Dear Annie: Another mom took advantage of my kindness

Dear Annie: My son’s best friend has special needs, and his mom asked if I could help him when she was going to be away. I happily agreed.

I was his caretaker for two weeks, eight hours each day. She thanked me initially, and that was it.

During those two weeks, I watched her son every day, fed him, and even spoiled him a bit to ensure he had a safe and enjoyable time with us. However, when his mom returned after the two weeks, she never thanked me again or offered compensation for all I did. While I would have declined any payment, I would have appreciated the gesture. I canceled my own plans to help her, and I feel like she took advantage of our boys’ friendship. Am I overreacting? Should I say something or just let it go? — Confused

Dear Confused: You are not overreacting. What she did was rude, plain and simple. That said, you gained something valuable from the experience. Your son enjoyed two weeks with his best friend, and you had the chance to care for and support his friend.

As for the lack of a thank you, it might be best to let it go. While her son may be close to your son, it’s clear that a close friendship with her may not be in the cards. Gratitude is a gift we give to others, but it’s also something that enriches ourselves. Unfortunately, she missed out on that opportunity.

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