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How do you deal with someone's jealousy

11 replies

Edemummy · 02/11/2020 16:29

How do you cope with someone's jealousy and resentment of people because they have something you don't?
I have met a mum through my daughter over 3 years ago, we have become very friendly and I would say rather close. We talked about having seconds and wouldn't it be nice to have them same time but I wasn't too bothered by the same timing thing, I said I was going to start at the end of 2019 as I would like to enjoy the easier time with my daughter as she got a bit more independent. The friend got pregnant end of spring last year bad sadly she had stillbirth in February this year. We were all heartbroken and I was there for her to support with anything she needs, especially that we live walking distance to each other. Me and husband kept trying for our baby and eventually after 6 months we've conceived in April. I didn't know how to tell her and waited as long as I could and then very gently and almost apologetically broke the news to her when my bump started to really show. It has been hard since the. and she considered not to see me anymore etc which I completely understood and said whatever you need to feel better. However we continued to meet up as were friends so are our daughters. Our daughters have started school in September together and are best friends. However mum's behaviour to me turned quite bitter, she has been trying to make new friends with our school mums which is great but she is trying to push me out from any such new friendships. She has been very cold to me at the school gate, behaves like she doesn't know me, when I tried to come up and talk she would turn away and stare in the distance, arranges things with people quietly without ever mentioning it to me. One episode was particularly painful when I've invited her and other mum and our daughters to go to the playground after school. She just stood beside looking away and simply said isn't it illegal - her husband was there too so it would make more than 6 people. A few times after such cold treatment I drove home crying even considering to switch schools as I can't bare to be treated like this. I have phoned her up to ask why is she being so awful to me and she denied having a problem but texted later to say that my pregnancy is torture for her to deal with, for her and her family, that she has to "deal" with me being at the same school, and earlier she mentioned that she is very resentful as "I am going to have the life she was meant to have". Now I understand all that and feel for her but is it fair to treat someone with such hate for something that isn't their fault? I am also very sensitive in my pregnancy and negativity brings me down big time.
When she was pregnant she was a total mess, regretting getting pregnant, had massive gender disappointment to the point of not wanting to do anything with the child and I was there all the time to talk and support her through the hormonal rollercoaster.
I don't have many friends in the area as quite new here 3 years ago and by the time we moved I had no time for any toddler clubs as was working, I was also hoping to make some new mum friends at new school but find myself avoiding mums as she usually chats with most of them, so I just avoid her really, put my head down and walk past. I am foreign as well so don't have much confidence coming up to new people and starting a chat anyway, so basically feel banished and keep asking myself what have I done, but also I know it's not my fault and I need to carry on but just don't know how to stop being so upset because of it. I've had anxiety over this, not being able to sleep and it's being made by our girls only wanting to play with each and keep asking for playdates. Me and that friend don't talk now I removed her from my social media but it didn't help as I still have to see her at school.

OP posts:
ContraIndicated · 02/11/2020 16:42

Just ignore her and talk to other mums. She can’t be talking to all of them at once. Grief makes people behave strangely and your kids won’t be allowed play dates during lockdown anyway.

Yummymummy2020 · 02/11/2020 16:46

It’s awful what happened to her but I think this is really bad behaviour. I totally understand the difficulty in seeing you pregnant but it’s not right to treat you so badly either. I agree that grief does make people act badly though. I think you should still make the effort with other parents as you need support too and you shouldn’t have to miss out on friendships! I’m really sorry that Is happening to you it’s very unfair!

FingersCrossedForAllOfUs · 02/11/2020 16:47

I’m sorry to hear this OP.
Your friend has been through an awful ordeal that goes without saying and she is grieving in such a way that is taking her trauma out on you.
I think the best thing to do is distance yourself as much as possible.
Try to chat to the other school mums as much as possible, maybe when lockdown is over you could encourage play dates with other children too and see if you can make friends with other mums that way.

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Edemummy · 03/11/2020 10:57

Thank you for your messages, I am trying to ignore and distance and all that, hopefully in time it will all settle down.

OP posts:
nitsandwormsdodger · 03/11/2020 11:23

In the kindest way -Stop being such a door mat to her feelings

You have been her emotional crutch for so long , and now you are her punch bag

She will not stop this nastiness and will not magically start behaving normally again

The only way to stop it affecting you is -to stop it affecting you - and that requires mental discipline, you have removed her from social media now you need to remove her from your head. Discipline yourself to stop thinking about her, smile and nod when you see her, never discuss her or talk about her again to anyone.
In time the anxiety and confusion will go and she will either ignore you or try to be friends again, do not make friends with her again she is not a friend anymore sadly . Move on , she has sadly

Edemummy · 03/11/2020 13:16

@nitsandwormsdodger thank you, I needed to read this. Hard to see the situation from outside sometimes, I do agree with what you've said. I've already explained to my daughter that we won't be able to go to her friend's house anymore or they to ours and vaguely explained why, so hopefully she will stop asking. Sad to have to do this to kids but feel I have no choice

OP posts:
reepicheepsconscience · 03/11/2020 13:35

How terrible of her to behave like this. I had a couple of miscarriages and a still birth many years ago, and I know people can feel awkward telling you about their pregnancies - my best friend said to me she really didn't want to hurt me by telling me she was pregnant after one of my losses, but I was delighted for her.
I would call her out on her vile behaviour, or if you don't feel you can do that, just block her.

tw1698 · 03/11/2020 13:50

Absolutely awful behaviour on her part! Please do not let it get you down.

I would recommend downloading peanut. Its an app for mothers and mothers to be to find like minded mothers and mothers to be in the local area. You might find it easier approaching conversation online then arranging to meet up rather than approaching mums from your childs school

DreadingSeason2020sFinale · 03/11/2020 13:54

You need to brazen it out a bit and continue to speak to the mums at the school. Whether she talks to them or not.

I have my own tight knit group of schoolyard mum friends and none of us would put up with excluding someone new because of this reason.
If someone came to chat to me and the person beside me turned away and was rude I would think far less if the one being rude than the one approaching.

Whilst sadness and grief can make people a bit irrational, even she must know that she is being bang out of order.

Edemummy · 04/11/2020 13:41

Thank you for your replies, they have all been really helpful x

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 04/11/2020 13:54

Your friend has had a rough time, you haven’t done anything wrong at all OP, you have handled everything with sensitivity.

Unfortunately, events happen that change the course of even the closest of friendships.

I would give your friend space, you can’t change things & make them better for her.

I can totally empathise, a very close friend of mine lost her child in tragic circumstances, it has totally changed our friendship.

Very best wishes for your pregnancy.

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