Contents
1. The Taboo of Questioning Your Mother’s Love
“Don’t you dare say anything bad about your mother.”
2. The Severely Narcissistic Mother
“But what about me?”
“You are my whole life.”
“Because I said so.”
“I depend on you to take care of everything.”
6. Mothers Who Neglect, Betray, and Batter
“You’re always causing trouble.”
“I’m starting to see it wasn’t all my fault.”
8. Acknowledging the Painful Feelings
“It feels so good to get it all out.”
9. Tapping the Wisdom in Your Anger and Grief
“I’m ready to face the feelings I’ve pushed down for so long.”
10. Change Your Behavior, Change Your Life
“I see that change is really hard, but not changing is harder.”
“I would never have believed I had the right to say no.”
12. Deciding What Kind of Relationship You Want Now
“I finally feel like an adult.”
13. The Most Difficult Decision
“It’s come down to a choice between my mother and my well-being.”
14. Old, Sick, or Alone: The Suddenly Dependent Mother
“I have to be there for her. After all, she is still my mother.”