Ask Amy: Mom's harsh reactions might reveal depression

Dear Amy: I have a toddler and a baby. When I was a first-time mom, I'd get annoyed at the barrage of unsolicited advice from friends.

One of my closest friends has a daughter who is almost a year old. She lives out of state without family nearby, and does not have many friends or people that she trusts.

One time, I offered unsolicited advice to her, and she snapped at me. I apologized and recognized that it's annoying when people do that.

Recently, as she was talking about her daughter entering the challenging toddler stage, she said to me: "You've been there. Why aren't you giving me suggestions?"

I gave her a couple of ideas, but reminded her that each child is different.

A few days later she texted me, saying she was upset because my suggestions were not helpful.

I apologized and then offered to send her a book I've found very helpful.

How do I tell her that I want to share the ups and downs of motherhood, but I do not know how to help without making her angry?

Amy says: I think you should be concerned about your friend's health. She is isolated, grouchy, frustrated and short-tempered. She is alienating you, a very close and trusted friend. From what you report, she is not acting like herself.

Say to her, "This phase of being a mom is so challenging and you don't seem like yourself lately. Are you OK?"

As frustrating as her behavior is, I hope you will be extra-compassionate toward her. URGE her to see her health care provider to be screened for depression. Postpartum depression can overwhelm a new mother up to a year after giving birth. And non-postpartum depression can strike at any time.

Don't wait for her to contact you. Text her every day. Keep the line open until you are assured that she is able to take care of herself and her child.

Dear Amy: My mother-in-law will sometimes cancel her plans with us, texting us that she can't come, usually the day before. The text is usually blunt: "I won't be able to make it tomorrow because I have a work project that I got behind on."

She then typically follows with, "Since I couldn't make it this week, I'll plan to come sleep over next week."

It annoys me when she cancels, because my children look forward to her coming, and I often cook a special meal, ready our spare room, or prepare for her in other ways. It also bothers me that she doesn't feel the need to apologize. So, I have decided not to answer her texts when she is canceling. However, she thinks it's rude of us not to respond.

Is there any polite and respectful way to respond to her?

Amy says: I agree with you that you are owed a more polite acknowledgment. I agree with your MIL that you should respond to her texts.

In the future, you should let her know that, unless it's an emergency, you'd really appreciate more notice.