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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is she being unreasonable - or am I? (Or both?!)

98 replies

NewMamaLondon · 16/01/2020 13:22

Ok, so some background: I have a partner and a baby (under one). I have a friend who is getting married this year (no children). We've known each other for a few years and have never been super close but have seen each other on and off.

So first, she invited me to her hen. It's three nights, abroad - a long flight, not just a Eurostar to Paris kind of situation where those who couldn't make all three nights could just do one or even go for a day at a push. Honestly I just didn't feel able to spend that long away from DC (would still be under one then, and I haven't left for anything like that long before). I explained, apologised, and said I'd like to take her out for a nice afternoon tea to make it up. She replied that she understood and no worries and that would be nice.

Then the wedding invitation arrived. Turns out it is taking place quite a distance away from where we both live - 5hr+ drive. It's also a child-free wedding which friend called me to reiterate and said she knows this means some people won't be able to come but so be it. Due to reasons I won't go into (but nothing ominous!) neither my parents nor PIL can have DC that weekend. Neither me or DH have siblings or other options of people to look after DC. Other thing I should add is that DH is away on business a lot and so we can't be sure that he would be around to look after the baby even if I said I'd go on my own (friend knows this).

So I ended up writing a card and declined, really apologising profusely and politely explaining the difficult situation re childcare and offering to chat more on the phone or in person etc. Friend then called me selfish, said that it's her time and that I should be more respectful of that. She said I was making it all about me (honestly didn't think I was, surely you have to say, politely, why you can't attend something?). Then she told me the friendship was over.

Now I completely understand that she is disappointed - I honestly do - but I also think if you plan a wedding hours away from where you all live and make it child free (when a lot of friends have kids) then not everyone will be able to go. She also said herself that she knew this might happen!

I'd also add that since I had DC she's only been in touch once, despite me inviting her over, out etc several times. The only other contact has been about the hen and wedding.

So: have I been really unreasonable in declining the hen and wedding and the way I behaved in doing so etc?

OP posts:
BlueEyedGreeness · 16/01/2020 13:26

Yanbu, ignore her, she doesn't sound like much of a friend

AdoptedBumpkin · 16/01/2020 13:26

She sounds a bit mental tbh.

Stressedout10 · 16/01/2020 13:27

Sounds like she has either had many people decline her invitation or she's just becoming a bridezilla

Travis1 · 16/01/2020 13:27

Nah, she's not a proper friend clearly from her attitude. You say you aren't close just let the friendship go. Sounds like perhaps a few people have already declined and you've got the shitty end of the stick

OddshoesOddsocks · 16/01/2020 13:27

YANBU, if you plan a destination or child free wedding then you have to be prepared for people not being able to come. Simple as that!

You’ve got perfectly valid reasons not to go and have politely explained them. That’s that!

Kanga83 · 16/01/2020 13:28

Bridezilla looms. She's probably finding quite a few are declining. I wouldn't leave my dc either. It's her wedding the way she wanted, YANBU to decline as it doesn't suit your circa.

Whynosnowyet · 16/01/2020 13:28

I would suggest when her pfb arrives she will have no friends left to tell...

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 16/01/2020 13:28

She's not a real friend.

lesleyw1953 · 16/01/2020 13:29

It's not you - it's her

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 16/01/2020 13:29

She sounds like a selfish cow.

She'll understand when she has babies and gets a 'kid free' wedding invitation 5 hours away...

Doesn't sound like you're losing much from losing this 'friend'.

Don't even worry about it. Spend the money you'd have spent on their wedding present on something nice for you and the DC instead. Flowers

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 16/01/2020 13:29

Oh and don't apologise - if she wants people to be able to attend then she should arrange the events to be more local.

Useful22 · 16/01/2020 13:30

She doesnt get it, understand that but don't get how that means a friendship is over. Guess you are better off without her.

Mammajay · 16/01/2020 13:30

She is totally unreasonable.

Chocolatemouse84 · 16/01/2020 13:30

Yanbu. People have to accept that unfortunately, not everyone will logistically and practically be able to attend their wedding. Especially if there is extra difficulties for them like childcare or transport issues
You've been polite your decline of the invitation, I wouldn't bother contacting her again now unless she contacts you politely further down the line

Queenoftheashes · 16/01/2020 13:34

Lol total bridezilla

TwoHeadedYellowBelliedHoleDig · 16/01/2020 13:36

We were invited to a wedding, without our DC, at a distance would mean we'd need to get them fed twice and put to bed. 4 DC, two with SN, all under 10. So a massive ask of a babysitter, or two - if we had any, which we didn't. DH responded saying he'd go by himself, as they were his friends. Sorted? Nah. They phoned me up and harassed me about not coming as well because obviously organising that amount of childcare was easy and I should have done it. In the end DH only stayed for the meal and left because they were still going on about it Hmm

AtrociousCircumstance · 16/01/2020 13:39

OP she’s being a complete dick. She’s no friend. Stick to your guns.

avocadoincident · 16/01/2020 13:47

I'd say she has mad many people decline the invite and you were the straw that broke the camel's back.

Ignore or reply 'I know it's upsetting having people decline your invite to your special day but it just doesn't work for us. If you calm down and want to talk give me a ring'.

It depends on wether you want to continue the friendship or not.

Willow2017 · 16/01/2020 13:47

She is an idiot you haven't lost much in the way of a friend there.

Bet lots of people are declining her awesome invitation and she is realising just now awkward it is with kids to go to such things. Nobody has to jump through hoops to go to a wedding not even someone as special as she thinks she is😉

Leave her to stew and don't let her back in your life.

messolini9 · 16/01/2020 13:47

Bridezilla: It's also a child-free wedding which friend called me to reiterate and said she knows this means some people won't be able to come but so be it.
OP: "I am so sorry - the distance means I will need cover for X days & I cannot get childcare for that amount of time & won't be able to make it."
Bridezilla: "You are selfish, & no longer my friend."

Fucksake OP, you're better off without this bloody woman in your life.

makingmammaries · 16/01/2020 13:49

If the friendship is over, you’ve dodged a bullet, OP.

Whynosnowyet · 16/01/2020 13:49

Bet your invite included a cheesey poem about donations did it?

ChicCroissant · 16/01/2020 13:54

Smile and wave OP, as this former 'friend' disappears into the distance. It won't be a great loss.

I bet the invitation asked for the guests to pay for the honeymoon holiday too.

Penners99 · 16/01/2020 13:55

She is a Class A bitch

IntermittentParps · 16/01/2020 13:58

YANBU. She's a loon and you've dodged a bullet.