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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to stop messaging flakey friend- basically ghosting

13 replies

Mayrose33 · 31/08/2025 21:56

So we've been friends since 16 in school, like kost relationships we've gone through periods of being closer and then drifted with Uni, living in different countries etc but always kept in touch and met up as a larger group when possible.
We'd become closer in our 30s and then closer still when we both had our first child within a few months of each other, lots of playdates, coffee, messaging parenting advice back and forth.
We've both gone on to have more children and much busier lives, I work what would be considered quite a stressful jobs and do condensed hours. She doesn't work anymore but her husband is in a well paying job that requires him to work late nights and weekends so the household and childcare is on her (she does have a cleaner and put her children in daycare/school)
I've felt in the last year or so our friendship drifting, shes living in what you would consider a "posh" area and has made friends with other non working mums who can meet up, thats fine and understandable.

My issue is she takes forever to message me back, anytime we meet its because I've suggested it and she often cancels or changes plans last minute. On more than one occasion my child has ended up in tears due to her poor planning or inviting other children her child knows which then leaves mine out.

Ive realized we've basically not met up all summer despite her meeting with other mutual friends and I feel she is now not putting in any effort.

AIBU to just not message anymore and essentially ghost her? The group meet ups are quite rare these days so would be likely able to avoid if needed? Or should I give her the benefit of the doubt that shes just busy and a bit inconsiderate to my feelings?

OP posts:
LibbyOTV · 31/08/2025 21:59

Hi OP. I've had with a few frienships - been both people in this scenario. I don't think your feelings or annoyance are unreasonable but I would not ghost, just stop initiating for a bit and see what happens.

Mayrose33 · 31/08/2025 22:03

LibbyOTV · 31/08/2025 21:59

Hi OP. I've had with a few frienships - been both people in this scenario. I don't think your feelings or annoyance are unreasonable but I would not ghost, just stop initiating for a bit and see what happens.

Oh I've definitely stopped initiating now, its more if she ever messages me whether to put in the effort thats not being returned. Funnily I think if I don't initiate I'll probably not hear from her for such a long time may as well just ghost

OP posts:
Sixtimesnow · 31/08/2025 22:03

I'd just stop initiating. If she makes no effort you have your answer. No point trying with someone who doesn't value the relationship.

Toddlerspaghetti · 31/08/2025 22:16

I've had this exact scenario recently. I think the other posters are right, to step back and let the friend make the effort. If they don't then you have your answer. What will probably happen is that they will realise they are losing you and make a small effort but then things will go back to how they were before. Not sure what the answer is op.

Plumedenom · 31/08/2025 22:20

Let her drift off from you and don't even think about it. You're in different social circles and she's obviously ok with that. It's a shame but life's like that.

Mayrose33 · 31/08/2025 22:38

Toddlerspaghetti · 31/08/2025 22:16

I've had this exact scenario recently. I think the other posters are right, to step back and let the friend make the effort. If they don't then you have your answer. What will probably happen is that they will realise they are losing you and make a small effort but then things will go back to how they were before. Not sure what the answer is op.

Yes I feel looking back there's been times following certain incidents when I've taken a step back and waited for her to reach out, but we were definitely closer then, and then it always reverts back to me messaging and arranging. I just feel hurt knowing she's met up with other mutual friends and put in the effort with them. I think taking proper distance is probably needed

OP posts:
Smugzebra · 31/08/2025 22:45

If you're sure she is ok and not struggling (which is why some people may stop messaging) then yeah just leave it until she messages. Sounds like she is fine if she is managing to meet with others. You're worth more.

Mayrose33 · 31/08/2025 22:49

Smugzebra · 31/08/2025 22:45

If you're sure she is ok and not struggling (which is why some people may stop messaging) then yeah just leave it until she messages. Sounds like she is fine if she is managing to meet with others. You're worth more.

She definitely seems fine, two abroad holidays and had her children in summer scheme so she could meet up with friends, apparently as one mutual friend told me, she's also had a "school mums" drinks at her home so not worried in that respect

OP posts:
TryingAgainAgainAgain · 31/08/2025 23:04

It's hurtful of course, but I don't think you really need to ghost her. If she does contact you and you don't reply once or twice, that's hardly ghosting, it's just matching her previous energy.

Do take it as an opportunity to start a new activity yourself, and perhaps meet some new people.

Daisyhon · 06/09/2025 18:03

Just don’t message her for a while & see what happens . If u don’t hear from her then u know she’s moved on , that may feel a bit hurtful but at least u will know .

Hatty65 · 06/09/2025 18:13

I now work on some kind of scientific theory (Einstein?) of every action has an equal and opposite reaction and I absolutely match the energy of the person I'm dealing with.

I got tired of being the one who always initiated contact and made the effort. I still do it with people that also take their turn, but have basically lost contact entirely with people who never bothered phone or text me, because I've done exactly the same with them.

FuzzyWolf · 06/09/2025 18:16

AIBU to just not message anymore and essentially ghost her?

I think you’ve already been ghosted by her but you haven’t realised it. Just stop messaging her now.

Mary46 · 06/09/2025 18:28

Hatty same here. Im not willing to keep friends going now unless its two way efforts. Its too time consuming. It does get disheartening at times..

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