Strange school mum

[EvePearl]

i'm Finding a situation really strange but unsure if it's just me. My 8 year old daughter is such good fun, a friendly sociable little girl with a large circle of friends. There are 2/3 girls in her class who have made it clear they're not interested in being friends with my daughter and are referred to as the mean girls by my daughter.
the thing I find strange is that one of the mums of one of the mean girls is desperate for her daughter to be friends with my daughters friends but not my daughter. She's always making digs about our daughters not being friends but telling me how much her daughter loves my daughter's friends.
jt feels strange and not sure why. The mum also seems very jealous that my daughter is such good friends with her friends and I get the impression she'd rather this wasn't the case. This girl is an only child and I get the impression her mum is very controlling and intense with her.
i just find it awkward and tricky to navigate - any advice?

Simply don’t engage with the ‘mean girls’ mum or if you have too, tell her to stop making ‘digs’ and that your daughter chooses her own friends and you are happy with the circle of friends she has chosen.

Your daughter doesn't like her

She doesn't like your daughter

Your daughter calls her a 'mean girl'

She probably calls your daughter a 'mean girl' too

They're 8. Just nod and smile and ignore the mother.

I have 2 DC and came across a similar situation many years ago when DD joined primary and was 5-6 years old. You'll never probably understand the jealousy you've picked up on, but for the sake of your DD back away from the mother. I tried to be polite and it didn't help as when her DD started bullying mine the mother tried to pretend it was my DD.
When I backed away it was easier for DD to avoid her DD. Her DD bullied her way through other DCs in primary school and only had behavioural support in Y6. I think the mother's insecurities were passed to her DD.

Thank you all this is very helpful!

This is ridiculous. You're being ridiculous OP. They're 8. Just ignore the situation and just foster friendships with the girls your daughter is friendly with.