Ask Amy: ‘Stella’s’ groove brings out the family creep
Their oldest, “Maggie,” is the same age as my daughter (6).
Maggie is rude, disrespectful, mean, and a bully.
We’ve overlooked it because we enjoy the friendship so much.
My daughter enjoys playing with their girls, but I do think that her feelings get hurt by Maggie, although she’s too kind to say so.
I believe that a comment I made recently about a rude incident has caused a rift. However, I’m tired of allowing their daughter to treat us and our daughter so badly.
The parents refuse to acknowledge that there’s a problem. I think the child needs professional help.
I’d hate to see the friendship end, but I also want to set an example for my daughter, that we don’t allow people to treat us that way.
Do I end the friendship? What should I say to them?
— Upset Mom
Dear Upset: The way to communicate with these parents would be to say, “Maggie dominates our daughter, and she doesn’t seem to know how to handle it. I hope I didn’t overstep in your home, but I felt I needed to intervene.”
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