My 13 year old daughter and her best friend are drifting apart. There doesn’t seem to be any one specific reason, but I am not totally sure. I think it’s just because of doing some different activities. And I know that friendships do sometimes just naturally drift apart.

Over the years, our families have grown very close. We vacation together and travel together for our daughters’ dance competitions. I have become very good friends with her mom.

I feel sad and worried that their drifting apart will come between our families. And between me and my friend. I don’t know what to do. Should I talk to the other girl’s mom about this? Should we stop doing things together? Is it OK to continue doing things together?

I overheard another friend ask my friend if our girls are still “close friends,” and my friend replied, “No, Not really.” This broke my heart. I feel sad for me. Sad for the other mom. Sad for my daughter. Sad for the other girl. (Although logically, I know I can’t actually feel their feelings.)

I don’t want the girls to drift apart. I tried to talk to my daughter to ask about it, but she shuts me out. She says she doesn’t want to talk about it.

Here’s my model:
C: My daughter and her best friend hang out less often
T: I am worried that this circumstance will come between our families
F: Sad
A: Actively worry and try to problem solve in my mind
R: Continued worry