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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do I say no to her...

762 replies

freshmonth · 07/01/2021 23:33

Hello,
So ive name changed as this could be outing.

We have our friend coming round Saturday who works in construction, to begin some paid work for us that we've had booked for 5.5 months.

His partner has been my on / off friend for many years, since school but is very prone to snapping / arguing and kicking off at every single thing.. very petty at times.

Since we are in lockdown, I assumed it would be just our friend that is doing the work for us; coming round.

This morning I woke up to a status on social media complaining about being alone all weekend and how selfish certain friends are not to think of her or invite her out. Floods of comments came in under her post about how 'you can come to my house hun' or 'if I didn't have covid you could come to me, always welcome. You know my views on lockdown' etc etc. Shocking to be honest. I know this is about me and my partner as we have her partner round to do the work. I didn't retaliate.

Fast forward a few hours and I get a huge paragraph text to me, saying that it's so unfair she's alone all weekend, all by herself and that she feels nobody considers her feelings.
Stupidly - and I take full responsibility for this - I said she can come too. I can't be dealing with the arguments. 🤦‍♀️

I FULLY follow the rules r.e covid, haven't broken a single guideline so far, and definitely don't plan to. I don't know what came over me in that split second and honestly as soon as I sent the message I instantly regretted it.

She replies 'oh good, I didn't want to have to kick off and invite myself. See you Saturday'

Im now stuck between a rock and a hard place. I know she sees more people than I'd like to even think about, lockdown or not. Guidelines don't seem to matter to her. Her partner is very careful r.e covid and works most of the time to provide for them both with full PPE. Would wear this whilst in our home, too.

I don't know what to do. I don't feel comfortable her coming and feel a complete dick saying she could. I've just recently had a miscarriage and I'm still struggling tremendously. I didn't want the arguments and the grief from her on top of my own. Nobody knows about our loss, other than close family who have been our support..

I don't know how to say no to her. I know her argument would be 'if my partner can come it's no different me coming we live together' although this is true, we are in NATIONAL LOCKDOWN and should not be having her here.
The fines are extortionate. More than I care to think about and not something we can afford..

What do I do? I don't know how to let her down gently enough not to cause an argument. I just don't have the strength in me to deal with it right now.

OP posts:
friendlycat · 08/01/2021 23:35

I mean this kindly but all of this is completely out of hand. You say she is mid 20s. How old are you OP?
You can live your life without her in it. You really don’t want to employ her partner to do anymore work on your property.

You are letting her control you but she doesn’t. Only you control you and your life. You need to step back from all of this and just let her be her horrible self with others. Whatever she does or does not do tomorrow is not your responsibility. I agree with the person up thread who said you are behaving as though she’s your child. She isn’t.

RumJerrySailorRum · 08/01/2021 23:39

I had a friend like this, she had been an amazing friend but she became an absolute nightmare.
The friendship group had to think about where we could go so as not to cause embarrassment to pub/restaurant staff etc etc

It all came to head a few years ago when I finally lost my shit with her when she slagged off my family. I gave her the chance to apologise and instead of doing that she slagged them off some more.

So she got a strongly worded mouthful from me. Her response was to physically assault me.
She lost. I'm harder than she is.(No, I don't advocate violence, but I wasn't going to not defend myself!)

And as it witnessed by all our friends she couldn't do her usual trick of manipulating us against each other.

The blessed relief.

I know you are not emotionally ready for similar, but you do have strength and you've got the support of your DP and hers it seems.
Don't let her think you are in the wrong.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 08/01/2021 23:41

Im so pleased you posted on here and got so much support. Try and get some sleep. We're here if you need us.

My Mum once said to me theres never a good time to find out your friends arent really your friends. It always happens during an already bad time.

freshmonth · 08/01/2021 23:45

Thanks all going to head to bed now! Will catch up in the morning 🙂

OP posts:
Riv · 08/01/2021 23:49

Well done you! you know what works for you, what you needed at your low moment and you had the strength to do it. So glad that the drive and your music helped!
Still sending strength- you have got this, your DP has your back and her P knows what he needs to do too (but that’s not your problem).
Take care of yourself, you are strong, just going through a tough patch. You’ll come through stronger. Meanwhile, we’re here for you.
☕️ Flowers

MyOtherProfile · 09/01/2021 00:02

What a nightmare woman! Hoping for a peaceful day for you tomorrow.

BlueThistles · 09/01/2021 00:03

Sleep well ☺️

BenoneBeauty · 09/01/2021 00:28

Just read your thread Op - what a nightmare. You definitely need to cut her out. No one deserves to be treated that way by anyone, let alone a so called friend!

ktp100 · 09/01/2021 00:38

I hope you get a good nights sleep, OP.

Anxiety isn't something to be embarrassed about. Please do try to remember that she's really not worth going through that for.

Congrats OP, if you stick to your guns she could actually be out of your life moving forward!!

Keep your doors locked tomorrow, hun! If the mad bitch turns up give her a few warnings then call the Police. I do hope she knows you mean business.x.

MintyMabel · 09/01/2021 01:17

She's in her own car, alone, for fuck sake.

All over an issue that arose because she didn't want to break the rules.

MintyMabel · 09/01/2021 01:22

a drive alone? I don't think it is?

Yes it is. It doesn't fall in to any of the categories for which you are allowed to leave home.

MintyMabel · 09/01/2021 01:26

It was aimed at the lockdown police

If that's what you got from my post, you clearly missed the bit in the OP where she said I FULLY follow the rules r.e covid, haven't broken a single guideline so far, and definitely don't plan to.

This whole drama came about because she was apparently so worried about breaking rules. And yet that's exactly what she did.

Coffee4Queen · 09/01/2021 01:45

@MintyMabel

It was aimed at the lockdown police

If that's what you got from my post, you clearly missed the bit in the OP where she said I FULLY follow the rules r.e covid, haven't broken a single guideline so far, and definitely don't plan to.

This whole drama came about because she was apparently so worried about breaking rules. And yet that's exactly what she did.

She had a valid reason. She needed to get out of her house and be alone for her mental and physical health.
PyongyangKipperbang · 09/01/2021 02:14

@MintyMabel

It was aimed at the lockdown police

If that's what you got from my post, you clearly missed the bit in the OP where she said I FULLY follow the rules r.e covid, haven't broken a single guideline so far, and definitely don't plan to.

This whole drama came about because she was apparently so worried about breaking rules. And yet that's exactly what she did.

No she didnt.

I suggest you read the legislation again.

If it helps, I can put it into nice small words for you.

Didkdt · 09/01/2021 02:42

Oh for goodness sake ditch the pair of them it won’t go away.

EddyF · 09/01/2021 03:10

Posting as I want to follow up. Nothing to say Blush

justilou1 · 09/01/2021 03:22

I genuinely think it’s worth notifying your mutual friends that she’s kicking off (again) because she isn’t getting her own way (again). Let them know that this time you are not going to be bullied into submission anymore, and you will contact the police if she continues to harass or stalk you by phone or in person. You may be surprised to find out how many of them are totally over this shit too, and are willing to back you up. Their messages of support may very well be just what she needs to realise that she needs to back off, and what you need to reclaim your power.

Cokie3 · 09/01/2021 03:34

@EddyF

Posting as I want to follow up. Nothing to say Blush
You can do that without posting.
How do I say no to her...
justilou1 · 09/01/2021 05:29

Popping back in to say that I suspect your frenemy does actually have mental health issues, she sounds more like she has Borderline Personality Disorder rather than anxiety. I would be very surprised if she has been diagnosed and treated for anxiety. Her behaviour is extreme and potentially even dangerous. Her partner sounds terrified of her too.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/01/2021 05:47

@justilou1

Popping back in to say that I suspect your frenemy does actually have mental health issues, she sounds more like she has Borderline Personality Disorder rather than anxiety. I would be very surprised if she has been diagnosed and treated for anxiety. Her behaviour is extreme and potentially even dangerous. Her partner sounds terrified of her too.
I agree. I am not sure I’d be wanting him to do a lot of work in my home. But I’m coming from a keep my child and me safe. I’m disabled. You need to do your own risk assessment on that score op. I just think it’s a lot to be embroiled in his relationship and have him working on your home so do keep yourself safe. And remember your mental health is important.
tara66 · 09/01/2021 05:50

Yes I also think she is dangerous. This sort of thing can put one off ''friends'' permanently. One never knows what is lurking there!

NeilBuchananisBanksy · 09/01/2021 07:47

Hope you managed to get some sleep. Ring the police if she kicks off today.

TheOneLeggedJockey · 09/01/2021 07:54

Gosh, what a shame you couldn’t have given the construction project to someone with a little less baggage.

I am also surprised when she posted the initial message to to social media, that she was ‘flooded’ with sympathetic replies, if everyone knows her ways so well.

I hope you find the wherewithal to just ditch her, she is totally not worth all this angst.

DipSwimSwoosh · 09/01/2021 08:02

Sounds like a lot of drama from both sides.

pictish · 09/01/2021 08:17

@DipSwimSwoosh

Sounds like a lot of drama from both sides.
I wholeheartedly agree.
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