Family Jealousy
Hi, 25F looking for some mental/emotional unscrambling. Dealing with loneliness, jealously, family/friends.
Semi quick backstory. I had a not so fantastic home life growing up, then I became best friends in junior high with someone I now consider family, and her family took me under their wing. I was invited on family trips, spent more time at their house than my own, that kind of thing. I've been referred to as the "adopted" or "bonus" kid. I am so thankful for how they changed my life. All these years later and I'm still invited to all holidays and get togethers.
For ease purposes, Best friend (V), her younger sister (J), and their mom (Mom). V also has a one year old that knows me as Aunt Hoho.
This past week I was on a group call with J and V. Normal catch up, and what not. Then J mentions the sleeping arrangements for Moms on Saturday night. I am confused on why they are sleeping over there and ask. I'm told they are having a "Mother Daughter Sleepover" with V's son too at Mom's.
I'm immediately meet with jealousy, which sadly for me is partnered with anger. Why wasn't I invited, am I not one of them anymore? Did I do something at Christmas and accidently upset someone, most worried about upsetting Mom. Then I start getting emotional, Mom knows I don't have a relationship with my birth mom, she knows she fills that role for me, why didn't she invite me? Then more panic on whether or not it's my fault.
I message V on Saturday, asking about coming to hang out with her and her husband and my nephew on Sunday, a very typical thing for us. She says she's not sure when she'll be getting home from mom's but will let me know.
Saturday comes and goes, no real word from any of them.
Sunday comes, in my head, it's been made clear that I am free for the day. So when I see snapchats of V, nephew, J, and Mom at brunch that angry jealously kicks right back in. Okay, so you don't want to hang out with me over night, but you can't even think to invite me to brunch?
I almost immediately begin to counter all my feelings.
I'm not even real family, I don't get to be jealous of someone else's family. I can't get mad because they don't owe me anything. Your obnoxious sometimes, maybe they just didn't want to deal with you. I should let my best friend have her family to herself. It's honestly rude of me to try and tag along and force myself into this family.
So now I'm stuck. V is who I go to for most things. I don't want to message her and be like, I'm jealous and feel like I should be included more. Why didn't you want to share your time with your mom with me? (Again) Did I do something wrong at Christmas to get myself black listed from the fam.
I almost convinced myself to just message her and say, just for future reference I think yalls sleepover sounds like fun and I'd like to be included in the future. But I didn't because then I sound like I'm inviting myself, and if they honestly don't want me there then I don't want to be there.
I'm sorry if some of this doesn't make sense, or isn't written well. I don't organize my thoughts well, and sometimes I don't know how to translate what's going on in my head.
Any thoughts are appreciated. If there are any blanks I'll try and answer questions. I'm just tired of these feelings floating around in my head unanswered.
Thank you.
@HopelessHope97
i would take it as an oversight and although we have some friends we treat like family we invited to big things like holidays/ or special things like weddings etc but not basic weekend gatherings or something. i do not know if this person has wanted to be invited but it just did not occur to me.
a casual mention of the gathering perhaps after it happens that sounded fun .........they may think we should have asked if you wanted to join........saying right before may make them feel awkward and last minute invite.........
Many of these absorb a friend into family is really strong early on but as the person gets older they think you might be more on your own
@HopelessHope97
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@HopelessHope97 May be you could just say that you missed them so badly. That doesn't look weird to me. So may be they will invite you for the next gathering or may be not. But still you can have the love for them you had all the way long. But any act showing off jealousy or anger will make them think you don't deserve them. So always try to keep things as it is and don't forget all the happiness and love you got from them just because of uninvited family gathering. No matter what even adoptive children may face differences from and within families. So don't overthink too much and be happy for them and for you too. You still got them and try to focus on yourself so that you have no time to worry but to enjoy your life.
If anything I have mentioned here made you feel bad my apologies to you. I didn't write anything here with the intention of hurting your feelings. I really need you to be happy and enjoy your life.
Sending a lot of love.❤️❤️❤️
@HopelessHope97 May be you could just say that you missed them so badly. So may be they will invite you for the next gathering or may be not. But still you can have the love for them you had all the way long. But any act showing off jealousy or anger will make them think you don't deserve them. So always try to keep things as it is and don't forget all the happiness and love you got from them just because of uninvited family gathering. No matter what even adoptive children may face differences from and within families. So don't overthink too much and be happy for them and for you too. You still got them and try to focus on yourself so that you have no time to worry but to enjoy your life.
If anything I have mentioned here made you feel bad my apologies to you. I didn't write anything here with the intention of hurting your feelings. I really need you to be happy and enjoy your life.
Sending a lot of love.❤️❤️❤️
Hi —I totally get that. It seems not fair and hurtful but it probably was not intentional. I also think to make mention that the ‘girls night and brunch sounded like a fun time. It will leave an open space for a possible answer. But its also possible nothing would be said. I am just validating that I understand and would also feel hurt. I have been there before and it stings and will for a while. Sorry I r feeling sad about this situation. I dont know if u r in a position to hold a similar but not exact ‘event’ at your house and invite them ?
just a thought. Hope u have a better day!