Thanks Anita. That is an interesting observation. I think looking at that, it makes me realize there is a lot of imbalance in my friendships. It is true, a lot of times I am a nurturer, and maybe I am in a way a mothering role, and it can be tiring and leave me feeling unappreciated. Other times with the more pushy friends I do feel rebellious too, because it brings back feelings from when I was a kid and bossed/pushed around.

I don’t know how to strive for a more equal balance in these relationships. But I can say for some reason (maybe it is just my mood at the moment), I feel some anger about it. These years-long relationships are hard to change. But I want respect in all of them. That also feels lacking whether I am being the child pushing back or the unappreciated mother figure.