DEAR ABBY: Several years ago, I began a friendship with a woman at my church.
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She had children a few years older than my daughter. The friendship seemed mutually satisfying for a long time, although I noticed on many occasions that my friend seemed entitled and demanding where her children were concerned. I overlooked it until it affected me.
I realized over time that she had manipulated and lied to keep my daughter away from hers at teen social events because my daughter had been labeled “annoying.” There was also other deceptive behavior.
These betrayals, combined with realizing that we don’t agree on many subjects, have made me lose interest in the friendship.
However, she doesn’t seem to share my feelings. She still frequently invites me to lunch (which I refuse) and initiates “friendly” conversations.
Confronting her about her behavior would result in denials and a big blowup. How can I bring an end to this fake friendship?
— NOT INTERESTED IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR NOT INTERESTED: Since you no longer wish to continue to have a relationship with this woman, the quickest way to end it would be to tell her exactly what you have learned about how your daughter was treated and that you feel appalled and betrayed.
Whether she “blows up” and denies it is irrelevant.
If you can’t bring yourself to confront her, then drag it out by continuing to be “too busy” to see her or to have those “friendly” conversations.
DEAR ABBY: My older daughter, “Brianna,” age 42, does not want anything to do with me or her brother and sister-in-law. She keeps me from my granddaughter, who is 17.
I have been divorced since the ’90s and remarried for 25 years. My first husband was a cheater. I tried very hard to save that marriage. We got back together six months later, but he walked out again. When I remarried, Brianna wasn’t happy.
I have another daughter, age 24, with my current husband. Brianna wants nothing to do with any of us.
I wrote her and said I was sorry for the …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
