Problem between friends

Actually this is quite interesting. Before we knew we were talking about Mr Trump, the advice was mainly to stay out of it. Maybe that's what we should all do. Lots of countries have leaders we're not fond of. There are countries where citizens are in fear for their life for having different opinion, different religion etc . Trump won't be here forever. Maybe we should be more like the Queen.

I would say it's not your business and you want to keep out of it.
For what it's worth I think both families are at fault but B should not have been gossiping about the child in his own home. I'm not surprised he lashed out. Its what children do when they are hurt.
No one knows what goes on in families maybe the child has special needs? I don't think it is for anyone to judge really

O poor you! Horrible situation, but everyone is quite right, stay out of it, or their resolution could end up with them both turning on you.
And don’t be used as a “letterbox”, by that I mean, don’t repeat anything that either one says about the other to the other, whether you agree or not. Silence, in this case, is golden.
And if necessary, tell both that you’re not interested in their beef with each other, but you’d like to stay friends with both, if possible. Good luck!

Indeed. But B had no choice really. He hadn’t done anything wrong but A’s reaction spoiled things for everyone else.
The trouble is, many of A’s extended family seem blind to his faults, don’t they?

And sadly A has seen again that throwing a tantrum gets you your own way.

Well susie it seems that B has fallen on his sword and retired injured from the party.

Let’s just hope that A does not have the cheek to demand that, let’s call him N, comes over to play instead.
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In the nicest possible way - did you read the whole thread Aepgirl?!

Stay out of it. You’ll only get caught in the crossfire.

??

Very clever allegory, Susie, and very clever of JaneA to suss it out.

suzie ???

Oh no - please don’t be sad!! I just didn’t get it the first time, probably because my youngest is 12 and we’re not long out of the whole ‘different families do different (aka wrong) things’ stage. I took it too literally as we’ve had a couple of situations where friends have fallen out because of their respective offspring. It was great to have a laugh at DT and whole sordid business - god knows we need it at the moment ?

My fault Sir - I did try to give lots of hints re junk food, rolling out red carpet etc etc but clearly a massive fail. I was hoping for amusing tongue in cheek responses as to how to handle the problem and thought the two family scenario would work - it didn't. I just wanted a break from a lot of the crossness that’s around. Better go to bed now. Goodnight ☹️

Love it

I take it back Hetty - I would happily kick the shins of this particular child

I thought both A and B needed some sensible advice in dealing with the difficult child who’s in danger of spoiling their special friendship.

Is your post about Trump suzie?! That went right over my head, sorry

Is this an allegory for our leaked diplomatic emails and the reaction across the pond?

I won’t give up the day job

Oh dear - that went well didn’t it? I thought I gave enough hints

If you are planning on an intervention, that could backfire and only make things worse. It's not your quarrel so best not to get involved.

A and B are adults and they should know better than to get into a squabble over a bratty kid. Better they keep a good sense of humor over all of this than to make an issue out of it. If it gets ugly, you can be assured that the brat will survive the friendship!

You can only hope that the "grown ups" in this case will handle this politely and not allow an unruly child to get the better of them.

I was joking Hetty - I wouldn’t actually kick a child.

SirChenjin
You were/are right in thinking that the OP asked what we would do in that situ but the truth is that saying what I myself would do has no bearing on what family B chooses to do.
I am not involved nor do I know either family A or B so I decided to reply as I did.

I know that different families have wildly different rules and expectations with their kids. Nobody likes criticism of their parenting skills or their children either. It's natural to defend your child from others (despite lapses in behaviour) too.

So B would be wise to just leave early, I think. You should remain neutral and keep out of it.

Yes, SirChenjin, I do understand the urge to kick (brats are infuriating) but I'd use my disgusted glare instead (well practised to perfection during my teaching career).

Ignore me - I obviously didn’t read it properly, I thought you were asking what I would do if I was in Bs situation.

I’d keep out of it as the other 2 posters have said. If I absolutely had to say something I would just say something vague like ‘it must have been difficult situation for all concerned, I hope you resolve things, but I really don’t want to get involved’

It's not involving you, so you really ought to keep out of it. The kid may well be a spoilt brat, but his parents are bringing him up as they see fit. The other friends (group B) could perhaps cut short their stay, but they shouldn't be gossiping about the kid or his parents.