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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Don't think she's bothered

8 replies

Ophentru · 27/12/2023 17:15

Me and cousin are same age (34) and were often quite competitive as children about birthdays/ milestones etc the usual but in a friendly way, sometimes sizing each other up a bit or comparing although I grew out of this long ago. We've also had a few falling outs over the years where we didn't speak for a while or drifted apart. Eg aged 22 I voiced concern about a partner of hers who seemed abusive and was cut off by her. We had different views on Brexit in. Our lives took different paths and we're just not that close anymore.

Fast forward to 2023 and were both in stable long term relationships. Myself and husband had first DC this year in June. I hadn't heard from cousin for a long while but we were on speaking / friendly terms and she wanted to meet to see baby and introduce her long term partner. We did and it was nice to see them but she spent most of the time talking about their baby plans, asking me about how health system works - what names they picked out etc and great detail about their future baby's life which seems all planned out.

Afterwards she text to say how great it was to see us and how our relationship was healing after the ups and downs of the years etc. I took this as a signal to stay in touch more and tried to do this a few times but she didn't seem that bothered. One word replies and always me initiating.

I feel like - just like competitive milestone stuff as kids - she just wanted to see me because I'd had baby first, something she was meticulously planning herself. Like she was sussing it all out (she asked loads of Qs). She talked non stop about her own plans then I've not heard from her since (this was in August) despite trying to get convo going (she lives far away so meeting up not possible often).

Aibu to think she's not genuinely interested in me or my family and to just give up trying? Was she just meeting up to compare (like we did as kids) or take notes? Or am I being really negative and defeatist?

I got a two word reply to my Xmas message so this whole issue has come up for me again.

OP posts:
YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 27/12/2023 17:16

Definitely don't bother trying.

Fairylightfurore · 27/12/2023 17:24

Does it have to be full on or nothing? A few texts a year with updates seems fine for non immediate family. You can be friendly without being besties.

ALonelyRoad · 27/12/2023 17:26

Who cares?! I don't get the comparison thing. You do you. If she feels the need to meet up just to see what you have she doesn't, that's entirely on her. Don't feed into it and stop being apart of it.

WhateverMate · 27/12/2023 17:29

I see it differently.

Baby talk was always going to be on the cards because you have one and she's planning one, so a good 'common' interest.

Short texts are just what some people do, but only you'll know if it's out of character for her.

TheSnowyOwl · 27/12/2023 17:29

I’m not sure where the comparison thing comes into it. I’d assume she had a catch up with you and is happy for it to be a one off or occasional event, rather than being all the time.

berksandbeyond · 27/12/2023 17:36

Maybe they’ve had a tough road to parenthood? Either way I wouldn’t be too fussed about pushing for a closer relationship

flowerchild2000 · 27/12/2023 17:40

It does sound like it. I would pull back and let her come to me. Perhaps when she has a baby she'll be back to compare milestones lol. She sounds really self serving, probably not worth your energy and possibly toxic so maybe a bullet dodged anyway?

Ophentru · 27/12/2023 18:19

Fairylightfurore · 27/12/2023 17:24

Does it have to be full on or nothing? A few texts a year with updates seems fine for non immediate family. You can be friendly without being besties.

This was what I was aiming for but even that seems a stretch. She'll likely be back in touch when she's pregnant I suppose

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