De-lurking to say I'm sorry for your loss, GeoMomma. Because it really is a loss, isn't it?
I came on here to read this morning because I'm also in a bad situation, socially. I am surrounded by the pettiness of other mothers in my Group Which Shall Not Be Named.
As I spend time with this group, I see much jealousy and judgement towards kids and their parents-- not just about intelligence or ability, but about every little thing: behavior, religion, friends, even age of puberty onset. The group seems broken down into cliques, with different cliques sitting at different tables at meetings. If I sit with one clique, I have to listen to them gossip about the other. Then I feel too worried about trying to sit with the other clique, because I assume they must hate me for sitting with the first clique!! Ack! It is exactly like jr. high, and it is draining.
I am mostly an observer and operate pretty much on the periphery of things. When I watch these moms, the behavior seems all too similar to watching packs of wild animals vying for rank. Just replace sharp teeth with sharp words.
You are not alone!
