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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

They contacted my partner after I didn’t respond for 12 hours

162 replies

Littleluv · 31/07/2025 11:04

I have a 7 week old baby this person also has a 12 week old baby. We hung out for a walk on the Sunday and the next Friday she texts me in the morning about doing something the next week due to my baby being fussy and being busy with family plans I did not respond and my partner received a text from them at 9pm (12 hours later) asking if I’d changed my number, if I was “coping” and if I was struggling with the “adjustment to motherhood” due to my non-reply… I was pretty shocked she took to messaging him at all let alone when only 12 hours had passed and also as a new mother I don’t take it personally if there is any delay from others because I know babies are a handful and time often passes or you don’t get a chance to respond. Also I am actually coping really well I am just not glued to my phone all the time as I like to spend time doing things with my little one. I really don’t think I want to be friends with this person anymore as I find this extremely overbearing, in addition their partner says bad things about literally everyone. Thoughts on this and how you would feel?

OP posts:
Littleluv · 31/07/2025 14:04

Coconutter24 · 31/07/2025 14:01

People suffering do sometimes give zero indication that they are struggling. How’s your friend meant to know the state of your mental health?
Of course she could of text you again or called I do agree with that, my point was you were still rude to that poster

Hardly rude it’s just bizarre when someone brings up suicide which is such a serious issue because someone just didn’t reply to a text. If that is someone’s immediate reaction and fear with zero signs or indication from someone they have serious anxiety and paranoia. Yes some people give no indication but it should not be the first thought in someone’s head.

OP posts:
Ademasstudio · 31/07/2025 14:08

AngelicKaty · 31/07/2025 13:53

Not if you read all of OP's posts. She's told us:
"I’ve known them a long time but only really started being friends in the later stages of pregnancy. We have hung out maybe 7 times total over the space of 2 years." and
"... She has his number from a long time ago through mutual friends they have exchanged a couple texts before this point but nothing significant."

Sorry missed this

OldMcDonaldHadABigMac · 31/07/2025 14:08

I'd be backing off. I've had experience of overbearing friends and this woman sounds like she'd be one. I'd get out before it escalates.

Francestein · 31/07/2025 14:08

I’d just write back that everyone’s fine, but very busy. While you understand that it probably came from a place caring, you have never been the type of person to be on your phone all day, and find her texting your partner intrusive and over-stepping.
*I suspect the intention was actually condescension rather than genuine care, and she wants attention.

Ademasstudio · 31/07/2025 14:08

This issue aside… you like her?

Ademasstudio · 31/07/2025 14:09

Did your partner reply? What did your partner say to you? Concerned or laughed off as silly?

WhereIsMyJumper · 31/07/2025 14:11

I would be fuming too OP. Massive overstep on her part! I’d be telling her to back off.

WhereIsMyJumper · 31/07/2025 14:13

Littleluv · 31/07/2025 14:04

Hardly rude it’s just bizarre when someone brings up suicide which is such a serious issue because someone just didn’t reply to a text. If that is someone’s immediate reaction and fear with zero signs or indication from someone they have serious anxiety and paranoia. Yes some people give no indication but it should not be the first thought in someone’s head.

I agree. Bit dramatic of that poster to jump to suicide!

Tryinghardtobefair · 31/07/2025 14:14

Maybe she has Post Partum Anxiety. I know a couple of people who would get anxious/irrational about stuff like this.

I'd probably just message her and say that you're fine, you're just busy with the baby and you're rarely on your phone, and then follow it with something like "Are you okay? Messaging X after I didn't reply for a day was a very OTT reaction, so I just want to check in and see how you're doing because you're right, motherhood is a massive adjustment".

If she's not always been like this then maybe she's not okay

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 31/07/2025 14:15

sounds like its time to take a bit of a step back.. if a talk with her doesn't clear it all up...

" in addition their partner says bad things about literally everyone."

This would make me wary of confiding in her.. in case it got passed on to her partner.

StillTooOldToCare · 31/07/2025 14:23

I think i'd feel exactly same as you , and as a much older mum i'd say you don't have to say people with babies are busy, people with lives are too busy for this nonsense, people with parents to look after are busy, people with toddlers and school kids on holidays are busy, people with jobs the list is endless, even if you are not busy you have a right to not respond till it suits you, you could well have decided to wait till plans are clearer for next week before replying . No reply after 3 /4 days might warrant a follow up text to you only, in case you forgot, but to your partner no. Short of a family member or very very close friend who knows you always get back in say a few hours, no one should have messaged your partner after 12 hours. I read it as fake, fake concern and trying to make drama out of nothing, its at best overbearing and bossy- people show you who they are and you don't need this in your life.

Thisweeksdrama · 31/07/2025 14:24

Bonkers, and really intrusive. If your OH hasn't messaged back yet, I'd ask him not to (so she knows that approach isn't going to wash) and message something along the lines of:

"[Partner] passed on your message - no cause for concern, all good here :) Sorry I didn't message back straight away re meeting up. This precious time is flying by so fast and I'm really keen to cherish it and not spend loads of time on my phone answering messages.'

DontTouchRoach · 31/07/2025 14:27

They sound completely fucking nuts to me.

Rallentanda · 31/07/2025 14:29

This would be a no from me.

12 hours is no time for a text to go unanswered.

People are so certain that she's worried about the OP. And maybe she is. But that's not a normal level of worry between two people who aren't even close friends. To escalate it by contacting the OP's husband is way off. Maybe another text to the OP - that's caring.

It's not to do with caring, anyway. She was catastrophizing. I'd say she might have a bit of PND herself, or at any rate is a person too intense for most British mum friendships.

Jellybellycat · 31/07/2025 14:29

If it was someone you spoke to most days who didn’t receive a response in 12 hours then it would be normal / not inconceivable that they might worry something was wrong - for example a partner, parent, best friend.

In this instance is bizarre and I would message her and say she had no right to do this. You don’t need to explain why you didn’t respond if you don’t want to. But I think I would point out that you did not reply immediately because it wasn’t a priority. I would take a step back, she sounds like hard work.

Branleuse · 31/07/2025 14:30

That would definitely put me off someone.
I would not respond and ask dh to not respond either.

MissSookieStackhouse · 31/07/2025 14:33

She really overstepped the mark. As you say, if she had a genuine concern, why not call you or text again to see if you were ok? I’d be backing away from this friendship now before she becomes unbearable and starts behaving like a total limpet.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 31/07/2025 14:41

I would guess she's feeling wobbly and needy and is projecting how she feels on to you.

Deap · 31/07/2025 14:44

You very much need to step completely away from this friendship. Even if she meant well, which she most likely did, her way of interacting is NOT compatible with yours (she’s wound me up too!).

Honestly, just because you both have same aged babies, doesn’t mean you need to be best buddies.

Recall a similar relationship when I had a new born, and wish I’d cut ties muuuuch sooner than I did. She made me second guess almost all of my actions, even the health of my baby, and cast a small dark shadow over the period. In her case, her narrative was basically everything she did was supersonic new age… and anything that wavered from her line was Bad and Dangerous. so e.g. only cloth nappies, no plastic toys, we both breastfed, but had I formula-fed she’d no doubt have made me feel dreadful for bottle feeding.

She used to lecture endlessly. I liked some, if not all of what she stood for, it was the STYLE of her interaction that didn’t work. She wasn’t empathetic or actually very friendly / thoughtful at all. Your scenario reminds me of this, even if a different example. wtf is she contacting your partner, and after 12 hours?! Good for you for not being glued to your phone, also!

So yes, detach totally, or give her another chance, and if she repeats this sort of annoying behaviour then let that be the end of it all. That all said, if she was great in every other way, you’d probs overlook this, so Im guessing she’s irritating in other ways too!

namechangeGOT · 31/07/2025 14:54

usedtobeaylis · 31/07/2025 12:49

That's just unnecessarily mean. She's a bit over the top and full on and I'd feel uncomfortable with it but maybe she's struggling herself and feels desperate. Do we have absolutely no grace any more.

Not for shit stirrers I don’t.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 31/07/2025 15:14

I’d also find this extremely weird - she’s not a very close friend, 12 hours isn’t very long at all, and messaging your partner to request an explanation for the delay is bonkers. It’s a bit like something a concerned boss might do if you suddenly failed to turn up to work, so I agree with you that she’s taken a very odd, almost panicked approach which comes across as a bit needy. Personally, I would tell her that you were simply busy and that you will reply to messages when you get a suitable moment to do so. I’d also tell her that you and your partner were a bit taken aback by the concerned tone in the message asking about you ‘coping’ and ‘adjusting’ as she’s clearly read into things and seeing problems which aren’t actually there. And then I’d keep my distance!

Conniebygaslight · 31/07/2025 15:17

Wide berth required OP, she’s far too intense and entitled for my liking and these sort of people only get worse. Her messaging your DP is crackers!

LovingLimePeer · 31/07/2025 15:27

It's a bit strange but the combination of post-natal anxiety and sleepless nights is something that can drive people into being really sensitive about social rejection/health. She may be struggling herself and projecting that onto you. If she's a good friend, have a conversation about it.

MoodyMargaret11 · 31/07/2025 15:27

It's not a genuine concern it's bullsh*t.
Reminds me of a friend (more like acquaintance) of mine whom I also met only a handful times. She was giving some weird vibes too, so I didn't keep much in touch. MONTHS had passed since our last communication - last message being sent by me, she was the one who didn't respond. Out of the blue she texts and asks how I am and after the children. I don't respond (yet) and the very next day get a PHONE CALL, followed by another text "I'm really worried now that something has happened to you and the children". That gave me a seriously off vibe and I blocked her. I really cannot be dealing with this type of people.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 31/07/2025 15:29

Hmm. I would avoid developing this friendship into something I'd regret.

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