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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:
ReanimatedSGB · 23/09/2019 13:08

It can be very difficult to get rid of a tiresome, troublesome cunt from a friendship circle, though. Most reasonable people are not keen on confrontation or fuss or even 'being assertive', which is what people like this wretched woman count on.
As PP said, firstly ask the rest of the group to stop saying they are at your house, if Abbey tries to invite herself over just say it's not a good time, and if she turns up uninvited say It's not a good time, please call first, and keep on doing it. she'll either get the hint or do/say something sufficiently unpleasant that you or your H will feel properly justified in telling her you don't want to see her any more.

Sagradafamiliar · 23/09/2019 13:10

Grow up.

meccacos2 · 23/09/2019 13:12

Ignore all the vipers who are saying you should welcome this crazy woman into your home.

Step 1. Tell any guests to not mention up Abby when they visit because she isn’t invited (you’re not entertaining her behaviour).

That’s it, really. If she rocks up at your home - ask her to leave - say it’s not a good time.

She insults you in your own home - you don’t need to be polite to her.

Itsallgonewoowoo · 23/09/2019 13:13

OP is happy with how often her friends come over and her family set up. I wouldn't be, she is, I don't think that's the point. The problem is one individual who has done several things to try and knock OP. However you say she is DHs friend and I think DH needs to deal with her. Pull her up on her digs and tell her she's overstepping.

meccacos2 · 23/09/2019 13:14

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Sagradafamiliar · 23/09/2019 13:16

But everyone knows that if you clearly dislike someone to the point that their every move is irritating= you don't have to have them over. This is basic stuff. You don't need to sit there listing things like Disney polyester mix clothing and sexual exploration to justify it. You just stop pretending to be friends!

1forAll74 · 23/09/2019 13:20

I couldn't be doing with all this complicated stuff at all. This woman sounds very annoying and best avoided. As someone mentioned, it's like your own little soap opera going on.

ElevenSmiles · 23/09/2019 13:20

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GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou · 23/09/2019 13:23

Jesus, people are being such nit-pickers on this thread. Who gives a shit what help your friends give you and your husband while they are there?

You aren't demanding it. I think it's a lovely thing.

As for Abby? She doesn't tiptoe around your feelings so don't around hers. Just tell her straight that you are finding her to be a little too overbearing at the moment and think it would be best that she didn't visit for a while.

TruthOnTrial · 23/09/2019 13:24

Why can't people just be adults and speak to ithers that cause offence to see what's going on and make decisions going forward?

Whats with all the sneaking around and trying to get others roped in to do your bidding. So many on here are saying this, but those others might not want to be told what to do in their interactions with others, or not have a problem with her..

Its only for the person who has the problem to deal with.

OP clearly has no problem with an open door policy, but then can't actually manage it by putting in any boundaries. So is that what this open door policy comes from? Lack of boundaries.

For open door policies to work you need to have an open communication policy! Its no good all 'n sundry rocking up and destroying your time with your baby.

Text her, tell her, she's crossed the line with her offensive commentary.

These threads are all the same, harbouring grudges and trying to rope others into their argument instead of telling the people who've upset them and being grown up about it.

Someone else said grow up - agreed

DerbyshireGirly · 23/09/2019 13:27

This household sounds like something out of Friends.

MzHz · 23/09/2019 13:33

Seriously OP, this CANNOT be true, can it??

She basically called you a slag in your own home and it wasn’t her last visit? How was she not taken to the front door there and then with a boot up her arse?

I know things get lost in context etc, but how can she just carry on turning up with friends and THEY don’t tell her she’s completely out of order and not to show up uninvited again?

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 13:33

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.

It was something along the lines of, "Of course youwouldn't mind to bf in front of others, given how much you slept around". She doesn't know much about my dating history and what she knows I would consider fairly tame, but here we are. What I responded, was, I believe, "Yes, and got to know and appreciate my body in that time, which makes bf much easier. You should try that sleeping around thing."

We have asked Emily to stop the info train to Abby, so hopefully that will help.

About the Disney stuff: We have repeatedly told her to stop but "she just couldn't help herself." One or two pieces would have been appreciated but not mountains of it.

OP posts:
Preggosaurus9 · 23/09/2019 13:38

Your DH is just listening to these comments and not saying anything?!

Struggling to understand why this person is even in your house in the first place. Tell her to knob off!

YippeeKayakOtherBuckets · 23/09/2019 13:40

Fuckeroo. Where are your boundaries? Has she been round since that comment?

Mabelface · 23/09/2019 13:41

I'd just message Abbie and tell her that due to her rudeness and insults, she's no longer welcome in your home. Life is too short for fannying around.

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 13:48

My DH usually doesn't get a chance to say anything, as I tend to put her in her place within seconds. It has just gotten very exhausting since DD arrived, because, well, we are looking after a velcro baby. I am, however, not quite at the point where I need him to speak up for me. I might get there eventually but right now I prefer respond to Abby's comments myself, given that they are directed at me.

She basically called you a slag in your own home and it wasn’t her last visit? How was she not taken to the front door there and then with a boot up her arse?
If she were my friend, I would have kicked her out in no uncertain terms. That also puts Emily on the spot, though, who is struggling a bit at the moment. Which in turn worries DH and me.

This household sounds like something out of Friends.
I wish I could talk them into getting ducks or wearing a Turkey on their head but don't think that will happen Grin

OP posts:
Beesandcheese · 23/09/2019 13:50

Open door policies do not mix well with family life. You need quality time, children need to know they are not obliged to entertain any and everyone. I certainly wouldn't want someone as misogynistic as her around my children in my home, where my children might conclude I was OK with such.

Clangus00 · 23/09/2019 13:53

Well if she’s not your friend why is she in your house? Or why aren’t you telling her not to come back? Screw Emily, it’s not her decision!

ReanimatedSGB · 23/09/2019 13:54

Ah, right, so Emily is a bit fragile and you worry that telling Abbey to go fuck herself once and for all will upset Emily? I can see that makes life harder. But you maybe need to hand it over to your H to deal with Abbey/Emily, perhaps by him telling Emily that you are both sick of Abbey and how would Emily feel if Abbey got told to fuck off completely? If Emily would be relieved, then Abbey gets told to get to fuck and that's the end of it.
(It won't feel all that 'nice' to do this to someone, however much of a cunt she is - and she does sound horrendous - but it's not illegal and it's not the end of the world.)

DuchessDarty · 23/09/2019 14:32

*I tend to put her in her place in seconds”.

But OP you’re not putting her in her place are you, because her place is the other side of your closed front door.

I’m still surprised that he didn’t say something when she was so unbelievably rude. Or the speak for you, but to speak for himself as the co-homeowner, co-parent and your partner.

I think one of you needs to speak to her directly. As he knew her first, you don’t like her and your DH must have liked something about her since he asked her out, he’s best placed to do it.

DuchessDarty · 23/09/2019 14:38

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Haworthia · 23/09/2019 14:38

I thought Emily felt that her and Abby had grown apart? You said as much in your OP. Why would she be so upset and rattled if you ejected Abby from your Friendship group?

FluffyCloudsInTheSky · 23/09/2019 14:41

Abbey sounds so odd not to mention rude. Definitely agree with telling her you have other visitors when she turns up in future.

As she is more DH's friend the other option is for him to contact her to make her aware she is rude and interfering

WanderingMind · 23/09/2019 14:43

Crikey, this is batshittery at it's best. Confused