RE: My story of change and learning: What it's like to grow up afraid of your own shadow...

I learned as I grew that oftentimes, mothers who do things like this, often do so because they were either brought up in the same light, or they had such self hatred for themselves or fear.

My mother had me very late in life. She and my father were always afraid for me; I'd fall IF I went roller skating, therefore, I shouldn't, or I shouldn't go swimming because I didn't know how. I also learned at a very young age that she just didn't flat out trust me BEFORE I ever hit puberty. Unfortunately, as her distrust grew as I grew, it pushed me away from her and into some the behaviors she was so worried about.

I later in life (much later) learned that perhaps her behavior towards me was because she was afraid I might do some of the things she did do that maybe she shouldn't have and had regrets over. She is not of this world any longer and unfortunately, I learned even later because of letters that were found between her and my father when they were dating, that I might not have been a child she really wanted because of the way she felt about my brother, who turned out to be my half brother. While it stings a bit, even at this late date, it is water under the bridge so to speak.

I am sorry that your mom treated you the way that she did, but am glad you realize and won't make the same mistake with your daughter.

Thank you for sharing and have a lovely day!🤗