I’m feeling a bit stuck and wondered how others would see this.
I’ve got a friend who I’ve known for a while through playgroups when both our kids were younger, but recently I’m finding myself questioning whether I can stay close to her.
She’s very open about planning to vote Reform in the local elections today.
She isn’t currently working and receives benefits, including DLA for her son. She has previously said to me that she may have exaggerated aspects of his difficulties, and from what I’ve seen there doesn’t seem to be any clearly diagnosed disability. What also makes things tricky is that she seems quite uncomfortable with the idea that he might be neurodiverse at all, which is something that comes up in contrast to my own son.
Her DP is officially registered as her carer and receives carer’s allowance, but I’m also aware he does informal cash-in-hand work alongside this.
I’m not trying to judge anyone’s situation as I know life can be complicated, and I don’t know all the details. But I’m struggling with the mix of things she says and does, and I’m finding it harder to reconcile that with staying close friends.
I suppose I’m just wondering whether others would see this as a reason to step back from a friendship, or whether I’m overthinking it and should try to separate politics and personal relationships more?
I really don’t know how to respond to some things she says to me.