OT: Our you friends for the kids sake?

[ChrisAlli]

Do you have a neighbor or something that you're friends with just because the kids like to play together.

I have a "friend" that in the real world, we wouldn't be friends, but because the kids like to play together, I'm friends with.

This person can really drive me crazy and says some things and has a personality I really most days don't care for. BUT the kids get along for the most part and enjoy playing together.

So any of you in the same position and how do you manage.

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

Do you live on my street, cause I think we have the same neighbor, lol! Honestly, she's not really a bad person or anything but we don't have much in common except that we have kids around the same age. She's very um, hateful, I guess for lack of a better word (hates her SIL, her mom, her MIL....the lists goes on) and she brings me down when I have to listen to who she hates today and why!

She's a SAHM and I think she's just looking for some adult interaction, but it's too much when she calls the minute I walk in the door from work and when I don't answer, she'll leave a message like "I see that you're home...."
Sometimes, if I know she's outside, i'll stay inside or take DS in the back yard and hope they don't walk past! So, I guess the way I manage is avoidance!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Yes we used to be friends w/our neighbors (directly across the street) because of the kids. As you can see I wrote "used to be." We had a "falling out" of sorts. We actually spoke up for our son because we were tired of our son being their son's doormat - imagine that parents sticking up for their kids (I'm being sarcastic as they thought we were out of line & should let the kids deal w/it). I guess they didn't like it - they were "deeply disappointed & hurt". Honestly, DS8 (5 at the time) was so frustrated by the time their kid left he would take it out on DD2. It was a terrible situation but so peaceful now.

Life is so much better now w/o them as "friends". No more worries about them coming over to play and my having to diffuse situations. I just wish we could be civil - the glaring eyes from their side is getting old.

 

[Hannathy]

No just because my kids like to play with another child why would I have to be the parent's friend? My kids have their friends and I have mine. I actuall can't think of a friend of either of my children that I would consider one of my friends.

 

[starwishing]

Do you live on my street, cause I think we have the same neighbor, lol! Honestly, she's not really a bad person or anything but we don't have much in common except that we have kids around the same age. She's very um, hateful, I guess for lack of a better word (hates her SIL, her mom, her MIL....the lists goes on) and she brings me down when I have to listen to who she hates today and why!

She's a SAHM and I think she's just looking for some adult interaction, but it's too much when she calls the minute I walk in the door from work and when I don't answer, she'll leave a message like "I see that you're home...."
Sometimes, if I know she's outside, i'll stay inside or take DS in the back yard and hope they don't walk past! So, I guess the way I manage is avoidance!

OK that's creepy, and would bother me very much if someone were to say, "I know your home, why aren't you answering" type attitude. I would just have to tell her (and be a little rude about it) that I don't feel like talking as soon as I walk through the door, maybe you being a little curt with her will make her back off with the clingyness.

No just because my kids like to play with another child why would I have to be the parent's friend? My kids have their friends and I have mine. I actuall can't think of a friend of either of my children that I would consider one of my friends.

I agree 100%!