#1 10/08/2009 2:29:49pm
- Stickybeak
- Member
- Registered: 04/06/2008
- Posts: 7
with a 'friend' like this...
I haven't posted on here in a good long while and wasn't sure where to ask this, but here goes:
My husband has a friend, an older woman with whom he used to work. They're both in the same field and like to talk shop a lot. She shares a house with her longtime partner. Anyway, this friend never had kids, and tolerates them at arm's length. We stay with them sometimes when we want to visit their area, and they've been unfailingly gracious about it.
My nine year old son who is gregarious and outgoing, loves to talk. We were all sitting around the table and he was talking about something, when he got all excited and let out a screech..right near this friend's ear. I was sitting next to him and got a good earful too. What I didn't see was her suddenly push him away from her--not a hard shove, but a push nonetheless. She apologized immediately and said it was a reflex action. I told my son to apologize but I know he doesn't scream in people's faces on purpose. I've talked with him about this before, to ask him to try and "tone it down". My husband said nothing to her.
I accepted the woman's apology but now I'm uncomfortable bringing my son back to her house. Am I being nitpicky about this, or should I let bygones be bygones and continue to bring my son to her house ? She irritates me sometimes as well with her remarks
and I also feel she tolerates me and the kids for the sake of her friendship with my husband. Any thoughts, advice, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks.
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#2 10/12/2009 9:17:08am
- creatress
- Member

- Registered: 09/12/2007
- Posts: 984
Re: with a 'friend' like this...
My 2 cents...
I think you're right on. She tolerates you and the kids for the sake of her friendship with your husband. She doesn't like children, nor does she want them in her house, but is way too polite to say anything to either of you hinting to that.
I'm sure it really was a reflex on her part and if she apologized, that should be the end of it. I would however quit staying with her. I believe in not going where I'm not wanted.
Just because your husband and she are friends, doesn't mean the whole family has to be. It's healthy to do things apart and have different friends. I also wouldn't want to put my son in an uncomfortable situation with someone who doesn't enjoy his company. It's not the other woman's fault that she doesn't like kids, and it is her house afterall.
If you do travel to the area again, I'd either go without the kids, or stay elsewhere. I wouldn't hold a grudge however and wouldn't bring up the "pushing incident" again.
Hope that helps! ![]()
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#3 10/14/2009 1:34:55pm
- Stickybeak
- Member
- Registered: 04/06/2008
- Posts: 7
Re: with a 'friend' like this...
Thanks, Creatress, for your views...I don't think the woman HATES kids but there is something there. My older daughter made a comment to me after a previous visit that she felt the woman didn't really enjoy being around kids. At the time I didn't pay much attention to her remark but kids are very perceptive about such things, and I should've paid closer attention.
I agree, couples should have their own friends as long as the friendships don't unduly interfere with their own relationship. I'll continue to be polite and forget the incident, but maybe my son can stay at grandma's next time if we spend the night there again..and if she asks about him I'll tell her we decided my son is a little too much for her to deal with right now..with a wink and a smile. She'll probably be very relieved...
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#4 10/15/2009 10:21:54am
- creatress
- Member

- Registered: 09/12/2007
- Posts: 984
Re: with a 'friend' like this...
I think that sounds like a wise course of action.
I'm picking up that you aren't really happy with your husband's friendship with this woman? Perhaps that's something you should talk about with him? Just a suggestion.
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