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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being manipulated here?

95 replies

Realmumstuff · 06/01/2020 18:52

Hi, wasn't sure where to put this...

I think I know the answer is yes but really want some advice here. It's a bit of a long story but will try and keep it as short as possible.

DD changed schools in year 4 and made a good friend called M who at first DD was best friends with, me and my partner became pals with the parents and all was well. Then it all became very full on, wanting to spend every minute together...my DD was changing and found it too much and eventually over the years although they are still friends they are not close at all (v different kids). We are still friends with the parents.

In year 5 a girl joined, I'll call her R, DD and R have a lot in common and became very close. I became friends with R's mum and this friendship was very important to my DD (still is). M became very jealous of R and made life difficult for DD and R (I get it, it can't have been easy). All us mums are friends although R's mum insists she is not close to M's mum (not sure why she tells me this).

I tried to get R, M and DD together several times but the jealousy from M was too much. R's mum did the same and again M's jealousy was too much. R's mum said R doesn't get on with M at all but adores my DD. So we all agreed that R and DD would meet up away from M, not secretly...we all discussed this and was all honest, DD would also meet up with M away from R. R's mum still maintained R doesn't like M and won't be spending time with her.

So fast forward to year 7, R had to move schools but still is close enough to meet with DD so although DD was upset things still kind of worked, DD made some new friends. M rolled along and made new friends and occasionally M and DD got together but DD still close with R and they talk every day. I am still close to both parents. It was at this point my DD's confidence took a nose dive and really struggles in social situations.

Fast forward to year 8. M's parents told us they are moving M to R's school. R's mum not happy, maintaining they are not close and doesn't want M in Rs class. DD ok with it and will remain in her current school as doing v well.

So FF to now....M's parents had 2 separate drinks. We were asked to one and Rs parents (as well as some of our old friends) were asked to the second, I found out about this from R's mum who said she really wanted it to be one big drink together but said she thinks M's mum is jealous of my and her friendship. I was a bit annoyed by this too and agreed with R's mum.

So FF a few weeks we then had some drinks for a few parents. I invited both R and M's parents. R said she couldn't as they had tickets to an Xmas light show that day, M's mum said they would all love to and that M and DD can take the little ones to the park, lovely I thought. So DD texted R to say it's a shame she couldn't make it. R said that she was waiting for M to arrive as they were going out, my DD was really upset by this as she thought she was seeing M, when R asked M's mum that my DD was expecting M to be with her today all we heard was 'well that was never the intention' M ended up sleeping over at R's. DD ended up by herself. As we had a lot of our friends around I didn't feel It was right to ask where M was to M's mum but I was very angry about it...not sure how I held it in! It now turns out that R and M have seen each other a number of times without my DD. R and M's mum have not mentioned a thing to me. I still hear how they are not close from R's parents. DD is still v close to R and are always talking. She seems more like her old self, but can I risk her dropping her like hot bricks? R is the only one who seems to be honest, her mum nor M's mum doesn't seem to be.

My partner says to drop both of them and leave them to it. Thing is, that's not me. I want to talk this out and work out wtf is going on! What do I do? My DD still wants to meet with R especially.

Angry Sorry about the long message! Any advice you could give would be great!

OP posts:
paranoidmum2 · 06/01/2020 19:28

As we had a lot of our friends around I didn't feel It was right to ask where M was to M's mum but I was very angry about it...not sure how I held it in!

It sounds like the drinks were for the adults so I'm not sure it was right to assume M would be there? Do the kids always come along to the drinks?

To be honest all I got from this is you’re happy for your DD to have separate meet ups with these girls but not happy for them to do the same.

To be fair to OP, she did try and bring the kids together quite few times and also tried to bring the mums together when they were younger.

OP, it sounds like M or her mum or R or her mum are in the novel situation of being parents to two girls who finally get along. There may be a little schadenfreude on their part because it's you / your dd who now feels hurt when the other two meet up.

It's not nice, but it's human nature and understandable to a point.

As others have said, I would let the girls sort it out themselves. Don't say anything to their mums.

viques · 06/01/2020 19:32

If you keep micromanaging your daughters friendships she is going to find her social life ups and downs very difficult. It sounds as though you have similar problems with your own friendships and that you are passing on this manipulative attitude to your daughter. Step back, let her sort things out for herself.

viques · 06/01/2020 19:33

Sorry, overanalysing would have been a better description that micromanaging.

Unicornhamster · 06/01/2020 19:34

Yes, when they were in primary school. That doesn’t give her some authority over their current friendship some 4 years later.

paranoidmum2 · 06/01/2020 19:37

@unicornhamster no, but I guess it would be nice if they remembered that OP wasn't exclusionary to either of them.

OP, maybe M and R get on better when they're not fighting over your dd's attentions?

WorraLiberty · 06/01/2020 19:37

I really don't think you're helping your DD's social anxiety by getting so involved.

You're basically reinforcing it!

FagAsh · 06/01/2020 19:38

TL DR

Mollychristmas · 06/01/2020 19:40

I really think you stepping back would actually help your DD.

You sound very over invested as does the other mothers and quite honestly your DD would be better off negotiating these friendships herself, not only will it help to improve her self esteem it is also crucial for her to learn how to develop relationships herself. I honestly think her social anxiety will improve the more she is able to prove to herself she is capable of deciding what is right for her and who she wants to have as friends, you and the other mothers are making that impossible for all of the children involved.

I think you should walk away and find some other friends that aren’t involved in your DD’s life.

Frankola · 06/01/2020 19:45

Why is it ok for your DD to have separate meet ups with each kid but not for them to do that without your DD?

That's probably why they're being weird...because you are.

1Morewineplease · 06/01/2020 19:46

Are you sure that your daughter is having major anxiety issues or just general teenage angst.
If you create a fuss then you’ll escalate any anxiety that she might have.
I’d leave them be... helicoptering over your daughter isn’t going to help.
She needs to learn that friendships come and friendships go.

Mlou32 · 06/01/2020 19:46

Whoa that was hard to read, like someone else said, too many Rs, Ms and DDs!

Just leave them to sort out their own friendships. Why do you need to become so invested in family friendships, why can't your daughter just make her own friends and leave her to it? She's going to end up seriously messed up and will be picking up on bitchy friendship dynamics which you don't want.

SmellMySmellbow · 06/01/2020 19:46

If your DD has social anxiety, you're not being the best role model here... Chill out, see the mum's if you genuinely want, leave the kids to sort themselves out.

MollyButton · 06/01/2020 19:47

You are over involved.

You can't prevent all your DD's anxiety issues.

What I would do is make sure your DD has lots of friends. Has activities outside school (ideally away from R and M). I would also make sure your DD knows she can talk to you anytime. I'd also personally make sure the childline and Samaritan's numbers were easily available - and DD knew where to find them if she ever needed them.
If she starts to get low again - then talking to school, maybe seeing the GP and contacting someone like Young Minds; can all give practical help and advice.
I'd also make sure I had lots of friends who weren't parents of my daughter. Maybe read "Queen bees and Wannabees", and watch Mean Girls with your DD.

SmellMySmellbow · 06/01/2020 19:47

Mums, not mum's. Oops.

Spied · 06/01/2020 19:52

You seem, as pp's have said, happy for M or R to be left out of meet ups but unhappy when DD isn't invited.
Your dd isn't the centre of the universe with everyone negotiating themselves around her. She shouldn't have to always be involved.
I really think these women are tiptoeing around you and keeping things from you as, I'm sorry but you sound quite intense and neurotic.
I don't think it's good for your DD to have you so invested in this.
I'd step back from the whole dynamic and give yourself and them some breathing space before it all blows up.

ichifanny · 06/01/2020 19:58

Sounds like you and your daughter are trying to be the central figures in these relationships , in the way that everyone has to go through you first . It doesn’t sound very healthy .

Loopyloopy1 · 06/01/2020 19:58

Wow that was confusing to read.

But really, let your daughter and her friends work it out. She may get hurt, but that’s a life lesson - and you can’t protect her from everything. Besides, you shouldn’t be getting involved in teenage friendships, in my opinion...

eddielizzard · 06/01/2020 20:04

I think you have to back off the kid's friendships and just worry about your own. Meet your friends for coffee. Don't make it into a big deal. Sounds to me like they didn't want to upset you that they were seeing each other without your DD, esp as your DD has anxiety (had you discussed this with them?). Let it go, change the subject.

73Sunglasslover · 06/01/2020 20:06

In terms of the party, I think maybe there was just a confusion with the plans rather than anything intentional. Your daughter needs to accept that sometimes friends get together without you. This does not mean they don't like you and it not something to take personally. Focus on helping her not catastrophise the meaning of this and then leave them to it.

Realmumstuff · 06/01/2020 20:06

Thanks to all those who have offered some really constructive advice here. And to those who have just been rude, well at least you're leaving some poor other bugger alone!

DD really was the most resilient child I have ever met and I stayed well out of things, she was confident and could resolve things herself. In fact the words just let them sort it was what I used to tell the other parents when there were friendship issues, DD would come and ask my advice on things, often just to rant... she would say she can work it out, I said I would always be here when she needs me.

It was only when DD's anxiety got really bad with her explaining that her ability to cope with even small things had gone and she asked me to help her did I start to step in. For those who have never had to support someone with severe anxiety you are very lucky, it's awful to see your once confident child beg you for help! I think that has made me over protective (never been that way before).

I do encourage other friendships, she is finding this tough and isn't keen on socialising with anyone at the moment, even with the newer friends she has made.

Let me be clear, my concern is my DD not anyone else. R & M can do whatever, it's things that impact my DD I am concerned about hence why I was upset about the gathering where M was coming. DD had worked up confidence to go out as M was coming.

I will take the sensible advice of stepping back but hear me out here, if my daughter asks for my help to sort things out do I say no, you have to work it out yourself? That to me is not good parenting.

OP posts:
FFSFFSFFS · 06/01/2020 20:07

I really don't think you're helping your DD's social anxiety by getting so involved.

You're basically reinforcing it!

This times a million. My mother was as over involved as you and projected all her social issues on to me. Has given me major anxiety issues.

I think you need to be honest with yourself that you could be a significant factor in your daughter;s anxiety issues.

I would bet quite a lot money that you won't be though and you will be outraged at the thought. I would also bet good money that you write something like "all that you want is what's best for your daughter" and "you are simply being a caring and loving mother".

Grumpelstilskin · 06/01/2020 20:09

Wow! Hope you let your DD wipe her own arse in peace at least. Why are you so involved at her age now.

FFSFFSFFS · 06/01/2020 20:09

if my daughter asks for my help to sort things out do I say no, you have to work it out yourself? That to me is not good parenting

I knew it! Its only because your daughter needs you and is asking for your help.

If you really do love your daughter you need to run to amazon and order every book there is on maternal enmeshment. And you need to be try to be self aware about the ways in which you are projecting your own anxieties on to her.

And then you need to take a very large step back. You listen to your daughter, you provide comfort to her and maybe advice from a distance - but good lord don't get involved in the details of this all.

Properfatty · 06/01/2020 20:20

And to those who have just been rude, well at least you're leaving some poor other bugger alone!
Well with that attitude...

Mrsmadevans · 06/01/2020 20:21

They are only doing what you did to her so the winner in all this is R & her Mummy , it's all childish and ridiculous and it's about time you ALL grew up OP.

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