Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Philippa Perry

HISTORICAL FACTS: My mother refuses to admit she was abusive and violent - The Untold Story

food hygienehands washing each other with soap and water
‘A while ago, she brought up an incident of washing out my mouth with soap and water, because she thought it was funny.’ Photograph: Graham Turner/The Observer

The question I would like some advice on how to approach my mum as my siblings and I have found it increasingly difficult to relate to or even like her. One brother can’t even see her any more as it upsets him so much.

Our mother dealt with the frustration of having a large, young family by screaming at my dad, which created a divide in the house. I remember loving my father and being confused as to how I should behave towards him as he was the object of such anger. I found myself swept along in this feeling of dislike towards him. Mum’s propensity for aggression won out over Dad’s passivity. I’m grateful that I had a good relationship with him as an adult before he died.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.