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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

Boyfriend goes on holiday with his ex

86 replies

Smileme · 24/10/2023 11:03

My boyfriend has a best friend who is female. They used to date about 15 years ago which lasted around 3 months. They are now just friends( I believe this) but I find it difficult that they go on holiday together. She often stays at weekends and they also meet up at other times which I have got used to but the holidays I find hard. I’ve met her but generally I’m banned if she is around as she doesn’t want me there. Am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
JFDIYOLO · 24/10/2023 12:53

There are three people in this relationship. You're the spanner in the works. Get yourself a man who likes, loves, respects and wants to be with YOU, not his ex.

Barney60 · 24/10/2023 12:55

I have a male friend we go away stop in separate rooms ect, if i had a partner he would also be invited as would his, you say HE would not allow you in if you turned up at his home while she was there, its a huge no from me.
Sorry to say but sounds to me like friends with benefits.

Katiesaidthat · 24/10/2023 12:56

I would be banned if she is around or if she didn´t want me there? That is a hard no from me.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 24/10/2023 13:02

When I got to the banned bit I thought nope. Definitely something fishy going on there.

A few years ago I had a male platonic best friend for 7 years. We dated towards the end of that period for 3 months. I was banned from coming out with him and his friends (a few of these were close female friends, whom I knew). I don’t think there were romantic relationships there but I objected to being banned from coming out, it had been fine when we all went out together before. The close female friends though, they were a bit strange in their interactions with each other and me, and one of them (ex flatmate) told him after we broke up (we were in contact for some reason) that she’d always thought I was stupid and ignorant anyway… when she’d smiled and been nice to my face. It could’ve been malicious and a lie from him.

Morewineplease10 · 24/10/2023 13:05

God I put up with this shit for years. He eventually left me for his 6th form sweetheart after a very long marriage and 2 kids.

If I could turn the clock back...

I would say to him with dignity that this is not for me. No ultimatums. I do know men who happily draw healthy boundaries themselves, they don't need to be told. Go find one of them. I wish I had!!

Woollyjumpersandtomatosoupweather · 24/10/2023 13:08

Why would she ban you unless she wants him all to herself?
Ditch him

IdealisticCynic · 24/10/2023 14:08

Are you sure you’ve been “banned?”

I’ve been the female friend. We were friends for years, dated very briefly, and then stayed friends for years again afterwards. We went on holiday together and hung out loads. My boyfriend (now husband) never cared because he trusted me. And he was right to - neither my friend nor I had feelings for each other or did anything. A brief period dating within a 15/20 year friendship makes him my friend, not my ex.

What damaged our friendship was a new girlfriend. She was jealous and difficult. We would meet, including with my long term partner there, and it would seem fine. But then they’d get home and she would get upset with him about the oddest things. She didn’t like how successful my career was. She didn’t like the fact that I was a good cook so wouldn’t cook for him in case he compared it. She once cried in the loos at a bar because I had said that I believed in something, politically, that she didn’t. It was, frankly, insane.

I tried so hard to be nice to her, include her in things, I even suggested just she and I go out. But it never really worked and in the end it was too exhausting to see her. I never “banned” her, but did start refusing to meet with them because I was walking on eggshells all the time. The mad thing was, I quite liked her, apart from the bizarre behaviour!

In the end, I backed off massively from the friendship. I lost a lost of respect for him for putting up with what was obvious nonsense. We’re still mates, but not that close and rarely see each other.

I’m not saying this is you, OP. But it’s worth considering the other side.

SpringleDingle · 24/10/2023 14:18

That's a bit odd. My boyfriend's best friend is a lady. They've known each other forever and been on vacation together in the past. She has 2 small kids now. We've not met each other yet but he isn't able to spend much time with her due to her being busy with a new baby and them currently living a long distance apart. He has said he'd love us to meet next time he is able to arrange to see her and we'd both like that. This seems totally normal to me, your situation seems rather odd and uncomfortable and not because the friend is a woman - because the friend refuses to meet you.

Aikko · 24/10/2023 14:19

"They sleep in seperate rooms - that’s not an issue. They are just friends
banned is - if I turn up at the house he has said he won’t invite me in!"

Hmm,... I wonder what they are doing..... .

BigDahliaFan · 24/10/2023 14:19

No, that's ridiculous. Move on.

MMmomDD · 24/10/2023 14:21

Just by the title and first paragraph i was going to say friendships are OK.
But - ‘banned’ and your update clearly points out to something weird.

Why are you in this relationship???

piegirl74 · 24/10/2023 14:25

Weird! You should be friends with each other's friends. She's not in a position to be possessive over him and he shouldn't allow her to be.

Make sure when they go on holiday together you go somewhere nicer at the same time. And make sure you have more fun!!!!

Smileme · 24/10/2023 14:27

IdealisticCynic · 24/10/2023 14:08

Are you sure you’ve been “banned?”

I’ve been the female friend. We were friends for years, dated very briefly, and then stayed friends for years again afterwards. We went on holiday together and hung out loads. My boyfriend (now husband) never cared because he trusted me. And he was right to - neither my friend nor I had feelings for each other or did anything. A brief period dating within a 15/20 year friendship makes him my friend, not my ex.

What damaged our friendship was a new girlfriend. She was jealous and difficult. We would meet, including with my long term partner there, and it would seem fine. But then they’d get home and she would get upset with him about the oddest things. She didn’t like how successful my career was. She didn’t like the fact that I was a good cook so wouldn’t cook for him in case he compared it. She once cried in the loos at a bar because I had said that I believed in something, politically, that she didn’t. It was, frankly, insane.

I tried so hard to be nice to her, include her in things, I even suggested just she and I go out. But it never really worked and in the end it was too exhausting to see her. I never “banned” her, but did start refusing to meet with them because I was walking on eggshells all the time. The mad thing was, I quite liked her, apart from the bizarre behaviour!

In the end, I backed off massively from the friendship. I lost a lost of respect for him for putting up with what was obvious nonsense. We’re still mates, but not that close and rarely see each other.

I’m not saying this is you, OP. But it’s worth considering the other side.

Thank you for a different perspective.

I have asked numerous times to meet her but she has said no. When she leaves on a Sunday, I then go over but if she thinks we might meet, she goes earlier. She did meet me this weekend but very reluctantly. I have now asked ‘ if I am passing what will happen if I knock on the door and she is here’ - he said ‘ don’t expect me to answer or invite you in’.

OP posts:
Neverinamonthofsundays · 24/10/2023 14:32

Smileme · 24/10/2023 14:27

Thank you for a different perspective.

I have asked numerous times to meet her but she has said no. When she leaves on a Sunday, I then go over but if she thinks we might meet, she goes earlier. She did meet me this weekend but very reluctantly. I have now asked ‘ if I am passing what will happen if I knock on the door and she is here’ - he said ‘ don’t expect me to answer or invite you in’.

He respects her wishes over yours and her over you. Let him go.

Tdcp · 24/10/2023 14:37

I was best friends with a man for 20 years. I used to stay over all the time, we went on holiday together etc etc. I was never anything but welcoming to a girlfriend of his and always took a step back if he was in a relationship (or I was), I couldn't imagine behaving the way she is with you, it's beyond weird.

HappiDaze · 24/10/2023 14:46

You're banned because she doesn't want you there and your DP is ok with this

This is not normal

Find a new DP

This is not acceptable being made to feel like an outcast

tiredandolderthanithought · 24/10/2023 14:48

The banned thing is ridiculous. Totally a non issue spending time together but the fact you couldn't pop in for 5 mins is batshit!

HappiDaze · 24/10/2023 14:48

What Shock

@Smileme

I have now asked ‘ if I am passing what will happen if I knock on the door and she is here’ - he said ‘ don’t expect me to answer or invite you in’.

He can literally fuck right off

This utterly demeaning and you are worth so much more than this

Not acceptable behaviour at all. Ever.

HappiDaze · 24/10/2023 14:50

I think he still holds a torch for her and most likely hopes they'll get back together again

They may well occasionally sleep with each other

therealcookiemonster · 24/10/2023 15:02

@Smileme OP, I say this with love and as someone who has predominantly male friends + am friends with all my exes (and also am fully accepting if any exes are still in the picture) - you are being taken for a mug.

it doesn't matter if they are doing the horizontal tango or not. they are both treating you with utter disrespect and contempt.

run for the hills.

IdealisticCynic · 24/10/2023 16:30

Smileme · 24/10/2023 14:27

Thank you for a different perspective.

I have asked numerous times to meet her but she has said no. When she leaves on a Sunday, I then go over but if she thinks we might meet, she goes earlier. She did meet me this weekend but very reluctantly. I have now asked ‘ if I am passing what will happen if I knock on the door and she is here’ - he said ‘ don’t expect me to answer or invite you in’.

Hmmm, that is very different. Has he given you any explanation for why she is refusing to see you? I’m afraid it does sound dodgy.

MsDogLady · 24/10/2023 17:00

@Smileme, your BF is prioritizing a woman who is not a ‘friend to your relationship.’ When they are together in their bubble, you are persona non grata. He sounds desperate to please her, and is willing to throw you under the bus for her approval.

He’s not really all in with you, @Smileme. Kick him to the curb and find someone who puts you first and would never ban/blank you

Jonisaysitbest · 24/10/2023 17:05

So what would happen if your relationship progressed and you moved in together? Would you have to go out every time she came round?

HercuIesMorse · 24/10/2023 17:13

DressingRoom · 24/10/2023 11:11

Honestly, I wouldn't blame anyone who prioritised friendships over sexual/romantic relationships -- as his own case demonstrates, they're liable to last longer. Have you been with your boyfriend a long time? It sounds as if she's a fixture in his life, and you may not be?

Or maybe he's not been able to sustain a meaningful relationship because of his highly inappropriate friendship?

Bookworm20 · 24/10/2023 17:19

Are you 100% sure this is all coming from her? And not him deciding he doesn't want the 2 of you together?
When you met, what was she like with you? And importantly, how did he introduce you? Did he call you his girlfriend? Was he affectionate with you when she was there? Kiss you hello even? Did she seem uncomfortable with you or standoffish?

I find it very very suspicious that she rocks up for the weekend, she leaves on sunday and then you are allowed to go over.

Something tells me this bloke is enjoying his cake a little too much.
I mean she just comes over at the weekend and they stay in? Its all odd.
I think he is taking you for a mug OP. That whole setup is ridiculous.

Its one thing wanting to go out and do stuff with your friends. Its another to ban your girlfriend from being in the same house as them!

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