Overbearing friend - how would you politely say back off

[changingchaali]

I've known her for about 2 years now but it's only been the last week where she has become really overbearing with her communication.
She is younger than me. We met at mother and baby group. She's late 20s I'm early 40s. She's a single parent like me so she seems to look up to me (why my life is not fantastic at all lol)

Anywho I've been sick this past week. Was supposed to go with the kids to her house for food but I couldnt make it as I am unwell.
I messaged to say I'm sorry and I couldn't go.
She came back with a guilt trip "really looking forward to it, I'm really sad you aren't coming etc"
Since Friday she has called and text me about 13 times to ask how I am. 4 times today she's asked how I'm feeling.
I just reply "same hun. I'm just resting"
And since 7 she has called 3 more times.
I've been sorting kids, making dinner, homework so haven't answered. Now a message, "Have I done something?!"
I'm thinking wtf back off will you.
I feel reluctant to say this because she already has fallen out with her sister. And she says other friends blocking her and she doesn't know why.
She's a lovely girl but this past weekend I'm feeling stalked lol.
Help!

Thank you @MirrorMirror1247 @ManchesterGirl2
Very good points. There may be something there from her father.

I have no intention of cutting her off completely and she is open to some of the advice I give her.
Amazingly she has been quiet today but there are some great suggestions here so I will broach the boundaries subject with her when I speak to her next.
Over the past two years a lot of her friends have dropped off so I think maybe that's why she is being intense with me now. Not sure I'm the only one left but maybe it's close.
I will talk to her most definitely

Ooop spoke too soon. She left me alone yesterday but since 7am she's called 3 times while I'm getting ready for work
A chat is definitely in order I think

This happened to me. She was pretty unhinged to be fair.

Only a picture of me in hospital wired up to a drip with my ID band in view made her leave me alone.

Once I was better, I felt so angry that she'd pestered and hounded me when I was in an awful state that I blocked her. As I say, she was very unhinged though.

Do you want to be friends with her going forward? If you do, you might have to be firm.

"Jane, I have not cancelled because of any problem I have with you and don't know what more I can do to reassure you. I need to rest. Give me a week or so and I'll text you back when I'm better."

Otherwise, just stop replying! She is treading all over your boundaries and acting crazy!

For Gods sake what is wrong with her???

This is way past the point of struggling to read the room/between the lines.

This is outwardly ignoring someone's boundaries.

Is she anxious? Or just utterly clueless?

She sounds exhausting tbh.

Nah I couldn't be doing with that. Say something, OP. It's suffocating.

I would message back of course you haven't done anything but, I really don't feel well and don't feel up to messaging much, so I will contact you properly once I am feeling better.

Tell her to please leave you alone. You're ill, have asked for peace and she's ignoring and trampling on your boundaries.