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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be upset with DH for encouraging this friendship?

45 replies

KestrelFlying · 04/11/2020 20:31

If you recognise some of the details, it's because I have posted before. Basically a 'friend' of both DH and mine, had asked for numerous favours from me, including childcare, days out, etc. I wanted to help her out and so went above and beyond all throughout the previous lockdown and beyond.

She now acts like I don't exist, and even if I see her in the playground won't even bother saying hi. Nothing happened - I don't know why. Even though I was upset at the time, DH and I decided to just ignore it and move on.

However, deep down I blame DH for encouraging the friendship with this person. All along, I kept saying that my gut instinct felt something was wrong. This person never reciprocated anything, never did anything that a friend would do, never messaged unless they wanted something.

I know that DH can be a bit enthusiastic on friendships as he doesn't have many friends and that he had good intentions, but deep down I feel angry. Angry that i kept telling him i didn't want to get involved with this person.

We haven't spoken to the person since all this, but I feel like in a few weeks when they come crawling back being nice, DH will try and downplay everything and act like nothing happened. If this happens, I think I am going to lose it.

I know in my head, I am done with it all but just don't know how to set the boundary, so this person cannot reappear in our lives again when it suits them.

OP posts:
Henrietty · 05/11/2020 09:57

@BlueThistles

Your Husband wanted the friendship.... read that again ... and again then ask yourself why 🌺
That’s a bit unfair. Men are allowed to be friends with women without there being an ulterior motive
Scarlettpixie · 05/11/2020 10:04

Your op is a bit contradictory. You say you wanted to help her and then that you told your DH you didn’t want to get involved. I am confused.

Yabu a bit unreasonable.

BlueThistles · 05/11/2020 10:06

That’s a bit unfair. Men are allowed to be friends with women without there being an ulterior motive

I blame DH for encouraging the friendship with this person. All along, I kept saying that my gut instinct felt something was wrong. This person never reciprocated anything

DH will try and downplay everything and act like nothing happened.

I think OP has expressed her feelings about her husband very clearly and why it makes her uncomfortable... 🌺

Hailtomyteeth · 05/11/2020 10:08

Dh wants you to befriend this woman and facilitate her life.
She doesn't want that.
You don't want that.

How well does he know her?

Spied · 05/11/2020 10:13

If DH is taken in by her and wants to help her if she comes crawling back then I'd let him crack on.
All I'd say is that the 'friend' and/or her offspring don't enter your house and he doesn't let this friendship infringe on your life/plans together, with family etc.
Other than that let him do as he wishes.
He needs to see for himself.

Atalune · 05/11/2020 10:16

If I were you I would keep dripping in what a flake she was and how selfish she was and how people
Like that are not good for you. Just the occasional drip in to remind him that she is bad news.

If she does come back in, then you MUST take a huge step back and have nothing to do with her. If DH wants to proceed then that’s another fish altogether.

LifesNotEnidBlyton · 05/11/2020 10:16

Of course you're angry OP but it wasn't your husband who made you keep going back and doing what she wanted. You can go "Shes not a real friend." and "Shes using me." As much as you want bit if you still keep doing what she wants it isnt your DH's fault. He shouldn't be encouraging you if hes not actually helping her himself, but if he was doing it too then he might just be one of those people who is over optimistic, and he can keep doing it if he wants. But you don't have to join in.

Thelnebriati · 05/11/2020 10:25

OK listen;
Instead of stressing about what might happen, make a plan for how you will react if it happens. You're building it up into a massive problem and it hasn't happened yet. If you have a plan it will shrink down to a blip on the horizon.

JillofTrades · 05/11/2020 10:31

I think its very, very odd that someone would behave this way without a reason. She went from basically having you take care of her kids to ignoring you- I would have to find out what the reason is. Nobody does that just because.

seayork2020 · 05/11/2020 10:34

Of course it has to be the blokes fault and not that you can't say no, just say no and move on if he wants to be friends fine. Own your decisions

goldenharvest · 05/11/2020 10:57

Well he didn't know she was a horrid person so how can he be blamed for encouraging the friendship.

And if he decides to speak to her, surely that's up to him? He can make is own decision. You can still ignore her.

AryaStarkWolf · 05/11/2020 11:02

YABU let it go, this kind of stuff happens, don't let it make you become bitter

GilbertMarkham · 05/11/2020 11:41

Is he like this with men as well, or just women?

Is that the issue really?

That he's soft and accommodating and does favours for women (and involves you in it too) because he likes the interaction with them. Do you resent that (and being used by proxy alongside him) as a result of it?

BlueThistles · 06/11/2020 00:42

Well he didn't know she was a horrid person so how can he be blamed for encouraging the friendship.

Because he has been unconscious this entire time? ? Confused

OP did say ...

Basically a 'friend' of both DH and mine, had asked for numerous favours from me, including childcare, days out, etc.

I'm pretty sure DH is very very aware..... Hmm

SandyY2K · 06/11/2020 00:49

@Lavanderrose

Did you ever notice them flirting with each other at all? Maybe that’s why he was trying to encourage your friendship with her, I hope not but something doesn’t add up.

This was my line of thinking too. Why was he so keen for you to be friends and help her out?

Then suddenly she ignores you...is she feeling guilty about something,

It sounds suspicious to me, but I can be cynical.

Muchadoaboutlife · 06/11/2020 03:23

Get over what happened. It’s done. These things happen. You tried for who you thought was a friend and she turned out to be a user. Now you know. If she comes crawling back you simply say “sorry the answer is no” you don’t make excuses or long explanations or anger. You are simply not bothered. Or just don’t reply to her texts. If your DH tries to be friends with her again you say “the answer is no” you do nothing for her. End of.

gavisconismyfriend · 06/11/2020 06:29

Why are you getting angry with your DH over the way he MIGHT behave IF she tries to get back in touch? Is it really that you are projecting your anger with yourself because you feel like a mug for being taken in by her the first time? Not entirely sure you are being fair to your DH here.....

ukgift2016 · 06/11/2020 06:32

He most likely fancies her.

Sara2000 · 06/11/2020 07:30

If she comes crawling back just point her to your DH and let him deal with it. You can only build your own boundaries, its up to your to sort his own out.

BlueThistles · 06/11/2020 09:11

Why are you getting angry with your DH over the way he MIGHT behave IF she tries to get back in touch? Is it really that you are projecting your anger with yourself because you feel like a mug for being taken in by her the first time? Not entirely sure you are being fair to your DH here.....

perhaps... because she knows her Husband better than we do ... 🤔

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