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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be angry at my best friend

255 replies

1gem86 · 21/02/2022 21:11

Sorry it's a long one. I would love your opinions on this ..

Been friends with her for over 10 years.

She got married recently and I was her maid of honour. Organised her 2 Hens, helped her plan every aspect of her wedding etc. (At this point I had a young baby and I was juggling sleepless nights, trying to be a good mum, partner & a good friend at the same time) because she's my best friend I just did it all. Left my baby with my partner for 4 nights to attend her hen do etc (which I didn't minds as that's what friends do .. even though it was extremely hard to leave DS behind)

I'm getting married soon & she's just announced to me that she'll be heavily pregnant at my wedding or have a young baby by that point so she won't be attending anymore and has dropped her role of being maid of honour... she also won't be attending or plan my hen anymore 😐

I don't mind the not organising the hen anymore as my other friends can do it but The wedding is 40 mins from where she lives... shouldn't she make the effort to come? Or at least plan to and see where she is by then? I've said to her that if she has a baby .. we'll be more than happy for them to bring the baby and will go out of our way to accommodate.. but she said NO ! Decision made & her baby is now the most important in her life. Which I get .. I have a DS too and he's the most important for me but I would still make effort for a friend.
AIBU to be angry? Or would you do the same?

OP posts:
SartresSoul · 22/02/2022 10:04

How awful of her, I would drop the friendship personally.

MrsWinters · 22/02/2022 10:06

She’s probably scared about all of the pressure of being a bridesmaid and not knowing how she’ll cope either being heavily pregnant or with a new new born.
I think there’s a real difference between having a child and having a baby possibly under a month old- I’m not sure many of us would want to leave a baby that young for an afternoon.
Just wish her congratulations, tell her you understand and that she’s more than welcome to stop in on the day if she feels up to it

UniversalAunt · 22/02/2022 10:08

Hi @1gem86 sounds like you are done with her.

Chalk your generosity & all that you have done for her down to experience. You’ll not give so much of your time, effort & goodwill away so easily in the future.

annaB2 · 22/02/2022 10:23

@BoredZelda she's not just that. She's a friend who has been dismissive and rude, and has really hurt OP with her words.

Being pregnant and having a baby does not give you free reign to be a shitty friend. Your priorities and wants can change, and understandably so, but you can be both pregnant/have a child whilst also being happy for other people, making an effort to check in with you friends, maintaining friendships. There's no need to just refuse to take part in other peoples lives just because of your pregnancy/baby. To me, the pregnancy is an excuse. She clearly cannot be bothered so just isn't bothering. So she's a shitty friend. To me, her pregnancy is irrelevant here. She could have backed out from being bridesmaid, but still enjoyed with lead up with Op, but she just doesn't want to. It's the way she has dealt with OP, and spoken to her that speaks volumes for the type of person she is. Not the kind of person you'd want near you on your wedding day anyway I'd say!

irishfarmer · 22/02/2022 10:31

I think she is a bit harsh to dismiss it like that. I am pregnant with my 1st, I will be going to one wedding at 5 months so that doesn't count. But for a good friend, a wedding a 40min drive away I would be saying, I will go, but can I see how I feel, which you have said you said to her. So it's not like she has to worry if she cancels the night before or just doesn't turn up! I

I will have a christening of a niece right around my due date 2 hours away from my maternity hospital. I was joking with DH I will have to have the maternity bag in the car! Obviously if I don't feel well I won't go, but I plan on going for now.

AryaStarkWolf · 22/02/2022 10:33

I can understand her not wanting to be a Bridesmaid if she's going to be heavily pregnant/just given birth but to say I'm not coming to your wedding at all is horrible

Gonnagetgoing · 22/02/2022 10:37

If it were me I'd ring her and have a chat about it - when did you last see her etc because as someone else said she may change her mind about attending.

Most people I've known who've been pregnant have made the effort to come to other friends weddings and even though you say she's not anxious she just may not feel it sits right and she might also be being a bit PFB prior to the birth. Some women are like this, hence the baby moon etc.

Talk to her though, she might change her mind. If she's your best friend for over 10 years then I wouldn't shelve it over this. And yes people do get competitive, silly re being married before having babies etc but it's up to you both to decide if you want these differences to get in the way of spoiling a friendship for good.

Soakitup37 · 22/02/2022 10:39

If my best friend said this I’d be upset but id want to be understanding to why she felt this way, I know she wouldn’t be spitefully doing it, so it’s worth just asking her, hey I feel gutted you won’t be attending, I would love you to be there, is there a reason you feel like this?

I wouldn’t just cut her out, she’s your best friend.

Equally I never do things for others under the guise of they’ll owe me or do the same for me. How far you put yourself out for someone isn’t a tit-for-tat. ; obviously there’s a difference between being taken advantage of but I’m talking about true and fair friendships. Mumsnet love to advocate cutting people out based on one view over a couple of paragraphs- it’s so toxic!

Barbarolo · 22/02/2022 10:41

My Dsis let me down like this using a very weak excuse. It was ‘me, me, me’ all through and the upset and disappointment never left me, despite me going all out for her wedding. There was no hen, dress choosing alone and she had absolutely no involvement. In fact, she left early on the day.

OP, limit your contact - she’s not a friend. She clearly can’t value your happiness. It wouldn’t hurt her to show up for an hour at least. Don’t let her ruin your special day. Focus on you and your happiness from this point forward, and don’t get involved with her pregnancy either. If she can’t be bothered, neither should you.

moose62 · 22/02/2022 10:43

Considering what you did for her, she is being very selfish. I had a baby 4 weeks before my sister's wedding, had a fanny full of stitches and had to sit on a rubber ring, had breast feeding problems and a very irritable baby but I still went to the wedding with my baby and although I spent most of the party in the venue toilets (which were extremely luxurious) trying to feed the baby, she really appreciated the effort I made!
Your friend might soon become an ex-friend!

Gonnagetgoing · 22/02/2022 10:48

@Soakitup37

If my best friend said this I’d be upset but id want to be understanding to why she felt this way, I know she wouldn’t be spitefully doing it, so it’s worth just asking her, hey I feel gutted you won’t be attending, I would love you to be there, is there a reason you feel like this?

I wouldn’t just cut her out, she’s your best friend.

Equally I never do things for others under the guise of they’ll owe me or do the same for me. How far you put yourself out for someone isn’t a tit-for-tat. ; obviously there’s a difference between being taken advantage of but I’m talking about true and fair friendships. Mumsnet love to advocate cutting people out based on one view over a couple of paragraphs- it’s so toxic!

@Soakitup37 - you're on the same page as me.

Yes, I have cut close or best friends out of my life in the past but I admit I may have been a bit harsh or done this quickly and then maybe regretted it - e.g. not thought it through.

Understanding, meeting for tea/coffee to have a chat about it - phone call would be my first port of call rather than doing a toxic flounce to her about this! Especially to a best friend.

SVRT19674 · 22/02/2022 10:58

Mmmm, I didn´t go to any weddings with my little baby, just wasn't interested. She was born at 36 weeks so a few weeks before due date. I wouldn't have been organizing hens or anything else for that matter. I get how disappointing it is for you, but I would let it go. I was like you when I was younger, now I have managed my expectations, as in not expecting others to do for me what I did for them, that is the way towards disappointment. Few people deliver. Then motherhood for me was different to everything else, and everyone lives it differently. Just make a mental note to not be so available. Sorry, OP.

billy1966 · 22/02/2022 11:05

This is not about saying would you mind if I am not BM as I may be uncomfortable?.

This is straight out saying I have no wish to be involved or attend your wedding when she is barely pregnant.

Nasty, unpleasant and deliberate.

I would be interested to know does @Justilou1's post ring a bell with the OP.

As with the vaguely sneering engagement text, I find it hard to believe this behaviour is in isolation.

Enough4me · 22/02/2022 11:11

@Soakitup37
"I never do things for others under the guise of they’ll owe me or do the same for me. How far you put yourself out for someone isn’t a tit-for-tat. ; obviously there’s a difference between being taken advantage of but I’m talking about true and fair friendships. Mumsnet love to advocate cutting people out based on one view over a couple of paragraphs- it’s so toxic!"

It's not the tit for tat, but the lack of care that's the issue here. If her friend said "Sorry, of course I'd love to come to your wedding, but I'm highly anxious so will say no so you don't spend money on seats for my DH and me and I'm not sure if I'll feel up for joining the hen events so will see nearer the time" that would show some thought for OP. She instead has said a blanket no, without acknowledging the OP. Even if OP had not been so helpful before and wasn't a close friend, a kinder response would have been appropriate.

OP prioritises her friend and considers her needs, but it's not reciprocated.

olympicsrock · 22/02/2022 11:23

Wow that is a very odd response . Clearly she will be very previous when her PFB arrives.
As the wedding is only 40 mins away there is no reason she can’t come to at least part of the wedding but it’s reasonable that she wouldn’t want to be a bridesmaid.

Of course most hen dos are at least a month before the wedding. No reason why she could organise part of it to be a day time event such as a pamper party or afternoon tea that she could enjoy.

One of my bridesmaids had terminal cancer and still came to a pamper party, had her nails done and ate cake. She also attended the wedding and reception with a smile on her face all day despite being on morphine.

To be honest I think she is being very selfish and is not on your team in life.

MajesticallyAwkward · 22/02/2022 11:39

It's very selfish of her to not even consider attending, fair enough not wanting to be a bridesmaid or go on a hen do pregnant. Has the friendship always been one sided? Or is she often very self centred/likes attention?

At the same time, you could have turned down some of things you did, eg not going on a 4 day hen leaving your baby if you didn't want to and I can understand why that would be particularly frustrating for you.

When my best friend was getting married it ended up on my due date with dc1, by pure coincidence. I met up with her and we agreed I'd see how things were on the day for attending but I'd step aside as bridesmaid so someone else who would definitely be there could fill in. In my mind id go unless I was giving birth or had just had the baby, but being pregnant or having a baby a week or so old wouldn't be an issue for my best friends wedding.

tammyjess · 22/02/2022 11:46

That's so rubbish. I totally get why you're hurt. That would be it for me.

SnakeLinguine · 22/02/2022 12:58

@olympicsrock

Wow that is a very odd response . Clearly she will be very previous when her PFB arrives. As the wedding is only 40 mins away there is no reason she can’t come to at least part of the wedding but it’s reasonable that she wouldn’t want to be a bridesmaid.

Of course most hen dos are at least a month before the wedding. No reason why she could organise part of it to be a day time event such as a pamper party or afternoon tea that she could enjoy.

One of my bridesmaids had terminal cancer and still came to a pamper party, had her nails done and ate cake. She also attended the wedding and reception with a smile on her face all day despite being on morphine.

To be honest I think she is being very selfish and is not on your team in life.

But presumably your terminally bridesmaid wanted to attend, despite being very ill and heavily drugged? It was her choice, and you’d have been horrified if she’d forced herself to, against her will because she felt under an obligation.
BoredZelda · 22/02/2022 16:14

It's not just that though...she's literally told the OP she wants no involvement with the wedding whatsoever.

She’s not going. Why would she have involvement in it?

There would be nothing stopping her saying 'I don't know/might not feel comfortable attending but would you like me to make some enquiries about hen venues, do some research into gifts for the other attendants for you...etc"

Why would she be organising a hen she isn’t attending? That’s the MOH’s job.

There are plenty of ways you can get involved from the comfort of your own sofa if it's a good friend and you're willing to make an effort.

So OP is just looking for a skivvy to help with the organising then?

Very bizarre to suggest someone who won’t be attending the wedding as MOH does any of the MOH duties.

Whatsonmymindgrapes · 22/02/2022 16:17

She’s out of order just say oh ok no worries and move on with your plans. Don’t pander to her

ForeverSingle881 · 22/02/2022 16:20

Don't be angry at her for your own choices. You should have prioritized yourself all this time. I can totally understand why it hurts but you went above and beyond any kind of expectations a normal person would have and you need to 1) reflect why you allowed yourself to do all these things that did not benefit you or your family and 2) work on how to say no in the future. Also, distance yourself from.her because she doesn't see you the same way you see her. I don't think she's wrong at all but don't set yourself up for failure.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 22/02/2022 16:55

All the stuff you did when you had a young baby, plan her hens, maid of honour etc, did she definitely expect you to do all that? Or was it more YOUR idea of what you should be doing, even though it wasn't reasonable to expect a new mum to be doing all that? Maybe she didn't want to tell you it wasn't necessary?

To be honest with you, I think it was a bit silly to do all that stuff for her at that stage in your life just "because that's what friends do". Especially the 4 day hen. It's a bit martyr-ish. If she WAS expecting/asking you to do all that stuff I think you should have been assertive and said that while you'd love to come to the wedding, you'd happily let someone else be the maid of honour as you weren't really up to it with being heavily pregnant/or having a new baby, and that it was better to give it to someone else who had the time and energy it needed etc etc. And that you would come for one night to the hen, not 4. I think that would have been the time that you would have found out the type of person she was. A good friend would have understood, let you take more of a back seat, and then you wouldn't have felt resentful all this time and even more hurt at her deciding not to come to your wedding now. A poor friend would have had a bridezilla hissy fit, and then you could have made the decision THEN to back off a bit rather than having this upset now about your own wedding, which seems so much more of a contrast to all the effort you put in for hers.

Personally I find it hard to trust people who constantly do things for others but secretly find it too hard or havent got the time and they resent it. If I were on the receiving end of that "giving" I'd be horrified if I found out that it was being done under duress and not enjoyed. That's not how life is supposed to be. I like to take people in my life at face value, so if someone was organising something for me I would want to be able to trust that they really wanted and were able to do it. I could never enjoy an occasion where my best friend felt exhausted because of it, so I'd rather not have the occasion!

I think honesty is the best policy with "duties" like that, really, where weddings are concerned. Not everybody finds them an incredible honour to be asked. Mostly it's a pain in the arse, let's face it.

Re your own wedding, I'd simply tell her that it was totally understandable her not wanting to be maid of honour so that was quite alright. And that any way she wanted to attend your wedding is fine with you as you value her being there so much so whatever works best for her. I'd also add that if she has a newborn baby at the time of your wedding and feels so overwhelmed that she doesn't want to leave the house then that's also perfectly already with you. I'd just tell her to play it by ear but that the invitation still stands, and it can be an open invitation - she should just see how she feels nearer the time.

Honestly I think more open and honest conversation needs to be going on between the 2 of you. It's like you're both too scared to talk to the other one for fear of offending them. Maybe she knows how much a place at the reception would cost and doesn't want to take up a place which she may not be able to attend? You don't know....

CurlyhairedAssassin · 22/02/2022 16:58

I also think that there are people who relish the idea of organising something like a hen and there are those like me who feel terribly burdened and stressed by it all. We all know you can't please everyone and I'd want everyone to have a good time but everyone has a different idea of what a good time is. Hen dos cost a tonne of money, and not everyone has it spare, so that would stress me out too, not knowing if people could afford it. Or worried that I'd be out of pocket myself if people started dropping out. For some people, the emotional state of pregnancy plus the burden of organising a big event to please everyone would be a bridge too far and send me over the edge!

Giraffesandbottoms · 22/02/2022 17:30

Is everyone missing that the wedding is 3 weeks before the due date?!

phishy · 22/02/2022 17:37

@Giraffesandbottoms

Is everyone missing that the wedding is 3 weeks before the due date?!
No, but I think the issue is the way she’s told OP she doesn’t want to be involved in anything anymore.

Er Of course she shouldn’t have to attend any event if it’s difficult but it does sound like this has given her the excuse not to do anything.

A friend would have still wanted to be involved, even if it’s just remotely via pictures, messages, links etc.