Roni’s Remedy: Add-on, move on, dust off the skeleton |
My friend keeps inviting herself to every family event. She wants to come to all my family’s birthdays, cookouts, even my kids’ school celebrations. I love her, but I want some things to stay family only. How do I set that boundary kindly? – Find Your Own Family
Find Your Own Family – There’s probably a part of her that feels lonely inside. I’m not sure what her personal family situation is, but if she doesn’t have any, then she views yours as her own. Her heart is in the right place, but her actions are a little pushy. I completely understand you wanting to keep some events private. The issue is that she’s inviting herself. The true boundary you need to set is that she needs to be invited by you to attend these events. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be awkward, but you need to tell her how you really feel. Tell her how much you love her and how much she means to you and your family, but the inviting herself must stop. Just gently remind her that some events are private and, if she’s invited, then you will be the first to let her know. She........