Dobie, I have three kids, and sometimes I dread "quality time" with them because of the mood they put me in. I've tried to set boundaries by saying "I'd rather not talk about that now" but usually get a sarcastic reply and even more of a sour mood from them.
It's a shame, but now that they are grown, I realize as a mom my job is pretty much done, and I don't have to tolerate behavior that doesn't affirm me. It still hurts so much, though, that I don't have the happy adult relationship I want with them. I'm still the mom who gets dumped on. *sigh*
Hopefully it will change as we all get older. I know my mom and I got a lot closer after I got married and had kids. We're still not all that close though, because she is critical by nature and I've had to pull back when she starts up with that.

to your pup and you