Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To distance myself from a friend when she needs me

84 replies

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 11:40

Wondering if I should suck it up...
I have a friend of 20 years and everything she does at the moment is annoying me. I have tried to pinpoint the top things that have annoyed me recently:

  1. I used to pick up her son from school once a week (I have 2 kids in the same school and I work part-time, she works full time). I did this for 2 school years. I fed him dinner, entertained him and occasionally took him and my 2 kids out for ice cream or a milkshake, I even bought him a book from the book fair as it was there on a day I was picking him up and I didn't want him to be left out. It was hard work when the weather was bad, walking the mile home in the rain up a big hill while feeding the 3 of them snacks but I did it and didn't complain. She'd always say thank you but I feel like she never fully appreciated the time and effort. If I met up with her, she'd never offer to pay the parking or occasionally buy me a coffee as an acknowledgement of me being out of pocket looking after her son, it was always split down the middle.
  2. For her 40th, I organised a fun thing for us to do with some friends, spent hours making her a photo book and get her a necklace with a personalised inscription. I went a bit OTT as it's a big birthday. For my 40th she admitted she shouted to her husband 5 mins before leaving to meet me for a drink "what can I get for her 40th?" and he found gig tickets online (for a tenner), bought them and printed them out. No time spent, no thought, just rushed.
  3. She's had a lot of heartache over the years trying for a second baby. I always check in, I took an afternoon off work to walk around town with her one day when she was struggling mentally, when she had a miscarriage I was checking in daily, ringing, texting, coming over to be a shoulder to cry on. When my uncle died recently I told her I left work early as I couldn't stop crying. She sent a generic "Sorry to hear that, let me know if there's anything I can do" text and that was it. I then sent a photo from the funeral as it was abroad and done very differently to here and I just got a heart emoji back. No checking in, Nothing.
  4. There are other small things but I'm not going to list everything.

I have found that I'm distancing myself from her recently and I feel bad about it as she's about to start IVF and will likely need me (and more childcare) over the next year. Should I suck it up for now and be there for her? She has a few other friends but no close family other that hubbie. It just feels so false.

What would you do? Am I being unreasonable (and selfish!)?

OP posts:
boymamahere · 27/10/2025 12:45

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:41

What a very thought provoking reply, thank you for this. Yes I do struggle to say no and I end up taking on far too much.

These replies have been very eye-opening. Yes I do take on too much and go OTT on trying to be the best friend I can be and feel resentful when I don't get the same back. Time to stop giving 200%. Not sure how yet though 😂

Stop being so available for others, if your friend calls or messages don’t reply straight away. If you are busy and can’t visit your friend who needs you then say “I’m sorry, I can’t do tonight but I’m free (insert date that’s convenient for you)

Start saying no to childcare, it’s clear you don’t want to do it, just say you’ve got things going on in your own life and unfortunately you can’t right now.

Support your friend during her IVF but you don’t need to do daily check ins, calls, messages.

You aren’t responsible for your friends life xx I know that’s hard when you are overly caring I’ve been there myself it’s been a long journey but focus on you!!

FajitaNightCap · 27/10/2025 12:46

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:41

What a very thought provoking reply, thank you for this. Yes I do struggle to say no and I end up taking on far too much.

These replies have been very eye-opening. Yes I do take on too much and go OTT on trying to be the best friend I can be and feel resentful when I don't get the same back. Time to stop giving 200%. Not sure how yet though 😂

I’d start by thinking about why you over-give. Do you find it difficult to say no? Why? What do you think would happen if your friend said ‘Can you have X for a week after school when I’m away?’ and you said ‘Sorry, Y, I can’t. You’ll have to make other arrangements’? What, in your mind, does she say then? Are you imagining hostility? Would that be a problem? If so, is this really a friendship that is healthy for you, if it only functions on the basis of you never saying no?

Are you trading services for friendship?

Fiftyandme · 27/10/2025 12:48

She’s hardly been a friend to you

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:52

FajitaNightCap · 27/10/2025 12:46

I’d start by thinking about why you over-give. Do you find it difficult to say no? Why? What do you think would happen if your friend said ‘Can you have X for a week after school when I’m away?’ and you said ‘Sorry, Y, I can’t. You’ll have to make other arrangements’? What, in your mind, does she say then? Are you imagining hostility? Would that be a problem? If so, is this really a friendship that is healthy for you, if it only functions on the basis of you never saying no?

Are you trading services for friendship?

I worry she'd think I'm being a rubbish friend I guess. Then I'd have guilt that I'm here with my easily conceived 2 children and incredible childcare support in the form of very available and caring grandparents while she's having to pay £15k for IVF for a second child with no family support around her

OP posts:
tragichero · 27/10/2025 12:54

One thing a counsellor once told, that sounds really really obvious but can be difficult to accept, is that other people are not me, and i will always be upset and disappointed if I expect them to behave as if they were.

It might be good to think about that now, OP.

Your friend is a different person to you, with different strengths and weaknesses. You sound like a very kind and generous person, with your time, money and resources. It sounds like this friend is not equally as generous, giving and thoughtful.

But that doesn't make her a bad person necessarily, or even a bad friend.

She sounds quite honest (I kind of admire her for being honest about the birthday gift, really - many people would have lied). Maybe she isn't very good at knowing what to say in difficult situations, but she isn't ignoring you, she did ask if you needed anything following your sad loss. Maybe she thought you would say if you wanted her to check in/wanted to talk about it.

I had to have a day off work recently as my dad (already seriously ill) collapsed in the night, and it looked like he was on the way out. I didn't hear anything from someone who is a good friend, that I work with. I texted her assuming nobody had told her what had happened, but she said she knew and that was the reason she HADN'T text me - she didn't want to intrude when I was clearly going through a difficult time. But I know from experience with this friend that, if I told her I needed to meet up for a chat, she would be there......

The childcare thing is an awkward one - on the surface it seems like she has been taking the piss, but have you ever said anything to her to imply it makes your life harder in any way? When my DD was little I had a reciprocal arrangement with her friend's mom and we both did an afternoon's childcare a week for the other, and I actually found it much easier than having to entertain DD on her own at that age, so I positively liked doing it..... And she may genuinely not have thought about the expense.

If you are happy to keep doing it (and you are not obliged to) , I think you should say, money is a bit tight at the moment, is there any way you could give me £10 a week (or whatever you think is fair) for his drinks and snacks after school? If she isn't happy with that, she will need to look elsewhere.

If you don't want to do it any more, just say so.

Maybe you don't want to be friends with her at all any more, and that's fine too. People change and friendships run their course. She will never behave exactly as you would like her to, because that's not who she is. But I see no evidence that she doesn't actually like and care about you - I think she is just perhaps a bit thoughtless/self absorbed even.

Depends whether her good points outweigh the bad for you at this point.

If you do want to end the friendship, I think the kindest thing would be a slow fade. It avoids unnecessary conflict, especially when both of you have lots going on in your life at the moment. Neither of you need the stress of a dramatic fall out!

Itiswhysofew · 27/10/2025 12:59

A 20 year friendship generally falls into a rhythm. You are a giver, she's a taker but will give when asked. Stop being so generous now, only because of how she is. If you had a friend similar in character to you, things would be different.

She's hinting at you giving your time again to her during her IVF treatment. How are you going to deal with that? Maybe tell her that she'll have to do what most others would have to and that's take her child with her or arrange alternative childcare. Not easy, but you're time is not hers to have and it's a huge responsibility taking care of someone else's child.

Cheeseontoastghost · 27/10/2025 13:01

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:52

I worry she'd think I'm being a rubbish friend I guess. Then I'd have guilt that I'm here with my easily conceived 2 children and incredible childcare support in the form of very available and caring grandparents while she's having to pay £15k for IVF for a second child with no family support around her

Her life is hers to sort out and live, not yours

boymamahere · 27/10/2025 13:07

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:52

I worry she'd think I'm being a rubbish friend I guess. Then I'd have guilt that I'm here with my easily conceived 2 children and incredible childcare support in the form of very available and caring grandparents while she's having to pay £15k for IVF for a second child with no family support around her

You are too invested in her life and you’ve unhealthily attached yourself to believe you need to support her more than you should do. It’s not healthy to feel like you have to be your friends support system.

I also mean this with the nicest intentions to your friend but if she can’t afford childcare whilst she’s paying for IVF for a second child then she needs to have a think about that with DH. It’s not for you to step in and offer that to her.

just because you think you’ve had it easier than your friend doesn’t mean you need to step up and go way over and beyond. You have grandparents help that that’s great, but it’s a bit unhealthy for you to try and offer childcare as if you are a replacement for that for her.

It’s okay to fill grateful or even guilt when your friend is struggling with something that happened easily for you. Unfortunately, someone is always gonna have it better or worse off than others and you will also go through hardships in your life.

You’re not responsible for her. Seriously.

Papayatropics · 27/10/2025 13:08

StokePotteries · 27/10/2025 11:48

She's used you for years. Don't feel guilty. And stop doing things for other people that make you feel undervalued. You have to place value on your own time and efforts. If you don't, others take advantage.

This.

SeaGreenSeaGlass · 27/10/2025 13:09

Do you feel like she resents you, or is envious of what you have?

I agree with previous posters who've said that it's time that you said "no". If you're not involved in the decisions she's making, then you're not involved with the consequences. You can tell her now that she shouldn't make any decisions that rely on you providing childcare as you can't commit to that. You don't need to explain why.

Regarding your working pattern - we live in a capitalist society where workers exchange their time for employer's money. You have decided to have less money and more time because it suits your family. It's not in your children's best interests to commit to looking after another child unless the financial reward of doing so makes it worthwhile. So put your own family first. Your friend has been extremely lucky to have you bending around her wants until now. Think of the example you're seeing your own children. Seeing mum as a martyr - is this how you'd want them to behave in a friendship? Or do you want to model relationships based on mutual respect?

You currently feel uncomfortable because you know the relationship isn't in balance. Only you can make the changes. Ironically, she would probably have more respect for you if you do stand up for yourself.

Linenpickle · 27/10/2025 13:10

Do you think she would be your friend if you weren’t about to help?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/10/2025 13:13

Stop doing childcare for free. Ask her if she will take your child and feed him every Saturday morning in exchange. If she won’t then just stop doing it.

boymamahere · 27/10/2025 13:14

boymamahere · 27/10/2025 13:07

You are too invested in her life and you’ve unhealthily attached yourself to believe you need to support her more than you should do. It’s not healthy to feel like you have to be your friends support system.

I also mean this with the nicest intentions to your friend but if she can’t afford childcare whilst she’s paying for IVF for a second child then she needs to have a think about that with DH. It’s not for you to step in and offer that to her.

just because you think you’ve had it easier than your friend doesn’t mean you need to step up and go way over and beyond. You have grandparents help that that’s great, but it’s a bit unhealthy for you to try and offer childcare as if you are a replacement for that for her.

It’s okay to fill grateful or even guilt when your friend is struggling with something that happened easily for you. Unfortunately, someone is always gonna have it better or worse off than others and you will also go through hardships in your life.

You’re not responsible for her. Seriously.

adding to my comment, your friend isn’t “having” to pay 15 grand out for IVF her and her partner are choosing to. That’s their choice to make and not one for you to get involved in and feel like you need to give free childcare.

Next you will be saying you need to offer childcare because your friend has two kids and no support… only you can make a change in your choices and start putting boundaries in

You need to change your mindset and realise that you are responsible for your life and your friend is responsible for hers.

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 13:15

Linenpickle · 27/10/2025 13:10

Do you think she would be your friend if you weren’t about to help?

Yes, we were friends long before we had kids. We had a lot of fun together, going out, big holidays, it was always a laugh. Now we have kids do don't do any of these things. Our kids get on but they wouldn't be friends if it wasn't for us.

OP posts:
Beachhutgirl · 27/10/2025 13:19

I don't know if this is any help, but I'll recount my own experience. I had a close friend who was very needy and vulnerable, and I put a lot of time and effort into supporting her, mostly very willingly.

Then I hit a bad patch, and instead of being any support to me she clearly resented that I was not able to go on looking after her, and hurt me very badly in the process.

Someone I talked to about this suggested that I had unconsciously assumed that we had a mutual relationship, where support would flow both ways as needed, but in truth that was not and never had been the case. I had to recognise that, and work out what relationship could be in the future.

Best wishes as you work things out.

NattyRedFinch · 27/10/2025 13:25

I had a friend exactly like this who constantly offloaded her problems onto me but was completely dismissive of mine. I quietly dropped her when she got engaged, as the thought of 18 months of incessant wedding planning chat filled me with horror and I just couldn’t face it.

FajitaNightCap · 27/10/2025 13:27

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:52

I worry she'd think I'm being a rubbish friend I guess. Then I'd have guilt that I'm here with my easily conceived 2 children and incredible childcare support in the form of very available and caring grandparents while she's having to pay £15k for IVF for a second child with no family support around her

But why would it be worse for her to think you’re a rubbish friend for not doing childcare than for you to think she’s a rubbish friend for taking your help with childcare for granted, not making an equivalent effort for your 40th, not checking in as you’d like when you were grieving etc?

I mean, you think she’s a rubbish friend to the point where you’ve already begun distancing yourself from her, and are posting lists of things she’s doing or not doing that make you resent her on the internet, OP. If you go on as you are, afraid to say no, the friendship will end anyway, because you find her lacking in reciprocity and you resent the one-sidedness. Isn’t it worth thinking that your feelings are important too, and that if you don’t start saying no to things you don’t want to do, that you’ll end up in the same situation, with a dead friendship?

BerkleyChoo · 27/10/2025 13:30

It’s not your job to support her life choices, to your own detriment.

GrrrrrrrBrrrrrrr · 27/10/2025 13:34

I think a lot of this is on you, you need to work out what you want to do and then do it. Also, if you want to be reimbursed for for or snacks then ask. It’s the same when your uncle died, she said do you want anything and you could have easily said that you would like a little support. She should be really grateful for you helping her but she might not think you mind.

You need to work out why you race to help people so much. Do you want to be seen as a helpful kind person? I’m a helpful person but I am happy to say no to things too. I think it’s makes it really easy for my pals to ask as for favours as they know I will only say yes if I mean it.

I think you are being unfair on her by being mad at her without having at least talked to her about what you would like. If she knows you are resentful then she might probably prefer it that you don’t help out.

GAJLY · 27/10/2025 13:35

This friendship is unbalanced and unfair to you. I've just fizzled out of one friendship similar to yours. I kept it going for a long while even though it was clear, I was making more effort. But it made me feel sad as it was obvious I was being used. My efforts were never matched. I'd ring her, visit, give gifts to her and her son.

When her son had an operation I popped over there with a gift basket of ice cream and drinks. I'd drop off birthday and Christmas presents. My mum died, nothing (No chats/card etc). I became my father's carer, nothing. My youngest ended up in hospital, nothing. I had an operation, nothing. My recent birthday, she left a present 6 weeks later behind my bin when I was in! It tipped me over the edge and I haven't spoken to her since. I deserve better friends than that, and so do you.

My suggestion is to make yourself unavailable. If she asks for help with childcare just say, I'm sorry I can't because I'm working more hours now. Leave it at that. Don't allow her to use you again.

Hankunamatata · 27/10/2025 13:35

I think your a bit ott

If you didnt want to pick her child up then say so. If you wanted money for a book you brought or milkshake then you should have asked her.

She got you a present for your 40th so what she didnt spend hours on a present (frankly id rather pluck my eyeballs out than make personalised gifts)

You told her you were upset about your uncle she sent you a message back inviting you to tell her what you needed - yet you didnt and you viewed it as generic!!

You sent her a photo from funeral - how on earth do you reply to a message like that? Im guessing your friend was in same dilemma. Again you could have expressed what you needed from her

Lots of this seems to be you expecting something from her but not actually verbalising what you need. Then being disappointed by her response

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 14:14

FajitaNightCap · 27/10/2025 13:27

But why would it be worse for her to think you’re a rubbish friend for not doing childcare than for you to think she’s a rubbish friend for taking your help with childcare for granted, not making an equivalent effort for your 40th, not checking in as you’d like when you were grieving etc?

I mean, you think she’s a rubbish friend to the point where you’ve already begun distancing yourself from her, and are posting lists of things she’s doing or not doing that make you resent her on the internet, OP. If you go on as you are, afraid to say no, the friendship will end anyway, because you find her lacking in reciprocity and you resent the one-sidedness. Isn’t it worth thinking that your feelings are important too, and that if you don’t start saying no to things you don’t want to do, that you’ll end up in the same situation, with a dead friendship?

Yeah that makes sense when you put it that way. I don't know why I feel so guilty for having things that others do not (the number of children I wanted, the family I have around me). I'll work on saying no and setting boundaries!

OP posts:
LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 14:19

GrrrrrrrBrrrrrrr · 27/10/2025 13:34

I think a lot of this is on you, you need to work out what you want to do and then do it. Also, if you want to be reimbursed for for or snacks then ask. It’s the same when your uncle died, she said do you want anything and you could have easily said that you would like a little support. She should be really grateful for you helping her but she might not think you mind.

You need to work out why you race to help people so much. Do you want to be seen as a helpful kind person? I’m a helpful person but I am happy to say no to things too. I think it’s makes it really easy for my pals to ask as for favours as they know I will only say yes if I mean it.

I think you are being unfair on her by being mad at her without having at least talked to her about what you would like. If she knows you are resentful then she might probably prefer it that you don’t help out.

I could have asked for support when she said "let me know if there's anything I can do" but I just think if you're good friends and someone has lost a family member, you should check in. The person suffering the loss shouldn't have to ask for help and worry they are inconveniencing someone when they do. A generic "Let me know if there's anything I can do" is just something people say, a bit like "Hi, how are you?". It doesn't mean they want a genuine reply. That's what upset me. But yes I realise now that I am expecting her to react as I would have in that situation which isn't fair as she isn't me.

Yep, something I need to work on. Saying no.

OP posts:
Howwilliknow122 · 27/10/2025 14:24

JLou08 · 27/10/2025 12:07

Have you ever worked full time as a parent? I did it for a few years in a really stressful job and was probably like your friend. Life was hectic and I didn't have much time for putting the same thought into things like I do now I'm part time. I'd maybe cut her some slack if you enjoy her company.

What has that got to do with not appreciating the help that op gives her? Ive worked full and part time over the years and it really doesn't take a minute to value someone even if you can't show it all the time due to being too busy.

Lougle · 27/10/2025 14:31

LilacHedgehog123 · 27/10/2025 12:28

I probably offered. I do struggle to say no when a friend is heavily hinting and I'm trying to be a good friend.

Yes I prob did go OTT for her 40th but I can't help feeling disappointed with the lack of thought. Especially after all I do for her.

I guess all I wanted from her when my uncle died was a text or two asking if I was ok. It would have shown that she at least cared. I didn't message or ring her after her miscarriage because I felt like I should. I did it because I was genuinely concerned about her. So when I didn't get anything from her when my uncle died, it made me feel like she doesn't give a sh!t.

The photo of the funeral was of the monks etc in the temple, I said it was his final send off and that I was sad I couldn't be there for it. That's when I got a heart emoji..

I think people have different strengths and some people find it hard and awkward when there is an emotional situation with no obvious solution. Some people don't do well well with just acknowledging how hard it all is, unless they can see a role for them in making it better.

It sounds like you don't need your friend in the same way as she needs you, but you're still frustrated that she's not reciprocating, even though you wouldn't need to accept it?

Friendship isn't always equal. It can't be.

Swipe left for the next trending thread