Dear Queenie,
My sister was always my mother’s favourite. She got nice new clothes and toys and all I got were hand-me-downs. If I asked for something I got called spoiled and selfish. If I wanted to do something or go somewhere and she didn’t, I had to do without. My father didn’t notice or didn’t care.
Now I’m grown up and living on my own and my mother treats me just like she always did. If I ask her for something she says, “No,” but if she asks me for a favour and I can’t do it she gets so angry!
I would like to have a good relationship with my parents and when I get married and have children I don’t want them to be treated like I was.
Queenie, will this be possible?—Worried daughter
Dear Daughter,
You probably never will have the same kind of relationship with your mother as your sister has, but yours could improve. Professional counselling could help you learn better ways to cope with your mother, and if you can get her to go with you for the sake of her future grandchildren it might even improve the way she treats you, but if she won’t go with you, go by yourself.
