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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for feeling left out?

197 replies

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 12:28

Hello everyone I’ve been reading Mumsnet for years (literally since I was pregnant with DD1 in 2007!) but this is my very first time posting so please be kind…
One of my closest friends (known her since university) is getting married next year and last night the hen-do WhatsApp group popped up… except I’m not in it. It’s a spa weekend in the Cotswolds for 12 of her “favourite girls” and apparently I didn’t make the cut.
We’ve had playdates, been on holiday together, I hosted her baby shower, the whole lot. She’s already asked me to do a reading at the wedding so I thought we were properly close. I bumped into another friend this morning who’s going and she let slip it’s £450 each not including treatments.
I’m gutted and embarrassed and feel like I’ve been demoted to second-tier friend. DH says I’m overthinking it and these things are always about money/numbers but I can’t help feeling hurt.
AIBU to be this upset about a hen do? Or should I just smile and pretend I don’t know?
TIA and sorry for the essay on my first post!

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 07/12/2025 13:27

Are you planning on making a show of yourself at the wedding or will you watch how much you drink?

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:27

AwfullyGood · 07/12/2025 13:26

Your husband has an issue with your behaviour when you drink.

A friend, who considers you close enough to do a reading at her wedding, has excluded you from her hen do because of your drinking.

Can you accept that your drinking is a problem, is having a negative impact on those closest to you and that it really needs to change?

Yes, I can see that now. I used to think they were being controlling.

OP posts:
ScorchingEgg · 07/12/2025 13:28

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:24

I could enroll in Dry January. My mum took part in that to stop her drinking

That might be a good start. But it’s not just about the act of drinking, it’s also about exploring why you do it to the point of not being able to control yourself, and also why you are downplaying the repercussions.

Your friends have not included you on something important because you ruin nice things with your behaviour. That’s a big deal. You may want to consider why you do it, and tackle that side of things. Sounds like you have a great bunch of people around you if they are willing to be honest with you, and you’re also still being included on things that they consider to be less of a risk.

I’d try and tackle this before it starts to impact on your children, if it hasn’t already. It sucks being the child of a drunk.

Grapewrath · 07/12/2025 13:28

You’re drinking is problematic because it’s impacting on your relationships.
Id imagine you’re a bit more than a fun drunk if your friend is not inviting you to her hen because she is concerned that your behaviour will ruin her day.
I’d maybe reevaluate your drinking and behaviour tbh.

UrbanFan · 07/12/2025 13:28

I wouldn't invite you either.

chocciechocface · 07/12/2025 13:31

She’s done the right thing excluding you and also being honest with you. In fact, she’s a really good friend because she’s hopefully made you aware your drinking is a problem.

However, if you get drunk and dance on the table and be loud and obnoxious at her wedding, then I think you will lose her as a friend forever. And if you can’t enjoy her wedding without a drink, you’ll know yourself that that’s a problem.

And if you continue to compromise relationships with other people, dragging your husband along to witness and experience the unpleasantness of it, then it’s likely your marriage will eventually head south as well.

I think you’ve been given a massive ‘heads-up’.

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:32

chocciechocface · 07/12/2025 13:31

She’s done the right thing excluding you and also being honest with you. In fact, she’s a really good friend because she’s hopefully made you aware your drinking is a problem.

However, if you get drunk and dance on the table and be loud and obnoxious at her wedding, then I think you will lose her as a friend forever. And if you can’t enjoy her wedding without a drink, you’ll know yourself that that’s a problem.

And if you continue to compromise relationships with other people, dragging your husband along to witness and experience the unpleasantness of it, then it’s likely your marriage will eventually head south as well.

I think you’ve been given a massive ‘heads-up’.

You're right.

OP posts:
Cornishclio · 07/12/2025 13:33

Oh dear how mortifying. How do you feel about her reply?

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:39

Cornishclio · 07/12/2025 13:33

Oh dear how mortifying. How do you feel about her reply?

Its a wake up call

OP posts:
JoClogs · 07/12/2025 13:45

This feels like a clickbait thread.

Either that or you have a problem with alcohol that needs to be addressed if it's causing concern for your partner and also causing your friend to exclude you from her hen party. I'd recommend you get your liver scanned to see how much damage you've done to it.

ComfortFoodCafe · 07/12/2025 13:48

Oh dear, you know you need to pack in drinking when people deliberately don’t invite you out when drink is involved.

Procrastination4 · 07/12/2025 13:48

I really hope that you seek help to get over this. It’s sad that you’re not invited to the hen do, but the fact that your friend wants you to do a reading at her wedding suggests that she values you as a friend, just doesn’t want to have to cope with potential “messiness” at her hen.

I think the fact that you’ve mentioned your mum and her “Dry January” thing suggests that you’re emulating what came before you, and that your mum had a problem with alcohol too. Please, please get professional help before this becomes any more of a problem, for the sake of your husband, your children, your friends but most of all, you. You can still enjoy socializing with others without being dependent on alcohol to allow you to “let your hair down”. And the good thing is, that you won’t be embarrassing others by your behaviour, or worse, making them concerned about your safety. Wishing you all the best.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 07/12/2025 13:50

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:39

Its a wake up call

I am glad you are able to see this as the wake up call it is x

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:50

Thank you all for kicking me up the bum, I'll take this on board.

OP posts:
Ohnobackagain · 07/12/2025 13:51

@CobhamMummy2008and2012 I don’t think she’s unreasonable to have concerns but she really ought to have been up front with you BEFORE some shit stirrer spilled the beans and you found out second hand and had to ask …

surprisebaby12 · 07/12/2025 13:54

If that many people are telling you your behaviour is a problem when you drink, you should really listen. Not being invited to a close friends hen because of it should be a wake up call. Your husband isn’t being unreasonable asking you not to drink on his birthday if you are that bad!

Climbingrosexx · 07/12/2025 13:55

The fact she has asked you to do a reading at the wedding but not invited you to the hen do seems really odd, are you sure this isnt just an oversight and she doesn't realise you are not part of the group? If you have also had holidays together etc you sound really close so do you think you could speak to her about it without things turning unpleasant?

Climbingrosexx · 07/12/2025 14:05

Climbingrosexx · 07/12/2025 13:55

The fact she has asked you to do a reading at the wedding but not invited you to the hen do seems really odd, are you sure this isnt just an oversight and she doesn't realise you are not part of the group? If you have also had holidays together etc you sound really close so do you think you could speak to her about it without things turning unpleasant?

Sorry OP looks like I missed one of your updates and you have had your answer, (sorry the edit button seems to be missing)

BeautifulSongsofLove · 07/12/2025 14:14

There are lots of zero alcohol alternatives available now, perhaps try a few before the wedding to see what you like & have a look at the venue online menu to see what they serve.

No87 · 07/12/2025 14:14

Mikart · 07/12/2025 13:11

I'm surprised she's invited you to the wedding!

Probably only the ceremony, I don't think her drunken behavior would be welcomed or tolerated at the evening do.

Blizzardofleaves · 07/12/2025 14:19

All quips aside what you have learnt today must be deeply shocking and upsetting op. I hope you are okay?

Your drinking isn’t you - they love you. It’s a noxious addictive substance. You need to find out why you need it.

hihelenhi · 07/12/2025 14:21

Ohnobackagain · 07/12/2025 13:51

@CobhamMummy2008and2012 I don’t think she’s unreasonable to have concerns but she really ought to have been up front with you BEFORE some shit stirrer spilled the beans and you found out second hand and had to ask …

She should, but unfortunately, "being a bad drunk" is one of those things people tend to gossip and eyeroll about (and then miss you out of events because of) rather than address directly. A great many of us have "embarrassing stories" from our pasts involving drink, especially as teens, which most people see as forgiveable - if not forgettable!! - but most grow out of it once we have responsibilities and drunk really isn't seen as "fun" anymore. Also, previous defensive reactions like "they're just being controlling"—which are incredibly common in people with problem drinking btw—may have been what's led to the more passive aggressive approach developing from those around you. Resistance is a powerful force, and yes, since it's a family pattern, is very likely to need help getting to the bottom of and changing.

My oldest friend (who I've known for 40 years now), whose father is/was an alcoholic, is also a massive pita when drunk although no karaoke or dancing on tables, thank goodness. Instead, it's either, if you're out, doing the grabbing you, practically strangling you to tell you she loves you, usually in front of people. but getting maudlin and self pitying about how you don't love her enough, or just phoning up and ranting for hours, talking over people etc, full narcissistic monologues, really heavy on the self pity, but no interest in you or what might have been going on for you that day. When not drinking, she's not like this at all.

I was passive about it for years, esp as I know she had a genuinely difficult upbringing, but I got to the point where I lost patience and now do not entertain it at all and cut the conversation short if I can tell she's been drinking, and tell her so. We have good times when she's not drinking, and she knows that, but I'm not prepared to put up with her when she is. Other people, you'll find, even friends who really care about you, will go for self-preservation rather than self-sacrifice; they're your friends and do care, but they're not your therapists and aren't responsible for fixing you. It's notable with my friend and the excuses about why she "had to' drink."I work so hard" (she does indeed, like her dad, and runs a successful business), but "I can't wind down any other way". Her husband and me and several others have tried over the years to get her to stop/seek help, but she always seems to find a reason not to or not to try, so setting boundaries is often all people around you can do.

Horrible as it undoubtedly feels, I'm really glad you've seen it as the wakeup call it is, OP. Both for yourself and your friendships and relationship, but for your babies too. I hope for all your sakes, especially theirs, you're able to break the family pattern - I know it's not easy. But it's clear that your friend does value you and your husband loves you, and since they feel that way DESPITE your behaviour and aren't enabling you, I'd say you've got a lot going for you and a good chance of being able to make the changes you need. Sorry for the giant essay, but please see this humiliating incident for what it is - and best of luck with the changes you need to make xx

Tootiredforthis23 · 07/12/2025 14:21

Ohnobackagain · 07/12/2025 13:51

@CobhamMummy2008and2012 I don’t think she’s unreasonable to have concerns but she really ought to have been up front with you BEFORE some shit stirrer spilled the beans and you found out second hand and had to ask …

It sounds like people have told the OP about this being a problem before though, and she clearly hasn’t listened (like her DHs birthday party). I’m guessing she doesn’t take the hints and just sees herself as having fun, rather than accepting that it’s a problem. But it sounds like this may have actually been a wake up call the OP needed.

Blizzardofleaves · 07/12/2025 14:26

Thank you friend for her honesty, she was very brave and take the information to a counsellor.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 07/12/2025 14:26

CobhamMummy2008and2012 · 07/12/2025 13:27

Yes, I can see that now. I used to think they were being controlling.

It does seem very clear that the problem everyone has with you is around your response to alcohol.

Your husband has told you, and your friend has now also confirmed this.

You need to start trying not to let your relationship with alcohol spoil everyone else's parties and weekends.

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