I put up with it because I guess I just considered my mother to be a little off the wall. I never really considered it to be abuse until yesterday when I heard my neighbour verbally abusing his wife and I thought to myself...WOW that kind of sounds like my mother talking. It's difficult for me too because I've always been very respectful of my parents and somehow I feel like putting up with her insults is just my "lot" in life. She also has her moments when she's helpful - she's bailed me out financially a few times and helped me to obtain my education. But everything always comes with a price and that price is killing my spirit! On top of those reasons...my dad has had an illness for which there is no cure and has been sliding downhill for three years. He isn't expected to live much longer and to take a stance now would completely destroy him.