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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my friend keeps undermining my marriage?

207 replies

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 12:47

I don’t know if I’m explaining this properly, but it’s got to the point where I leave conversations with her feeling really irritated and slightly put down, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m overreacting or if it actually is as off as it feels.
For context my friend got married 2 months ago and I've been married 5 years, but even before that she’s always had a bit of a “know it all” streak. Recently though it’s turned into what feels like constant, subtle digs at my husband and my relationship.
It’s never outright rude, but it’s very consistent and always framed as a comparison. For example, I mentioned my husband wants to buy me my dream bag when I give birth, and she said “I find that really weird, it would be nicer if he bought you gold.” Not awful in isolation, but it’s the tone.
I said he’s going away for a month for work because he’ll be getting paid double, and she immediately said “I can’t believe he would leave you when you’re pregnant.” I explained I encouraged him to go as we need the money and I’m fine, and she just gave me a look and said “my husband would never do that.”
She does this a lot - frames everything as “my husband would never…” or implies her relationship is somehow stronger. She was talking about being worried about her in-laws and I said sometimes they say things when your husband isn’t there (as that’s happened to me), and she said “well they know my husband is my best friend and I tell him everything so they wouldn’t dare.” It just felt like a dig, as if to suggest me and DH aren’t close?
What I find odd is she’s actually told me quite negative things about her own husband (e.g. him not wanting her out past a certain time), but then she reframes it as “protective” and uses it to make comments about mine like “I know your husband is less protective” or even “maybe your husband isn’t as dominant” when I mentioned a disagreement I had.
It’s that kind of comment that really doesn’t sit right with me. It feels quite undermining and honestly a bit disrespectful, but because it’s said in a casual way I don’t know if I’m making it into a bigger deal than it is.
Another example that didn’t sit right with me... before she got married she told me she struggles with anger. I opened up and said I used to as well, and therapy really helped me, especially early in my marriage as I had to learn to handle disagreements better (my husband has always been very calm and patient).
Instead of engaging with that, she kept insisting she “wouldn’t have that issue” because her husband is amazing and she only has issues with her family. It felt like she completely missed the point and turned it into another comparison about husbands, which is something she does a lot.
It’s also the fact it’s so frequent now- almost every conversation ends up with some sort of comparison or comment about my husband/relationship.
AIBU to feel like this is actually quite off behaviour? Or am I being too sensitive?

OP posts:
canisquaeso · 02/04/2026 12:49

I’d bet anything she’s miserable in her marriage lol

MyBrightPeer · 02/04/2026 12:50

I think it’s coming from a place of insecurity. I would grey rock it - or deploy the phrase “nice for you, not for me” until she gets the message.

She doesn’t sound that fun to be around though, is this someone you actually want to be friends with?

NewIdeasToday · 02/04/2026 12:50

If you want to continue to be friends with her, I would just stop sharing so much personal information. For example, why does she need to know that your husband is earning more while he’s away for a month? Or that you had therapy? There’s no reason to share info which can just be turned against you like this.

Bristolandlazy · 02/04/2026 12:51

You aren't being too sensitive, but even if you were, if you're not enjoying her company why do you hang out with her? Personally I would send her a message telling her how she makes you feel and that she frames many of her replies, comments in a competitive way. Look for new friends. She's insecure, if she has children she'll get even more annoying.

Jellycatspyjamas · 02/04/2026 12:52

I think you’re being too sensitive. I also suspect everything in her garden isn’t as rosy as she makes out and she’s maybe justifying controlling behaviour as “care” or feeling unsure generally.

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 12:52

NewIdeasToday · 02/04/2026 12:50

If you want to continue to be friends with her, I would just stop sharing so much personal information. For example, why does she need to know that your husband is earning more while he’s away for a month? Or that you had therapy? There’s no reason to share info which can just be turned against you like this.

I mentioned he's earning more away as that is the entire reason he's going away. And the reason I told her he is going away is because I asked her if she could drive me to an appointment as it would be on her way to work

OP posts:
Morepositivemum · 02/04/2026 12:52

it might honestly be nothing at all to do with you and she might just be the type of person who automatically goes against the person she talks to, which sounds weird but I know a few people who you might say ‘god its cold’ and no matter how cold it is they’ll insist it’s not so cold, or you might say oh my kids did this nice thing, and she’ll say ‘do they do this though? Mine do that’. My friend said recently of one ‘she’s like donald trump, everything has to be right or the best!!’

xOlive · 02/04/2026 12:53

I’d let her crack on, comparison is the thief of joy. If she’s constantly comparing and analysing I’d say she’s trying to justify that “her relationship isn’t that bad” by any means necessary (even if irrational to everybody else).
I’d just say “fair enough” to everything she said or I’d withdraw from the friendship.

WheretheFishesareFrightening · 02/04/2026 12:55

Well it screams that she’s insecure in her marriage. But be nonchalantly defensive back:

”Well I’m just glad my husband knows me well enough to buy the bag I want instead of the gold I don’t”
”Isn’t it weird that your husband wouldn’t do his best to provide for his family when they need it most! I’m glad mine does.”
”I’ve found in laws aren’t always that perceptive to realise we tell each other everything!”
“Oh there’s a fine line between protective and controlling, my husband will tell me if he’s concerned but totally accepts I’m my own person and I can make my own decisions about how late I’m out!”
”Are you okay with your DH being so dominating, I don’t think I could cope without my independence”

I suspect it’ll be a bit exhausting at first, but hopefully she’ll realise her way isn’t the only way, or get bored of hearing how great your DH is and shut up.

MakeItRain · 02/04/2026 12:56

Without doubt this will be because all is not right in her marriage, which is sad, but doesn't stop it being irritating for you. Try not to take it personally, I expect she's constantly trying to defend his behaviour to herself. You can either distance yourself from her, or just respond calmly and positively with statements like, "it's a good job he's married to me then isn't it because I think his decision/behaviour/way he acted is perfect/lovely/kind". Or, "oh do you think so, no I disagree." Then just move on and discuss something else. Sounds like underneath, she's actually going to need good friends around her.

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 13:01

I forgot another comment she made recently about his personality- she was saying how a “husband should be serious” and that she wouldn’t want someone “constantly joking around,” then added “I know your husband is quite jokey but I think the husband should be the serious one.” Again, not outright nasty, but it’s the constant tone of comparison

OP posts:
TheNorns · 02/04/2026 13:02

OP, I’d be asking myself why you appear to be friends with someone you feel is continually criticising you, and why you’re so insecure that you feel someone else’s comments are ‘undermining your marriage’?

Calypsocuckoo · 02/04/2026 13:02

If she was perfectly happy in an amazing equal marriage she wouldn’t try to make herself feel better by putting you down. This combined with an always right type personality is probably very wearing. If I were you I would try and withdraw from the friendship, as when you have your baby (especially if she wants a baby), this will become unbearable and you won’t have time or energy for it.

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 13:03

TheNorns · 02/04/2026 13:02

OP, I’d be asking myself why you appear to be friends with someone you feel is continually criticising you, and why you’re so insecure that you feel someone else’s comments are ‘undermining your marriage’?

I think maybe I didn’t explain properly, it’s not that I feel my marriage is in any real danger or that I’m insecure about it. It’s more that this friend has a pattern of making repeated comparative comments about my husband and our relationship, often implying hers is somehow “better”, I’m just curious if other people would also find that off or exhausting, because it feels a bit disrespectful to me even though I know she probably doesn’t intend to be malicious.

OP posts:
Fingalscave · 02/04/2026 13:06

Sounds like she's not happy in her marriage.

ILoveDaffodills · 02/04/2026 13:08

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 13:01

I forgot another comment she made recently about his personality- she was saying how a “husband should be serious” and that she wouldn’t want someone “constantly joking around,” then added “I know your husband is quite jokey but I think the husband should be the serious one.” Again, not outright nasty, but it’s the constant tone of comparison

Oh it sounds tiresome! Why not just stop spending time with her? Get a taxi (or bus?) to your appointment.

TheNorns · 02/04/2026 13:08

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 13:03

I think maybe I didn’t explain properly, it’s not that I feel my marriage is in any real danger or that I’m insecure about it. It’s more that this friend has a pattern of making repeated comparative comments about my husband and our relationship, often implying hers is somehow “better”, I’m just curious if other people would also find that off or exhausting, because it feels a bit disrespectful to me even though I know she probably doesn’t intend to be malicious.

But it doesn’t matter what anyone else would feel. You don’t like it! What do you do when she makes those comments?

Overflowingwithcosmos · 02/04/2026 13:11

I once read that (paraphrasing) ‘once you realise most negative things people say are just projection, you stop taking anything personally.’

If it was me I’d decide if I liked her enough to put up with it and if ‘yes’ then find a way to ‘yellow rock’ it and focus the conversation on other things. I do have a friend who’s a bit prone to comparisons, but I love her other qualities so I just smile and shrug through the irritating bits.

HappilyDivorced89 · 02/04/2026 13:11

Sounds like she's still in the "honeymoon" phase trying to work things out re marriage - thinks she knows it all because she's not long just tied the knot. Also sounds very insecure. Very annoying indeed - as others have said, maybe set a clear boundary with her when she makes these comments.

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 13:11

TheNorns · 02/04/2026 13:08

But it doesn’t matter what anyone else would feel. You don’t like it! What do you do when she makes those comments?

I do say something back eg with the protective comment, I did say 'my husband is protective but he trusts me so he doesn't really care what time I'm out until' and she will generally just give a look and change topic

OP posts:
Catza · 02/04/2026 13:11

suziequeue1 · 02/04/2026 13:03

I think maybe I didn’t explain properly, it’s not that I feel my marriage is in any real danger or that I’m insecure about it. It’s more that this friend has a pattern of making repeated comparative comments about my husband and our relationship, often implying hers is somehow “better”, I’m just curious if other people would also find that off or exhausting, because it feels a bit disrespectful to me even though I know she probably doesn’t intend to be malicious.

It wouldn't feel disrespectful because her comments have absolutely nothing to do with your relationship. Tedious, yes.
My gut reaction would be to deflect it right back to her. I.e. "you husband is jokey and I think husbands should be serious like mine" well, good job you are not married to my husband then, innit?
But the next thought I have would be, if I have to work so hard to keep this person in line, do I actually want to hang out with them?

Hoardasurass · 02/04/2026 13:14

She's not a friend @suziequeue1 at best she's a frienemy

thistimelastweek · 02/04/2026 13:14

Sounds to me like she's trying to make a virtue out of some of her husband's less appealing traits.

Purplecatshopaholic · 02/04/2026 13:14

This person is not happy in their marriage op. Sadly it would appear ‘subtle’ digs at others (ie you in this case) make her feel better about herself and her marriage. If you can take it in that context, and can be bothered, then answers such as Wherethefishes suggests are a great idea. Or recognise life is too short and distance yourself from an increasingly toxic person. I’d do the latter myself..

BudgetBuster · 02/04/2026 13:16

She sounds like she is absolutely miserable in her own marriage and quite frankly not allowed an opinion against her DH (Not allowed out late, the comment about her and him being best friends and sharing everything, how he's the serious one, how her husband is amazing and they'd never have anger issues).... It all points to her own insecurities.

I'd probably get pissed off and snipe back at her TBH and say things like "I'm pregnant, I'm not an invalid, I'm actually looking forward to the break".... or "I don't like gold and my DH knows that about me because he's my best friend" 😂

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