Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Luxell934 · 25/06/2023 19:07

I'd literally not let her in over the doorstep. " Sorry now is a bad time, I"m just about to get in the bath/go out/put baby down for nap/eat my dinner"

AuntMarch · 25/06/2023 19:07

Just tell her. It doesn't sound like you enjoy her company so what's the loss if she takes it badly anyway

Darkstar4855 · 25/06/2023 19:13

Keep the door locked. Don’t make excuses or give reasons, it’ll just give her a reason to argue.

”Sorry, I’m busy right now. I’ll have to catch up with you another time.”

”Sorry, I’m not able to look after your child.”

”Sorry, I’m not cooking food right now and I don’t have any cigarettes to spare. If your son is hungry you’d better get home. Bye!”

Lilibert456 · 25/06/2023 19:24

Putting it bluntly, you are a spineless mug.

heartsinvisiblefury · 25/06/2023 19:28

Lilibert456 · 25/06/2023 19:24

Putting it bluntly, you are a spineless mug.

This.

BMW6 · 25/06/2023 19:33

I voted YABU because you are being an absolute doormat.

You are allowing her to use you. More fool you.

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 25/06/2023 19:35

She can only continue to use you because you are letting her.

You need to be more assertive.

Therealjudgejudy · 25/06/2023 19:41

Stop being such a doormat!

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 25/06/2023 19:47

YABU for allowing her to let herself in/ allowing her to help herself to food from your freezer and cupboards/ allowing her to smoke your fags/ allowing her DC to trash your own child's toys.

FloofCloud · 25/06/2023 20:02

Lock the front door and turn your phone on vibrate ... don't let her in and never give her a key!

Caroparo52 · 25/06/2023 20:25

What a cheeky woman.
You're being used. Stand up to her and say sorry we're busy today. I'll becinbtouch when's better time to meet , maybe at a park with a cafe...

Bilboard · 25/06/2023 20:43

I had a friend like that. They move from friend to friend taking advantage. The good thing is you can be as abrupt as you like, she wont be offended, this kind of people have got really thick skin.
The key is to be prepared for any "request" and the outcome you want.
So, what you going to do/ what you going to say if :
They come and they are hungry, ie we have no food.
They want you to babysit, ie we are away, when? Yes, that day too.
They need a lift somewhere ie, my car is not working
They want a cigarette , ie no, don't have any.
Child goes upstairs without your consent
Child opens you food cupboard/ fridge etc.
Child breaks something on purpose/ plays with items he shoudnt be playing.
They need a shower or a bath, ie to expensive, have one at yours.
They need to borrow money, ie don't have any and you never give it back bc you forget
They need to go to dentist but forgot to brush their teeth , have you got a spare toothbrush?, no
They leave their child with you when you are physically moving house.
They want you to take child to school.
They come very early in the morning (6 am ) for a coffee.
They invite others to your house without consent.
They want you to help them with their housework.
How do I know all of this? Had a friend who did all of the above. Not anymore. But I had to be extremely assertive and to the point. It became easier with practise.

Personally when it comes to the child I would say to the child and mother, that's is not ok, it's disrepectful, we dont do this in my home and if he whines is the perfect excuse to say " poor thing is exhausted, time to go home" while getting shoes on an opening door.
Honestly, you are better alone that with this friend.
Remember this kind of people are takers, They are not easily offended, so you can say almost anything, they 'll be knocking on your door next day with another request. They are not good at returning favours either and when they do, they are unreliable. They simply are disrespecting you.
This should be a happy time for you, moving house, setting up a new home etc. She is taking that joy away from you, is she really a friend?

LimeCheesecake · 25/06/2023 21:11

It’s really hard if you’ve been raised to “be kind” and that you shouldn’t overstep, so when people do you don’t know how to act.

keep your door locked for a start. (If she can just walk in, so can anyone else) when she turns up uninvited, every time - regardless of if you would be happy to see her or not - say “oh xxx, wish you’d messaged before coming over, now it’s not a good time to have you over. Won’t bore you with details. See you soon.” Shut door. Arrange to see her if you want to still meet up, but do not let her in if she’s not been invited.

jelly79 · 25/06/2023 21:20

Sorry but this is ridiculous, you are implying the only time she can't come is if you are out.

Sorry 'friend' we are busy / having a family day / not is the mood / not having visitors.

Holly03 · 25/06/2023 23:17

billy1966 · 25/06/2023 12:56

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.

Actually I did tell the child off for this and warned the friend about the child repeatedly damaging my daughters outdoor toys to play fight. The child was told to go in the house if he can’t play outside which he clearly can’t and then acted up in the house. I’ve messaged today to say enough is enough I’m not there to feed her and her child every weekend. I’ve just moved and need to get sorted, I’m behind on everything with having them there the whole day. She can call on family if she is stuck on food as I simply can’t afford to feed two extra people and also I can’t have him breaking my daughters toys. I don’t know how else to word it without being blunt and I’ve had to be blunt as it’s gone on for months now and I can’t tolerate it anymore. I lost all patience yesterday and she made a comment about my mood but I just didn’t want to have entertain anyone

OP posts:
Champagneponies · 25/06/2023 23:35

You are being unreasonable by not telling her straight that you don't want her there.
By making excuses that she can't come around because your out, that implies to her that it's ok she comes around if your in.
Don't be a coward complaining behind her back. Yes she's being a cf, but your being two faced.
Just tell her what you've told us, and that her visits and advantage-taking must seize. The end.

Newyearnewmeow · 26/06/2023 08:19

Well done OP. Now stick to your word.

happyfoot · 26/06/2023 08:22

I’ve messaged today to say enough is enough I’m not there to feed her and her child every weekend. I’ve just moved and need to get sorted, I’m behind on everything with having them there the whole day. She can call on family if she is stuck on food as I simply can’t afford to feed two extra people and also I can’t have him breaking my daughters toys. I don’t know how else to word it without being blunt and I’ve had to be blunt as it’s gone on for months now and I can’t tolerate it anymore. I lost all patience yesterday and she made a comment about my mood but I just didn’t want to have entertain anyone

Good. Now stick to it. You dont need to worry about being blunt because people like her dont respond to polite requests and she has brought this on herself by her ridiculous behaviour.

Freysimo · 26/06/2023 08:30

If you really can't say no to her, answer the door whilst pretending to talk on your phone, and say 'family emergency, sorry'. Shut door.

yipeeyiyay · 26/06/2023 08:32

OP has she responded to your message?

peachypudding · 26/06/2023 08:34

Well done OP.

NeedToChangeName · 26/06/2023 08:37

I’ve messaged today to say enough is enough ...............I’ve had to be blunt ....... it’s gone on for months now ....... I can’t tolerate it anymore........ I lost all patience yesterday

@Holly03 it's a pity it escalated to this. If you end up in a similar situation again, I'd suggest better to speak up sooner. Be polite, friendly and firm

billy1966 · 26/06/2023 08:38

Good woman.

Now stick to it.

Hold on to your annoyance.

She is a complete user that stands by and allows her child thrash your house.

Her child is the way he is because his mother is his awful example.

BelleMarionette · 26/06/2023 08:39

I'm shocked you don't lock your front door. Anyone could come in. Keep it locked. You could also get a ring doorbell so you can see who is at the door and decide if you want to answer the door.

WaterIris · 26/06/2023 08:40

Good for you - prepare for emotional blackmail. Don't fall for it.