Do you know what it’s like to never know what mood is going to meet you at the door?

Do you know what it’s like to never make your mom proud? Not for lack of trying but from never being good enough?

Do you know what it’s like to have your mother one-up you every time she gets the chance? “Congrats on your new car! I made sure to go out and get a nicer one.”

Do you know what it’s like to walk on eggshells because you never know what might turn her mood sour?

Do you know what it’s like to try to shield your children from the worst parts of someone they love?

Do you know what it’s like to be silenced when you’re the one in the right?

Do you know what it’s like to have your own mother bash you on social media?

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Do you know what it’s like to not feel welcome in your childhood home because your mom has made it known she doesn’t want you there?

Do you know what it’s like to have people view you as less than because of the manipulation they’ve faced at the hands of your mom?

Do you know what it’s like to be used as a pawn in divorce proceedings? All in the name of furthering a career.

Do you know what it’s like to have your mom spread rumors and lies about you just for her own satisfaction?

Do you know what it’s like to see all your friends have a mom and best friend all in one and desperately wish you had the same?

Do you know what it’s like to always be wrong? To always be silenced.

Do you know what it’s like to have your mom frown upon the fact you are a stay-at-home mom? Because you wanted to do things much differently than she did.

Do you know what it’s like to have spent your entire adolescence doing whatever your mom wanted you to do and never having a voice in your own life until you moved out?

Do you know what it’s like to mean so little to someone that they don’t put in any effort to be in your life? You’re always the one who has to drive the miles, buy the plane tickets, and rearrange your life.

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Do you know what it’s like to have people you know treat you differently once they find out who your mom is?

Do you know what it’s like to have every choice you’ve made as an adult belittled?

Do you know what it’s like to have your husband treated differently than the other in-laws within your family for no reason at all?

Do you know what it’s like to have your mom miss your child’s first birthday party because the party wasn’t how grandma wanted it?

Do you know what it’s like to mean so little to the person who birthed you?

Do you know what it’s like to never be enough for your own mother?

I know.

But my kids don’t.

I made a vow to never subject them to the torment I’ve gone through.

I promised myself I’d never be like my narcissistic mother.