I made a mistake with a family friend that can’t be righted.

[Anonymous]

I excluded her from a gathering and hurt her feelings. I apologized, of course, and she accepted the apology but she definitely seems to be pulling away from us. She was always so close to my kids but now answers maybe a third of their phone calls and just seems distant. I don’t know what I can do now.

[Anonymous]

Continue to call, invite her, and be inclusive. Have the kids make her cards. I’m guessing she sees your slight as her newly defined “place” of importance to your family and only you can change that. It’s hard for non-blood related adults to know their place with a family.

My mother did something similar to my Godmother (unrelated) and never fixed it. I missed my Godmother terribly until things resettled. I’m so mindful of including the friends my children love because of that.

[Anonymous]

Why’d you exclude her, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I excluded her from a gathering and hurt her feelings. I apologized, of course, and she accepted the apology but she definitely seems to be pulling away from us. She was always so close to my kids but now answers maybe a third of their phone calls and just seems distant. I don’t know what I can do now.

Why did you exclude her? Be honest, why do you want her back? I would aldo pull away from you since it was a mean trick. What else will you do?

[Anonymous]

I’m dying to know why she was excluded!

[Anonymous]

Getting excluded hurts. Just give her time and keep including her. And don’t do that again, OP. Not if you or your kids value her.