I know what you're talking about to a degree. My mom the A (sober for a long time), has NEVER paid me a compliment. I am 55. I try as hard as I can to be accomplished at things, yet to her it's never good enough as, say, my cousin, or her neices and nephews. So, once I figured out that winning the lottery wouldn't get a compliment, I quit trying and quit caring. I work for ME. I do what makes me happy, not what satisfies her. While I still have issues with her, I get along with her and don't allow her to undermine me, or talk down to me any more. I am what I am, take it or leave it!