When Care Turns to Envy: Understanding a Painful Reality Sometimes I find myself wondering why people behave the way they do. How can someone who is supposed to be like a mother to a child  a guide, a protector  instead envy or resent that very child? This is a child striving for a better future, seeking guidance and support. Yet, instead of nurturing, some adults choose to discourage, compete with, or even tear the child down. It’s heartbreaking. It also raises a difficult question: Is it truly possible to love and care for a child like a mother if you’ve never had a child of your own? Or does the absence of that experience sometimes create resentment instead of compassion? These are uncomfortable but necessary questions we must ask if we’re to build healthier, more supportive environments for young people.