#emotional-boundaries

#emotional-boundaries

Developing a crush on a co-worker can be distracting and inappropriate, especially when both individuals are married. It's important to maintain professionalism in the workplace. Keeping emotional distance can prevent complications in a career.

Expectations are the foundation of your decision to reconnect. Are you hoping that the estrangement has led to a fundamental shift in the other person's behavior, mindset, or emotional maturity? Do you have evidence of change, or is it wishful thinking? Expecting someone to have completely altered their personality, coping skills, or anger levels without concrete proof is a setup for disappointment.

Poll the other members of your group about how they feel about the younger adults and the baby being with you. You may discover you are not the only ones who aren't comfortable with it. If that's the case, then someone is going to have to speak up and object.

Connection isn't always kind. The story reflected a struggle familiar in close-knit communities where connection can become so dense that it crowds out the self.

I think my biggest mistake was not enforcing my boundaries. My husband and I only invited people we thought we were on good terms with who really cared about us. Instead, my uncle yelled at us at the rehearsal dinner when the restaurant mixed up a few orders, and my husband's best friend from college showed up in a champagne dress with white floral designs all over it. My husband and I had a great time on our wedding day and were grateful to have the wedding of our dreams. The only thing that could've made it better was if we had called out my uncle for being disrespectful over an easily fixable mistake at the rehearsal dinner instead of just taking the embarrassment. Also, I wish we had told my husband's best friend that she needed to change or she wouldn't be allowed to stay.