> At a Glance
> – Ashley Tisdale French, 40, publicly shared why she quit her mom-friend circle
> – She felt frozen out after discovering group dinners and playdates via Instagram
> – The actress says the dynamic “stopped being healthy and positive”
> – Why it matters: Her essay highlights how cliques can form among parents and the courage it takes to walk away
Ashley Tisdale French is getting candid about ditching her mom clique. In a new essay for The Cut, the High School Musical alum details how a once-supportive group turned into a source of stress, prompting her to send a break-up text that read: “This is too high school for me.”
From Village to Vexing
Tisdale French says she initially “felt lucky” to bond with women who’d also been pregnant during the early pandemic. Their kids played together and the moms traded stories, creating what she believed was her long-sought “village.”
The shift began when she spotted Instagram photos of gatherings she hadn’t been invited to. At a dinner party she was invited to, she noticed she’d been seated at the far end of the table, away from the others.
- Invitations slowed
- She was excluded from an event planned during her daughter’s birthday party
- Self-doubt crept in: “I started feeling like I wasn’t cool enough”
Speaking Up and Stepping Out
Rather than quietly ghosting, Tisdale French texted the group: “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.” Some moms tried to smooth things over; others insisted she was imagining the frost.
She stresses she doesn’t label the women as “bad people,” yet adds: “our group dynamic stopped being healthy and positive – for me anyway.”
Ripple Effect
Since posting about the experience on her blog and in The Cut, Tisdale French has heard from countless mothers who’ve faced similar clique cruelty. The feedback cemented her belief that silence serves no one.
> “Motherhood has enough challenges without having to wonder if the people around you are on your side,” she writes.
Key Takeaways
- Even parents can recreate high-school hierarchies
- Spotting exclusion early can protect mental health
- Speaking out helps others feel less alone
By walking away, Tisdale French says she made space for relationships rooted in genuine support – a lesson any parent can pocket.
