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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Needy Neighbour - still - again

234 replies

LoveMyPiano · 23/04/2022 11:22

Disclosure - I have written about this situation before, and do try to keep out of it, but it keeps evolving as these things do. Note also, that I did agree to be her baby's Godmother [last minute request], but baby has now been adopted, and no more contact.

The very first time I wrote about this, I was told by some that I was over-invested and have a saviour-complex (I wish...), and as I have said above, I obviously did not succeed in creating, if not actual, at least figurative distance.

The young woman who lives next door (she in small apartments - 8 total; me in s/d house alongside) is someone I have known OF for quite a few years. I am old enough to be her mother (my own daughter is 5 years older than her); she has adoptive parents who live a little distance away (n/c with birth parents or family) but they are very very cold with her, although do help with lifts and things and (are supposed to) take care of her money (benefits are paid to them and they give hr an allowance - NOTE, I have just found out that they are not keping on top of her household bills, as agreed, as debt collectors have shown up for BG and a pre-paymet meter is going in to clear unpaid amounts).
She is relying on me very heavily and as other people cut her off, and cut her out, it is falling to me. She comes round to my friend's (where I am from about 8:45pm) apartment (he is in the same complex), usually in a distressed state over her "boyfriend" (babydaddy - he is a bit useless really) - and we are both too "nice" to turn her away ; then she justs sits or stands in the living room, going over and over the same things (she does not take advice on board, she just wants to be agreed with over this man and hear her own voice). She usually interrupts the late evening meal we might be about to eat, and does not care.

I cannot leave my house without her coming out to get me to help her with something. Or, she seems to appear when I return..... And I have been very snappish with her, but she is not deterred - and then anyway I feel terrible and cannot focus on what I was meant to be doing (which I realise is my own weakness and stupidity). I am now disproportionatey anxious over this (as, as I have tried to explain to her, her dramatics (and they CAN be - and she usually involved the Police herself....) can be on top of something else that I am trying to figure out in my own life at that time.

I cannot seem to get the balnce right - and I think I AM looking on here for someone to rant to myself (so in a way, like my neighbour....). It is just not easy to detach when there is no physical escape, and everything I think of that might help would actually result in further involevemnt, not less.
[And I do like to think that I am somewhat kind and (was) reasonably patient.]

Example, last night, we were just about tp eat - about 9:40 (very bad itself, and another issue of mine) and she appeared at the patio door (even though sheer curtains were drawn) waving her phone at me to speak to her Social Worker. She fell on the floor crying, and put her head on my knees, and was freezing cold, having been walking aroun the village (looking for the bf I think....) in her dressing gown. She didnt leave until 10:30 - and I believe she didn't settle at home even then, as her gate was open at minight (a bad sign).

For whatever advice I am seeking (and yes, I DO want to move/not easy - as this is very much a proximity issue, I don't think she respects me or my opionion or feelings at all....), please don't tell me to Get a Life, or that I am over-invested, because I do really try not to be.

But...... Heeeelp.....?
Please

OP posts:
LoveMyPiano · 25/04/2022 10:04

Thank you so much
@Throckmorton
@CarmenThePanda
@kittensinthekitchen
@Snog
💕
Such good advice, and I really DO need to work on my boundaries, yes.
(And yes, I understand where it comes from, in me - and in my neighbour.)

I also - haha - need to work on how much I reveal on a forum, and my writing style, it seems.

I have to be off to do some things, but a call to GP, and to SW are on ToDo list.

Thank you again.
xx

OP posts:
Hont1986 · 25/04/2022 10:34

Someone commented earlier about you sounding like you think of yourself as the heroine. I think there's a lot of truth to that. It's like watching a bad horror movie and you just think "why are the characters doing this? This is so easy to fix. Just leave the house and call the police".

You could fix 80% of these encounters overnight by just locking the door, drawing the curtains, putting a lock on the side gate, not answering the doorbell, etc. You could fix 100% of them by directly communicating your desire to stop helping to this lady, then following through by cutting all contact.

But if you did that, it would break the narrative of the bildungsroman. You can't be the main character if there is no drama, after all.

TerenceTrentLoughborough · 25/04/2022 10:36

LoveMyPiano · 25/04/2022 10:04

Thank you so much
@Throckmorton
@CarmenThePanda
@kittensinthekitchen
@Snog
💕
Such good advice, and I really DO need to work on my boundaries, yes.
(And yes, I understand where it comes from, in me - and in my neighbour.)

I also - haha - need to work on how much I reveal on a forum, and my writing style, it seems.

I have to be off to do some things, but a call to GP, and to SW are on ToDo list.

Thank you again.
xx

You've got this. Onward!

LoveMyPiano · 25/04/2022 18:01

Hont1986 · 25/04/2022 10:34

Someone commented earlier about you sounding like you think of yourself as the heroine. I think there's a lot of truth to that. It's like watching a bad horror movie and you just think "why are the characters doing this? This is so easy to fix. Just leave the house and call the police".

You could fix 80% of these encounters overnight by just locking the door, drawing the curtains, putting a lock on the side gate, not answering the doorbell, etc. You could fix 100% of them by directly communicating your desire to stop helping to this lady, then following through by cutting all contact.

But if you did that, it would break the narrative of the bildungsroman. You can't be the main character if there is no drama, after all.

OK....

She does not have access to my house, and has always respected that boundary, it is very rare for her to knock on my door or go through the gate (which is left unlocked for the gardener and milkman anyway).

The calling round is to my friend's apartment - as she knows I will be there (but if not, she asks him about stuff) - where she has (as I have already explained) free access, due to living in the same small apartment complex.
The complex is gated, and opened electronically - but of course, she has a gate opener for all gates and there is therefore no possibility of restricting her access to his patio doors. Why the heck he/we should sit behind closed curtains in daylight is beyond me.

She will look out for and catch me, as I leave or return to my house tomy car, or on my bike or foot, or out and about in the village; where the measures you suggest are of no use - and actually where she can be most irritating due to her incredibly short attention span. (You will see people do a u-turn when they see her heading their way, and she is banned from qite a few shops.)

I do not want to be a heroine, so your agreement wth the PP(s) is not really relevant. But the Power of the Plural usually makes people fel bettter, doesn't it? I really dislike it when people jump on a bandwagon.

Thank you for your input.... Bu it really is being allowed to die a death now.

OP posts:
FlowerArranger · 25/04/2022 18:14

Your 'friend' is as unhealthy for you as your neighbour!
Stop going to your friend's every night. Don't see him more than once a fortnight, if at all.
If you do encounter the NDN, do not engage. Either rush off to some place you have to be, or go back to your house and shut the door.
Stay in and listen to Barenboim and/or Martha Algerich playing piano sonatas on Youtube.
Google for local piano moving services so you can get yours back. And start playing again.
And follow that link for counsellors that someone posted earlier - because your life would improve immeasurably if you were to undergo counselling.

LoveMyPiano · 25/04/2022 18:33

FlowerArranger · 25/04/2022 18:14

Your 'friend' is as unhealthy for you as your neighbour!
Stop going to your friend's every night. Don't see him more than once a fortnight, if at all.
If you do encounter the NDN, do not engage. Either rush off to some place you have to be, or go back to your house and shut the door.
Stay in and listen to Barenboim and/or Martha Algerich playing piano sonatas on Youtube.
Google for local piano moving services so you can get yours back. And start playing again.
And follow that link for counsellors that someone posted earlier - because your life would improve immeasurably if you were to undergo counselling.

Thank you - Great suggestions 💐

OP posts:
Throckmorton · 25/04/2022 19:21

Given the difficulty of dealing with these two, I would also suggest, like the poster above, keeping a low profile. You are far too busy to visit Mr Neighbour due to whatever reason you feel like giving (sudden influx of work, unspecified bout of illness, etc), and if you see Ms Neighbour out and about just look very distracted and say you're sorry but you really can't stop as something urgent has come up. It will feel rude and awkward the first time, but remember doing this is best for them too - if they are leaning on you they are not having to reach for the professional help they really need.

LoveMyPiano · 25/04/2022 19:47

Throckmorton · 25/04/2022 19:21

Given the difficulty of dealing with these two, I would also suggest, like the poster above, keeping a low profile. You are far too busy to visit Mr Neighbour due to whatever reason you feel like giving (sudden influx of work, unspecified bout of illness, etc), and if you see Ms Neighbour out and about just look very distracted and say you're sorry but you really can't stop as something urgent has come up. It will feel rude and awkward the first time, but remember doing this is best for them too - if they are leaning on you they are not having to reach for the professional help they really need.

Thanks - great advice.

One thing I never lie/fib about thoughm is illness..... Stems from Sunday School days,, when - having told a fib about feeling ill to get out of going, I would invariably feel sick (guilt) and have to miss a riding lesson on Sunday afternoon.

I am sure I can try to become a better liar than I was aged 10 though 😏

OP posts:
Throckmorton · 25/04/2022 20:11

Fair enough! In that case the "something urgent" is useful, or even something like "I really can't stop right now, very sorry, bye". And it's true too - you have an urgent mission to take care of yourself, because right now YOU are the most deserving one!

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