From Firesprite: And when I break a habit, she takes it as a personal statement directed at her own parenting. DD & I tried to share about an amazing seminar we attended over the summer & you could watch mom just shut down the more we spoke. I think I have it alllll figured out, don't I? I'm just *so smart*. Sigh.
Oh man....I recognize this kind of crap in my Mom too...and I can be several sentences into something before I realize she thinks I'm talking abut her...more of her not really listening habit...
Is it because a codependent tendency is to always be trying to influence others' behavior that she assumes everything I say has a hidden message, a push, an agenda?
Not taking things personally in relation to my kids is a good reminder for me, a powerful codie impulse to keep breaking.
Peace,
B