I take it that everyone of us must navigate our own lives and take responsibility for our decisions? However, it is in our nature as humans to want to help friends who are actually in need. However, what would you do if your friend—the one you always stand by—started confiding in you about all of their issues, repeatedly, and with no sign of stopping? This Reddit member is exactly in that predicament. She wondered if she was managing the matter with her buddy correctly, so she looked to the large internet community for advice.
I(32F) am a single mother of two kids (6M and 5m F). I am a single mother by choice (my kids are donor conceived).
I am lucky enough to have a good job (French teacher in a private school), and a paid off house (parents’ life insurance and inheritance).
Before I had either of my kids, I made sure to have a year’s living expenses saved, then I would take a sabbatical to recover from birth, as well as bond with my kids. While on sabbatical, I still tutor some kids for some extra income.
My friend (34F), just had a baby 2 months ago. She is the breadwinner in her household, and her husband has been unemployed since he was laid off during COVID.
It was great to be pregnant at the same time, as well as having a friend with a newborn. But it has turned sour.
She has been saying how jealous she is of me being able to take off a whole year from work, how she would have loved to not worry about losing their home, how she doesn’t even have a couple hundred dollars in her savings account, let alone a whole year’s worth of living expenses….
I usually ignore it, or brush it off, because I kind of can understand the stress she is under.
Well, starting about 10 days ago, she started hinting at not being able to afford daycare, and any mention of her husband taking care of their kid is brushed off. Then she started remarking on how much free time I must have, which I deflected by saying -truthfully- that being a single mom to a baby and a small kid left me no free time actually.
Then last night she came out with it, and asked if I could “do her a favor” and watch her kid while she’s at work. I was firm, but polite, when I said that I couldn’t, that I am not capable of watching two kids under 6 months.
She started almost begging me, saying she can’t afford daycare, and if she is not back at work, she will lose her job, and they will end up homeless. I again brought up her husband, and she said that he was not good with kids, and isn’t capable of taking care of her kid.
I kept saying no, she kept pushing, until it escalated to her calling me heartless, and me telling her that it’s not my problem she chose to have a kid with a useless man.
Now she blocked me, I am feeling very guilty about what I said, and feeling like an AH.
Jennifer Garner Gets Emotional on Her Daughter’s Graduation and Tons of Celebrity Friends Comfort Her
Jennifer Garner has openly shared the emotional rollercoaster of watching her eldest daughter, Violet Affleck, graduate high school. The 52-year-old actress posted a heartfelt and teary slideshow on Instagram, capturing her raw feelings during the milestone event.
A series of emotional snaps
In the first couple of photos, Garner is seen clapping with tears streaming down her face at the graduation ceremony. She wipes her eyes, clearly moved by the occasion. The Alias actress continued the emotional documentation with a pair of photos of herself crying on a plane, contemplating how she would manage this significant transition.
The slideshow ended with a humorous picture of Garner in “2024” sunglasses, attempting to add a lighthearted touch to her emotional journey.
Co-parenting with Ben Affleck
Violet, who turned 18 in December 2023, is the eldest of three children Garner shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck. The former couple, who divorced in 2018, also co-parent Seraphina and Samuel.
Garner’s Instagram post did not feature Affleck, leaving it unclear whether he attended the ceremony. However, the pair has maintained a cooperative co-parenting relationship since their split.
Support from fellow celebrity moms
Garner’s post quickly garnered supportive comments from fellow celebrity moms. Reese Witherspoon, who has experienced similar emotions with her own children, commented, “Oh honey… I know. You have done a great job, mama! I will be here for support and lots of hugs.” Gwyneth Paltrow also shared her empathy, stating, “I’m sooooo with you.”
Gina Torres, known for her role in Suits, reflected on the profound mix of emotions involved in watching a child graduate. “Oh, sweet mama!!! You’ve kissed every boo boo and read every story and have made 5 am bread and muffins. All while living your own big life. You done AMAZING!!!,” she commented, capturing the complex feelings shared by many parents.
Garner had previously shared that Violet was managing the stress of college applications “like a champ.” Now, as Violet prepares to embark on her next chapter, Garner is left to navigate the bittersweet reality of her daughter growing up.
Jennifer Garner’s heartfelt post not only celebrated Violet’s achievements but also highlighted the deep, emotional bond between a mother and her child. As she navigates this new chapter, Garner’s candid expression of her feelings resonates with parents everywhere experiencing similar transitions.
Preview photo credit UPI / Alamy Stock Photo, ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/East News, jennifer.garner / Instagram
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