good to see you after coming out of this nightmare, O.
and to say that my experience of mother-child was very much one of experiencing my mom as an authority figure. my dad, even more.
and they made sure it was so.
and no doubt my kids experienced me that way, also. not solely as authority figure, but yes.
anyone who does any kind of ‘guiding’ has some implied authority, i think. i don’t see it as in and of itself a negative .