I’m tired of trying to save my mom. I think I need to move on

Opinions & Discussions

I’m 24F and I’m exhausted. I grew up in a house where my parents constantly fought. My father is a controlling j*rk he always “won” because he’s the patriarch ig and that’s just how things worked. I spent most of my childhood sympathizing with my mom. I saw her as the victim. I felt protective of her, she had her independence (financial)snatched away even tho she is a working mom. She’s always been extremely attached /obsessed with me. When I moved 2 hours away for college, she would show up every weekend, even when I asked her not to. She’d do my laundry, dishes, everything. I understand now it was her way of feeling needed, and it was also her care(even though I really didn't want all that). My father controlled her life. He diminished her confidence, her independence, everything. For some reason, he didn’t restrict me as much (maybe because my mom shielded me in ways I didn’t see) Now I’m 24. I’m a doctor. I got an opportunity to move to a better city. They both created huge drama about how they wouldn’t “allow” it. I’m an adult, but they still talk like I’m a child. Things escalated. I stayed back for now because I’m preparing for an entrance exam. But I am 100% planning to leave as soon as I can. What hurts the most is this: my mother, who survived her whole life by softly managing my father, is now fully on his team. They’re united in stopping me from leaving. I think it’s because I’m an only child(& a girl). Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to go to a friend’s house 4 km away. No trips. No independence. Even now, all my important documents are kept by my father. They actively try to prevent me from becoming independent. She usually fights with my father and then comes to me complaining about it, I always felt bad for her in those moments, I used to fantasize about rescuing her from this life. I resented her for not leaving him years ago as well but I thought she was just helpless. But now I feel something worse.... I feel like she wants me to accept the same life she did. To be dependent. To live under that man’s authority. To follow rules she followed. I hate her so much right now, the way she wants me to have the terrible life she had, it is heartbreaking. On top of that, she keeps telling me how much of a saint my father is and all the things he does for me (I'D RATHER STARVE THAN HAVE MY FREEDOM SNATCHED) ...and it is just so confusing because this is the same woman who would complain about this man nonstop all the time.

Posted Feb 22, 2026, 4:59 PM UTC

2710
Loading comments…