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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:
lovemenorca · 23/09/2019 12:14

No OP

Because you talk about barring someone from your home who sounds odd and a bit unlikeable and annoying but ultimately barring?

There’s this wonderful place. It’s called the middle ground. And this scenario is perfect for it.

DuchessDarty · 23/09/2019 12:14

Just watch out OP that Abby doesn't turn up one day wearing a comfortable H&M breastfeeding top.

LazyDaisey · 23/09/2019 12:14

Aby doesn’t show up by herself, right?

It’s only when Emily is there?

So make this an Emily issue and get the boyfriend to intervene, as Emily is not in the right state of mind as you mention.

If Abby shows up at your door uninvited, ask her to hold on. Then go get him.

He then explains to her outside that he and Emily are there to see their godchild. Just because she’s Emily’s friend, doesn’t mean she gets to invite herself to your house. And if she objects, he can point out she insulted you in your own home so it doesn’t matter what former relationship she might have with your DH. Your DH isn’t going to tolerate a friend of his to insult his wife and mother of his child in their home.

This has nothing to do with your and DH as she

MadameButterface · 23/09/2019 12:16

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

This in spades

It sounds like you enjoy the fantasy of a close knit friendship group all popping in and out of each other’s houses and constantly living in each other’s pockets, with you and your brand new nuclear family at the beatific domestic heart of it all, but there’s a reason why that sort of thing only happens on cheesy films and telly, and you’ve just discovered what it is. It’s hard to believe this girl is a real person as she sounds like a caricature of a needy psycho ex girlfriend from a bad rom com, but on the offchance she is, just make yourselves less available to her and she’ll find other people to fill the gap, 28 is quite young really

LazyDaisey · 23/09/2019 12:16

Whoops, ignore the last line... started writing, then stopped and I forgot to delete end. Grin

I do wonder why your DH hasn’t actually stood up to Aby when she insulted you?

DuchessDarty · 23/09/2019 12:18

@MadameButterface Quite. She's a 28-year-old virgin too, remember.

CaMePlaitPas · 23/09/2019 12:20

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MadameButterface · 23/09/2019 12:22

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AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 12:23

I never said that she is a virgin, only that she basically considers anyone who has sex pre-marriage promiscuous. Whether she and the one guy she dated had sex or not, I really do not know or care. I just expect to not be judged for having enjoyed my single years.

And I am certainly not the domestic center of anything, merely recovering from giving birth and getting used to a clustering child while keeping up social contacts.

OP posts:
crispysausagerolls · 23/09/2019 12:27

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

No. No no no. No way is this for real! You need a fucking team of people for a 6 week old? There are TWO of you!!! That’s plenty! Yes it’s hard when one of you is with baby and the other is at work and one of you has to somehow clean yourself, watch baby and then cook. But two of you is plenty and if this is real it’s bonkers/childish/freakishly odd to need a fucking team of you to help you and your husband be responsible parents. What the actual hell.

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 12:35

We don't need people round, as I have said that happens maybe 1-2 days a week. The other 5-6 days we get on perfectly fine by ourselves. I just explained that in relation to whyI don't want to shut people out. They are welcome and support us. I am sure that will become less but if they are here anyway, holding DD for a few moments is hardly a chore.

OP posts:
Penelopeschat · 23/09/2019 12:37

@AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken - you sound sensible and compassionate, as well as patient! I think banning is a bit extreme but likely there are many factors (history, post partum, etc). I would gently tell friends you’d appreciate their not mentioning going to yours as you need a bit of a mental break from the situation and are hoping to just spend time without Abby - you like her but are finding some behaviours a bit much right now. No drama, just say it once and move on. See Abby in other ways with DH’s larger group as appropriate and be pleasant but lessen the in your home stuff and small group stuff. Will help loads I’m sure.

TheDizzyRascal · 23/09/2019 12:37

You sound a bit mean. Abby doesn't sound great to be fair, but a "ban" is just mean and hurtful. Maybe her heart is in the right place and she is trying to be nice - buying gifts etc which she probably thinks are lovely and kind, and you sound very ungrateful. Try and be a bit more grown up and find a happy medium x

Rachelle11 · 23/09/2019 12:39

If Emily has outgrown Abby why is she letting her know where she is all the time? It sounds like Emily still like Abby but tells you what you want to hear.

Penelopeschat · 23/09/2019 12:39

Also @AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken it sounds lovely having friends pop over and hold DD, socialize, etc. Not sure why so many have taken issue with it! I’m sure many of us would have enjoyed chocolates and a natter in those early days!

Haworthia · 23/09/2019 12:50

there’s a reason why that sort of thing only happens on cheesy films and telly

Quite 🤔

Milkstick · 23/09/2019 12:52

Tell whoever is letting her know that you don't feel comfortable having her around, and to stop informing her when they visit. I have a feeling they might feel like they need permission to see this person less, whether they realise it or not. I suspect you'll all feel better when she's in your faces less. You're not her babysitter. It may take time, but if she escalates her unreasonableness, all the more reason to continue to keep her at arm's length (at least). And as a PP said, DH might want to step up and take some of this burden from you. You have more important things to focus on!

AJPTaylor · 23/09/2019 12:52

Seriously you are being too nice and over thinking.

The comment about breastfeeding would have got me/dp out of our seats and leading you directly to the door.

SunnyCoco · 23/09/2019 12:53

I feel a bit sorry for Abby actually, everyone slagging her.off behind her back , she's probably a bit prickly because she's sensing all this unwelcoming feeling but isn't sure why

Milkstick · 23/09/2019 12:53

Unwanted 'and' in that. Sorry OP. :)

Milkstick · 23/09/2019 12:55

@SunnyCoco I thought that, but she's being very rude. If needs be they could highlight everything she's said that has been unwelcome and ensure she understands why she's no longer going to be around them. It doesn't need to be nasty, but if she needs it spelling out, it should be.

StrangeLookingParasite · 23/09/2019 12:59

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.

Hah, brilliant comeback and I don't at all think it reflects badly on you (as a previous poster said). Better than meekly taking such an incredibly rude and stupid comment without reacting.

Rachelle11 · 23/09/2019 13:03

What did she exactly say about your breastfeeding? Saying she always expected you to is one thing, did she actually say because of your promiscuous past? Given that parts not in quotes I'm curious as to the exact sentence.

Derbee · 23/09/2019 13:03

Ask people not to mention they’re at yours. Never invite her to yours. When she is unavoidably at yours, as soon as she says anything critical, call her out on it. Tell her you find it exhausting dealing with her comments and criticisms. When she has a baby she can do it her way.

She might decide you’re an over sensitive bitch and stay away from you Grin

Sparklingbrook · 23/09/2019 13:04

I don't know where to start with all this really. Such drama.

At least I now know why I failed so much at public breastfeeding though.

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