"You can take my daughter for a weekend" .....um...what? (learning, friends)

[imcurious]

What she said (above). It is just weird. Trust your gut. it is a major red flag. I do find it odd that you would drive five hours to meet with her for lunch. You must like to drive. A lot!

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by imcurious

What she said (above). It is just weird. Trust your gut. it is a major red flag. I do find it odd that you would drive five hours to meet with her for lunch. You must like to drive. A lot!

Wow, do people have a time limit on how far they will drive to see a friend? I really do not think 2 1/2 hrs is a major deal. I drove it once. I have friends all over the country. A few yrs ago I flew out to see a good friend that lived in Vegas. Was that odd also? I live in the middle of nowhere, so everything is a drive anyway.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by fallingwater

Wow, do people have a time limit on how far they will drive to see a friend? I really do not think 2 1/2 hrs is a major deal. I drove it once. I have friends all over the country. A few yrs ago I flew out to see a good friend that lived in Vegas. Was that odd also? I live in the middle of nowhere, so everything is a drive anyway.

LMAO! It's not odd. You're not odd. I'd drive any distance to see a friend. If I was reconnecting with someone, I'd meet them halfway. Definitely.

I can't imagine why someone would turn down an opportunity to make a new friend if the person has likable traits, similar interests, etc.

The internet has made it possible to remain friends with people our entire lives. In the past, friends often drifted away when they moved to other cities.

[jtur88]

Everyone has become so pathologically distrustful, that if you meet someone who is NOT pathologically distrustful, you distrust them for not being pathologically distrustful, and think they must have heinous motives.

[txtqueen]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Everyone has become so pathologically distrustful, that if you meet someone who is NOT pathologically distrustful, you distrust them for not being pathologically distrustful, and think they must have heinous motives.

That is so true.

[jb03]

Originally Posted by fallingwater

I wasn't sure if I should put this in the relationship forum or the parenting...so anyway here it goes.

A old high school friend found me on facebook. I have not seen this person in 20 years and we were only friends for about a year or two back then. We decided to meet at the half way point, ( we live 5 hrs from each other now in different states) have lunch, reminisce, etc. She brought along her 8 yr old daughter. The little girl is a doll. After our visit my friend kept telling me how her daughter just loves me. I thought that was nice and I guess I must have made a nice impression. I told my friend her child is a sweet little girl.

My friend and I met again a week ago (2 months after our last visit) and this time she did not bring her daughter. I have met her child once. So I was a bit surprised when my friend suggested that I could take her daughter for a weekend if I wanted. I never asked or implied I would be interested in this. Its not like I dont like the kid its just I never thought about having her stay with me for a weekend. I have to admit I am still feeling out this renewed friendship. The woman is nice but there are things I am starting to remember why we didnt stay friends after 9th grade. Nothing major so I wont bore you with details unless you want them. I just find this weekend thing a bit odd. In my mind I still do not know this woman all that well and she is acting like we have been best friends for years. How does she know that I am not a weirdo? I just can't imagine letting someone take my child for a weekend, out of state, to a place I have never been. Also my friend has never met my husband. Heck, he could be a weirdo! When she offered, I was taken back and I said something along the lines of that her daughter would get homesick. She insisted she wouldnt. I just think its odd or maybe this woman has such a great judge of character that she knows I would really take great care of her child (which I would). I am feeling a red flag here.

So for you parents, what are your thoughts? Is this odd?

Yeah. That's a bit odd. Unless she was joking. I wouldn't be opposed to offering my children to complete strangers some days. But really, they can't have them.

They go away for weekends with friends from around here, I take other kids away for weekends too. But all the parents know each other well.

[paganmama80]

Originally Posted by txtqueen

That is so true.

*Does not trust that statement*

[misplaced1]

I'm not shocked much by parents any more.

I lived in a small town in Ca. One young boy who met my sons at school came over one afternoon and told me his mother said he had to find a place to stay the night because she and her boyfriend were having a party. It was true and I did have him at my house. The woman who gave birth to him didn't know me from anyone, we had not met prior to this day. I was getting to know the child quite well by then because he would come over to our house in the morning before school and eat breakfast.

My son had been chatting with a girl on the internet. This is years later lol. Anyway the girl and her family were to be in the general area and the mother brought the teen girl 16 or 17 I forget, dropped her off and went to the local bar.

[kaykay]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Everyone has become so pathologically distrustful, that if you meet someone who is NOT pathologically distrustful, you distrust them for not being pathologically distrustful, and think they must have heinous motives.

There's some truth to this. However, when raising our son, I also learned (the hard way) that some parents may basically be good, trustworthy people but they may not be on the same page with you regarding parenting decisions. Therefore, I think anyone who lets their child go for a week-end with someone they don't know VERY well is being naive.

[fallingwater]

UPDATE

I have a feeling my friend might be embarrassed now. Her attitude seems a bit frosty. She is not rude but doesn't seem as warm as before. I am thinking either she is embarrassed or offended. Not sure which yet. Why is it so hard to make friends anymore?