What is it called when a daughter is jealous of her mother?

The Complex Relationship Between Mothers and Daughters

Honestly, this topic got me thinking a lot. We often hear about the typical parent-child rivalry, but have you ever wondered what it’s called when a daughter feels jealousy toward her mother? At first glance, this may seem strange, but believe me, it happens more often than you might think. It’s something that goes deeper than just simple sibling rivalry.

Is it normal for a daughter to feel jealous of her mother?

Well, this is something that’s been quietly on my mind for a while. After talking with a friend about her strained relationship with her mom, I realized just how common these feelings could be. Feeling jealousy toward a mother isn’t unusual, but it’s often misunderstood. It’s not about disliking her, it’s more about complex emotional responses that can arise due to several reasons.

The term for daughter-mother jealousy: "Maternal Rivalry"

Maternal Rivalry: A Psychological Phenomenon

The phenomenon where a daughter experiences jealousy toward her mother is known as maternal rivalry. This term is used in psychology to describe the complex emotions and competition that can arise between a mother and daughter. It doesn’t just involve simple envy—it can also encompass feelings of inadequacy, comparison, or even resentment toward the mother’s role in the family.

Honestly, I had a hard time wrapping my head around this at first. But after a chat with a counselor friend, it became clearer. This rivalry can be rooted in several things, including competition for attention or even the daughter feeling overshadowed by her mother's successes or attractiveness. It’s not just a phase, and it’s not necessarily about the mother being a bad parent—sometimes, it’s about the daughter’s own insecurities.

The impact of age and stages of life

I remember this one conversation I had with a colleague named Sarah, who told me that, as she got older, she started to feel resentful of her mother’s carefree attitude toward aging. It wasn’t just about looks—it was about the freedom her mother seemed to have that Sarah wished she could enjoy too. This jealousy was especially pronounced as Sarah entered her thirties, a period where she started questioning her own life choices compared to her mother’s achievements.

It’s during these moments that maternal rivalry often shows its face: as daughters get older and their own lives become more complicated, they might feel that their mothers have it “easier” or “better.” This isn’t just about physical appearance—though that can be a factor—it’s also about the way their mothers might seem to navigate life with more ease, grace, or success.

Why do daughters feel jealousy toward their mothers?

Unrealistic Expectations and Comparisons

Okay, let’s break it down a bit more. Why does this jealousy happen in the first place? Well, in many cases, a daughter may have unrealistic expectations or comparisons between herself and her mother. If a daughter is struggling with her own sense of self-worth or dealing with challenges like career or relationship issues, she may unconsciously project those feelings onto her mother.

I’ve seen this in my own life—watching a friend of mine, Lily, get frustrated with her mom, who seemed to “have it all.” Lily was dealing with some tough times in her career and was trying to find herself, but her mom appeared to have it all together, and that just made Lily feel worse. It’s a feeling of envy that isn’t always rational but stems from a deeper struggle within the daughter herself.

Family dynamics and the mother-daughter bond

Another reason for maternal rivalry is family dynamics. If the mother-daughter relationship isn’t well-established or healthy, this can breed resentment. Sometimes, a daughter feels that her mother is either too controlling or too distant, which can lead to jealousy in both directions. The daughter might long for her mother’s approval but also feel threatened by her, creating a toxic cycle of envy.

What can be done about it? Healing maternal rivalry

Communication is key

Honestly, it can be hard to navigate these feelings, especially if the jealousy is strong. But one of the best ways to tackle maternal rivalry is through honest communication. If a daughter feels this way, it’s important to explore these feelings with someone she trusts or directly with her mother. It may not be easy, but understanding the root causes of jealousy can lead to healing.

I recall talking to my cousin Emma, who struggled with her relationship with her mom for years. They finally sat down and had an honest conversation about how each of them felt. It was tough, but it helped Emma realize that a lot of her jealousy stemmed from her own insecurities, not from her mother’s actions. Once they addressed it, things began to improve.

Therapy or counseling

Sometimes, these emotions run too deep to be resolved with a single conversation. Seeking therapy or counseling can be incredibly helpful in navigating the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship. It helps to have a professional mediator to guide the discussion and help both parties understand each other’s perspective.

Conclusion: Understanding maternal rivalry

In the end, feeling jealousy toward a mother, or experiencing maternal rivalry, is a complicated and multifaceted issue. It’s not simply about disliking the mother—it’s more about deeper emotional struggles that need to be addressed. Whether through communication, therapy, or self-reflection, it’s possible to understand and eventually heal from these feelings. I think the key is realizing that it’s okay to have these emotions and that working through them can lead to stronger, more meaningful relationships.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.