That cliche about respect being earned and not a given is really true in this case. Some parents are really selfish and not only cause, but then basically ignore disharmony in their own home until everyone is miserable. The ripple effect in somebody's life is a real mind F. Having gone through this with my mom was the most frustrating experience I've ever had. Like why would you give somebody life and then turn them into a basket case by isolating the kid and filling his head with fears about the world around him? I knew it was wrong when I was younger but was so depressed and lonely I had nobody to talk to about it. So I just accepted it as my reality until apathy took over.

I'm so glad I moved away, but my mom seems to think we're BFFs and keeps trying to follow me to my new town. She has no idea I feel this way toward her and sucks at taking hints. I don't want to be honest because my brother is already so distant that I'm kind of like her only kid. My goal is not to get revenge or anything, but sometimes I feel like guilt or obligation is the only reason I still talk to her. Her mom was a great grandma and when she died it was like losing my own mom.

Anyway, the short answer is that I'd like to disown my mom because the damage she caused and how much she ruined my life when I was young (and supposed to enjoy being carefree) very much outweighs the good she provided. She gave me life and then drove me toward wanting to die to escape my miserable existence for years until I finally turned the corner . I only survived because of my own belief that I just needed to get away from her and things would get better. And they did, until Quora forced me to think it over again ;)