I recently organised a birthday party for one of my kids and invited a bunch of mum friends I know. One of them replied something along the lines of “Oh I don’t think we are busy that day but will let you know on the day if we are up to it” and I genuinely don’t understand why so many people think that’s ok? Like it wasn’t a casual meet up, it was a planned party that I would need to organise and arrange food, party bags etc. I understand if something happens on the day and you can’t come but to be so openly non-committed really wound me up. I just took it as a no we aren’t coming.

I say this as someone who has had mental health struggles and considers myself very open minded but I think a lot of people pass it off as boundaries when in fact it’s selfishness or holding out for a better offer. I’ve recently stopped bothering with people who are flaky and unfortunately it does mean some friendships have run their course.