Oh my goodness. I loved this so much, thank you Lisa 🙏 ❤️ Friendships in motherhood are a trip!
I recently read Friendaholic by Elizabeth Day and it made me think long & hard about my own friendships.
Now adding Ann’s book to the pile too. 🙏
I’ve just turned 40 and am having to let go of some relationships that just aren’t healthy anymore (were they ever?), and also be honest about what kind of friend I am / want to be for the next 40+ years. ✨
The early 40s are a real time of reckoning, aren't they? I feel like I'm totally recognizing, "Okay, I've got (if I'm lucky) a second half left to go here -- what do I want to prioritize?"
The line about asking folks help when they offer AND accepting it if they say no, they don't want your help is hitting me today! I have struggled the past few years with a friend who had a baby and I was so excited to be part of her life and help bc I genuinely do love babies, but for various (valid) reasons, she didn't really want my help (though she desperately needed help). Her parents finally moved here after two years and the challenge is easing. We're finally resuming our friendship this year after very occasional baby focused get together for the past two years. She is even wanting to plan a friend's trip this year, which used to common Pre baby. But it was really difficult to accept her no the past few years and I've been frustrated about it. I'm gonna sit with the comment and what acceptance looks like for the next while.
This is such a thoughful comment, Liz. I'm so curious about what your friend's rationale was for not wanting support -- AND it's none of my business. But I wonder if there are parents who read this thread who were in the same kind of position at some point -- feeling overwhelmed but not wanting certain kinds of support -- what was your thought process?
Oh my goodness. I loved this so much, thank you Lisa 🙏 ❤️ Friendships in motherhood are a trip!
I recently read Friendaholic by Elizabeth Day and it made me think long & hard about my own friendships.
Now adding Ann’s book to the pile too. 🙏
I’ve just turned 40 and am having to let go of some relationships that just aren’t healthy anymore (were they ever?), and also be honest about what kind of friend I am / want to be for the next 40+ years. ✨
The early 40s are a real time of reckoning, aren't they? I feel like I'm totally recognizing, "Okay, I've got (if I'm lucky) a second half left to go here -- what do I want to prioritize?"
Ann Friedman forever!!! But truly Ann has been a North Star for me for so long of how to be a cool feminist lady!! Love to see her featured here!
The line about asking folks help when they offer AND accepting it if they say no, they don't want your help is hitting me today! I have struggled the past few years with a friend who had a baby and I was so excited to be part of her life and help bc I genuinely do love babies, but for various (valid) reasons, she didn't really want my help (though she desperately needed help). Her parents finally moved here after two years and the challenge is easing. We're finally resuming our friendship this year after very occasional baby focused get together for the past two years. She is even wanting to plan a friend's trip this year, which used to common Pre baby. But it was really difficult to accept her no the past few years and I've been frustrated about it. I'm gonna sit with the comment and what acceptance looks like for the next while.
This is such a thoughful comment, Liz. I'm so curious about what your friend's rationale was for not wanting support -- AND it's none of my business. But I wonder if there are parents who read this thread who were in the same kind of position at some point -- feeling overwhelmed but not wanting certain kinds of support -- what was your thought process?