Friend Trouble -

Friend Trouble

Hoping for some advice. I have this friend that has a little girl about the same age as my son and we try to get together about once a week. The problem is that I can't talk to her about things that happen at work or home because she is so critical of everything. For example the other day my son fell and hit his head on the coffee table and got a little cut above his eye. I was talking to her about what had happen and she had nothing but negative things to say about the way my house is set up and that it's not baby proof enough for my son. Also last week my son had an ear infection and I stayed home from work for only one day and the rest of the week he went to my mother’s house to have sick time with grandma. My friend just had to call me at work and let me know that I was making a big mistake by being at work when I have a sick child to take care of. (I work full-time live with my boyfriend & son, she works part-time and lives with her parents) I love my friend to death put I need to find a way to let her know that I don't appreciate her criticism all the time. She makes me feel like I'm a not so good parent and should be doing things the way she does. Any ideas on how to tell her I still want to be friends but to back off?

Written by Melinda

Posted on 09/30/2007

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Answers:

Hi Melinda,
I had problems like that with my older sister, she was always telling me how to raise my daughter. I just sat with her one day and explained that I love her and can always use some advise, but that it was upsetting me that she would act that way. I pretty much told her that she can raise her kids her way and I would raise mine my way. She stopped, now she gives advise and stuff olny when I ask her. I don't think you are a bad mom and you shouldnt let anyone make you feel that way. You have to do what is best for your family.

posted by on 09/30/2007

Thanks for the input. I called my friend today and told her we needed to get together just the two of us for lunch this week. So I guess I'll see how she takes everything.

posted by Melinda on 10/01/2007

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