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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you be hurt?

33 replies

boymam25 · 03/11/2026 10:41

Looking for honest opinions. For context, I would consider myself a very good friend. I've been friends with "Mary" over 20 years. We were childhood friends and inseparable through our teenaged years. Fast forward to now, I'm married with 2 little boys, 5 and 1. Mary was one of my bridesmaids in 2020 and although we have grown into very different people, we still have a strong bond. Mary got married this year. Last year, she bought a house with her fiancé about 45 minutes from me. I drove over with a present (upon invitation). She later told me that she had 3 bridesmaids picked for the wedding and that she was "very happy" with who she had. I wasn't one of them. Put my big girl pants on, didn't react or anything and stayed composed telling myself it was nothing personal. She chose her brother's wife over me. Anyway, it hurt but I tried to move on. Then again, drove to her house before the wedding between my 8 month old's naps to gift her a designer handbag and 300 euro for her wedding. Went to wedding. Then her sister-in-law (same one who was her bridesmaid) had her baby over 2 weeks ago and she only told me this morning after I tentatively sent a message saying that I hope Mum and baby were OK? I feel like an afterthought. And a doormat. Would you think this person just doesn't want to be your friend? Am I a total idiot? Thanks.

OP posts:
devonsevon11 · 03/11/2026 12:58

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 03/11/2026 11:47

This. I don’t understand how this is a slight.

Because it’s her friends new niece / nephew, surely?

If I had a new nephew I would text my closest friends when they were born.

devonsevon11 · 03/11/2026 13:02

The reading comprehension here is so poor.

She said quite clearly that this SIL is her brothers wife.

Therefore the child is her new niece / nephew.

It’s absolutely nothing to do with being annoyed that she didn’t tell her that “a woman you barely know has had a baby”.

But OP, she just doesn’t see you as close anymore. Yes, it hurts, but many, many people have been in this situation.

Just redirect your energy elsewhere.

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/11/2026 13:04

Sorry op. Your lives have moved on and in different directions. You are not as important to her as you were. Sometimes this happens, and yes it hurts, but you need to move on too. Cultivate other friendships.

MeSeM · 03/11/2026 13:48

devonsevon11 · 03/11/2026 12:58

Because it’s her friends new niece / nephew, surely?

If I had a new nephew I would text my closest friends when they were born.

me too yes it's understandable to feel excluded

Gaitskilling · 03/11/2026 13:55

devonsevon11 · 03/11/2026 12:58

Because it’s her friends new niece / nephew, surely?

If I had a new nephew I would text my closest friends when they were born.

But the OP's complaint is that they're no longer close friends! In which case its not that surprising that it didn't occur to her to tell the OP until prompted. I mean, unless the OP is also close to 'Mary's brother, I'm not sure why the birth of his child is that big a deal to her...? I mean, I'm not sure how old my best friend's brother's babies were before I knew he'd had them!

Isobel201 · 03/11/2026 14:03

Gaitskilling · 03/11/2026 11:00

I think you're being weird. You were close enough to have her as your bridesmaid in 2020, but from what you say, your lives have moved in very different directions since, especially since you've had two children. There's no expectation of reciprocity in bridesmaiding, and most people with a baby and a young child would probably be relieved not to be asked!

I'm not sure where you're going with the listing of the presents you gave her -- presumably she also gave you a wedding present, and probably presents when your children were born...?

And why would she tell you about the birth of her SIL's baby as some kind of matter of priority? Surely if you were close to the SIL, she'd have told you herself? If no, why do you mind about the birth of a baby to someone you don't know?

my thoughts exactly, why are you upset about not knowing that her SIL had her baby two weeks ago? I kinda understand the bridesmaid thing although as mentioned in other posts, its not an automatic given that you are entitled to be one at her wedding. You were still invited.

JSovro · 04/11/2026 19:32

Sounds like she’s not valuing you as much as you do her. I’d just let it fizzle

TY78910 · 04/11/2026 19:48

emuloc · 03/11/2026 12:17

It looks, and reads like AI. We might as well get used to it, seeing as it is everywhere, and being relied on heavily for the most simple of things, such as compiling fridge lists.

Edited

it doesnt at all! It’s either someone sticking their response in to translate or being deliberately obtuse.

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