im so sorry your mom is so critical. she sounds alot like mine. mine does the guilt trip thing also which just makes me a constant anxiety attack waiting to happen. I get all nervous before I even call her and I dont tell her anything thats going on in my life anymore because she will always have something negative to say. maybe if you just stress that this is your life and your happy living it this way and if she doesnt have anything positive to add then to just smile and nod. i could never tell my mom that myself though