How do you deal with and awkward situation between friends?

“A mum from my school community has come to me quite upset due to her child being picked on by another child for having only one parent. The parent of the child who picked on hers, she thought of as a friend and she had thought that their children had got on well. This other mother knows the circumstances of why there is only one parent in the family, and my friends child has been quite upset about what has been said and doesn’t understand the reason why they have been hurt in such a mean and terribly hurtful way, by their classmate and ‘friend’. My friend doesn’t want the situation to worsen, but also worries that if they talk to the other mother about it, that is exactly what will happen. On the other hand, if she leaves it alone, lets the school handle it and continue to comfort her child after every ordeal, it will worsen anyway – a Catch 22 situation. She has pulled back from the other mother due to other circumstances but has tried to remain friendly with her. But this situation with her child has her quite upset and her only thought is to protect her child. Have any other mums out there been in a similar situation and if so, how did they handle it? What did they do? Any advice, please?” How do you deal with and awkward situation between friends?

Posted by anon, 12/05/13

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- - mom160421 said
  - 14 Mar 2021
    8:19 pm
Definitely speak to the other mother and try and put an end to her child picking on the other child.
- - mom153507 said
  - 08 Oct 2015
    2:15 pm
Both Mums need to sit down & talk it through.
It is not right for one child to upset another, no matter what the circumstances.
It is already affecting the Mums friendship so it needs to be bought up now before it gets out of hand.
The Mum only needs to talk to her child & ask why they are saying mean things & upsetting their friend. Otherwise it could lead to further bullying later down the track. Nip it in the butt now.
- - bridgwll said
  - 03 Apr 2014
    8:12 pm
get your friend to talk to her with you there and that way nothing can be taken the wrong way … talking is the best way and probably not at the school but out having a coffee
- - maureen3 said
  - 30 Aug 2013
    12:09 pm
they should talk it through What was the outcome
- - a-edwards said
  - 30 Aug 2013
    6:15 am
That is a catch 22. But it’s so common to only have one parent these days!
- - azmaz said
  - 29 Jul 2013
    6:51 am
i think try and talk to the other mother. she probably has no idea and the truth always comes out..eventually!
- - gigi said
  - 22 Jul 2013
    12:20 pm
So mean for a child to pick on another for having one parent! I’m a single mum so that hurts me. Luckily I have not had to deal with something like this (yet). I think the other mother needs to be made aware of what was said.
- - kjgarner said
  - 09 Jul 2013
    8:26 pm
You need to talk about it
- - jodie80 said
  - 30 Jun 2013
    10:33 pm
or maybe talk to her and let her know whats going on.
- - lovi said
  - 30 Jun 2013
    8:32 pm
If she doesn’t talk about it there will be no resolution
- - lynzstevo said
  - 30 Jun 2013
    2:45 pm
I think it definitely needs to be discussed. Would love to hear how things are working out for you
- - jodie80 said
  - 25 Jun 2013
    10:31 am
I think I would take a break from seeing this mum, Hopefully this would resolve the problem. That was a hard one.
- - haldem337 said
  - 24 Jun 2013
    3:15 pm
If they are supposed to be friends then they should be able to talk it through
- - lovi said
  - 14 Jun 2013
    6:14 pm
The other mother may have no idea why your friend has pulled back – it needs to be talked about
- - mouse said
  - 03 Jun 2013
    5:22 pm
If you are friends, then you should be able to approach her and the subject and talk about it like adults