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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

Friendship dilemma

9 replies

lula99 · 01/02/2024 20:09

I have a friend who I met around 5 years ago. We met through a support group for an illness that we were both being treated for at the time. Both recovered now although my friend sadly has some ongoing side effects from her treatment whereas I fortunately have avoided this.
a couple of years ago I moved out of the area (about two hours away to a major city). But I still go back to visit family and I will sometimes see her for lunch or drinks on those weekends. She has come to stay at mine for a night a couple of times.
we don’t have much in common, apart from the illness but we get along on a superficial level and usually have a fairly nice time. I try and support her with her health issues but a lot of the time she seems annoyed when I ask how she is and doesn’t ask me how I am (she is quite self involved) but I understand it can be hard not to be if you have a lot of stressful things going on with your health.

I’ve noticed that when we see each other for a couple of hours it’s better. But when she comes to stay at mine for a night we run out of things to talk about after an hour or so. Especially when we’ve been out for the night it’s a really bad vibe and I just end up wanting to go home. She always complains about the places I suggest we go to and her mood will dampen the whole evening. I have suspected that she is just wanting to come to my house to go on nights out to go clubbing and man hunt. Which I don’t really want to do. At Christmas I bumped into her and I was in a great mood, she asked me if she could come for a weekend in the new year. I felt on the spot and like I couldn’t really say no, so I agreed. We arranged for a weekend in feb. I’ve tried to change this by apologising and saying I had forgot I had a family party on that day and suggested the next weekend but on a Sunday where we meet halfway for lunch or dinner. She has said she wants to do the Saturday before instead and come to me for a night out.
really stuck on what to say back. I’m happy to meet up with her for a couple of hours but don’t want her staying at mine as I don’t want to go clubbing and we don’t have enough to talk about. Did I mention that when she stays she wakes me up early because she wants to leave early and I must walk her to her car!
ive already suggested the day she is suggesting but she previously said she couldn’t do it. So I can’t now suddenly say I’m busy which would be my go to excuse.
I feel quite guilty because of her health she has been having a shit time and always says I’m her best friend. She dosnt have many friends so maybe I am to her. But I don’t feel the same as I don’t like the way she treats me and we don’t have that much in common.
does anyone have an idea of how I can get out of this without hurting her feelings? Thanks!

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 01/02/2024 20:13

'Sorry, I've made other plans, now. Another time, though!'

Alwaysalwayscold · 01/02/2024 20:22

You could always just say you've got a lot going on with family/mental health at the minute?

hottchocolatte · 13/04/2024 19:15

"Sorry I can't do that weekend now but hopefully we can find a date to meet somewhere for a lunch or dinner. Let me know if you have any other Saturdays free."

Lighteningstrikes · 13/04/2024 20:35

It doesn’t sound like you get anything out of the relationship anymore, and it sounds like she uses you to meet men.

Why don’t you just bang it on the head?

The sky won’t fall in and it will be like a dead weight lifted off your shoulders.

Jammylou · 13/04/2024 20:59

Sounds like you aren't getting out of this friendship what you should and no one should feel obliged to do anything.
Keep making excuses and she'll get the picture.
You can't carry people because you feel sorry for them.
You said you have also been ill so you need to focus on your own happiness and wellbeing.

Candyrushsaga · 14/04/2024 14:14

Tell her you agree but don’t want to go go clubbing as it’s not really your thing. Ask her to come up with a different suggestion of what you could do together that you both enjoyed. If she only uses you for free accommodation to go clubbing in a big city she will change her mind about staying over. Hopefully.

Candyrushsaga · 14/04/2024 14:26

My DS and her DP are still close friends with their DS’s BF from nursery. The boys are now at uni in different countries and hardly speak to each other but the parents still keep in touch. Help around the house and socialise as well kind of touch.

spacehoppercommuter · 14/04/2024 14:32

You keep making excuses for her due to her health. Thats not an excuse to be selfish, and never ask anyone else how they are! She isnt the only person in the world with problems. If she's well enough to go clubbing to meet a bloke then she's bloody well enough to support you as a friend too surely?

Frankly, she doesnt sound like a very nice person and you cant continue this out of pity. I would just tell her you are sorry but you can no longer make it then I'd drop the rope. It's clear from what you've said that she's awkward company and you run out of things to talk about after only an hour. That sounds excruciating to me. Dont set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm.

Candyrushsaga · 14/04/2024 15:01

Candyrushsaga · 14/04/2024 14:26

My DS and her DP are still close friends with their DS’s BF from nursery. The boys are now at uni in different countries and hardly speak to each other but the parents still keep in touch. Help around the house and socialise as well kind of touch.

Sorry Op, posted on the wrong thread.

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