Re: poll: how affectionate was your mother with you?

She was overtaxed when I was growing up. I have a major disability called spina bifida (look it up on wikipedia). My biological father suffered a stroke when I was 6 and died when I was 14. My mother cared for both him and me until he died, and didn't get much help at all. I think in some ways I was neglected. My mother refused to give up caring for my father, which caused her to be lazy and overstressed and emotional towards me. I am, I admit, rather formal with her nowadays, whereas she wants to hug me every 30 seconds all week when I am around her. She is also a non-stop talker. I am not. She talks all the time about her own hobbies and interests, but not mine, at least not with any genuine interest.

I have my hobbies and interests and such, but if I had a kid, I would give that up and, within reason, let my kid shape me in a sense. My hobby and interest would be my kids needs. Not necessarily wants, but needs.

My mother tried, but not hard enough. She wanted to be everywhere for everyone. Parenting requires priorities.

Things did improve as far as my parenting when my mother rmarried after my father's death. However, that was more his doing. My relationship with my mother got more honest, and more brutal in a sense. She is someone I would not befriend if I just plain knew her.

Good question, but I'm curious why you ask? I'm intrigued.