AIBU to forgive a friend who shouted at me and my children?

[PretzelPretzel]

Long story short, myself and my almost teenage children were going out with a friend of mine for the day. My friend let us know when she had parked outside, and we were to leave our house and go to her car (as she wanted to go straight away and not come inside). It's typical that when we were about to leave, one child couldn't find their socks, and then the other child had to go and get changed after noticing a hole in the back of their trousers. This delayed us getting to my friends car by about 6-7 minutes after she'd parked up (honestly it was no longer, and we don't usually do this). I realise that waiting is a pain in the arse, but I assumed that an apology from me would cut it.
Anyway, when we got into the car, she was very off with me and the children. She then started ranting and droning on about how we take the piss for making her wait. I apologised, but was told that my apology was not accepted as "you know I don't like waiting for anyone".
She literally ranted on and on for around 15minutes non stop. It was making the atmosphere in the car really awkward and uncomfortable, and she was starting to get louder and louder. I apologised again and asked how much longer she was going to go on about it? This enraged her further, and I was met with full on shouting, F bombs, and her fist banging the door on her side, and the steering wheel. This carried on for another 10 or so minutes, continuous expletives and shouting. Myself and my children sat in silence/shock. I then asked her to pull over and let us out of the car, but was refused as she still wanted to go on our day out because I'd apparently already wasted enough of her time.
We spent the rest of the journey in awkward silence, until I was barked at to get out at the petrol station to buy her petrol. I'm not usually a push over, but was so in shock that I did what I was told.
We had a crap time once we arrived at the destination, as she was still raging and making snarky comments.
Once home, I ignored her for a week, until she called to apologise. Then she said it's best we stop talking altogether because her rage was always taking over and she didn't want to keep upsetting me and my children. She has form for this, but I've always stood by her as I've known her and been close to her for years, long before I'd ever seen her rage. These rages are always over trivial things that other people wouldn't bother about.
AIBU if I forgive her?
Sould I just let her go?
Friends are hard to come by, and I've not got any others currently.

Why is she coming out on your family days out? Are you single and need the support from her, i.e car to get about, more hands to help with the kids etc..?

Your kids matter more than anything in this situation. Show them that it’s not ok to ever be verbally abused and cut this woman out of your life for good. The last thing you want is your kids thinking this is either normal or acceptable.

She's not your friend.

It's not your right, or your choice, to allow her to abuse your children. Ditch her immediately.

I had my suspicions earlier on but this update just confirms it.
When you repeatedly asked your friend to pick up her glass, you threatened her control of the friendship/you.
Thr dynamic you have is that you bend over backwards to please her, and she’s great and a fab friend! The minute you take a step out of line you’ll be in the doghouse or worse.
It’s a clear indicator of narcissism and honestly, knowing that, I’d run a mile from her, and then a mile after that.
She only drops her mask with you, and manages to perform her “perfect person” role on front of others so that shows how little she thinks of you.
Please reevaluate your self esteem levels and ask who taught you to accept behaviour like this? (Clue - usually it’s a parental figure)

She also says - It's typical that when we were about to leave, one child couldn't find their socks, and then the other child had to go and get changed after noticing a hole in the back of their trousers.

She wrires - It's typical that when we were about to leave, one child couldn't find their socks, and then the other child had to go and get changed after noticing a hole in the back of their trousers. Typical sounds repetitive.

I don’t like to be kept waiting either, to be honest, so, I would be irritated by that.

I’m not sure I’d lose my rag over it, though.

I couldn’t work out whether that was in the context of ‘always happens’ or ‘you know what it’s like with kids - sod’s law’ iyswim

I cannot believe you allowed your children to sit through that.

@PretzelPretzel

She acknowledges this, and has lost friends in the past because of it. She refuses to seek help though, and I've always stuck by her because for whatever reason I do care about her.

Lovely, have you ever considered that she doesn't think she needs help because she has you, her remaining friend, so her outbursts 'can't be that bad'? Maybe the best thing you could do for her would be to say that yes, you agree that her outbursts are unacceptable and yes, you agree that she shouldn't be in your life because of them. Maybe then she'll start to question whether she needs help or not.

I'm not pointing a finger at you for having put up with her or saying that you are responsible for 'getting her help'. Just that a change will be beneficial to you and may be beneficial to her.

Lol, I don't have the right temperament to sit quietly in a confined space for someone going in on me, let alone my children. She would've had her head neatly, and tightly nestled in her steering wheel. Block this hateful cunt and don't look back, her attitude is vile, protect yourself from the psychos.

No friends is better than having this abuser for a friend. If she has a well paid job, she’s clearly capable of controlling her rages when it suits her. She’s just a horrible bully and you must cut her out of your and your children’s lives.

I wouldn't put up with this. Even if (as I suspect) there may be a pattern of lateness on your part. That would still not make the reaction acceptable.

This, agreed, you can’t be that desperate for friends op to have this so called friend bully you in such a fashion?! And why the hell do u always pay for her days out with you? And thirdly did alarm bells not ring, when you asked this friend to pull over and let you out, and she refused, and you accepted it and carried on with your day?! Op the older the friend becomes the angrier she’s going to get, pls avoid her

No, she refused to stop and let you out of the car because she's a psycho who gets off on exercising complete power over you.

You need to end the relationship with this very dangerous person.

Seriously, you don't need this. Friendship is a choice not an obligation. She sounds like its not worth it.

Your friend is struggling and she clearly knows she’s at fault. Is it worse than it used to be? Has something changed in her life. If you did decide to see her do so without the children and see how it goes. It’s your choice, only you know if her, and the friendship is worth saving.