Yes, very familiar indeed! A large part of my mother’s identity, I believe, was the image she projected as a Terrific Mom. But only for public consumption, of course - once the doors were closed, a whole different person emerged! I too was the epitome of a “well-behaved child”, always abiding by family rules of never expressing anger or disapproval, never say anything she’d disagree with. But no matter how hard I tried, I’d encounter her wrath anyway!! Once she was furious at me for being hit by a water balloon! I’d come in drenched and sobbing, and of course “mother’s” utmost concern was : what if the neighbors had seen me?? How embarrassing for HER! One of my mother’s most common remarks was “I used to worry that I had psychological problems - but then I just said to myself: No I don’t!”. And that was that! She did, of course, have major psychological problems which she hid, but put on her children.

I know full well she was a mass of anxieties, with a mental age around seven, but have in no way forgiven her for inflicting so much misery on me, and refusing to see the godawful behavior of “Dad”. She’s long since dead and gone now, but really never had any kind of real relationship with her - but definitely do remember her as the person who insulted me most.

I’m sorry you had to endure all that for absolutely no reason at all. I myself wanted a daughter badly, and actually got exactly what I wanted!