and, if she asks why, smile brightly and say "We've told you it's not convenient, see you another time." If she comes up with any more offensive comments such as the one around breastfeeding, tell her you really can't have someone with those views around and ask her to leave.

MoveOnTheCards · 23/09/2019 11:54

I really don’t see why you can’t just say it’s not convenient when she turns up. No need to be rude, just clear and honest that it’s not a good time/you’re busy.

I would have shown her the door at the breastfeeding comment, tbh and expected nothing other than support of that from my DH. What did he say when she said that?

crispysausagerolls · 23/09/2019 11:56

DD's "godparents" (we have an outing non-religious name for them

I don’t understand the purpose of including the extra information and not just saying godparents...surely the extra information is what’s outing?!

This girl sounds like a rude bitch and I would tell her so. List the comments she has made eg the breastfeeding one (outrageous) and tell her you don’t need this amount of criticism and negativity around you and your baby. She can fuck off.

Cocobean30 · 23/09/2019 11:59

I don’t understand why you have allowed her to talk to you like that, especially in your own home and friends. Calling you promiscuous and belittling your parenting? I would have told her to leave immediately (but much less politely!!)

ohfourfoxache · 23/09/2019 12:00

She sounds like a horrible, horrible person - why on Earth do you keep letting her in?

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 12:05

I don't know how you're putting up with so many visitors when you have a 6 week old!! You must be very tolerant!

They mostly tell me to relax on the sofa with clustering DD, bring me chocolate and water, and let me know what is happening in the real world. It is not terrible Wink

I have certainly grown up with family friends that are effectively part of the family and have been so for 20 to 60 years. I would count DH's best friend and Emily as that, as I would my best friend and her partner. It does happen, although I am perfectly aware that it is the exception. There are also times when we don't see each other for a month or more because things are busy but DD is only 6 weeks old and we a) appreciate the help and b) feel very fortunate to have friends who want to get to know her - or, well, pretend that 6-week old babies are interesting Grin. If would want to be at home and enjoy the quiet, they would leave us alone, too. As it is, I enjoy not having to juggle everything at one every now and again.

OP posts:
CaMePlaitPas · 23/09/2019 12:05

Sorry OP you all sound absolutely exhausting.

DuchessDarty · 23/09/2019 12:06

The clothing details you've provided helps build a vivid picture.

Abbey is part of your wonderfully attentive friendship group, and so it's not unreasonable that she's coming round to join in the rest. On the flip side it's not unreasonable that you limit who you have in your own home.

I'd also think about limiting the rest of the gang at times so you get used to managing a bit more on your own. Your DH doesn't really need help with a 6-week old baby while you have a short shower, surely?

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 12:08

Your DH doesn't really need help with a 6-week old baby while you have a short shower, surely?
No but cooking dinner while looking after DD is a little more tricky. This way, one of them cooks, the other one looks after DD.

OP posts:
lovemenorca · 23/09/2019 12:08

In your OP you try to come across as sensible, no drama, not easily offended

And then... you waffle on about Disney overload and talk about barring someone.

I sense there’s a very developed drama queen in YOU!

Skysblue · 23/09/2019 12:08

She’s jealous of your life, your marriage, your baby... I suspect she will keep turning up until someone explicitly tells her she can’t. I’d send her a message (facebook or text) ideally from DH but if not from you, saying that now you have a newborn you’ve decided only to have very close friends over to your home and so are letting her know not to drop round any more to avoid embarrassing situations... She’ll be mad as hell / try to guilt trip, but just block her and then you can be done with her.

Please don’t let this poisonous person into your home anymore.

MRex · 23/09/2019 12:09

If someone commented that I was breastfeeding because I was promiscuous, I would politely insist that they leave the house immediately and send their apologies later when they've educated themselves. How long ago was it that she said this and how often have you let her into your house since?

As PP have said, simply ask the others not to tell her they are going to your house, and if she turns up on a whim tell her it isn't convenient because you have plans. As to cutting her out entirely, that's up to your DH and his other friends, but you don't need to have someone in your own home who enjoys being deliberately rude to you, you can ask her to meet the others elsewhere. If DH or I really didn't like one of the other one's friends, they simply wouldn't be able to come here, home should be a place of comfort.

lovemenorca · 23/09/2019 12:11

They mostly tell me to relax on the sofa with clustering DD, bring me chocolate and water, and let me know what is happening in the real world. It is not terrible wink

6 weeks? Bloody hell I would have been so bored of that by then!

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 12:12

*In your OP you try to come across as sensible, no drama, not easily offended

And then... you waffle on about Disney overload and talk about barring someone.

I sense there’s a very developed drama queen in YOU!*

I am dramatic because I do not like Disney products? Hmm

OP posts:
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