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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I dont want dear husband's friend anywhere near me

66 replies

gysela · 22/11/2010 14:20

I have been hanging around for a while without actually posting, so this is my first post, sorry its a bit long.
Basically DH has a friend who is a bit of a pest...not to DH (he thinks the sun shines out of his backside)
Earlier this year, we ended up at marriage counselling because of the disrespectful way DH behaved when this guy was around. Basically he didn't come to my 30th and choose to go dancing with this guy instead. On another occasion his friend invited him to stay for a weekend and told him, I was going to be angry anyway whether he came or not and to just ignore my being angry.This is just a few of the things this person has done. I choose to forgive all this after MC, and agreed he could stay at our house.

We were supposed to go out as a family with him as it turns out DH said they always went to eat so he wanted to do something else. I suggested dancing which DH never says no to. Well his friend didnt want to go to that and wanted to watch a film instead. So DH tells me to book restaurant and go with kids, he will come later. From past experience involving this man I would have sat there alone with the kids fuming and they will either not come or come late. So i said I no and stayed home.I felt I had been manipulated by DH and that he knew he was not going to go for dinner anyway but agreed so I allowed his friend to stay.

On Sunday afternoon my DD brought me the takeaway containers DH's friend had eaten from and stuffed under the sofa since Thursday night, to say I am livid is an understatement.

DH doesnt have a lot of friends so I was happy for him to hang out with this guy, although I had concerns about him being immature the first time I met him. But over the time I've known him its just been gross disrespect all round when he is at our house. I am truly sick of it.

Any advice? Anyone been through this?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 23/11/2010 11:16

He wants to please other people (who are not a friend of your marriage) but doesn't give a shit how you feel ?

Strange priorities there from the father of your children Hmm

mrsruffallo · 23/11/2010 11:25

I am pmsl imagining my husband 'going out dancing'
Sorry

LittleMissHissyFit · 23/11/2010 11:35

Good for you gysela!

The fact that he is not in your house is a major step forward.

Now that he has said that he doesn't enjoy himself means that you can actually repeat that back to him if he starts taking the proverbial.

I worry that he only said he didn't enjoy going out and the people pleaser thing after a time to reflect. I worry that his initial reaction was anger. I wonder, and only time will tell, if this was only said for your benefit for now.

Somehow it needs to be clearly stated that his actions will speak louder than words. And if it's people he needs pleasing, he needs to start looking at home first.

Can you personally source a different speaker to take some of the strain, so you can phase this guy out?

I wish you all the best gysela, good news that this chap will never again darken your door.

gysela · 23/11/2010 11:39

DH has had his issues in the past and pleasing people is a coping mechanism for him when he feels threatened. I am not threatening so he doesnt have to please me (that sounds twisted I know)
He also said when we talked that he felt his friend took advantage of him. So I think the novelty is wearing off....

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 23/11/2010 11:41

actions not words...

Anniegetyourgun · 23/11/2010 11:42

Maybe you need to get threatening then!

gysela · 23/11/2010 11:45

thank you LittleMiss for the kind words. This person is one of the few speakers who actually bring people in. Phasing him out in the current economic climate is not a very good idea. On the other hand he only does 20% of the workshops over the year so limiting the frequency of him coming over is doable. I will suggest it to DH

OP posts:
blinks · 23/11/2010 11:47

so basically he's too scared to say no to his friend?

gysela · 23/11/2010 11:52

It might be fear blinks....am not sure, my suspicion is he has done it so much over the years to make his life easier he does it automatically even if he doesnt need to. Saying no to his friend will not do him any harm (he just hasn't realised that) its a bit like learned helplessness with him

OP posts:
gysela · 23/11/2010 11:53

:) at

OP posts:
LittleMissHissyFit · 23/11/2010 12:49

Can we all go along to one of his 'speeches' and heckle him? AND

gysela · 23/11/2010 13:26

That will be really naughty and funny! I can just imagine the look of horror on his face when he starts being heckled :o

OP posts:
blinks · 23/11/2010 22:44

i presume he says no in other situations though, no?

gysela · 24/11/2010 09:37

Blinks, He does say no in certain situations. I think he generally gives in to strong personalities.

OP posts:
StuffingGoldBrass · 24/11/2010 10:14

Ok it is possible that your H is acting out of fear*, not man-love or contempt for you - this visitor is an Important Person WRT to work and therefore your H may be worrying that if he doesn't indulge the person's whims, the person will stop supporting the workshops and DH will Get INto Trouble.

blinks · 24/11/2010 16:13

sounds like he needs individual counselling, rather than marriage counselling.

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