Why Do They Do That?: Manipulative Maggie

Hey Maggie,

I need to talk to you about something and I hope you can understand. You know how you’re always hitting on Josh and then you end up getting his homework answers? I’ve started to feel guilty about how you make me do the same thing with Nate. And I hate the clothes you tell me to wear. I feel half naked.

Maybe if you weren’t always worried about being the center of attention you’d have time to actually do your homework instead of cheating.

It’s not like you force me to but if I don’t you ignore me and make me feel like crap. You keep saying that if we’re friends than I should just trust you.

That’s not how it works.

You can’t control my life. I like being your friend but I don’t need you to tell me what to do. I know who I am … and I’m not a puppet.

Maggie, you’re cool. I like a lot of things about you. You don’t have to control other people in order to make people like you and be popular. I hope you believe me!

What you do is manipulative – now don’t get mad! You don’t think you’re doing anything wrong … but it’s NOT OK to be that way.

Just stop. Think about it for a minute. Are you happy?

I can’t be your friend anymore because no matter how many times you said so – I don’t need you. I don’t depend on you. I’m my own person. Sorry … I’m praying for you.

-Your Balanced Ex-Friend