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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

What to do about best friend?

24 replies

RRDex · 21/05/2022 10:54

Hi So we have been friends for about 8 years now. We call each other soul sisters. We have shared all our thoughts and everything over the years. About 4 years ago she moved away but we text multiple times a day and are always in touch. She has been to visit us while visiting nearby family a few times and us to her.
The issue i am having now is that she has been going through a shitty time with her husband and they have split. I went through a divorce the year after they moved away so i have been where she is more or less. Been trying to help her by telling her the pit falls etc of what to look out for and how to protect herself etc.
Anyway - i disagree 100% with how she has involved her kids in the issues between her and the ex. She has told them the financials, the emotional, the struggles - everything.
But when she has something positive to tell them that will allay their worries (due to knowing the ins and outs) she doesnt really bother. Her eldest is now obviously really struggling emotionally with it all cos she has basically told him nearly all the nitty gritty. I am sure the little 2 are too but she mentions them less.
Everything is doom and gloom. she Refuses to see any positives in anything. She only tells me the negative crap going on but none of the nice stuff (posts that on facebook though).
She hardly asks about my stuff or how we are or if i do tell her stuff she doesnt ask questions or seem interested.
When i went through my divorce and a load of other horrific stuff all at the ame time i made a point of still being there for her. Of talking to her about her stuff of sending her gifts when she was having a bad day etc etc.

She has never seemed very appreciative of the gifts i have sent her over the years. - to the point of me even having to ask if she received them in the post!
I didnt get even an xmas card or birthday card from her this year.

In january when it all started kicking off with the ex she texted me at 10 pm telling me to send her money cos she was walking out with the kids. She then drove them around for hours and eventually stopped in a hotel for a few nights.
She has now just booked them a holiday for half term - - after telling me a few weeks ago she couldn't afford to put food on the table or replace her kids trainers.

I am confused!

over the years she has gone on and on about money and how little they have etc but then tells me about takeaways etc.

Years ago she asked me to lend her £9000 to pay off her credit card bill. I did and she said when she could she would start to pay me back. I asked her a few months later if me paying it off had helped her month to month (she was paying £300 a month on it). She said no not really.
about 2 years ago i wrote off the loan and told her she didnt have to pay it back. I just got a 'Thanks, i didnt mean you to do that.'

Last year i gave her £2000 as she was trying to pay for their wedding and she was working 2 jobs and night shifts etc - i said if i give you this will it help enough for you to stop the night shifts as i know you struggle with them.
She took the money and now i find out she is still in debit from the wedding and spend some on other stuff too.

I am just confused and our values and way of doing things seem so out of whack now. I am exhausted by the way she is behaving. I feel she doesnt put effort into me and the relationship anymore.
She has dragged these kids into something that is now damaging them and she is doing things that are showing me a different side to her that i dont like.

What do you make of this???

Thanks

OP posts:
bellsbuss · 21/05/2022 10:58

I can't believe you gave her all that money and she hasn't even attempted to pay you back. Instead of booking a holiday she should have given the money to you. Why did you write it off ? She is not your friend

worraliberty · 21/05/2022 11:05

God your post is all over the place, there are so many things there to unpick, it's hard to believe you were 'soul sisters'.

But ultimately what I'm getting from it is that with all the money and presents etc, it kind of sounds as though you bought this friendship and now you're starting to realise it.

I don't know if you'll ever get your money back but please learn from this. True friendships are never built on money.

Hadalifeonce · 21/05/2022 11:10

You don't seem to realise, she is not your friend.
I think you should read your post, and understand all the information you have put in it.

Put this relationship behind you.

UnsuitableHat · 21/05/2022 11:12

I think the divorce/kids thing is perhaps something she needs to manage in her own way, whatever the consequences. However she sounds like a complete taker. Why are you giving her thousands of pounds even when she’s indifferent about your generosity or paying it back?
You say you’re very close, share everything etc but it sounds as though you make a lot more effort than she does. Was there a time when she was a really wonderful friend to you? She doesn’t sound like one now.

HollowTalk · 21/05/2022 11:15

This person is not your friend. She is a complete user. I can't believe she phoned you up to tell you to give her money. Stop giving her presents and stop giving her money. In fact stop all contact with her. Mind you if you stop the money then she will stop the contact anyway.

Youaremysunshine14 · 21/05/2022 11:17

You are not 'soul sisters'. I'm not sure she even likes you that much. I mean, does she see you as a best friend or a cash dispenser?! I can't believe you wrote off a £9k debt like that, then gave her another £2k, and she can't even be bothered to get you a birthday card.

Her handling of her divorce with her children isn't your concern, but this ^ should be.

Opaljewel · 21/05/2022 11:17

I'm so sorry but she isn't your best friend. She is a user and a leach. You sound so kind and lovely. Please don't let her use you anymore. First of all don't give her anymore money.

If she had any ounce of decency, she would have paid you back.

ElenaSt · 21/05/2022 11:19

Op you don't seem to realise that there is a different kind of MUG to the china one that you drink out of and that you are it.

She is not your soul sister or even your friend.

She is a drain on your good nature, your finances and doesn't give a damn about you.

RRDex · 21/05/2022 12:11

I wrote off the money cos i felt lucky to havae had her in my life when i went through the divorce. although looking back now she didnt do much other than let me text her about it.
Back story - i grew up with a narc mother, workaholic father, narc brother, was sent to boarding school from 11-18 and ended up marrying a narc.
until very recently i had no confidence self esteem or belief in myself.
I see now my ex married me for my family money and i guess i have just let it happen again

I wanted to help someone out and make their life better.
she didnt even tell the fiance i gave them money towards the wedding cos she didnt want to hurt his pride.

OP posts:
stanfi · 21/05/2022 12:17

Stop being a mug. Why oh why have you given her so much money?

She is using you

Newestname002 · 21/05/2022 12:44

OP A best friend would not treat you the way she has. After your huge generosity of £9,000 you were foolish (sorry) in giving her another £2,000 - she is treating you as a free cash dispenser. Be prepared for another financial crisis and for her to "need" money again. If she does, the answer is not to just hand her more cash, but to point her to organisations who can help her sort out her finances and to budget responsibly. That might annoy her so be aware you may also lose her as a friend. 🌹

ElenaSt · 21/05/2022 12:48

You are a person of your own worth and sadly have attracted a few wrong un's who have taken advantage of your kind nature.

You don't need to feel ashamed or that you were stupid because people like them are clever at manipulation and they guided you into believing they were your friends.

You can draw a line under it all and find the strength to cut her off completely and block her out of your life.

You will make new friends as you come across very well as being considerate, having empathy, intelligent and warm.

Never lend or give money, a true friend would not imply that they needed it.

GreatCuppa · 21/05/2022 12:49

I can’t believe you gave her money which she didn’t pay back so you then gave her more money!

You really need to create some boundaries OP!

rubytubeytubes · 21/05/2022 13:00

i think when you posted here you probably had an idea that people would say ditch her.

thats the right thing to do for you. She is using you. Really sorry

Myshitisreal · 21/05/2022 13:05

I'm sorry. She's a wolf in sheeps clothing. This is not the behaviour of any type of friend. 💔

MalloryScowls · 21/05/2022 13:13

RRDEX - I think you're asking the wrong question. Forget about what to do about your "best friend" (she doesn't sound like any sort of a friend).

I think you need to think about what to do about/for yourself. You sound like a lovely person but need to work on your boundaries and self-esteem. Easier said than done, I know. But then hopefully you will be able to build more healthy friendships. You are a lovely friend - you deserve the same loveliness in return (without £ being involved anywhere in the mix).

Ditch this particular "friend" though - she won't change.

autienotnaughty · 21/05/2022 13:15

She doesn't deserve you as a friend I would withdraw.

Cherrysoup · 21/05/2022 18:43

Has she repaid the £2’? I don’t think she’s your friend, she sounds like a right user.

PurassicJark · 21/05/2022 18:46

You're a bank, not a friend.

DoctorMarten · 21/05/2022 18:46

You sound lovely and she's appalling! Cut her loose and spend money on a good, qualified therapist. Please. 🌹

TabithaTittlemouse · 21/05/2022 18:50

Back story - i grew up with a narc mother, workaholic father, narc brother, was sent to boarding school from 11-18 and ended up marrying a narc.
until very recently i had no confidence self esteem or belief in myself.

And now you have found another.

You can’t fix her and you can’t change her. She isn’t who you need her to be.

GreyCarpet · 21/05/2022 20:23

When you gave her the money, how much ofnit did she ask for and how much did you offer?

I ask because I had a friend who was considerably better off than me and she was constantly trying to pay for things for me, offering me money. I didn't take it and we had one holiday that she paid for and refused to then accept any money from me. I didn't let her buy so much as a drink for me after that unless we were taking turns buying rounds.

She had low self esteem and it was her way of bringing something to the friendship.

She should have paid you back though - not doing so just reeks of disrespect

RRDex · 21/05/2022 22:17

She asked for the £9000. and then when she texted me to give her some as she was leaving the ex. I sent over £500. Never got a thank you .
once she was back home i had to ask for the unused amount back... she was a little odd about it but she sent it

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