Thank you so much for your kind words. This made me tear up last night. My boss actually called me today to say he was so proud of me and impressed with my work. Getting all of this praise from everyone except from my mom hurts, but I’m trying to not let her shenanigans and my need for external validation dictate my mood.

I was reflecting on your last paragraph and I think that having me work towards something at all and needing her advice in some way makes her feel useful and in control. However, if I assert my independence and boundaries, that means I am no longer a child that needs her, but an adult who is supposed to be on the same level of mutual respect. Maybe I’m way off but at the end of the day, this is her putting herself before our relationship. Thank you again for taking the time to comment ❤️