to get sick of one-sided friendships.

[frenchie12]

Why is it all of my DD's friendships are one sided? Whether it be a sleepover or visits to our house, they are rarely reciprocated. Is this a common occurence nowadays or are we just doormats?

[FullOfChoc]

My DD is year 6. Some friends reciprocate invites and some don't. It's lovely when dd is invited back but it's hard if both parents work full time / have younger children so I don't let it bother me. I think I'd reduce the number of invites if I ever felt used.

[ScoutandAtticus]

Tell me about it. And YANBU.


I have two of these. Both sets of parents we have known since the kids were tiny and are now 11. First set will quite happily have us have their son overnight or for 7 hour stretches in the day to help them with childcare and their reciprocation to us is a 2 hour play or inviting us all for dinner. Lovely but not the same in terms of stress, inconvenience or benefit to us.


The second set are plain odd. We have had their children over for sleep overs and to play for whole days at the weekend on numerous occasions. Not once have my children been in for so much as a cup of milk. The parents always collect their children with some lame excuse as to why they can't return the favour.

The first set of parents are friends but I now don't make myself so available to help. The second set are just arses so I now avoid having their children over by suggesting someone else if my child wants them over.


The rest of non reciprocation I ignore if it's someone I just have or for the odd time for a few hours. I understand people ar busy and all that but if it becoms repetitive and I feel a mug then I just stop doing it.

[RebootYourEngine]

My ds gets invited more than i invite. One reason is because of the hours that i work and the other is because ds says that he doesnt like our house and doesnt like people coming to ours. For what its worse there is nothing with our house ds is just going through the stroppy-nothing-is-good-enough-stage.

[CockwombleJeff]

Yes. That's why after 39 years for the first time ever , I have no friends at all.