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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed with friend just turning up at my house

108 replies

Holly03 · 25/06/2023 08:44

My friend I’ll use that term loosely just turned up yesterday at my house. I’m really annoyed by it as I’ve just moved home and I’ve been trying to get sorted so I’d mentioned I was out and I’d let her know when I’m back(made the mistakes of uploading photos of child on sm in the garden) tried to say they were from this morning but within ten minutes she was at my house. Now my problem stems with the fact that she always comes over at the weekend as she has no money and clearly no food in the house and seems to rely on me, also tries to leave her child for the night(ends up being the weekend). Straight away the child was hungry she claimed she had fed him so within the hour I was having to make tea early as she was already hinting at what was for tea and also had helped herself to food in the cupboards. I was having to make her child food and he was then in the freezer. It seems to be a regular thing and whilst I was moving I got to avoid this. She’s also a smoker like myself so as you can imagine never has any cigarette’s(I’m trying to quit too and seem to end up buying more). Would anyone else be really annoyed by this? I just wanted the weekend to get organised and unpacked and really didn’t want visitors as my house is upside down at present with just moving days ago(even my family understand this) I’m still decorating and haven’t even had flooring put in yet. I just also find it really cheeky to expect to be fed at somebody else’s home

OP posts:
Characterbuilding · 25/06/2023 09:52

It’s really hard to say no if you don’t like confrontation (even if it’s the perceived thought of it). I struggle with this a lot, but I’m improving. Part of me just feels overwhelmed in the moment sometimes and therefore unable to action the decisions I truly want to make. I’m not going to wake up tomorrow having magically acquired this skill set, I have to build myself up.
Maybe a start with "Sorry, I’m going out in a few minutes". If asked where, "just an appointment". Keep the door locked and just don’t open it, if questioned later you didn’t hear it or were under the weather and resting. The more small changes you can make, the easier it’s going to feel over time and you’ll get more confident. Don’t beat yourself up too much, it doesn’t come naturally to everyone.

pimplesquisher · 25/06/2023 09:52

WHy do you want this CF in your life? Get rid asap.

billy1966 · 25/06/2023 09:59

She is a user who couldn't care less about you.

She knows you are a complete mug so she treats you and your home with disrespect.

Clearly you are happy being used and being a mug, because if you didn't you wouldn't allow yourself and your home be treated like this.

She walks into your home uninvited and roots around for food?

Find some self respect for yourself.

Allowing your children see you be such a complete doormat in your home is awful modeling for them.

Do you want your children to grow up and be used as you are by people?

MintJulia · 25/06/2023 10:05

Hadalifeonce · 25/06/2023 08:52

You should have told her that it was not convenient and you will contact her to arrange a get together.

This.

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 25/06/2023 10:09

If you do not feel you can be rude and just tell her you do not want to see her and shut the door then perhaps one of the following

“Sorry you have had a wasted journey but we are having a quiet family weekend with no visitors, perhaps you could message next time to see if it is convenient as now we have moved we intend to enjoy more time just as a family”

”sorry you have a wasted journey but we are having family time and we do not want company today. Darling child wants a break from your son as she finds his behaviour overwhelming and is fed up of him destroying her things. Maybe next time you can call and we can meet at the park.”

or just head her off as soon as she knocks the door by saying we are going to the park now. You are welcome to come. Go for half an hour and then say bye we are going home now. Do not offer a lift and be clear they are not going home with you

goingtotown · 25/06/2023 10:13

You're not guest ready, just tell the CF.

Onelifeonly · 25/06/2023 10:15

You are not being unreasonable BUT you do need to learn to be assertive. Read up on it. You can be polite but firm. Believe me, it works.
" I need time alone today to sort out my house. I can't have visitors." Ignore all pleas or requests. Repeat "No, I need time alone to sort out my house."

melj1213 · 25/06/2023 10:20

YABU as you are letting this behaviour happen rather than being proactive and putting a stop to it by saying "No". Yes it can be difficult but which would you rather have - a difficult conversation once or a user friend forever?

I’d mentioned I was out and I’d let her know when I’m back ... but within ten minutes she was at my house.

Firstly you should have had the door locked (especially if you were in the garden) as otherwise anyone could walk in, rob the place and you'd be none the wiser. Secondly when she appeared you should have immediately called her out "I said I'd message you when I was back but we decided we wanted needed some quiet time to ourselves, that's why I didn't message you."

Straight away the child was hungry she claimed she had fed him so within the hour I was having to make tea early as she was already hinting at what was for tea and also had helped herself to food in the cupboards. I was having to make her child food and he was then in the freezer.

Shut that shit down immediately - you didn't have to make tea early, you could have told her any number of things "Sorry we are going out for tea so if you're wanting your tea you'll have to go home"; "We had a late lunch so won't be eating until later" etc or at most offered a small snack "We aren't eating tea until later, you can have an apple if you're hungry now"

When they were helping themselves you should have told them to put it back "I need that for school lunches/a meal later in the week etc please put that back". "X put that back in the freezer and close the door, it isn't yours."

She’s also a smoker like myself so as you can imagine never has any cigarette’s(I’m trying to quit too and seem to end up buying more).

Why keep buying more, just say no "Sorry, I'm cutting down as I can't afford it any more. These are all I have left to last me the week and I can't afford to buy another pack and if I keep giving them to you then I will be left short".

she did it when I said I had plans for the day.

She does it because you allow her to. Why didn't you tell her this when she arrived? "I said I had plans because I didn't want anyone coming over, you have ignored that and have come over anyway, why? Please leave"

It makes me feel bad for her child not being fed but she can’t rely on me to feed them both.

That's not your responsibility but she knows that if she turns up you will do it anyway so she keeps turning up. Stop allowing it.

Her child destroyed my house and had everything everywhere, broken my daughters outside toy to play fight and spent the time in a mood as he wanted his own way. She spent the whole time complaining about mil complaining about the state of her house from them

So shut it down, if she complains just redirect the discussion or (if you are really annoyed and think she's in the wrong) call her out on it. "You're complaining because your MIL doesn't like the state of her house. If you and X treat her house the same way you're treating mine - breaking things, making a mess and not clearing up, helping himself to things from the cupboards etc then I'm not surprised she is annoyed."

"X, stop doing that you will break it. X, put that down. X you have dumped out the Lego, please put it back" and if something is broken then make sure everyone is aware and don't just let it slide. "X I told you to stop that or it would break and now it has broken. CF friend I think it's time for you to go home now as X has broken DDs toy and they aren't getting on so it's no longer fun for us to have you here"

Cakeorchocolate · 25/06/2023 10:22

Why did you say you'd let her know when you were home. That was the perfect opportunity to say that you weren't up for visitors etc as you were too busy unpacking.

Also keep your door locked. Anyone could walk in while you're in the garden!

KarmaStar · 25/06/2023 10:25

Don't lie next time she turns up.Be honest! Say you cannot spare the time,do not want to feed or babysit her dc and no smoking in your home.say you will meet when you are free and if she comes round you won't be able to allow her in.And stand by it.

Beaconsfield · 25/06/2023 10:33

Well she’s not your friend is she?
A friend would have arrived with snacks and asked if you needed help as you’ve just moved in.
A friend would have corrected her dc’s bad behaviour.

BeeCucumber · 25/06/2023 10:38

I really don’t understand why you put up with her behaviour. What do you think would happen if you just told her to go away and not return?

Neverinamonthofsundays · 25/06/2023 10:39

You need to cut her out of your life. She brings nothing to it.

jeaux90 · 25/06/2023 10:39

Don't lie about going out.

You need to be honest and say you and the kids want time on your own.

You can say you don't want company today.

You can say you want family time.

None of this should cause offence if that's your concern. If it does she isn't your friend.

Duckafuk · 25/06/2023 10:44

I'm an old gimmer now, but I had a " friend" like this when I was in my 20's. She would turn up every friday and expected her and her son to be fed, stay late ect. I tried being nice, making excuses ect but she had a brass neck like a giraffe.
In the end I totally lost it - 6 months of having shitty fridays and feeding 2 extra people - I asked a favour from her and she said no - it didnt work for her. I told her a few home truths and lost a friend. But, she wasnt really a friend, she was a user and I was much better off without her leaching off me 🤷‍♀️

Lacucuracha · 25/06/2023 11:03

Lock your door.

And evaluate why you enjoy being this woman’s easy touch.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 25/06/2023 12:26

Not being rude op but are you quite young?
Cos l do not know anyone in my age bracket (40 ish) that would tolerate this shit .
New house, new start.
Bin her off.

twoshedsjackson · 25/06/2023 12:49

Not a ploy for a sunny day like today, but when it's cooler, put your coat on before you open the door.
If it's somebody you want to see, you just got in.
If not, you were just going out.

billy1966 · 25/06/2023 12:56

melj1213 · 25/06/2023 10:20

YABU as you are letting this behaviour happen rather than being proactive and putting a stop to it by saying "No". Yes it can be difficult but which would you rather have - a difficult conversation once or a user friend forever?

I’d mentioned I was out and I’d let her know when I’m back ... but within ten minutes she was at my house.

Firstly you should have had the door locked (especially if you were in the garden) as otherwise anyone could walk in, rob the place and you'd be none the wiser. Secondly when she appeared you should have immediately called her out "I said I'd message you when I was back but we decided we wanted needed some quiet time to ourselves, that's why I didn't message you."

Straight away the child was hungry she claimed she had fed him so within the hour I was having to make tea early as she was already hinting at what was for tea and also had helped herself to food in the cupboards. I was having to make her child food and he was then in the freezer.

Shut that shit down immediately - you didn't have to make tea early, you could have told her any number of things "Sorry we are going out for tea so if you're wanting your tea you'll have to go home"; "We had a late lunch so won't be eating until later" etc or at most offered a small snack "We aren't eating tea until later, you can have an apple if you're hungry now"

When they were helping themselves you should have told them to put it back "I need that for school lunches/a meal later in the week etc please put that back". "X put that back in the freezer and close the door, it isn't yours."

She’s also a smoker like myself so as you can imagine never has any cigarette’s(I’m trying to quit too and seem to end up buying more).

Why keep buying more, just say no "Sorry, I'm cutting down as I can't afford it any more. These are all I have left to last me the week and I can't afford to buy another pack and if I keep giving them to you then I will be left short".

she did it when I said I had plans for the day.

She does it because you allow her to. Why didn't you tell her this when she arrived? "I said I had plans because I didn't want anyone coming over, you have ignored that and have come over anyway, why? Please leave"

It makes me feel bad for her child not being fed but she can’t rely on me to feed them both.

That's not your responsibility but she knows that if she turns up you will do it anyway so she keeps turning up. Stop allowing it.

Her child destroyed my house and had everything everywhere, broken my daughters outside toy to play fight and spent the time in a mood as he wanted his own way. She spent the whole time complaining about mil complaining about the state of her house from them

So shut it down, if she complains just redirect the discussion or (if you are really annoyed and think she's in the wrong) call her out on it. "You're complaining because your MIL doesn't like the state of her house. If you and X treat her house the same way you're treating mine - breaking things, making a mess and not clearing up, helping himself to things from the cupboards etc then I'm not surprised she is annoyed."

"X, stop doing that you will break it. X, put that down. X you have dumped out the Lego, please put it back" and if something is broken then make sure everyone is aware and don't just let it slide. "X I told you to stop that or it would break and now it has broken. CF friend I think it's time for you to go home now as X has broken DDs toy and they aren't getting on so it's no longer fun for us to have you here"

Excellent.

But I doubt the OP will do that.

She allows this awful person and her son thrash her home and break her toys.

She won't defend her home or her child.

I feel most sorry for her child having a mother stand by and allow her user friend and bratty son behave like this.

Clearly her friend and son are more important than her own child.

If they weren't more important she would stand up for herself and her poor child, but clearly doesn't.

peachypudding · 25/06/2023 12:57

I think you have to be honest with yourself OP. You must get something from this 'friendship' or you would have ditched her years ago.

Does being a pushover bolster your self esteem? Does being the generous one make you feel superior in some way? Do you have other friends? If not would you be lonely without her?

Because there must be some reason you have no boundaries with this person.

Cherrysoup · 25/06/2023 13:26

Why you let her walk all over you?

Ilovetea42 · 25/06/2023 13:35

I couldn't be friends with her that would stress me out massively.

I'd keep my front door locked , if she can get in by herself then so could anyone else. Much harder to get them out when they're already in as you've learnt.

It depends on how much you actually care about the relationship. If you want to continue a friendship I'd ask her how things are going and point out that you've noticed she never has cigarettes and you feel she's relying on you for food while pointing out specific examples etc and see what she says. It'll either put a stop to the behaviour or she'll admit she's really struggling in which case you can suggest she gets some support elsewhere like a food bank or family support etc.

If you don't care about the relationship then I'd be inclined to ignore her and be busy until she goes away. If you genuinely feel that she's not feeding or providing properly for her child then I'd be inclined to ring SS anonymously and pass that on so they can do a welfare check. There could be something like dv and she's not being allowed access to enough money in the home or something untoward.

Either way it's not for you to fix yourself so you absolutely need to put a boundary in place sooner rather than later because it will only get harder to do.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 25/06/2023 14:06

You need to be more assertive
How did she let herself in to your new house?!
I would've locked the door anyway but if I opened it, I'd say sorry it's not convenient as I have the house to sort out.
She is using you because she knows you're a soft touch, and her DC is now doing the same
It's not good for your DD to see this

standardduck · 25/06/2023 14:12

How did she let herself in? Was the door unlocked? Keep your doors locked and don't let her in if she shows up uninvited.

You have to be much more direct, she is walking all over you.
To be honest, I wouldn't be able to be friends with someone who is clearly using me. Next time tell her she can't come over as you are busy and if she keeps showing up uninvited just don't answer.

unsync · 25/06/2023 19:03

She's not a friend though is she? She's using you and you are letting her. Tell her to go and not come back.