Would you stay friends and meet her again?

[LlamaMamma]

She is my neighbour and we have similar aged kids - my daughter is 2, her son is 1.5. We had arranged a play date and she texts me on the day at 6am 'hey can we rearrange todays play date', no other info given. I of course tell her that yes no problem and tell her a few options for days I'm free next week. That was Thursday and still no response.

Turns out later (via insta) that she cancelled on me it in order to meet up baby-free with a different friend (I know her too, but not v well so maybe wasn't appropriate to invite me, also I have no childcare for my daughter so couldn't have gone baby-free).

AIBU to be mad about this? I feel like I want to not respond if she does try to rearrange, because she's been rude, but also don't want to deprive my daughter of a friend!

I would be guarded and have reservations about her flakiness but still see her if it suited me for the sake of the children socialising. You don’t know if maybe she really needed the support of that friend, or the friend needed her support urgently. If it kept happening I’d stop bothering though.

3 strikes and she's out..

OP, getting hugely involved with neither is not wise for this reason.

She cancelled as early as she could, not 15 minutes before you left.

I would give her the benefit of the doubt.

I wouldn't be come overly invested though, it will likely lead to difficulties.

Let her make the effort to rearrange and focus on the convenience of the children's friendship rather than your own.

Far better to be bright and breezy with those that you can't avoid geographically.

Don’t make it awkward because she’s your neighbour. You’ll end up shooting yourself in the foot.

You both have young DCs, so think about the long-term position.

BUT you now know what she’s like.

She’s flakey, so expect it, be ready for it and always importantly treat like with like.

That means don’t take her too seriously and drop her if you get a better offer.

(Not necessarily easy if you’re a very loyal/genuine person, but it is doable).

I wouldn't think of her as a friend (or a potential friend) now but as a neighbour/mum friend/acquaintance.

I would see her for a playdate again though and be friendly and do mutually beneficial things with her. Don't chase and don't prioritise her. If you do make plans never ever tell your child about them and only 'pencil them in' tbc on the day.

I would have no issues with that. A play date is a play date it's for the kids. She had the opportunity of a fun child free day. Totally different