Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Problem friend of partner

7 replies

JJ91 · 09/12/2023 21:48

So I don’t really know where to go with this, I’ve been with my partner for 4 months and relatively new to being in a serious relationship and so is he. We seem to be doing really well, we’re compatible in so many ways sharing many things in common, and even “joke” about wedding plans.

But he has this friend who frequently takes advantage of him; for instance, arranged to live with him then disappeared for 4 weeks after eating all food in the house, leaving him with nothing when coming home from a weekend with my family. He doesn’t have a lot of money and found it difficult to replenish the cupboards. Then she makes a miraculous appearance when he has been paid but still barely contributes and makes a horrendous mess with no attempt to clean up.
The only thing we ask is that she takes care of the dogs (rarely) when he is making a journey to my place for a day or so. Which again, she disappears or has an excuse as to why she can’t do it.

When she is at his house, it’s like a teenage sleepover, constantly having to entertain and feed her with very little contribution if any and it’s always expensive meals, and she always seems to come back when I visit knowing I’ll purchase food, help with the energy meter, and have a car.

Its even gotten as petty as removing my food from “her” cupboard behind my back, when it’s not an assigned to people…it’s just a cupboard, but I found it slightly disrespectful considering I’m welcome at his as much as she is.

We've contemplated me moving in next year instead to help with bills and build our relationship, and we’ve dropped hints to let her know that she would not be here, but that’s going straight over her head.

I feel also like I’m being pushed aside when she is here, multiple nights I’ve been sat alone on the sofa whilst she attaches herself to him at the table at the other side of the room, and always placing herself between us. He becomes distant with me hiding any affection and barely talking to me or including me in conversations.
When we’re on our own he is really sweet and attentive, the perfect boyfriend. And when we go to bed he’s cuddly and chatty. But just seems to completely change when in the company of his friends.

The worst part is, when I’ve mentioned it to him, he agrees with me, but then takes no action against her. I don’t want him to chose me over his friends, not at all, it’s great he has a circle of friends, it’s a lot more than I have. But I don’t want him to be taken advantage of because he finds it difficult to fight back, something that’s becoming more and more apparent.

Shes not even that bad of a person, we get along but it’s getting to a point where I’m becoming upset with being second best.

I guess I kinda want peoples opinions and advice. Am I expecting too much? Should I say something to his friend? Am I wrong in this situation? I don’t really know what to think or feel right now.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

OP posts:
StrawberryWater · 09/12/2023 22:19

Get rid of him.

You are not his priority. You are so far down the list you're probably not even on it.

Oh and I bet you my house they're either sleeping together or have in the past.

Elfnsafetyhat · 09/12/2023 22:23

Yeah it’s clear that there’s history / ongoing FWB thing going on.

Id ask him and if he’s telling the truth about not having slept with her since being with you, then make it clear it’s her or you….if you’re that into him. But, I’d probably just get rid of him. He sounds A bit pathetic like he’s still carrying a torch for this woman.

That said we all have history. But that’s where she should be now, in the past!

Allthewallsarewhite · 09/12/2023 22:24

StrawberryWater · 09/12/2023 22:19

Get rid of him.

You are not his priority. You are so far down the list you're probably not even on it.

Oh and I bet you my house they're either sleeping together or have in the past.

I tend to agree with this. The fact that he is being awkward about giving you affection or his full attention when she's around kind of points to this.

ButterCupPie · 09/12/2023 22:27

The Velvet Underground had it right...

Run, run, run, run, run, Gypsy death and you
Tell you whatcha do...

OhGoodie · 09/12/2023 22:28

Definite FWB. That’s why he’s so “lenient”. If it was a male friend he’d have shown him the door. Sorry, OP. If you’re trying to be the “cool” gf who doesn’t mind him not just having, but living with a female “friend” (who is clearly more than a friend) then you need to wise up. Where is your self respect? This man has no boundaries. Leave him whilst you still have any self respect.

Opentooffers · 09/12/2023 22:56

Yep, they have a thing going on. How can you, a) put up with her coming between you when you are there and him letting her, and b) be OK about her stopping over whenever free of charge ? It's an odd setup, you are trying too hard to be the cool GF, when really, you should bin him off for it.

category12 · 09/12/2023 23:04

He becomes distant with me hiding any affection and barely talking to me or including me in conversations.

You have a boyfriend problem, not a "this friend" problem.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page