Feeling Used by My Best Friend

Updated on June 02, 2008
B.L. asks from Hope, AR
6 answers

My best friend and I have known each other for two years. She is a single mom with a daughter that I have been helping her with. I take her daughter to school when she works in the morning, I get her daughter off of the bus in the afternoon when she needs me to (and sometimes on very short notice). When she works on the weekend, her daughter spends those nights with me. I do this all for no pay (and gas and food are expensive) but I have never minded.
She called me Friday night and told me that she wouldn't be bringing her daughter on Saturday morning because her daughter was going to spend the day with a friend after a sleepover. On Saturday morning she called me at 6:40 a.m. and told me that I would need to pick her daughter up by 11:00 from the friend's house since they had things to do that afternoon. After waking me up to tell me this, she then thought to ask me if I would mind doing it.
I am going out of town in June to see my family and told her this so she can make plans for her daughter. She is having her mother come to town and stay with them while I am gone. She called me Saturday after picking her daughter up, acting snippy and demanding to know exactly what day I would be back so her mother could make plans. I explained that I needed to make two phone calls before deciding on the exact date but I certainly would let her know in plenty of time and wouldn't leave her hanging. In fact, I was able to let her know the next day. I am just very surprised and hurt by her attitude. I have been avoiding our daily walks together and she knows that I am upset. I am just SO not a confrontational person and have no idea how to approach her about this to let her know that I am very angry at the way she acted. Am I wrong here?? Anybody have any suggestions on how to set boundaries without looking like the bad guy?

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J.T.

answers from Oklahoma City on

You need to tell her how you feel. If she is truly your friend she will accept that her actions/attitude have been hurtful and will make an effort to change. If she doesn't then you need to move on and find a true friend for whom the relationship is actually beneficial to both parties. It sounds to me as though you have taken it upon yourself to be responsible for your friend's child...admirable, but I wonder if it has more to do with your desire to spend more time with your own child than with helping her out? It just seems like there's not much reason for you to be in this friendship and maybe you haven't dealt with this sooner because there is something more to it. In any event, you can't ensure that you won't look like the bad guy. The reality is that she will probably be upset/irritated regardless of what you say, what you need to remember is that your feelings don't make you bad, regardless of how she perceives you. All you can do is figure out what your boundaries are, tell her why you're making them and give her the opportunity to respond accordingly, whether favorably or not. And don't forget to be prepared to stick to your guns and cut your losses if need be.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.T.

answers from Fayetteville on

You need to have her over for coffee or whatever with no kids present and calmly explain how you are feeling. If you speak up at a time when she is calling you to pick up her daughter it will turn ugly, and your relationship will suffer. Let her know you understand that she needs your help and you are happy to, but you have a life too and can't drop everything just for her. It may take more planning on her part-and she may need to find other people who can help so your not the only one she can turn to.

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J.F.

answers from Little Rock on

I'm the same way when it comes to confrontations. Write her a letter and put it on her door or mail it to her.

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C.C.

answers from Texarkana on

I would let her know real quick that you are her friend and love her child but you are NOT the second parent. I being single mom for many years, know what each of you are going through. However, she should ASK not EXPECT you to do anything.

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K.S.

answers from Birmingham on

I agree with Jo F. Write her a letter or send her an e-mail and let her know how you feel. I too avoid confrontations at all cost, and I have found this to be a very effective way of expressing myself.

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R.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

ok i too watch someones kids for free. the thing is that if i said i wont be here then she better not catch a tude or she can find someone cheaper to watch her kids.. never would my "best friend" do that. no you are not wrong you have every right to be upset and if she knows you are and has not apologized for being rude then she is no friend.i avoid confrontations too, but no i would not let people use me and then take my kindness for a weakness and be someones door mat. if you dont stand up for you she will think she can run you. tell her that you dont appreciate her attitude, you have a family and she is not it. you will be ok so will she and so will the baby you have grown so close to. if she is a true friend she will understand. also her mom may be upset with having to help and she is taking it out on you. so she will say sorry!! GOOD LUCK

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