Friendship on Trial: A Woman’s Quest to Help Her Friend Retain Identity Post-Motherhood

We all know that motherhood is a life-altering experience, but what happens when it begins to consume your entire identity? That’s the dilemma faced by Jess, a new mom and a woman yearning to retain her individuality amidst the diapers and baby talk. Her friend, our story’s narrator, is determined to help her maintain some semblance of her pre-motherhood life, but it seems not everyone is onboard with their approach.

The Old Days with Jess

Enter: Motherhood

Identity Crisis

The Promise of Normalcy

Girls’ Night Out

Venting Sessions ️

Husband’s Concerns

The Accusation

Caught Off Guard

Self-doubt Creeps In

Friendship vs Motherhood: A Delicate Balancing Act

In a world where women are often expected to surrender their individuality to motherhood, our narrator is trying to help her friend, Jess, maintain her own identity. But Jess’s husband isn’t too thrilled about their escapades, accusing our protagonist of treating Jess as if she never had a baby. This leaves our narrator questioning her intentions and actions. Is she wrong for wanting to help her friend escape the ‘mom’ label, even if it’s just for a few hours a week? Or is she just a friend trying to support another in a challenging phase of life? Let’s delve into the internet’s take on this intriguing predicament. ️‍♀️

‍ ‍ NTA. Friend’s husband is the AH for taking frustrations out on you.

Friend’s struggle with motherhood; potential PPD; husband’s concerns; communication needed

Clarification brings new understanding to the situation

Is her husband concerned about her postpartum depression or support?

Friend’s commitment to friendship may be causing strain on family. ‍♀️

Depends on frequency of nights out. NTA, but communication needed.

‍ ‍ YTA – Friend neglects new mom, husband calls out bad influence

Is the friend avoiding parenthood? Enabler or exhausted husband?

Enabling an irresponsible mom? NTA, but she definitely is

Not a normal new mom: Friend’s weekend trips causing tension

Mom’s questionable behavior post-birth sparks debate on parenting priorities

“YTA This sub is insane. If the people in this story were men leaving their 2 month old child at home to go party and bro out, this sub would be crucifying them and calling CPS. Your friends behavior is totally inappropriate. If you want to keep partying then don’t have a kid. I understand you may not feel like it’s your place to tell her what to do, but I would personally feel deeply troubled going out on adventures twice a week with a friend I know has a newborn at home.” – Engaging debate on parenting priorities!

A friend’s concern for a new mom’s well-being and identity

Engaging suggestion to help friend and her husband navigate parenthood

Something doesn’t add up here. Is there more to the story?

ESH tbh… the husband should’ve talked to his wife about it and not you

Supportive comment acknowledges challenges of motherhood and personal growth.

‍♀️ ESH for neglecting baby, friend needs to grow up

Supportive friend helps with postpartum depression, but faces unwarranted blame.

New mom going out twice a week? PPD or partying?

Enabling a fantasy of a double life without kids?

Helping a new mom adjust expectations and find her identity

Mom’s nights out: balancing self-care and motherhood responsibilities

“YTA for enabling your friend’s irresponsible behavior. Her child comes first.”

Supportive friend encourages husband to trust wife’s independence.

NTA – You’re not the a**hole, but everyone else is!

Being a mom doesn’t mean losing your identity

The dad’s perspective is missing, there’s more to this story

Friend’s husband worries about her maintaining pre-baby lifestyle. NTA.

Mom wants freedom, friend supports, but husband is cold.

Understanding the challenges of new motherhood and personal growth

Balancing motherhood and personal identity: a delicate and relatable struggle

Balancing motherhood and social life: a delicate tightrope to walk

“NAH, but unusual behavior for a new mother. Diplomatic approach.”

OP, reach out and help your friend with postnatal depression.

YTA accuses OP of neglecting baby, leading to disaster.

Supportive friend defends woman’s right to retain identity post-motherhood

NTA but your friend is. It’s important to embrace motherhood.

Dysfunctional family dynamics: Enabling, blame, and the need for therapy ‍♀️

Concerned about friend’s postpartum depression affecting her motherhood experience

Friend’s post-baby behavior raises concerns, family needs counseling

Friend’s escape from motherhood causing strain in her relationship. YTA.

Is the division of labor equal? Let’s weigh the hours ⚖️

Friend’s constant outings with newborn causing strain on relationships

NTA. Husband should communicate with wife, not blame you. ‍♀️

NTA. Support your friend’s desire for independence post-motherhood.

Friend’s frequent absence causes debate: AH or enabling?

Enabling a party girl mom with a 2-month-old baby? YTA!

Supportive friend helps new mom find balance

Friend’s husband feels neglected, needs help with wife’s socializing.

New mom wants to forget baby, dad concerned

Understanding the husband’s fear and suggesting a solution for PPD.

NTA concerned about new mom’s well-being, but went off on tangent

NTA for feeling jealous, but ESH for lack of communication

NTA. Friend may have postpartum depression, not your fault. ‍♀️

Double standards: Would we judge a dad the same way?

ESH. Life changes as a parent

NTA: Friend needs to prioritize parenting over socializing for infant’s sake

“NTA, if your friend’s husband has a problem with his wife’s behavior, he should address it with her. If she’s leaving the baby with a competent caregiver, she IS fulfilling her obligation as a mother. But is that all there is to being a parent? “