You don’t have to be the messenger between two adults who can text each other.

Being the go-between looks like helping and usually makes things worse. Every message you carry lets two people avoid the conversation they need to have, and you end up holding both sides’ frustration with no power to settle anything. The role tends to land on whoever is most agreeable. Stepping out of it is allowed, even when it disappoints somebody.

The next time you are asked to pass something along, say gently that it would land better coming from them. You can care about both people and still not carry the message.