How do you distance yourself from someone you see everyday?

[IsItJustMeThenn]

Made a friend with one of the mum's at school. However over time it became apparent that she is very intense, constant text messages, gets annoyed if I reply a little late, wants to meet up all the time even though she knows I work. I did try my best to meet her whenever I could but this wasn't enough for her.

It was the final straw for me when she knocked on my door after the morning school run to say "I didn't see you today, is everything okay? Are you avoiding me?" This is after I told her my work hours have changed so DH will be doing drop offs.

How do I go about distancing myself even though i'll be seeing her everyday, standing in the same area waiting for the kids? I get awkward really easily and I have never been the blunt type to just say it how it is. Maybe now it's time to, but I don't know how. Advice would be appreciated

I am the blunt type and would need to just say it how it is. Then again I recently had an issue with a school mum (honestly feels like we are the ones at school sometimes!) and I went against my usual instincts (attempted to just ignore her rather than dealing with it bluntly) and it was just bloody awkward and long winded. Didn't work for me at all. So there may be something to be said for just trusting your instincts and doing whatever it is you feel comfortable with.

Difficult... she clearly doesn't get subtle. Can you try with a forgetful persona? Just always be forgetting to call her back, loose your phone, forget invitations, not be able to arrange stuff as you can't remember your schedule... and just SO Sorry everytime. Then just put your relationship with her in a box in your brain and label it annoying but unimportant so she doesn't irritate you too much

She sounds a bit mad tbh.

I think you might have to be blunt although that will be awkward at the school gate.

Or just avoid as much as possible until she gets the message.

Thank you for the advice all. I will try some of the suggestions here and see how it goes. I know I don't owe her a thing but I just feel bad sometimes!