Girlfriend Therapy: We like the Kids, Not Their Parents
By Soleil Moon Frye, REDBOOK
Q. My children are friends with another couple's kids, and they get together for a lot of playdates. The problem is that the parents are constantly inviting my husband and me to do things with them, and we really don't like them at all. Where does it say that just because our children are friends, we all have to hang out? I wish I could be honest, but I'm afraid it will cost the kids their friendships. Please help! --T.R., 41, PENNSYLVANIA
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A: Let's think about this from your kids' perspective. It can be hard for little ones to find friends they really connect with, and when they do, it's very special. It would be sad for your children to lose their buddies, so I'd try to meet up with the couple once in a while to keep the relationship intact. But I'd do it infrequently enough--say, once every few months--to give them the hint that you're not their new best friends. In other words, I think you and your husband may have to suck it up and sacrifice some nights for the sake of your kids. But seeing our children happy can make any situation bearable. Trust me.
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Talk to Soleil
Send questions about your complicated friend, family, marriage, or work situations to soleil@redbookmag.com and include your initials, age, and state, or tweet us @redbookmag with the hashtag #Soleil. Questions may be edited for clarity and length.
Check out Soleil's perfectly imperfect adventures in parenting on moonfrye.
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