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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

End the friendship or persevere?

75 replies

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 17:29

Was going to name change for this but then couldn't be arsed....Apologies for length of post.

Have had two difficult incidents with a friend over the past year. First one was when she had a go at me in front of my DH and her DH for not being sufficiently 'respectful' towards my DH. As background, although she now works she hasn't done so for most of her marriage to a lovely but chauvinistic DH. She has DC who have in the past aped her DH and treated her very rudely. Whilst DH and I are by no means a perfect married couple we are a very good partnership. He doesn't treat housework or childcare as doing me a favour whereas in her marriage this has all fallen to her. Apparently I don't give him enough credit in public for this.

Second incident was at a friend's house. She again launched into me but this time saying that she didn't trust me as I only say supportive things to her. Lots of other stuff too about her problems with me - none of which she'd ever mentioned when sober. After this repeat performance I realised that a pattern was emerging despite a decade of very close friendship up to that point. We met to try and clear the air but the conversation didn't go well as she told me that I was clearly depressed and needed counselling. I had expected some sort of apology but none was forthcoming. I said I needed to take a big step back from the friendship. She then suggested we 'divide up' our mutual friends and never see each other again.

To clarify, I've never suffered from depression and am generally speaking a very contented person. She on the other hand does suffer from depression and generally fragile mental health. She's frequently commented that she finds it odd that I don't get depressed.

She sent me a very long email justifying herself but then saying she'd rather have me in her life than not. I replied saying that I wasn't family and she should feel no obligation to continue with the friendship. I suspect this wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Since then I relented somewhat and have made efforts to build bridges. These have seemingly been gratefully received however there has been another incident this week whereby she has let my DH down rather badly. I'm now thinking was I foolish to try and repair things and that it might be better to 'break up'. RL friends told me to ask MN for advice so here I am! Any thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:
Wiglio · 07/07/2021 18:48

When I read your OP I thought she’s projecting.
You can’t take responsibility for this

Loudestcat14 · 07/07/2021 18:55

How she is with you seems very tied up with your DH. Her having a pop at you about respect in your relationship when her marriage is less than stellar is quite odd. Even the incident that's prompted you posting on MN involves her and your DH. Is she jealous of your marriage? Does she fancy your DH?! What does he think about it?

Notaroadrunner · 07/07/2021 18:55

Let the friendship go. She's a rude cow and you don't need her in your life. Neither do you need to feel responsible for her, even if she is vulnerable. It doesn't give her the right to treat you like shit.

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 18:59

Really appreciating your comments. She has said that I go too deep with people but she's always liked those sorts of discussions when it is about her. She likes it less when I'm talking to other friends. I get the feeling she thinks I'm treading on her toes in some way?

Early in our friendship we had some issues where she got upset about her perception that I had more fun with other friends. I also have a best friend that I'm devoted to and I think that was tough for her.

OP posts:
Bridezillamaybe · 07/07/2021 18:59

I second the grey rock suggestion although I can totally relate to your hesitation. It's hard to just abandon someone who has exposed their vulnerability to you. Ultimately though, she's showing no consideration for you or your life, she wants you to feel bad to balance things out for her.

Your post brought two separate memories of two separate occasions where women I was friendly with (through a mutual friend) started drunkenly taunting me in public "oh bridezillamaybe, you're just so NICE aren't you, everyone's friend, a big smile and a kind word for everyone" and so forth. I avoided them both afterwards. Therapists charge good money.

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:02

@Loudestcat14

How she is with you seems very tied up with your DH. Her having a pop at you about respect in your relationship when her marriage is less than stellar is quite odd. Even the incident that's prompted you posting on MN involves her and your DH. Is she jealous of your marriage? Does she fancy your DH?! What does he think about it?
Other friends have suggested she might be attracted to DH. I don't think it is that. She's not a particularly sexual or flirtatious person. But she does like to identify with DH. He has a very difficult relationship with his parents as does she. I'm really close to mine - we live across the road from each other Blush
OP posts:
Loudestcat14 · 07/07/2021 19:05

Other friends have suggested she might be attracted to DH.

I thought as much. If other friends are already picking up on this, then I think how she feels about your DH is at the root of all this. What was the incident that happened this week between them?

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:10

The my DH thing was that she and her DH were supposed to be coming to his milestone birthday weekend away. DH has hired a place and we were splitting the bill between four couples. I suspected they wouldn't come due to the weirdness but DH was sure they wouldn't let him down. The full payment was taken (they knew the date that would happen) and the next day they told DH they didn't want to come. The day after that one of the other couples also cancelled as 'friend' had. My DH was devastated and is now trying to find other people to come otherwise we can't afford it.

OP posts:
happinessischocolate · 07/07/2021 19:11

Other friends have suggested she might be attracted to DH. I don't think it is that. She's not a particularly sexual or flirtatious person. But she does like to identify with DH. He has a very difficult relationship with his parents as does she. I'm really close to mine - we live across the road from each other

You don't have to be sexual or flirtatious to develop a crush on someone

happinessischocolate · 07/07/2021 19:13

@Sparkletastic

The my DH thing was that she and her DH were supposed to be coming to his milestone birthday weekend away. DH has hired a place and we were splitting the bill between four couples. I suspected they wouldn't come due to the weirdness but DH was sure they wouldn't let him down. The full payment was taken (they knew the date that would happen) and the next day they told DH they didn't want to come. The day after that one of the other couples also cancelled as 'friend' had. My DH was devastated and is now trying to find other people to come otherwise we can't afford it.
Blimey, definitely dump her.

I'd dump her just for that let alone the other crap she's been giving you.

Loudestcat14 · 07/07/2021 19:16

@Sparkletastic

The my DH thing was that she and her DH were supposed to be coming to his milestone birthday weekend away. DH has hired a place and we were splitting the bill between four couples. I suspected they wouldn't come due to the weirdness but DH was sure they wouldn't let him down. The full payment was taken (they knew the date that would happen) and the next day they told DH they didn't want to come. The day after that one of the other couples also cancelled as 'friend' had. My DH was devastated and is now trying to find other people to come otherwise we can't afford it.
She knew when the full payment was due and cancelled immediately the day after? Oh that is so shitty. I'd be binning her off for that alone.
Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:20

Yeah DH says they are dead to him now. He's milder than me usually but this has done it for him. In a touching turn of events his old uni gang are now rallying round to come down at least for one night (his actual birthday) and salvage a good time from others letting him down.

OP posts:
Fromage · 07/07/2021 19:21

She sounds like a drama llama and a nutjob.

Weigh up the joy she brings to your life now, and what she is costing you in terms of stress, confusion, hurt etc. Then ditch the bitch make a decision.

Loudestcat14 · 07/07/2021 19:22

Good for your DH. And it kind of solves your dilemma for you, doesn't it? How can you possibly salvage the friendship now? I wouldn't even bother to "break up" with her, I'd be ghosting.

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:24

@Loudestcat14

Good for your DH. And it kind of solves your dilemma for you, doesn't it? How can you possibly salvage the friendship now? I wouldn't even bother to "break up" with her, I'd be ghosting.
It does make it easier for sure. I kind of didn't want to cut him off from the friendship that he had with her and her DH, but their own actions have done that.
OP posts:
Sarahlou63 · 07/07/2021 19:25

If you'd like to give her a useful parting gift, tell her to do some research into core beliefs, how they are formed in childhood and how they subsequently inform how we live our lives (and how they can be challenged and changed). She sounds very unhappy but it's not your problem.

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:26

Core beliefs sounds interesting. I need to do some reading.

OP posts:
Loudestcat14 · 07/07/2021 19:26

Yep, they've made it crystal clear where you stand as far as their friendship goes, so your DH is right about cutting them off and you should too. Did they even try to come up with a decent excuse for pulling out? And do you suspect the other couple pull out on toxic friend's say so?

Fromage · 07/07/2021 19:27

Just read your last couple of posts - she is deliberately trying to cause you pain and upset and now listerally costing you.

Why did the other couple cancel? What has she told them? Seriously, this woman is unhinged. Your husband is right. Mourn the end of the friendship and move on with the returning uni friends

CuriousOrangee · 07/07/2021 19:29

@Sparkletastic

The my DH thing was that she and her DH were supposed to be coming to his milestone birthday weekend away. DH has hired a place and we were splitting the bill between four couples. I suspected they wouldn't come due to the weirdness but DH was sure they wouldn't let him down. The full payment was taken (they knew the date that would happen) and the next day they told DH they didn't want to come. The day after that one of the other couples also cancelled as 'friend' had. My DH was devastated and is now trying to find other people to come otherwise we can't afford it.

That's really shit behaviour. What reason did they give?

Sarahlou63 · 07/07/2021 19:30

@Sparkletastic

Core beliefs sounds interesting. I need to do some reading.
This is my 'go to' article on core beliefs, but there are lots of others.

www.betterrelationships.org.au/well-being/core-beliefs-self-acceptance/

xsquared · 07/07/2021 19:34

It looks like she resents you for the life choices you have made and instead of respecting that, she'd rather pick holes in them.

She also sounds controlling and likes to create drama in order to provoke you. Humiliating you in front of your dh is very odd and disrespectful too. A true friend wouldn't try to make you look and feel bad in front of others.

I'm sorry about your dad's birthday as well.

This person isn't your friend at all. What do you get out of it? Your mutual friends should be able to decide themselves whether they want to remain friends with you or her or both. That sort of thing belongs in the playground, and maybe not even that!

Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:37

The reason they gave was that it was 'too soon' and that they weren't the 'best fit' and DH should find other couples. Sort of fair enough but they didn't offer any money and assumed we would be able to find other people who a) could come and b) could afford it. DH's other friends aren't very well off and also have complications like young kids.

OP posts:
Sparkletastic · 07/07/2021 19:39

It would have been fine if they'd told us before we had to pay the full amount. The other couple cancelled as it would be weird for them apparently without ex-friend and her DH (they didn't know the other couple). This was a real blow as we thought we were good friends with them in our own right. Apparently not.

OP posts:
Fromage · 07/07/2021 19:43

These people are demonstrating they are not worth your time. Mentally thank them for displaying their twattishness and consider them acquaintances, not friends.

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