When you're friends with your kid's friend's parents...

If that's not a mouthful.... Are you familiar with this scenario? You become friendly with your kid's friend's parents. You go to each other's homes for dinner, even go out once or twice, exchange playdates, carpool to sports lessons together, talk about a future when your kids can run to each other's house alone. Then, something changes. You're not sure what, but you notice you're talking less, emailing less, playdates aren't being scheduled, dinner plans aren't being made. What happened?

In one case, my daughter's friend now goes to another school. That future was bound to come to an end, so I'm not surprised. But, it didn't have to. The mom and I had become friendly - sharing our love of wine and eventually yard sales, although very brief. However, the playdates were happening mostly at our house, and then she blew me off to go yardsaleing with her husband - because he was so upset to be left out. You know, he just really loves yard sales. Uh huh. That's when I knew it was over.

Sad? Not so much. But I am, of course, taking an introspective look at myself. Am I so repellent? I don't usually have a hard time making friends. I'm finding it very hard to meet other parents, well, moms, with whom I have something in common, or even like. And I'm trying! People are nice, but I don't want to hang out with them. They seem snobby, fake, cliqueish, boring, or just plain weird. Do we reach a certain age when we no longer need to make new friends? I know it's much easier when you're at home with kids, and maybe I'm better off. My free time is very precious. But when I want a girls night out, or to meet a friend for drinks one night, I'd like to have an option. You know?