DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My mother has always been bad at names, and I just thought that’s the way she is. Now, I am not always sure it’s because she really can’t get the names of my friends straight, or she just doesn’t give enough of a s__t to try.
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Why doesn’t she even seem to make an effort? --- IT’S NOT THAT HARD
DEAR IT’S NOT THAT HARD: As someone who, like your mother, is not good at remembering names, I ask you to please consider cutting her a little slack, especially if she hasn’t met some of the people you’re talking about.
I get your frustration, but unless you have any reason to believe she is purposely getting names wrong out of malice or simply to annoy you, maybe you could try slipping in small hints about your friends to help her keep them in context, which might result in their names sticking a bit better. For instance, “Jay, my friend from work,” or “Stacy from my hiking group” might be worth a try.