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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:
AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 14:44

Because Emily is not a monster and they have been friends for almost 30 years? I don't know about you, but even when I cut someone out, it still hurts and makes me feel a little shit.

@DuchessDarty someone miffed they only made it to Duchess?

OP posts:
Tonnerre · 23/09/2019 14:46

Just take the Disney mountain round to your local charity shop. And in future hand it back to Abby with a smile and an explanation that you just don't have the space for it.

Haworthia · 23/09/2019 14:50

Because Emily is not a monster and they have been friends for almost 30 years?

Well, I don’t think you’d mentioned that the pair of them had been friends since the moment of birth (you’re all under 30, right?) but, y’know, they’re either BFFs or they’re not, right?

lovemenorca · 23/09/2019 14:53

Just take the Disney mountain round to your local charity shop. And in future hand it back to Abby with a smile and an explanation that you just don't have the space for it.

Way too sensible for the OP to consider. Where the heck is the drama in that?

MadameButterface · 23/09/2019 14:58

“Because Emily is not a monster and they have been friends for almost 30 years?”

Wow friends since they were in utero, that really is something isn’t it

ElevenSmiles · 23/09/2019 15:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SavingSpaces2019 · 23/09/2019 15:04

I think you all need to stop pussyfooting around issue.
This woman is NO FRIEND of yours and DH's - she's been slagging you off every chance she gets!
She tries to interfere in your friendships with other people by turning up up and interrupting your time with them....this is actually rather manipulative behaviour so that nobody can do anything without her being involved.

She forces you to tolerate her unwanted/unwelcome presence in your own home and at the same time she manages to guilt-trip anyone who tries to assert their boundaries with her.
Emily would probably find it easier to assert her boundaries if she saw you doing the same - strength in numbers.

Your DH also needs to open his eyes.
This woman is not a friend - she's more like a frenemy.
Cos who needs enemies when you got a friend like her eh?
She either still fancies your DH or is still bitter and resentful that he chose someone else.
She slags you off in your own home!
She has zero respect for either of you.

You are not responsible for the feelings and issues your mutual friends about her - just your own.
So don't feel like you have to keep tolerating this woman just because it might impact others.

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 15:08

Did anyone read the "almost"? Emily is 30, their parents are friends and from what I gather, the played together basically since Abby was born. Some people really seem to think there is a lie at every corner Hmm

OP posts:
AlansLeftMoob · 23/09/2019 15:12

Freeze her out.
Delete her on Facebook and other social media, don't tell her any of your plans, leave any group chat with her in it and set up another one. You're not friends so she shouldn't have this kind of unlimited access to your private life. Next time she shows up just say "sorry Abby I haven't got time for a visit today, thanks" and leave it at that.
She sounds incredibly pushy and over the top so just boot her.

ElevenSmiles · 23/09/2019 15:12

You're quick OP...I'll give you that..............Nothing else.

hammeringinmyhead · 23/09/2019 15:14

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.

Yeah. This isn't logical. Emily can see Abby elsewhere, on her own. Just contact Abby and say that you've been thinking about her recent comments, and they've actually offended you more than you realised at the time, so she is no longer welcome in your home.

littleorangecat22 · 23/09/2019 15:18

Taking all of the drama out of this, what it comes down to is that you (and your DH and his friends, apparently) don't like Abby. Do her a favour and tell her so that she can stop investing her time and energy in people who don't like her. I'd much rather know that I wasn't wanted in my friendship group than have people talk about me like this. (I bet if someone asked Abby, she would say that you are her friend. If you are not, do the right thing and don't act like a friend.)

Haworthia · 23/09/2019 15:37

Good point @hammeringinmyhead

One minute they’re two friends who’ve grown apart, now they’re too enmeshed for Abby to be excommunicated by a couple of mutual friends.

salmonrose · 23/09/2019 15:46

Next time Abby comes to your door tell her that you have visitors that you want to talk to alone, and shut the door.
I'd slowly push her out, she sounds awful.

MadameButterface · 23/09/2019 15:46

Well if let’s call her emily can’t or won’t stop inviting let’s call her abby to your house, then you don’t have a let’s call her abby problem, you have a let’s call her emily problem

Hth

RightYesButNo · 23/09/2019 15:49

OP - you say that Emily is going through a difficult time right now, but have you talked to her about Abby? It might actually be a help. Abby could be contributing to Emily’s difficult time. The thing is that Abby sounds like a very judgmental person, and I can’t imagine that character trait just “switches off” when she’s not dealing with you. While you say that you immediately pull her up on her startlingly rude comments (the thing about breastfeeding and your sexual history! Wtf!), is it possible that Emily doesn’t have the mental strength to do this?

If so, Abby could be making the same types of comments to her and Emily’s not as outspoken or capable of defending herself (right now) as you are. I would recommend having a deeper talk with Emily about the whole thing. You might find that the idea of your house being a guaranteed Abby-free zone would be a huge relief to her, instead of a source of stress. And it might even help her end the friendship herself, if it doesn’t make her happy.

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 23/09/2019 16:12

Open door might suit you now but it won’t when you have a bedtime routine, or a light-sleeping toddler, or an older child who needs to do their homework. You’ll be doing yourself a favour if you start gently winding up the drawbridge just a little bit.

Sagradafamiliar · 23/09/2019 16:16

What's it like living in a sitcom?

hooowl · 23/09/2019 16:22

No advice but may I commend your use of paragraphs and formatted sub-headings!

hooowl · 23/09/2019 16:37

Amazed at the people thinking this is high drama compared to the usual shite you see on MN. No-one's been blocked, no-one's "turned round and said to her" did she mean to be so rude, tinkly laugh etc, no-one's called 101 or gone to A&E, given parmesan to a vegetarian, refused to vaccinate their kids, objected to planning permission, or - shudder - been invited to a wedding evening do. Ok the wedding dress thing is nuts but you didn't make a big deal about that!

Obviously though OP you do need to spell out whether or not you have a dishwasher so we can give you fully informed advice.

Birdshitbridgegotme · 23/09/2019 16:37

The next time she makes a comment that you dont like tell her. Straight up.Abby I like you but If you say anything like that again you wont be coming here anymore. This is my baby and my house and I wint tolerate you being rude to me while you are here.

FizzyGreenWater · 23/09/2019 16:46

Next time she pipes up with something just lean back in your chair and say 'Abby, you need us more than we need you. That's all I'm going to say'.

StrangeLookingParasite · 23/09/2019 16:56

Grow up

I can't see why this is justified. Perhaps you think you look more perspicacious than the reste of us, but really, it just looks like cynical bitchery.

GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou · 23/09/2019 17:15

hooowl :o

AllTheGrrrrsAreTaken · 23/09/2019 17:19

Obviously though OP you do need to spell out whether or not you have a dishwasher so we can give you fully informed advice.
We do - even with DD in a sling it is a bit of a pain to load and unload, though. Any advice? Maybe I can get the dogs to lick it all clean Wink

Emily has put the info train on hold for now and seems a little relieved. No Abby for the next few weeks, it is going to be bliss. I am glad to know I NBU - although the reasons poster seem to agree with that appear somewhat varied. Better get my broom and Disney princess crown out.

OP posts: