I take it that everyone of us must navigate our own lives and take responsibility for our decisions? However, it is in our nature as humans to want to help friends who are actually in need. However, what would you do if your friend—the one you always stand by—started confiding in you about all of their issues, repeatedly, and with no sign of stopping? This Reddit member is exactly in that predicament. She wondered if she was managing the matter with her buddy correctly, so she looked to the large internet community for advice.
I(32F) am a single mother of two kids (6M and 5m F). I am a single mother by choice (my kids are donor conceived).
I am lucky enough to have a good job (French teacher in a private school), and a paid off house (parents’ life insurance and inheritance).
Before I had either of my kids, I made sure to have a year’s living expenses saved, then I would take a sabbatical to recover from birth, as well as bond with my kids. While on sabbatical, I still tutor some kids for some extra income.
My friend (34F), just had a baby 2 months ago. She is the breadwinner in her household, and her husband has been unemployed since he was laid off during COVID.
It was great to be pregnant at the same time, as well as having a friend with a newborn. But it has turned sour.
She has been saying how jealous she is of me being able to take off a whole year from work, how she would have loved to not worry about losing their home, how she doesn’t even have a couple hundred dollars in her savings account, let alone a whole year’s worth of living expenses….
I usually ignore it, or brush it off, because I kind of can understand the stress she is under.
Well, starting about 10 days ago, she started hinting at not being able to afford daycare, and any mention of her husband taking care of their kid is brushed off. Then she started remarking on how much free time I must have, which I deflected by saying -truthfully- that being a single mom to a baby and a small kid left me no free time actually.
Then last night she came out with it, and asked if I could “do her a favor” and watch her kid while she’s at work. I was firm, but polite, when I said that I couldn’t, that I am not capable of watching two kids under 6 months.
She started almost begging me, saying she can’t afford daycare, and if she is not back at work, she will lose her job, and they will end up homeless. I again brought up her husband, and she said that he was not good with kids, and isn’t capable of taking care of her kid.
I kept saying no, she kept pushing, until it escalated to her calling me heartless, and me telling her that it’s not my problem she chose to have a kid with a useless man.
Now she blocked me, I am feeling very guilty about what I said, and feeling like an AH.
What are these things called?
These small metal or rubber pieces were once commonly attached to the heels of shoes to prevent wear and tear.
Heel taps are protective coverings that attach to the back portion of the shoe’s heel. Their primary purpose was to reduce wear and extend the lifespan of shoes, especially when shoes were a bigger investment, made from leather or other high-quality materials. These little additions helped preserve the heel’s structure, particularly on hard surfaces like concrete.
Why Are They Rare Today?
Heel taps are not as commonly used anymore, as modern footwear has evolved with built-in reinforcement for heels. Additionally, fast fashion and more affordable footwear options mean people are less likely to repair their shoes and more likely to simply replace them.
Nostalgic Humor
The humor behind the caption lies in the fact that recognizing these objects signifies a certain era—if you know what they are, chances are you’ve either worn them yourself or seen them on your parents’ or grandparents’ shoes. It’s a light-hearted nod to the generational gap, suggesting that someone unfamiliar with heel taps might be part of a younger generation that didn’t experience their widespread use.
Conclusion
So remember, boys—if she doesn’t know what these are, it’s not a bad thing! The playful joke highlights the fun differences between generations and is a reminder of how much things change, even in something as simple as shoe accessories.
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