Stressed mum and don’t want to see this mum

[Nicewsytoday]

I know other people are battling serious problems and I know for most this will be a non-issue but can someone help me with this issue:

really lovely mum I’ve met recently and our girls get a long so well. We have tried to meet beyond the school gates twice (once arranged by me and once by her) but problem is both times she has cancelled last minute. Now she’s trying to arrange a third time!

The issue is I get stressed quite easily so for example this morning my only day off I got the kids out of bed earlier plus woke up earlier myself, rushed breakfast, then rushed getting them out of the door plus driving and worrying I’ll be stuck in traffic so will be late (I have 2 different school drop offs so extra stress compared to the other mum). Snapping at my children to hurry up to then getting a text 10 minute before arranged meet up to cancel.

How can I put it nicely to her I don’t want to plan a third meet up? I only get every other Friday off and I work some weekends so this is 2 Fridays I’ve had to wake up earlier and stress for no reason. I’m thinking I just need to not see anyone for next few weeks as I’m so tired. Our girls can meet up in school and play and there’s no need for us to become friends but on the other hand I am lonely and don’t have many friends.

Be direct! Tell her what you just said here! Just say that you're far too busy and stressed to make plans that are cancelled last minute so can she ensure she will definitely be available. Tell her you understand if she can't guarantee that and there's no judgement and you will look forward to chatting at the gate but you can't make plans that aren't firm.

I’m quite honest and up front so I’d likely tell her that you’re happy to rearrange but could she please give you more notice if she needs to cancel again as both weeks you’ve rearranged your day and then been let down