So trying to schedule get-togethers for SSs. They play with the kids in our neighborhood and have a great time BUT they go to school in a different school district and would like their school friends to spend time with this part of their family. Seems reasonable, right?

It is proving to be a lot more difficult than it sounds. First, it seems that in their circle of friends and parents, the parents are still arranging their social calendars. DS and DD come up with ideas for plans with their friends, one will ask their parents if it is possible, and they will call each other to formally invite. At that point parents will usually connect about times, what to bring, etc. So it didn't seem a big deal for me to ask SS to call his friend. He left a VM and went outside to play.

Several hours passed, DS arranged to have a neighbor over, and SS was getting bummed. DH checked his email and saw that this kid's mother, on whose cell SS left the message, had contacted Chloe about this (rather than calling back at the number that SS had left/called her from). Of course Chloe had plenty of judgements, etc. for DH and me.

This kid's mom did this once before as well, when SS was attempting to get together with his friend on DH's custodial weekend to put finishing touches on a science project. We are sadly done with this high-school behavior and have told them that in the future they will need to think of other friends to invite.

Other close friends of theirs have said that "they can't come here because their parents don't know us" to which I've told them that their parents are welcome to visit and have a cup of tea....

Just really sad. And fucked up. And from what they've said, these kids' parents aren't all close with Chloe- most are just acquaintances. But who knows if it's allegiance, if she has poisoned people to the thought of us (hurting only her children in the process), or distance/circumstance? Just annoying and must be frustrating for skids